Indicator 4:	Disengaged young adults
	Trend
	vs. Georgia

What does it measure?
This indicator measures the percentage of 18- to 24-year-old residents of Chatham County who are neither working nor in school. More recent supplemental information is provided for disengaged 16- to 19-year-olds.

Why is it important?
This indicator measures the productivity of young adults and is a predictor for long-term financial stability. Studies show that detached young adults are more likely to have lower work-life earnings, less stable employment, rely more often on social welfare programs and face a higher risk of incarceration in the prison system.

How are we doing?

The percentage of 18- to 24-year-old residents of Chatham County who are neither working nor in school was below the comparable rate for the state in the most recent period for which data is available (2005-2007).  The figure for Chatham County was 14%, which compares favorably to the state rate of 17.7%. It is likely that the lower county rate is partly a reflection of the relatively large presence of college-age students residing in Savannah and Chatham County. Variation in the level of reported percentages will characterize changes in the underlying level of disengagement of young adults, provided that the proportion of college-age persons in the county is relatively stable. The proportion of disengaged 16- to 19-year olds was steady from 2007 to 2009 at approximately 16.3%. The state rate continued its upward trend, rising to 12.0% (2010) from 10.6% (2007).

18- TO 24-YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE NOT WORKING AND NOT IN SCHOOL Source: United Way of America (through the U.S. Census Bureau)

The American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau recently added questions that allow for the estimation of 18- to 24-year-olds who are disengaged. As a result, the data is available at the county level for only one three-year period (2005-2007). To supplement this information, data for disengaged 16- to 19-year-olds is also provided. This data is available for 2007 and 2009 for Chatham County.

The percentage of 16- to 19-year-olds who are neither enrolled in school nor working was 16.3% in Chatham County during 2009. This is little changed from 16.4% in 2007. The rate for Georgia increased from 11.7% in 2007 to 18.3% in 2009. In Chatham County, the rate for 16- to 19-year-old females increased from 11.8% in 2007 to 18.3% in 2009. The rate for 16- to 19-year-old males declined to 14.2% from 20.1%. The margin of error in the sample estimates is relatively wide and caution should be exercised when using these data.

16- TO 19-YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE NOT WORKING AND NOT IN SCHOOL Source: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey, Table B14005)

16- TO 19-YEAR OLDS WHO ARE NOT WORKING AND NOT IN SCHOOL CHATHAM COUNTY, BY GENDER Source: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey, Table B14005)