Middle-income residents leaving Prince George’s, study shows

Brookings report describes porous border between the District, Prince George’s

‘‘The out-migration of these households will only contribute to the economic disparities between Prince George’s County and its more affluent neighbors,” the Brookings study said. ‘‘To maintain its middle class character and racial diversity, the county must consider ways to keep higher-income households from leaving.”

The Brookings report found that middle-income families were leaving for Anne Arundel, Charles and Howard counties, while low-income families were moving into the county from Washington, as a ‘‘pathway” to the middle class. Brookings senior fellow Alice Rivlin said the county was attracting working families from Washington who are looking for affordable housing.

The report could help explain recent Census findings that showed Prince George’s County’s population dropping last year for the first time since 1980.

‘‘Our biggest challenge is to try to attract people in their 30’s and people who are starting their family out,” said Del. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly, who said both his siblings left Prince George’s for Montgomery County when they started families. ‘‘You’re going to look for a place where you’re going to send your kids, where you’re not constantly worried about whether the schools are going to do their jobs or not.”

The study found that between 2003 and 2004, the median income of households leaving for Charles County was about $40,000, while the income of those coming into Prince George’s from Charles was about $30,000. Likewise, the median income of those households leaving for Anne Arundel was about $37,200.

However, the study found that even lower-income residents were moving back into the District from Prince George’s County, and suggested that the two jurisdictions work together to address common concerns.

‘‘There are thousands of low-income households moving between the two locations, so the border between the two locations seems to be very porous,” said Brookings’ Brooke DeRenzis.

Activist Arthur Turner said county officials need to work with the D.C. government to establish employment centers and stimulate better job growth along the border.

‘‘We cannot continue to allow Prince George’s County to be the ‘dumping ground,’” he said. ‘‘We are also the recipients of, and victims of, the crime that they commit.”

Crime along the border has historically been high, leading the Prince George’s and Metropolitan Police Department to team up to patrol. Prince George’s Police Chief Melvin High recently said he was renewing his commitment to the program.

Former state senator Gloria Lawlah, who lives along the border in Hillcrest Heights, said county officials need to reach out to Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty to launch joint programs.

‘‘I think with Mr. Fenty being there, this offers us our best opportunity, because he is open to the dialogue.”

E-mail Judson Berger at jberger@gazette.net.