Research & Forecasting

As a regional land use planning agency, ABAG is responsible for describing existing conditions, forecasting changes to the population and economy, and assisting local governments to identify policies that address a changing environment.

The traditional focus of ABAG's research and analysis has been its biennial long run forecast of the region known as Projections. The current forecast, Projections 2009, was published in August 2009. Projections 2009 describes the changes in population, housing and employment within the region over the next 25 years.

ABAG also produces a short term forecast. Released each January at a special conference, it identifies economic changes for the coming two years. The conference information includes a state-level forecast, regional retail sales forecast information and information on the regional housing situation.

ABAG has developed a leading indicator, the Bay Area Index. Its January release is a highlight of the short-term conference. The leading economic indicator is updated quarterly (March, June, September, January) with the results and a short narrative description included on this web site.

Together with ABAG's Planning Department, the Research and Forecasting Department also produces an annual Housing Report for the Region, and develops the Bay Area's Regional Housing Needs Allocations (RHNA).