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Our Community
La Jolla is technically a community of San Diego, but it has always felt itself to be set apart from the greater San Diego area. It has its own Town Council and because of its wealth, has positioned itself in numerous spheres of influence around San Diego. Following is a snap-shot of our community within a three mile radius of the church commissioned in 2003 from Percept in the form of a “Ministry Area Profile.” Sources for the information used by Percept come from the U. S. Census Bureau, Claritas ( a for-profit company specializing in market demographic information), and its own “Ethnos Survey” of believers.
The church is located in an area wherein 43-55% of its inhabitants have no faith involvement (the national average is 35%). In fact, those households closest to the church, within a few blocks, range from 49-54% no faith involvement. This is despite the location of five other churches in the immediate area - Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, AME and Congregational. The largest faith group is Roman Catholic at 21.5% of the households, followed by non-denominational at 10.1%, Baptist at 6.6%, those interested but without a preference at 6%, Judaism at 5.9% and Presbyterian at 5.3%.
The growth in population between 2003 and 2008 was projected to be between 1% and 5%, with some areas over a mile from the church expecting 5-10% growth in population.
The average number of persons per household was at 2.01 in 1999, 1.98 in 2003 and expected to be 1.96 by 2008. The ratio between males and females is almost 50-50 and the average age in 2003 was 38.9 years. 77% of the population within the three mile radius is White (non-Hispanic), 13% Asian, 9% Hispanic, and 1% African-American. The majority of inhabitants were classified as “Survivors” (those born between 1961 and 1981) at 40.5%, next were the “Boomers” (those born between 1943 and 1960) at 23%, with the “Millenials” (those born after 1982) at 19% as third. Of those age 25 and over, 60.4% have a bachelor’s or graduate degree, compared to 24.4% national average. 80.8% of the workers are classified as “white collar.”
People living in the households in the 3-mile radius are primarily concerned about achieving long-term financial security (55%), maintaining personal health (44%), neighborhood crime and safety (32%), finding time for recreation / leisure (30%), and dealing with stress (30%). (Please note that the total exceeds 100% because of respondents ability to list more than one concern.) Of least concern for the households were dealing with divorce (3%), finding child care (6%), providing adequate food (6%), achieving educational objectives (8%), and finding spiritual teaching (8.5%). 77% believe there is a God, but only 50% believe God is actively involved in the world including nations and their governments (compared nationally to 84% and 64% respectively).
If looking for a new church, 32% seek churches which provide music, drama, or art; 30% bible discussion and prayer groups; 29% family activities and outings; 27% active retirement programs, and 26% youth social programs. Households are more prone to seek both intellectually challenging and emotionally uplifting worship, and music which is both contemporary and traditional. Only 6% have an interest in global mission emphasis. Such is the mission field God has placed our Christian fellowship amidst.