Data,
Action,
Impact.

 

Advance OC is now

advancing our communities!

Our story began in Orange County, California where we were able to tell the stories of the marginalized and unseen. Now, we are taking our expertise to support other communities across our nation. At Advance OC, we envision a future where every person’s potential is not limited by their zip code.

We specialize in data for good.

We believe that closing disparities starts with establishing a baseline to promote a shared understanding of community needs and assets. By collecting and analyzing data at the neighborhood level, we aim to unite stakeholders and champion community-centered solutions that are data informed and equity-focused. Together, we are working to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Data,
Action,
Impact.

 

Advance OC is now Advance Our Communities!

Our story began in Orange County, California where we were able to tell the stories of the marginalized and unseen. Now, we are taking our expertise to support other communities across our nation. At Advance OC, we envision a future where every person’s potential is not limited by their zip code.

 

We specialize in data for good.

We believe that closing disparities starts with establishing a baseline to promote a shared understanding of community needs and assets. By collecting and analyzing data at the neighborhood level, we aim to unite stakeholders and champion community-centered solutions that are data informed and equity-focused. Together, we are working to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

 

award-winning orange county equity map

In July 2020, the Board of Supervisors commissioned Advance OC to create an Orange County Equity Map using the Social Progress Index (SPI) platform. This index, used world-wide, includes population data in three broad dimensions: Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity.

The Orange County Equity Map displays this data for all 613 neighborhood census tracts as well as CDC population health and US Census demographic data for the county.

This award-winning interactive platform provides a simple way to investigate disparities at the county, city, and neighborhood levels in an easy-to-understand format.

Our Community Partners

For instructions on how to use the OC Equity Map, click here for the handbook.

Social Progress Index: Orange County

Basic Human Needs

Nutrition and Basic Medical Care

  • Dental care visits (% of adults)
  • Households with food stamp benefits in the past 12 months (% of households)
  • Preventative care visits (% of adults)
  • Supermarket access (% of pop.)
  • Kindergarten vaccination rate (% of kindergarteners)

Water and Sanitation

  • Groundwater
  • Hazardous waste
  • Businesses in compliance with health standards (% of total businesses inspected)

Housing

  • Housing cost burden (% of households, owners)
  • Housing cost burden (% of households, renters)
  • Housing overcrowding (% of households)
  • Rental Assistance Priority Index

Personal Safety

  • Motor vehicle accident rate (per 1,000 pop)
  • Property crime rate (per 10,000 pop)
  • Violent crime rate (per 1,000 pop)

Foundations of Wellbeing

Health and Wellness

  • Cancer prevalence (% of adults)
  • Diabetes prevalence (% of adults)
  • Poor mental health days
  • Obesity prevalence (% of adults)
  • Vulnerable or at risk in physical health (% of children under 5)

Access to Basic Knowledge

  • Third grade language arts proficiency (% of 3rd graders)
  • Eighth grade math proficiency (% of 8th graders)
  • Population without high school diploma or equivalent (% of pop. ages 18-24 )
  • Preschool enrollment (% of 3 & 4 year olds)
  • Communication and general knowledge (% of children under 5)
  • Social-emotional vulnerable (% of children under 5)

Access to Info and Comms

  • Broadband subscription (% of pop.)
  • Average broadband speed (Mbps)
  • Cellular data subscription (% of pop.)
  • One or more types of computing devices present (% of households)
  • No internet access (% of pop.)

Environmental Quality

  • Nitrogen dioxide averge annual concentration (ppb)
  • Ozone average 8-hour concentration (ppm)
  • PM2.5 average annual concentration (_g/m3)
  • Wildfire hazard potential

Opportunity

Personal Rights

  • Home ownership (% of households)
  • Voter registration rate (% of voting eligible pop.)
  • Voter turnout (% of voting eligible pop.)

Personal Freedom and Choice

  • Child care deserts
  • Alternative transportation usage (% of commuters)
  • Disconnected youth (% of 16-19 year olds)
  • Walkability index

Inclusiveness

  • Residential segregation (non-white/white)
  • Gender pay gap
  • Residential isolation (non-white/white)
  • Linguistic isolation (% households)

Access to Advanced Education

  • Associates degree holders (% of pop. age 25+)
  • Bachelors degree holders (% of pop. age 25+)
  • Advanced degree holders (% of pop. age 25+)

Hear From The Community

Thomas

Thomas

Faith Based Organization

Ever since I met you all you have done is help with various types of issues. For that, I just want to say thank you. Most people listen to the issues and just make you feel that there is no hope, and you are just left holding those issues alone. With you it has been different and for that I want to say: Thanks for helping and God Bless you!

Xavier

Xavier

American Academy of Pediatrics

What you are doing at Advance OC is truly revolutionary.

Cecilia

Cecilia

Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Your work is truly inspirational and transformative.

Lucy

Lucy

Community-Based Organization

I recently found your Orange County Equity map and found it to be so insightful. We are a community organization based in Orange County, hoping to help youth and immigrants pave a new pathway. I hope we can work together! Again, thanks for making an amazing map!

Emily

Emily

Community-Based Organization

It was wonderful to talk with you last week and learn more about what you and Advance OC are doing with the Orange County Equity Map, and beyond. It’s really impressive and exciting!

David

David

City Council Member

What you are doing is extremely impressive. I’d like to put you in touch with my contacts at Ventura County Public Health and with a social justice organization of which I am a board member.

Contact Us!

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