Arts, Culture, Historic Preservation, Creative Economy
Community, Leadership, Institutional Accountability, Equity, Civic Engagement
Downtown, Neighborhoods, Tourism, Center City, Livability
Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education, Higher Ed, Lifelong Learning
Environment, Climate Action, Resiliency, Sustainability, Natural Resources
Innovation, Economic Development, Quality of Life, Entrepreneurship, Workers
Neighborhoods, Community, Home, Parks & Green Spaces, Affordable Housing
Physical Health, Mental Health, Health Access, Food Security
Transportation, Public Transit, Accessibility, Connectivity, Micro-Mobility

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Arts, Culture, Historic Preservation, Creative Economy
Community, Leadership, Institutional Accountability, Equity, Civic Engagement
Downtown, Neighborhoods, Tourism, Center City, Livability
Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education, Higher Ed, Lifelong Learning
Environment, Climate Action, Resiliency, Sustainability, Natural Resources
Innovation, Economic Development, Quality of Life, Entrepreneurship, Workers
Neighborhoods, Community, Home, Parks & Green Spaces, Affordable Housing
Physical Health, Mental Health, Health Access, Food Security
Transportation, Public Transit, Accessibility, Connectivity, Micro-Mobility

Downtown, Neighborhoods, Tourism, Center City, Livability

In 2030, Downtown is the heart of San Antonio. It is an inviting center of vibrant activity where San Antonians live, learn, work, and play, businesses flourish, and visitors return.

How are we doing?

Increase Downtown Housing Units: Met or Exceeded
Increase Greater Downtown Area Population: Flat/Getting Worse
Increase Downtown Employment: On Track
Improve Downtown Economic Impact: On Track
Reduce Downtown Crime Rate: Did Not Meet Goal

Key Insights

Downtown housing units grew by 260% to 11,898 in 2020 from 3,304 in 2010, surpassing the 2020 goal, yet the number of people living downtown has remained relatively stagnant.
Downtown employment exceeded the 2020 goal in 2015 and continued to rise. In 2018, downtown employment had grown 42% since 2012.
The economic impact of downtown exceeded the 2020 goal in 2015 and has continued to rise since. In 2018, the economic impact reflected a 210% increase over the baseline in 2012. The COVID-19 crisis will produce significant shifts in the economic impact of downtown in 2020 and in the years following, as both conventions and tourism were largely shut down in 2020.
The crime rate in Downtown San Antonio fluctuated over the last decade. 2020 showed a significant reduction—70% from 2010—and can be attributed to the pandemic, according to the San Antonio Police Department.

The Indicators

Increase Downtown Housing Units

Met or Exceeded

Goal: Increase new housing units by 7,500

Increase Greater Downtown Area Population

Flat/Getting Worse

Goal: Increase the number of greater downtown residents by 15%

Increase Downtown Employment

On Track

Goal: Increase downtown employment by 25%

Improve Downtown Economic Impact

On Track

Goal: Increase the downtown economic impact by 25%

Reduce Downtown Crime Rate

Did Not Meet Goal

Goal: Reduce the downtown crime rate by 50%

Learn More

Centro San Antonio has been working with downtown businesses and highlighting local artists through public art downtown. For all things Downtown San Antonio, check them out.

More of the Story

In the 2030 Community Vision, shifts in indicators, based on community feedback, will include:

Discontinuing new housing units, as this shows an increase in the number of units, but doesn't get to the heart of livability. SA2020 recommends this continue to be tracked and reported by the City of San Antonio.
Tracking the micro-mobility and sidewalk accessibility of Downtown San Antonio.

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