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In the follow up email responses to Pleasanton traffic engineer Cedric Noverario’s presentation to the GraceWay retired guys group, an interesting fact emerged.
The city, like the school district, is shrinking. Yes, population is declining. The 2024 population is estimated at 72,982 compared to 79,665 in the 2020 census. That’s a drop of 2 ¼ % annually or a total decline over four years of 8.39% over four years.
Wow. Did anyone see that coming. The school district’s decline over the past several years of more than 700 students puts it in the most difficult financial situation—needing to make cuts every year to balance the budget because revenue (based on a per student basis) is going down.
For the city, I welcome theories on what is going on. Younger families or individuals leaving for more affordable areas—either in-state (San Joaquin Valley) or out-of-state, Nevada, Idaho, Texas or beyond.
Pleasanton’s older suburban housing stock on larger lots made it an ideal destination for families bailing out of expensive and tiny San Francisco housing during the lockdown. Backyards were highly sought.
The city’s location on Interstate 680 also make it a continued ideal destination for well-compensated professionals looking for a place to raise their family other than the expensive and non-family friendly Silicon Valley. For decades Pleasanton and other Tri-Valley communities have maintained their status as good places to raise a family (quality schools, plenty of amenities and open space and employment opportunities locally or within commuting distance.
July 9 marked the 40th anniversary of the opening of Shepherd’s Gate, a long-term residential program for women striving to turn their lives around from homelessness, drug or alcohol abuse or domestic violence. God led retired East Bay parks ranger Alice Ann Cantelow to open the shelter instead of spending her time hiking. During the early days, she literally sold everything she owned—including her Sunol cottage, to keep the Christ-centered ministry afloat.
Amazingly, in 40 years, there have just been four leaders of the ministry and more than 14,800 women have gone through the program. It grew from a 3-week emergency shelter into today’s 12-18 month program to help the clients flourish in every part of their lives. It serves women with the Livermore campus on Portola Ave. and the Brentwood campus that currently is being expanded so both sites can offer the same program.
CEO Carol Patterson joined seven years ago and has led major improvements to the program so it is much more robust. She revitalized the alumni program to provide additional support and launched remote case management so instead of women having to wait for an opening, they can get immediate support when they call in. It’s greatly expanded the reach.
Livermore Mayor John Marchand, a long-time supporter, attended the anniversary party for the staff to present a commendation.
I have been privileged to serve twice on the board, six-plus years in the 2000s and then alongside Carol and my board colleagues since 2017.
Following COVID some kids did not return to PUSD schools. Enrolled in private schools or continued with homeschooling. Over the past ten years, private schools have had enrollments between 5.3 to 5.8 million children. Other population changes in Pleasanton may include work location, and transfers to other cities. High school graduates from PUSD schools have enrolled in out-of-state colleges. Many will be in second year and third year of college his fall.
People are having smaller families. That’s the answer. Look at the average Ptown family size 10 years ago and now.
It’s not what Michael Austin thinks: it’s not public school to private or homeschool; those numbers locally wouldn’t account for the 8% shift. It’s not increased college kids in out-of-state colleges as college kids aren’t counted in their family census if they don’t live at home, regardless of school location.
If it was truly a question of people moving away and younger families not moving in, housing prices would go down. But they aren’t.
The answer is that people are choosing smaller families or not to have children at all.
Pleasanton city didn’t build many houses, for young generations to come and stay and have their kids go to school. As a result housing prices are beyond reach of many. Blame the city council, who is more interested in status quo. Now good thing is that, state is mandating to build more homes. That’s a good sign. I heard Mountain house high school is over flowing. One simple reason, houses are affordable for a family to raise kids. Unless we invite young families, schools will close one after another…and so the tax revenue…