Here are highlights from this year’s Department of Finance census report specific to counties:

• California has 58 counties ranging in size from Alpine County, with just over 1,100 residents to Los Angeles County with over 9.9 million residents.
• The state’s nine largest counties, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San
• Bernardino, Santa Clara, Alameda, Sacramento and Contra Costa each have over one million residents. These counties are home to about seven out of ten Californians.
• Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Clara counties posted the highest numeric population gains and accounted for over half of the state's growth. Growth in these counties was primarily due to natural increase with Orange, Riverside, and Santa Clara also posting gains in net migration.
• Placer, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Riverside, and San Benito counties had the largest percentage increases in population, each growing more than one percent. Population change ranged from the highest growth rate of 1.2 percent in Placer and Santa Clara to a -2.9 percent in Lassen.
• Natural increase was the primary source of growth in the state, however, 12 counties experienced natural decrease (more deaths than births during the year) – Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Lake, Mariposa, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Trinity, and Tuolumne

Click here for the data in the American Community Survey which includes population; income, poverty, and employment; education; social characteristics; and housing. This data can be extremely helpful in program planning, park development, master planning, and policy reports.

CPRS believes there should be public investment in parks, open space and recreation to achieve positive environmental, economic, and health outcomes for all Californians. This investment can be financial, local, regional, and state policies, regulations, and laws. CPRS has set the following as its 2013 legislative priorities.

Check out this month's patterns in cohabitation, tale of 2 Americans (obesity) and trends in youth body image. Click here to view the November 2012 issue of the trendSCAN.

Apply for Region 5 Representative to the State Board of Directors

The CPRS Board of Directors is seeking applicants for the Region 5 Representative to the State Board of Directors. The appointment is for 14 months, January 2013 to March 2014.

Requirements are to attend CPRS State Board of Directors meetings (March, May, August, & December 2013 and March 2014) and to represent CPRS Districts 9, 10, and 12.

Qualifications for this position are:

1.     Current voting member of CPRS of either District 9, 10, or 12;

2.     Employed at least 5 years in a full time capacity;

3.     Currently working in a permanent position in the profession; and

4.     Have a minimum of 2 years experience either in an elected capacity at the state, region, district, or section level or as chair of a state committee or task force.

Interested individuals are to complete the attached Region 5 Representative Interest Form by January 4, 2013 and submit it to Darin Loughrey, CPRS President, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Questions? Contact Darin at 949.724.6642.