• Population: 29,500 people - located in heart of Silicon Valley
• Ethnicity: 59% Latino, 23% African-American, 7% White, 10% Pacific Islander.
• Median Age: 25.8 years (11 years younger than the median age in San Mateo County) 35% of population is under the age of 18.
• Income: $13,774 per capita (38.2% of the per capita income of San Mateo County.)
• High School Graduation Rates: 36% of students graduate on time.
  
  
  

Despite its geographic proximity to the epicenter of the technological revolution, East Palo Alto residents are struggling to get by in Silicon Valley. The technological boom has created economic forces that challenge even middle income residents, and leaves low income residents living in overcrowded conditions, homeless, or struggling with severe housing cost burdens. Housing prices in the San Francisco Bay Area are the highest in the nation and there is serious competition for the limited supply. As a result, in just the last two years, rents have increased by 29% to an average of $1450 for a two bedroom apartment. To be affordable, rent at this level requires a job paying at least $25 per hour. Since our community members are under-qualified for most high-tech jobs, they struggle every day to earn the kind of money needed to make ends meet.

At the core, it is this economic, skill, and opportunity deficit that has created the "Digital Divide" in East Palo Alto. Other factors include the lack of a local high school, isolation from the social networks in which technology information is distributed and shared, and lack of people in the community that can act as technology educators. That is why Plugged In was created - to train community members to use technology to increase their professional, educational, and social opportunities.