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. 

COLVILLE

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
501
68.7
77.3
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
147
20.2
22.7
25.3
Total
648
88.9
100
100
No Response
46
6.3
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
81
11.1
Total
729
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
563
77.2
84.5
80.6
Just A Place To Live
103
14.1
15.5
19.4
Total
666
91.4
100
100
No Response
28
3.8
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
63
8.6
Total
729
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
165
22.6
24.8
25.4
Satisfied
304
41.7
45.6
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
172
23.6
25.8
27
Dissatisfied
16
2.2
2.4
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
9
1.2
1.4
2.3
Total
666
91.4
100
100
No Response
28
3.8
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
63
8.6
Total
729
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
334
16
Better/More Jobs
419
20
Services For The Elderly
233
11.1
Youth Activities
223
10.6
Health Care
229
10.9
Improved Economy
229
10.9
Education
182
8.7
Transportation
173
8.4
Other
72
3.4

 

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
50
6.9
7.9
10.2
Willing
227
31.1
35.9
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
267
36.6
42.2
38.8
Unwilling
68
9.3
10.8
9.5
Very Unwilling
20
2.7
3.2
3.6
Total
632
86.7
100
100
No Response
62
8.5
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
97
13.3
Total
729
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
35
4.8
4.9
18-24
96
13.2
13.5
25-34
42
5.8
5.9
35-44
52
7.1
7.3
45-54
142
19.5
20
55-64
161
22.1
22.7
65+
182
25
25.6
Total
710
97.4
100
No Response
19
2.6
Total
729
100
  

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
630
92.9
Mexican American
2
.3
Native American/Indian
18
2.7
Asian American/Pacific Islander
3
.4
Black/Afro-American
3
.4
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
8
1.2
Other
14
2.1

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
206
28.3
30.5
Female
469
64.3
69.5
Total
675
92.6
100
No Response
19
2.6
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
54
7.4
Total
729
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
36
5.4
1-5
155
23.2
6-10
82
12.3
11-20
154
23.1
21-30
109
16.3
31-40
51
7.6
41-50
29
4.3
51-60
29
4.3
61+
22
3.3
Total
667
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
448
61.5
67.4
1
106
14.5
15.9
2
71
9.7
10.7
3
26
3.6
3.9
4
8
1.1
1.2
5
3
.4
.5
6
1
.1
.2
7
1
.1
.2
12
1
.1
.2
No Response
29
4
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
64
8.8
Total
729
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
152
20.9
23.9
$20,000 - $50,000
278
38.1
43.7
More Than $50,000
206
28.3
32.4
Total
636
87.2
100
No Response
58
8
Under 18
35
4.8
Total
93
12.8
Total
729
100