The ten-year forecast is for this age group to decline by half a percentage point, but to increase by 27,000 persons. Social Capital Social capital in the Sierra Nevada is generally strong. The quality of education is high as demonstrated by high school seniors consistently outperforming the California average on the SAT, the standard college entrance exam. A commitment to public education is evidenced by both lower pupil-teacher ratios and greater access to computers in the classroom than statewide. Violent crime levels are half of those statewide.
Voter participation is high and arts council funding is growing.
Some indicators point to the need for additional investment. The ratio of children living in poverty grew from 1 in 9 in 1989 to 1 in 8 in 1995. The adult literacy level, though higher than statewide, suggests a significant portion of the population will not benefit from the new, information-based economy. Local hospital capacity is approximately half the state level, requiring residents to travel to large medical centers outside the region for specialty and advanced medical procedures. Natural Capital Natural Capital in the Sierra Nevada exhibits both strengths and weaknesses.