Gringo Gazette

Baja California Ranks Third in Average Monthly Household Income Nationally

EDITOR NOTE: The dollar (USD) amounts in this article where converted from the pesos amount mentioned in the article at an exchange rate of 16.80 pesos per dollar.

Baja California has risen to the third spot among Mexican states with the highest average monthly household income. It now boasts an income of 29,637.41 pesos (1,764 USD), according to analysts from the Metropolitan Center for Economic and Business Information (Cemdi).

Aram Hodoyán Navarro, the head of Cemdi, referred to data from the 2022 National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Enigh) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi). He pointed out that the regions with the highest average monthly income are Baja California Sur and Mexico City, earning 30,472.37 and 29,770.09 pesos respectively (1,814 and 1,772 USD). The amount in Baja California of 29,637.41 pesos (1,764 USD) is significantly higher than the national average of 21,231.82 pesos (1,264 USD).

In contrast, Navarro compared, the states with the lowest monthly average household income as per this survey are Chiapas and Guerrero, earning 13,281.61 and 13,918.02 pesos, respectively (791 and 832 USD). In the context of Baja California, an average household typically comprises three members. The household head is generally 49 years old, and the other two members may also be employed. “Households in Baja California reported an average monthly income of 29,637.41 pesos (1,764 USD), a 15.0 percent increase compared to the 2020 Enigh results,” he detailed.

Navarro further noted that the primary source of income for these households is salaries from subordinate jobs, which account for 72.88 percent or about 21,598.47 pesos (1,286 USD). Transfers make up 10.93 percent of the income, with half of this being from retirements and pensions.

When discussing average monthly household expenses, Navarro indicated that the national average stands at 13,321.60 pesos (680 USD). The states with the highest expenses were Mexico City and Baja California, spending 19,632.54 and 16,771.14 pesos respectively (1,169 and 998 USD). In contrast, Chiapas and Oaxaca had the lowest expenses, at 8,647.63 and 8,865.80 pesos respectively (515 and 528 USD).

Furthermore, Navarro mentioned that the state saw a 19.1 percent increase in the average monthly household expenditure compared to the figures from the 2020 Enigh. Of these expenses, the primary spending category was food, beverages, and tobacco, making up 32.09 percent. This was followed by transportation, acquisition, maintenance, accessories, and services for vehicles, and communications which took up 23.76 percent.

Gringo GazetteAugust 17, 2023, 10:37 amAugust 17, 2023 0 84

Baja Norte, Breaking News, Charities, Rosarito

Kids With Autism Receive Wave Therapy in Rosarito

Wave lovers unite! Kids from the Fundación Autismo Esedin in Mexicali got to ride the waves, thanks to the free “Olas para todos” (Waves for All) program offered by the Locales Surf School.

Here’s the fun part: this wasn’t just any trip to the beach. The kiddos and their families were chauffeured free of charge, all thanks to the “Corazones Viajeros” (Traveling Hearts) initiative. The heart behind this? The Tourism Department of Baja California! They’ve kickstarted this Social Tourism Program to sprinkle some magic and offer enriching experiences for locals. The big goal? Free and accessible tours showcasing the splendid tourist spots of the state.

Just like the previous year, these little surfers-in-the-making received guidance from the top pros of the sport. The Escuela de Surf Locales has been diving into this for a whopping nine years, striving to give these children an unparalleled sea experience.

Our main man, Juan Carlos Luna, who heads the “Olas para todos” program stated that the surf therapies started rolling in April and are set to make a splash till October. October is particularly exciting as they’ve got back-to-back sessions planned in Rosarito and Ventura, California.

Here’s a heartwarming tidbit: these therapies are a Godsend for families with children diagnosed with Down Syndrome or other conditions. The number of beneficiaries has been on a steady rise. To give you an idea, a digital count over the last three years recorded about 800 enthusiastic participants, including beneficiary children and volunteers. As Juan puts it, “The numbers keep growing because parents spread the word, and pictures from the sessions shared on social media only adds to the buzz.”

Juan adds that the therapies are held at beaches where the waves are gentle. But they don’t leave it to chance. Dedicated teams monitor the currents and waves, predicting the wave conditions a cool 16 days in advance.

Safety first! The therapy zones are pristine, free from pollution. The water quality? Top-notch. There have been zero reported cases of allergic reactions or other ailments.

In closing, a massive shoutout to the volunteers who ride this wave of goodness. These are not just experienced surfers but also young enthusiasts chipping in to the program.

Gringo GazetteAugust 17, 2023, 9:52 amAugust 17, 2023 0 77

Baja Norte, Breaking News, Weather

Tropical Storm Hilary on Its Way to Baja

The State Civil Protection Coordination has activated its hydrometeorological risk prevention protocol in light of the storm Hilary, which originated in the Mexican Pacific Ocean. Forecasts suggest that it could impact the state’s territory this weekend, bringing moderate rains and winds. The areas most likely to be affected include the municipalities of San Quintín, Ensenada, Playas de Rosarito, and Tijuana. However, authorities have stressed that the storm’s trajectory could change.

Salvador Cervantes Hernández, the head of the State Civil Protection Coordination, mentioned that in line with state government policies, there’s an ongoing effort to closely monitor meteorological models. Furthermore, an extraordinary session of the Baja California State Civil Protection Council will be convened on Friday, August 18, coupled with the activation of the State Emergency Committee. Additionally, cooperation from all Baja California municipalities will be sought to execute preventative measures.

Even though Baja California isn’t among the states listed at highest risk by the preliminary reports from the National Water Commission (Conagua), the top priority remains the protection of its residents. The state’s aim is to assess all possible measures to reduce the likelihood of threats to the safety and property of its population.

Yesterday, @NOAA's #GOESWest 🛰️ captured a trio of tropical storms—#Greg, #Fernanda, and #Hilary swirling simultaneously over the Pacific.

Hilary has been rapidly intensifying and became a hurricane this morning. It will potentially impact Baja California and the southwestern… pic.twitter.com/wbSv8fhOAS
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) August 17, 2023

Gringo GazetteAugust 17, 2023, 9:34 amAugust 17, 2023 0 75

Baja Norte, Breaking News, Events, Rosarito

Baja Beach Fest 2023 Brings 30,000 Tourists to Rosarito

UPDATE: Although the official statement from our local authorities said that “not even a wallet was reported stolen” we have now received reports of cell phones, jewelry and even drugs being stolen at the event. When we asked a victim if they had filed police reports she said: “we were on a tight partying schedule, we were not going to lose a day filing a report over a stolen cell phone!”

This past weekend, Baja California hosted one of its most significant events: the Baja Beach Fest. With an influx of 30,000 tourists, ensuring safety was a top priority, resulting in no incidents or mishaps.

Marina del Pilar Ávila, the Governor of Baja California, expressed her gratitude to the local and federal institutions for their unwavering support during the festival. She emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in ensuring such events remain incident-free.

Leopoldo Tizoc, the Secretary of Public Safety in Baja California, highlighted the teamwork between multiple entities: the National Defense Department (SEDENA), National Guard (GN), Municipal Police, and the State’s Public Safety Department (SSCBC). He noted that their success was due to the implementation of three core security layers: internal, perimeter, and external. Thanks to these efforts, there wasn’t even a single reported loss of a wallet, attesting to the orderly conduct of attendees.

Tizoc detailed the deployment of 600 SSCBC personnel, inclusion of the entire ‘Violet Squadron’, 120 National Guard members, and 200 soldiers. He reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining security across all regions of Baja California, regardless of the nature of the operation.

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A post shared by Baja Beach Fest (@bajabeachfest)

Gringo GazetteAugust 16, 2023, 6:23 pmAugust 16, 2023 0 88