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. 

MATTAWA

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
142
44
45.4
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
171
52.9
54.6
25.3
Total
313
96.9
100
100
No Response
9
2.8
Under 18
1
.3
Total
10
3.1
Total
323
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
139
43
43.3
80.6
Just A Place To Live
182
56.3
56.7
19.4
Total
321
99.4
100
100
No Response
1
.3
Under 18
1
.3
Total
2
.6
Total
323
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
43
13.3
13.5
25.4
Satisfied
118
36.5
37.1
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
130
40.2
40.9
27
Dissatisfied
13
4
4.1
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
14
4.3
4.4
2.3
Total
318
98.5
100
100
No Response
4
1.2
Under 18
1
.3
Total
5
1.5
Total
323
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing (3)
140
14.8
Better/More Jobs (1)
193
20.4
Services For The Elderly
57
6
Youth Activities
139
14.7
Health Care
99
10.4
Improved Economy
83
8.8
Education (2)
145
15.3
Transportation
47
5
Other
44
4.6

 

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
61
18.9
19.4
10.2
Willing
155
48
49.2
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
76
23.5
24.1
38.8
Unwilling
19
5.9
6
9.5
Very Unwilling
4
1.2
1.3
3.6
Total
315
97.5
100
100
No Response
7
2.2
Under 18
1
.3
Total
8
2.5
Total
323
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
1
.3
.4
18-24
111
34.4
44.2
25-34
28
8.7
11.2
35-44
53
16.4
21.1
45-54
31
9.6
12.4
55-64
13
4
5.2
65+
14
4.3
5.6
Total
251
100
100
No Response
72
Total
323
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
58
18.2
Mexican American
172
53.9
Native American/Indian
5
1.6
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
.3
Black/Afro-American
28
8.8
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
35
11
Other
20
6.3

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
144
44.6
45.9
Female
170
52.6
54.1
Total
314
97.2
100
No Response
8
2.5
Under 18
1
.3
Total
9
2.8
Total
323
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
16
5
1-5
97
31
6-10
66
21
11-20
112
36
21-30
18
6
31-40
3
1
41-50
0
0
51-60
0
0
61+
0
0
Total
312
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
45
13.9
14.6
1
52
16.1
16.9
2
74
22.9
24
3
82
25.4
26.6
4
33
10.2
10.7
5
16
5
5.2
6
2
.6
.6
7
1
.3
.3
8
1
.3
.3
9
1
.3
.3
10
1
.3

.3
No Response
14
4.3
Under 18
1
.3
Total
15
4.6
Total
323
1100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
143
44.3
49
$20,000 - $50,000
115
35.6
39.4
More Than $50,000
34
10.5
11.6
Total
292
90.4
100
No Response
30
9.3
Under 18
1
.3
Total
31
9.6
Total
323
100