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. 

HUNTERS

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
138
72.6
87.9
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
19
10
12.1
25.3
Total
157
82.6
100
100
No Response
6
3.2
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
33
17.4
Total
190
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
147
77.4
93
80.6
Just A Place To Live
11
5.8
7
19.4
Total
158
83.2
100
100
No Response
5
2.6
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
32
16.8
Total
190
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
70
36.8
44.3
25.4
Satisfied
55
29.9
34.8
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
31
16.3
19.6
27
Dissatisfied
2
1.1
1.3
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
0
0
0
2.3
Total
158
83.2
100
100
No Response
5
2.6
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
32
16.8
Total
190
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
54
11.1
Better/More Jobs (1)
97
19.9
Services For The Elderly
53
10.9
Youth Activities (2)
70
14.4
Health Care (3)
69
14.2
Improved Economy
48
9.8
Education
45
9.2
Transportation
33
6.8
Other
18
3.7

 

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
18
9.5
12.1
10.2
Willing
58
30.5
38.9
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
55
29.9
36.9
38.8
Unwilling
15
7.9
10.1
9.5
Very Unwilling
3
1.6
2
3.6
Total
149
78.4
100
100
No Response
14
7.4
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
41
21.6
Total
190
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
27
14.2
14.4
18-24
9
4.7
4.8
25-34
20
10.5
10.6
35-44
20
10.5
10.6
45-54
35
18.4
18.6
55-64
36
18.9
19.1
65+
41
21.6
21.8
Total
188
98.9
100
No Response
2
1.1
Total
190
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
145
90.6
Mexican American
0
0
Native American/Indian
11
6.9
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
0
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
0
0
Other
4
2.5

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
54
28.4
34
Female
105
55.3
66
Total
159
83.7
100
No Response
4
2.1
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
31
16.3
Total
190
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
7
4.7
1-5
36
24
6-10
23
15.3
11-20
32
21.3
21-30
20
13.3
31-40
8
5.3
41-50
7
4.7
51-60
6
4
61+
11
7.3
Total
150
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
104
54.7
65.4
1
27
14.2
17
2
17
8.9
10.7
3
6
3.2
3.8
4
1
.5
.6
5
3
1.6
1.9
6
1
.5
.6
Total
159
83.7
100
No Response
4
2.1
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
31
16.3
Total
190
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
23
12.1
17.2
$20,000 - $50,000
73
38.4
54.5
More Than $50,000
38
20
28.4
Total
134
70.5
100
No Response
29
15.3
Under 18
27
14.2
Total
56
29.5
Total
190
100