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List and Explanations of each of the Vital Signs Knowing
the definitions, caveats, calculations and interpretations of these indicators
used, is important for making the right decisions. This section enables
you to obtain more information and details about each of the Vital Signs in a
more interactive and user-friendly way. It provides clear, easy understanding
of the Vital Signs, why they are important, and what has been happening
in Baltimore over time. Click on the Topic Area in which you are
interested from the list below, and that will lead you to the list of Vital
Signs and to more details about them. The indicators themselves are available
by clicking on the links at the bottom of each explanation page. Housing
and Community Development Children and Family Health,
Safety and Well-being Workforce and Economic Development Sanitation Urban
Environment and Transit Education and Youth Neighborhood
Action and Sense of Community
Housing
and Community Development Vision: Neighborhoods that are both
racially and economically diverse. This city preserves its rich physical heritage
and provides affordable housing to all residents. Result: Well-maintained
homes
Residential Investment Activity
Percent
of residential properties that undergo rehab investment above $5,000 Housing
Conditions
Percent of residential
properties that are vacant and abandoned at year's end
Percent
residential properties with other types of housing violations at year's end (excludes
vacants) Housing Values
Median
sale price
Total housing units
sold
Median number of days
a house stays on the market Result: Racially and economically diverse
and inclusive neighborhoods
Racial and Economic Diversity
Racial
Diversity Index -
Percent chance that two people picked at random will be
of a different race/ethnicity
Economic
Diversity Index -
Percent chance that two households picked at random will
be in a different household income range group Owner-Occupied Housing
Percent of housing units that
are owner-occupied (single family homes and condos) Housing Affordability
Affordability Index -
Percent of households paying more than 30 percent of their household income for
rent
Percent of households paying more than 30 percent of their household
income for mortgage
Number
of rental evictions per 1,000 people
Number
of residential properties that are under mortgage foreclosure [Back
to Top]
Children
and Family Health, Safety and Well-being Vision: Neighborhoods
that are home to stable families with the resources needed to nurture children,
including access to high-quality health care, and jobs that pay family-supporting
wages.
Result: Safe children in their homes, families, and neighborhoods
Safe
Homes and Families
Domestic violence
rate - Number of 911 calls regarding domestic violence incidents per 1,000 people
Number
of reported and substantiated cases of abuse and neglect per 1,000 children ages
0-17
Percent of children ages 0-6 years
old with elevated blood lead levels out of all children tested for lead in their
blood Safe Neighborhoods
Juvenile
arrest rate - Number of juvenile arrests per 1,000 youth ages 10-17
Juvenile
arrest rate for violent offenses - Number of juvenile arrests for violent offenses
per 1,000 youth ages 10-17
Juvenile
arrest rate for drug-related offenses - Number of juvenile arrests for drug related
offenses per 1,000 youth ages 10-17
Percent
of all juvenile arrests where juvenile has at least one prior offense Crime
rate - Number of reported Part I criminal offenses per 1,000 people
Violent
crime rate - Number of reported Part I criminal offenses classified as violent
per 1,000 people Result: Stable and economically independent families
Income and Poverty
Median
household income
Teen birth
rate - Number of teens ages 15-19 who gave birth per 1,000 female teens
Family Self-Sufficiency
Percent
of married couple family households earning below Family Self-Sufficiency Standard
Percent of "other" family
households earning below the Family Self-Sufficiency Standard Result:
Babies born healthy
Maternal and Child Health
Maternal
and Child Health Index
Percent
of births delivered at term (37-42 weeks gestation)
Percent
of babies born with satisfactory birth-weight Result: Healthy families,
children, and individuals with health insurance, and access to preventive care Access
to Health Insurance and Preventive Health Care
Percent
of births where mother received early prenatal care (first trimester)
Number of people with vaccine-preventable
diseases per 10,000 people
Percent
of emergency room visits that are not emergency-related
Number
of children ages 0-17 years old hospitalized for asthma or asthma-related illnesses
Drug Addiction
Number of
drug treatment clients
[Back
to Top]
Workforce
and Economic Development Vision: A city where residents are
working, and commercial districts thrive. Result: Job-ready, working
adults who continue to gain skills
Labor Force Participation
and Employment
Percent of population
ages 16-64 that is employed
Percent
of population ages 16-64 that is unemployed and looking for work
Percent
of population ages 16-64 that is not in the labor force
Unemployment
Rate Educational Attainment
Percent
of population ages 25-64 that have a high school diploma or equivalent only
Percent
of population age 25-64 that have some college and above Result:
Thriving neighborhood commercial districts
Commercial Investment
Activity
Percent of commercial
properties that undergo rehab investment over $5,000
Percent
of commercial properties that are vacant and abandoned at year's end Successful
Businesses and Successful Small Businesses
Total
retail sales in $ millions
Percent
of all businesses over 4 years old as of the 4th quarter of year
Percent
of all businesses with 50 employees or less that are over 4 years old [Back
to Top]
Sanitation Vision:
A city that is safe and clean Rate
of illegal dumping -
Number of reported incidents of illegal dumping per 1,000
people Rate of dirty
streets and alleys -
Number of reported incidents of dirty streets and alleys
per 1,000 people Rate of
clogged storm drains -
Number of reported incidents of clogged storm drains
per 1,000 people Rate
of abandoned vehicles -
Number of reported incidents of abandoned vehicles
per 1,000 people
Rate of rat
incidents -
Number of reported incidents of rats per 1,000 people [Back
to Top]
Urban Environment
and Transit Vision: Places of physical beauty, where residents
breathe clean air and drink clean water. In this city, mass transit is utilized,
and all residents can find a green space nearby Result: Improved and
well-maintained parks and open spaces
Quality of Parks and Open
Spaces
(redesigning)
Result: Clean air, clean water, high quality
soil and vegetation
Air Quality, Water Quality, Hazardous Waste
Tree Canopy - Percent of area
covered by trees
"Code Red
Days"-Number of days ozone levels exceed EPA standards for ozone exposure
for one hour
Percent of residents
served with safe drinking water systems
Number
of "potential" hazardous waste sites Result: People choose
alternative modes of transportation Alternative Transportation Mode
Use
Percent of population ages
16 and over who are employed using a mode of transportation
other than a
car (such as bikes, public transit, walking, etc.) to get to work
Percent
of population ages 16 and over who are employed using public transit (bus, lightrail,
etc) to get to work
Percent of
population ages 16 and over who are employed using other modes of transit other
than a car or public transit (i.e bike, walk, etc) to get to work
[Back
to Top]
Education
and Youth Vision: A city in which people are well educated
and prepared to meet the challenges of today and the future. Result:
Students graduate as productive citizens ready for work, higher education, entrepreneurship
and leadership Dropout Rate and High School Completion Rate
Percent
of students in grades 9-12 who withdrew from school before completion
Percent
of 12th graders who received Maryland High School diploma or equivalency certificate
at the end of the year.
High School Performance
Maryland
School Assessment Test Scores in Reading and Math - Grade 10
High
School Graduates prepared for Higher Education and/or Labor Force Participation
Percent
of graduates who successfully completed courses qualifying them for University
of Maryland
Percent of graduates
who successfully completed courses in approved Career/Technology Education program
Percent of graduates who successfully
completed both: Qualifications for University of Maryland and an approved Career/Technology
Education program Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Percent
of population ages 18-25 registered to vote
Percent
of population ages 18-25 that voted in general elections
Percent
of population ages 16-19 in school and/or employed
Result: Children
achieve at high levels
Absentee Rate
Percent
of public school elementary and middle school students absent 20 days or more
out of school year
Elementary and Middle School Student Achievement
Maryland School Assessment
Test Scores in reading and math - Grades 3,5,and 8
[Back
to Top]
Neighborhood
Action and Sense of Community Vision: Neighborhoods that
thrive and grow, bound together by a strong sense of community and anchored by
neighborhood groups that are committed to the work of progress. Note:
The first two categories below are assets listed to attempt to begin to understand
the complex nature of Neighborhood Action and Sense of Community in Baltimore.
They are not indicators. Result: All neighborhoods are active, organized,
and empowered
Assets - Neighborhood Groups
Neighborhood
associations and block clubs
Community
development corporations
"Umbrella"
organizations
Parks and environmental
stewardship groups Assets - Neighborhood Initiatives
Community
gardens
Areas with Healthy Neighborhood
Initiative programs
Areas with
Mainstreet Initiative programs
Areas
participating in Strategic Neighborhood Action Planning programs (SNAP)
Designated
local historic buildings (CHAP) Voter Participation
Percent
of population ages 18 and over registered to vote
Percent
of population ages 18 and over who voted in the general election
Note:
The following results are currently being measured through our pilot study on
Neighborhood Action and Sense of Community. We will release the results of this
pilot study in the winter of 2004. In the meantime, the assets above are displayed
to begin to understand this important dynamic in Baltimore. Result:
"Self-managing" blocks Result: Residents are aware of city and
state systems and policies Result: Community voice, collaboration, and participation
is integrated and an essential part of decision-making process on issues, concerns,
and projects in Baltimore neighborhoods
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