Overview

The UCSB Economic Forecast Project turns 30 this year!

The Economic Forecast Project was established in 1981 by the Department of Economics at UC Santa Barbara to provide the community with information on economic, demographic, and regional business trends in the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties area.  Our primary research activity is the collection and verification of statistical data and other evidence about the changing business and economic environment in our county.  From the assessment of these data, the Economic Forecast Project monitors the status of the economy and provides projections of future economic activity in the local area.

The Forecast Project is a self-supporting research program, administered by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor. Oversight is provided by an Advisory Board of Directors representing the business community of Santa Barbara County.

Mission Statement

The Economic Forecast Project is a University of California Santa Barbara community-sponsored research department.  The purpose of the Project is to provide detailed economic and demographic data, analysis, and forecasts to citizens, government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and other users.  To this end, the Project maintains extensive databases and models of the Santa Barbara County and Tri-counties areas.  Our research is presented to Santa Barbara County communities via the Internet, publications, and events held across the County throughout the year.

California represents over 13 percent of the United States economy.  If it were a country, California would rank as one of the top ten economies of the world.  Furthermore, California’s economy is unique.  With its location on the Pacific Rim and its leadership in technology, California is well situated to be a dynamic participant in the 21st Century Global Economy.

Any individual or entity operating in an economy as large and dynamic as California’s needs to be informed of important economic and demographic trends from multiple sources with multiple perspectives.  The University of California Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project exists to provide the data, research, analysis, and forecasts to inform those individuals and entities.  We strive to present our work in the clearest, most detailed, and understandable manner possible.