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. 

NORTHPORT

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
70
76.9
82.4
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
15
16.5
17.6
25.3
Total
85
93.4
100
100
No Response
6
6.6
Total
91
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
81
89
93.1
80.6
Just A Place To Live
6
6.6
6.9
19.4
Total
87
95.6
100
100
No Response
4
4.4
Total
91
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
21
23.1
24.4
25.4
Satisfied
33
36.3
38.4
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
28
30.8
32.6
27
Dissatisfied
4
4.4
4.7
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
0
0
0
2.3
Total
86
94.5
100
100
No Response
5
5.5
Total
91
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
22
8.5
Better/More Jobs (2)
55
21.2
Services For The Elderly
19
7.3
Youth Activities (1)
56
21.6
Health Care
17
6.6
Improved Economy (3)
41
15.8
Education
23
8.9
Transportation
14
5.4
Other
12
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
18
19.8
22
10.2
Willing
30
33
36.6
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
29
31.9
35.4
38.8
Unwilling
4
4.4
4.9
9.5
Very Unwilling
1
1.1
1.2
3.6
Total
82
90.1
100
100
No Response
9
9.9
Total
91
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
18-24
8
8.8
9.3
25-34
8
8.8
9.3
35-44
9
9.9
10.5
45-54
26
28.6
30.2
55-64
22
24.2
25.6
65+
13
14.3
15.1
Total
86
94.5
100
No Response
5
5.5
Total
91
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
76
91.6
Mexican American
0
0
Native American/Indian
2
2.4
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
1.2
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
1.2
Other
3
3.6

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
31
34.1
36.9
Female
53
58.2
63.1
Total
84
92.3
100
No Response
7
7.7
Total
91
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
3
3.5
1-5
20
23.5
6-10
11
12.9
11-20
26
30.6
21-30
14
16.5
31-40
5
5.9
41-50
3
3.5
51-60
2
2.4
61+
1
1.2
Total
85
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
53
58.2
62.4
1
13
14.3
15.3
2
8
8.8
9.4
3
5
5.5
5.9
4
5
5.5
5.9
5
1
1.1
1.2
Total
85
93.4
100
No Response
6
6.6
Total
91
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
40
44
48.8
$20,000 - $50,000
28
30.8
34.1
More Than $50,000
14
15.4
17.1
Total
82
90.1
100
No Response
9
9.9
Total
91
100