Horizons Communities 2007
Final Survey Report

The WSU Division of Governmental Studies and Services (DGSS)is a unit jointly sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and WSU Extension.  DGSS provides program evaluation, applied research, technical assistance and training services to governmental agencies in Washington and the Pacific Northwest region.  DGSS has conducted citizen surveys for departments and agencies in six northwest states, focusing on such issues as citizen-government relationships, public safety and community development. 

In the fall of 2007 Horizons project leaders contracted with researchers at DGSS to have data entry and analysis performed on a survey they hoped to distribute to all persons residing in each of the twenty-two Horizons communities throughout Washington State.  The survey was prepared and administered by Horizons Project participants (WSU Extension, Community Coaches).  The completed surveys were later presented to DGSS for data entry, data analysis, and preparation of reports.  The discussion in this report is based upon analysis of data and comments from completed questionnaires received through February 1st, 2008. 

CHEWELAH

Q1  WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE MOSTLY HELP ONE ANOTHER, OR A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE MOSTLY GO THEIR OWN WAY?

  Number Percent
Valid Percent
 Horizons Project Norm
People Help One Another
188
69
76.4
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
58
21.6
23.6
25.3
Total
246
91.4
100
100
No Response
11
4.1
Under 18
12
4.5
Total
23
8.6
Total
269
100

 

Q2  DO YOU FEEL THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE IS MORE OF A "REAL HOME" OR "JUST A PLACE TO LIVE"?

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Real Home
203
75.5
80.6
80.6
Just A Place To Live
49
18.2
19.4
19.4
Total
252
93.7
100
100
No Response
5
1.9
Under 18
12
4.5
Total
17
6.3
Total
269
100

 

Q3  OVERALL, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH YOUR COMMUNITY AS A PLACE TO LIVE?

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
72
26.8
28.2
25.4
Satisfied
101
37.5
39.6
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
61
22.7
23.9
27
Dissatisfied
20
7.4
7.8
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
1
.4
.4
2.3
Total
255
94.8
100
100
No Response
2
.7
Under 18
12
4.5
Total
14
5.2
Total
269
100

 

Q5  TOP THREE IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
(Number & Percent Selecting)

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing (3)
106
13.4
Better/More Jobs (1)
180
22.7
Services For The Elderly
53
6.7
Youth Activities
86
10.8
Health Care
69
8.7
Improved Economy (2)
112
14.1
Education
76
9.6
Transportation
67
8.4
Other
45
5.6
Total
794
100

 

Q6  HOW WILLING ARE YOU TO HELP HORIZONS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR EXAMPLE, GO TO MEETINGS OR MAKE PHONE CALLS TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS?

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Willing
14
5.3
5.9
10.3
Willing
32
32.4
35.7
37.6
Neither Willing or Unwilling
100
38.2
42
39.1
Unwilling
29
11.1
12.2
9.7
Very Unwilling
10
3.8
4.2
3.1
Total
238
90.8
100
100
No Response
14
5.3
Under 18
19
3.8
Total
24
9.2
Total
262
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
12
4.5
4.6
18-24
25
9.3
9.6
25-34
18
6.7
6.9
35-44
23
8.6
8.8
45-54
70
26
26.9
55-64
43
16
16.5
65+
69
25.7
26.5
Total
260
96.7
100
No Response
9
3.3
Total
269
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
240
91.6
Mexican American
2
.8
Native American/Indian
5
1.9
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
.4
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
.4
Other
13
5

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
66
24.5
26
Female
188
69.9
74
Total
254
94.4
100
No Response
3
1.1
Under 18
12
4.5
Total
15

5.6
Total
262
100

 

Q11: HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU LIVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
8
3.2
1-5
71
28.3
6-10
44
17.5
11-20
59
23.5
21-30
29
11.6
31-40
17
6.8
41-50
9
3.6
51-60
6
2.4
61+
8
3.2
Total
251
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
161
59.9
63.6
1
32
11.9
12.6
2
43
16
17
3
14
5.2
5.5
4
1
.4
.4
5
1
.4
.4
7
1
.4
.4
Total
253
94.1
100
No Response
4
1.5
Under 18
12
4.5
Total
16
5.9
Total
269
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
84
31.2
34.1
$20,000 - $50,000
94
34.9
38.2
More Than $50,000
68
25.3
27.6
Total
246
91.4
100
No Response
11
4.2
Under 18
12
4.5
Total
23
8.6
Total
269
100