Underrepresented Groups

Introduction

Underrepresented groups are people that participate at a lower frequency in public engagement compared to the general population. Underrepresentation can be identified through demographic factors as well as characteristics or interests, which may be intersectional and compounding.

As a result of being underrepresented in public participation, these groups can have lesser influence on policy and project outcomes that affect their community and lives. By promoting inclusive public participation, the City can seek to address these disparities so that more people can have a greater involvement in local decision-making. 

Summary of Underrepresentation Findings

In a review of public perceptions of underrepresentation, the demographics of people who had engaged in recent citywide projects, a recent survey of planning group members and representation among local stakeholder advocacy groups, it was observed that people of color and youth were the most frequently identified underrepresented groups. Following them were older adults, individuals with limited time due to work commitments and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Approach and Insights

To understand who is missing from the City decision-making process, qualitative and quantitative information was assessed. An analysis of planning group members conducted in 2019 found that a lower proportion of community planning group members were renters, lived in multi-unit homes (apartments, condominiums, duplexes, etc.), identified as female, identified as non-white or were in an age group between 18 and 49 than the city’s total population. Underrepresentation of specific demographic groups in the San Diego region’s boards and commissions was also independently identified in the 2018 Community Representation Report by the Center on Policy Initiatives. Underrepresented groups were identified as Black, Indigenous and other people of color, women, low-wage workers, LGBTQIA+ individuals and immigrants. The study found that decision-making bodies in the San Diego region did not fully represent the diverse communities they serve.

Similarly, an analysis of select City project public engagement summaries found that the fewest respondents came from those who indicated an age of 24 or younger, followed by those older than 65. It also found that, proportionally, Asian, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino populations were found to be underrepresented when compared to the city’s general population.

At a broader scale, there are local communities or causes that may have more limited representation due to fewer organizations advocating for the topic of interest to those communities. The City conducted a frequency analysis of nonprofit stakeholder advocacy groups using information from readily accessible data sources. Staff analyzed these groups to assess their representation across topic area categories and keywords. Twenty-eight of the 133 identified topics areas had three or fewer advocacy organizations within the city, including “Accessible Design,” “Childcare” and “Trade Schools.” While the frequency of advocacy groups for a topic area does not necessarily correlate with the power to influence local decision-making, topic areas with more advocacy groups may suggest a stronger, more organized movement, while those with fewer may indicate more limited representation.

City staff also sought input from community members through City-affiliated groups and community-based organizations to understand their perception of what groups are underrepresented. Discussions with local stakeholders revealed that they perceived youth and working people with limited time as the most underrepresented groups in the public engagement process.