KERA
By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-750837.mp3
Dallas, TX – Plano is the most affluent big U.S. city, according to a new report issued by the Census Bureau.
The Census Bureau's Income, Earnings and Poverty Data from the 2007 American Community Survey is out this week, and it shows Plano's median household income rose 10 percent last year to more than $84,000. San Jose, California came in second and checks in at $77,000. Anchorage and San Francisco averaged $68,000, and San Diego came in fifth with $61,000.
Plano Assistant City Manager Frank Turner is pleased with the ranking among cities with a population of 250,000 or more. But he says Plano's population is not limited to the wealthy.
Turner: Plano is a very diverse community, not only in terms of income and family composition, but ethnically and racially it is a very diverse community, as well. And it's becoming more diverse as time goes on.
Turner says affluence does not mean problem-free. He says affordable housing is a big concern in Plano. The city budget, up for approval September 8, avoids a tax hike, but includes 50 layoffs - 43 full time and seven part-time.
