Racial Equity Index for Orange County Now Available
Local jurisdictions will use the statistics to improve equity
A dashboard showing at-a-glance views of racial equity within Orange County is now available.
The dashboard will be used by the four jurisdictions in Orange County in their work to move the community toward increased equity. Information from the dashboard can be used to provide awareness, track disparity, or inform strategies, grant applications or service provision. It contains statistics on public health, education and economic opportunity as well as those related to living conditions, infrastructure and voting.
The dashboard is available on the Town of Hillsborough’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion page and on the websites of each of the other jurisdictions.
More information
In early 2022, leaders of the four jurisdictions approved a racial equity framework to be used in developing racial equity plans for each jurisdiction. The framework — One Orange Countywide Racial Equity Framework: Catalyst for Moving Forward — uses methodology of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, a national network of government agencies working to advance racial equity. The framework centers on five major parts:
- Training
- Community engagement
- Racial equity index
- Racial equity assessment lens
- Evaluation and accountability
A multi-jurisdictional team from Orange County and the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough continues to work together. In Hillsborough, a committee has been established and meets monthly. Its work is focused now on gathering information and developing a racial equity plan.
