2020 Equality Indicators Data: Summary of Findings Earlier this month, we launched the 2020 Tulsa Equality Indicators report and new website. We found that Tulsa improved over last years’ score, with an overall 2020 score that increased to 39.61 out of 100, up from the baseline score of 37.07 in 2018 and 38.22 in 2019 (prior years’ scores have been adjusted for indicator changes). These increases primarily reflect progress within the themes of Education, Services and Public Health. Though the 2020 results do not capture the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the report helps identify progress or lack of progress in efforts to increase equity in Tulsa since the report’s inception in 2018, and will serve as a guide for focusing Tulsa’s recovery efforts to avoid growth in disparities due to the public health crisis. Following is a brief recap of data by equality theme: EDUCATION: 46.22. Up 6 points from 2019 and up 8.56 points from 2018 baseline
This year, the highest scoring improvement theme was Education. Tulsa has increased in Education scores each year, with this year showing the greatest improvement. The increase can be attributed to a narrowing disparity in absenteeism, high school drop-out rates, high school graduation rates and college completion. SERVICES: 43.44. Up 4 points from 2019 and up 6.67 points from 2018 baseline
Up 6.67 points from 2018, the Services theme indicates there is a declining disparity among groups of Tulsans in access to key resources that can make a difference in their opportunities. Gaps in particular resources, such as internet access, greatly narrowed, resulting in an increase of 39 points for a 2020 equality score of 78. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: 30.78. Up .89 points from 2019 and up .78 points from 2018 baseline
Though the Economic Opportunity theme rose, it has scored the lowest out of all six themes this year. Much work remains to increase upward mobility for more disadvantaged Tulsans, but recent moves to boost economic growth through various initiatives are underway. PUBLIC HEALTH: 43.78. No change from 2019 and up 3.89 points from 2018 baseline
Public Health continues to be one of the highest scoring themes, though its score did not change since last year. Health Care Access, the highest scoring topic, includes Health Insurance by Race, which indicates Tulsans, regardless of race, are relatively equally uninsured, and Comparison of Tulsa vs. National Veterans Affairs Clinic Wait Times, both of which remain two of Tulsa’s top scoring indicators. HOUSING: 41.89. Down .22 points from 2019 and down .89 points from 2018 baseline
Lack of affordable housing is a key contributor to the slight decrease in this score from last year. In spite of a three-point score increase in the Rent Burden by Income indicator, growing proportions of both lower and higher income renter households experience rent burden in Tulsa. To combat rent burden, homelessness and more, the City of Tulsa has launched the Affordable Housing Strategy to provide more affordable housing units and help reduce evictions in Tulsa. JUSTICE: 31.56. Down 2.33 points from 2019 and down 3.78 points from 2018 baseline
Justice is down year-over-year, and down from the 2018 baseline score of 35.33. Hispanic/Latinx representation in the Tulsa Police Department increased from the 2018 baseline average. The starkest decline in Justice came from the Safety and Violence topics, which was down 9.67 points from the 2018 baseline. The declining Safety and Violence score can be attributed to increases in disparity between Tulsa and the nation in child abuse and neglect, and in homicide victimization by race. Until next time! The Tulsa Equality Indicators Team
City of Tulsa and Community Service Council
mpoulter@csctulsa.org | resilient@cityoftulsa.org | 