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. 

GOLDENDALE

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
379
72.1
79.8
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
96
18.3
20.2
25.3
Total
475
90.3
100
100
No Response
27
5.1
Under 18
24
4.6
Total
51
9.7
Total
526
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
402
76.4
82.9
80.6
Just A Place To Live
82
15.8
17.1
19.4
Total
485
92.2
100
100
No Response
17
3.2
Under 18
24
4.6
Total
41
7.8
Total
526
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
112
21.3
23
25.4
Satisfied
217
41.3
44.6
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
115
21.8
23.6
27
Dissatisfied
28
5.3
5.7
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
15
2.9
3.1
2.3
Total
487
92.6
100
100
No Response
15
2.9
Under 18
24
4.6
Total
39
7.4
Total
526
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
149
9.9
Better/More Jobs (1)
346
23
Services For The Elderly
105
7
Youth Activities (3)
213
14.2
Health Care
170
11.3
Improved Economy (2)
238
15.8
Education
135
9
Transportation
70
4.6
Other
78
5.2

 

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
30
5.7
6.5
10.2
Willing
166
31.6
35.9
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
203
38.6
43.8
38.8
Unwilling
44
8.4
9.5
9.5
Very Unwilling
20
3.8
4.3
3.6
Total
463
88
100
100
No Response
39
7.4
Under 18
24
4.6
Total
563
12
Total
526
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
24
4.6
4.7
18-24
26
4.9
5.1
25-34
38
7.2
7.4
35-44
63
12
12.3
45-54
92
17.5
18
55-64
124
23.6
24.2
65+
145
27.6
28.3
Total
512
97.3
100
No Response
14
2.7
Total
526
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
460
92.9
Mexican American
5
1
Native American/Indian
11
2.2
Asian American/Pacific Islander
3
.6
Black/Afro-American
3
.6
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
.2
Other
12
2.4

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
158
30
33
Female
321
61
67
Total
479
91.1
100
No Response
23
4.4
Under 18
24
4.6
Total
47
8.9
Total
526
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
69
14.2
1-5
141
29
6-10
66
13.6
11-20
74
15.2
21-30
54
11.1
31-40
39
8
41-50
23
4.7
51-60
10
2.1
61+
10
2.1
Total
468
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
334
63.5
69.3
1
59
11.2
12.2
2
57
10.8
11.8
3
20
3.8
4.1
4
6
1.1
1.2
5
4
.8
.8
9
1
.2
.2
11
1
.2
.2
No Response
19
3.6
Under 18
25
4.8
Total
44
8.4
Total
526
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
111
21.1
24.2
$20,000 - $50,000
194
36.9
42.4
More Than $50,000
153
29.1
33.4
Total
458
87.1
100
No Response
44
8.4
Under 18
24
4.6
Total
68
12.9
Total
526
100