Inland Empire growth continues

If it seems like the region has grown fast, just wait. More people are moving in.

In fact, according to a report by Joseph Hayes, who shared his findings during the Hesperia Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon meeting on Aug. 18, a million people will move into the Inland Empire over a 10-year period that began in 2005.

Even if regional growth slows due to the economic downturn, the population will becoming larger than Oregon's.

And more people - Hayes' study didn't specifically identify how many will be migrating to Hesperia - means greater challenges.

The study, "The Inland Empire in 2015," was authored by three Public Policy Institute of California researchers, Hayes, Hans Johnson and Deborah Reed. The report, which was released last spring, was funded by the James Irvine Foundation.

Jobwise, it will be harder for those without college degrees to find a job. That is because there will be a larger pool of workers with college diplomas and only a modest increase in demand, according to the study.

Similarly, wages are expected to increase only slightly. Two years ago the Inland Empire ranked second to last out of 51 U.S. metropolitan areas in terms of annual average salary.

Demographics will also change. Latinos, which are one of the fastest growing segments in the Inland Empire, will become the new majority.

Affordable housing will continue to be the engine that drives the migratory motor, according to the report.