CALIFORNIA — A pair of recent UC Riverside surveys reveal that a majority of residents in the Inland Empire report they are struggling to get by, with economic and social stress widely felt across the region.

The studies, conducted by UCR’s Center for Community Solutions and involving more than 3,300 respondents, found that only 41% of participants rated themselves as “thriving,” compared to 53% nationally. Meanwhile, 53% reported they were “struggling,” and 6% said they were “suffering.” 

The region’s score places it on par with countries such as Brazil, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Slovakia.

A separate survey focusing on women across Riverside and San Bernardino counties showed even starker results: 58% reported struggling, and 6% said they were suffering, with fewer than 4 in 10 describing themselves as thriving. 

Among key challenges identified:

• Nearly 40% of uninsured women cited cost as a barrier to obtaining health coverage.

• Only 30% of girls of pre-K age were enrolled in programs.

• 16% of adult women lacked a high school diploma, with those without a diploma reporting median earnings of around $26,000 annually.

Study says strong sense of community comparable to earning $190,000

Despite these hardships, the surveys also revealed signs of resilience.

About a third of Inland residents reported a strong sense of belonging in their communities, and that sense of connection had a comparable impact on well-being as earning $190,000 per year. 

Center for Community Solutions executive director Justine Ross said the region’s unusually strong sense of local connection offers hope and a foundation to build upon.

“We often talk about income as if it is the strongest factor linked to well-being, but our study shows belonging and civic engagement are just as strongly correlated,” Ross said.

UCR said the studies point to opportunities for policy action aimed at expanding early childhood education, improving healthcare access, increasing civic engagement, and investing in programs that strengthen social connections.

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