Majority of Inland Empire residents describe themselves as 'struggling'

A new pair of UC Riverside studies reveals that well-being across Southern California’s Inland Empire lags behind national levels, with a majority of residents reporting they are struggling to get by.

The research from the university’s Center for Community Solutions surveyed more than 3,300 residents across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It found that only 41% of respondents were “thriving,” compared with 53% nationwide. The region’s well-being score was on par with countries such as Brazil and Slovakia.

“Overall, the IE lags behind the U.S. with respect to self-reported well-being,” said Justine Ross, executive director of the Center for Community Solutions, part of UC Riverside’s School of Public Policy.

Participants in one study were asked to rate their current and future liv