Shasta County, California
Nestled in the middle of Northern California is Shasta County. Population approximately 176,980 as of 2013 and is only one and half hours from the Oregon border. The county is beautiful with forests and mountains, home to Mt. Shasta covered with snow year round and Lake Shasta a very popular water skiing and houseboat resort. Temperatures in the county fluctuate depending on the season from the 100's to freezing with snow. Outdoor activities are the principal recreation, something for everyone. Look to the east and you can see Lassen Peak, an active volcano. There are many small communities within Shasta County that are considered rural. Sounds pristine and inviting.
What lies beneath this beautiful blanket of beauty is a county economically crippled. There are many contributing factors to the economic decline in Shasta County that has come full circle evolving from the 1960's. Let's look at a simplified synopsis of the multiplier effects that have affected the economy.
 Physical isolation: Shasta County’s physical location is more isolated than most other areas or counties of California.
 Unemployment: the area is economically depressed and has not recovered since the recession of 2008-2009. The unemployment rate remains higher in Shasta County for 2012 than the California's average.
 Health facilities: There are two large hospitals located in Redding of Shasta County with only two small facilities in the outlying areas with no mental health facilities in the county.
In the 1960’s when the disability right movement began in California, Shasta County became a haven for a person and/or veteran’s to apply for disability status. It almost seemed automatic to receive disability status. Disability payments are much lower than paying jobs.
Shasta County is physically isolated compared to many other areas of California. Many of the small rural communities in the outlying areas of Shasta County are only accessible by winding roads with one or two ways in. All products are trucked in. Redding does have a train thoroughfare. Obviously with all products being shipped in one of these two formats, the costs of having this items brought into the county are passed onto the consumer. This affects the consumer with the costs and as we pay more for our products and services, leaves less money in our pockets.
As the unemployment rate continues to be higher in Shasta County than California as a whole for 2012 with Shasta County 10.9% vs CA 8.9%. According to Warren Jensen, Associate Director, Research Center for Economic Development California State University, Chico, “The economy also lags behind that of the state with lower income (regional per capita income $32,965 while for the state it is $43,647) in 2011, a higher unemployment rate, and a higher poverty rate.” (Jensen, 2014, p.4) In addition, between 2006 and 2014 the unemployment rate was at the lowest of 6.6% in 2006 and peaked at 16% in 2010 (retrieved from Shasta County Economic Forecast). There are no new large constructions under development or major corporations planning expansion here. The local shopping outlet is less than half full with stores. The airport use to house three airlines and is now down to one. With unemployment high, means no jobs and the county crime rate has increased significantly over the last couple of years. I believe the lower income paying wages play a big factor with crime, which will include people with drug addiction and less educated people in the county. The less educated factor is plays into the lower wages, as people with degrees are more apt to get their foot in the door for a higher paying job. As noted by Mr. Jensen in his economic report of June 2014 “in Shasta County only 19.7% of people over 25 years+ hold a bachelor’s degree vs. the California average of 30.2%.”
Health facilities and access are a major concern in the county. The local community clinic no longer accepts new patients due to the capacity of providing services to their current clientele. If you live in the rural areas of the county and need emergency or trauma services you are most likely be brought to one of the Redding hospitals via air ambulances (helicopter). Both facilities are equipped for landings on their roof tops. There is a huge strain on the local emergency rooms due to the lack of health care accessibility. One, people who do not have a primary care physician seek the local emergency rooms as their place of care. Due to the EMTALA law, “the emergency rooms cannot refuse to see anyone” (Riddell, 2013). Next, people not having insurance or on welfare go to the emergency room. Finally, with the local clinic unable to take new patients, this will continue to send the patients that do not have insurance, on welfare or do not have a personal physician.
Also, there are no mental health facilities in the county. The psychiatric hospital closed in 2004. Unfortunately people needing some type of mental health treatment must now go thru the ER at the hospital, or a private physician.
We are looking at a county that has a significant portion of the population on disability, welfare, unemployed, receiving low wages and do not have health care accessibility. Remember some of these people of have second and third generation family members in the same situation. The outlying rural areas are barely surviving and also rely on assistance from the local, state and federal governments. I chose not to include the homeless percent of the population in my report due to the overwhelming issue it is within this county. Nor the significant crime rate increase and how that is impacting the citizens of the county. Lastly, schools are closing or consolidating due to reduced attendance and the schools must find ways to save money too.
It is unfortunate if a person falls within one of these categories as they are unable to contribute to the economic stability and help rebuild the county to where it was heading ten years ago.
Jensen, W., (June 2014). North State Economic Impact Report, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity Counties, pages 4, 25
Shasta County Economic Forecast. Retrieved from http://www.dot.ca.gov/economic/ShastaCounty
Riddell, L., (2013). Emergency room cannot refuse you. Retrieved from:
http://www.healthunsurance.bangordailynew.com