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. 

PE ELL

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
129
72.9
91.5
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
12
6.8
8.5
25.3
Total
141
79.7
100
100
No Response
2
1.1
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
36
20.3
Total
177
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
132
74.6
93
80.6
Just A Place To Live
10
5.6
7
19.4
Total
142
80.2
100
100
No Response
1
.6
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
35
19.8
Total
177
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
48
27.1
34
25.4
Satisfied
62
35
44
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
20
11.3
14.2
27
Dissatisfied
7
4
5
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
4
2.3
2.8
2.3
Total
141
79.7
100
100
No Response
2
1.1
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
36
20.3
Total
177
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
44
10.3
Better/More Jobs (2)
75
17.6
Services For The Elderly
40
9.4
Youth Activities (1)
89
20.8
Health Care
39
9.1
Improved Economy (3)
51
11.9
Education
38
8.9
Transportation
29
6.8
Other
22
5.1

 

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
20
11.3
14.9
10.2
Willing
55
31.1
41
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
46
26
34.3
38.8
Unwilling
7
4
5.2
9.5
Very Unwilling
6
3.4
4.5
3.6
Total
134
75.7
100
100
No Response
9
5.1
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
43
24.3
Total
177
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
34
19.2
19.2
18-24
15
8.5
8.5
25-34
12
6.8
6.8
35-44
18
10.2
10.2
45-54
28
15.8
15.8
55-64
31
17.5
17.5
65+
39
22
22
Total
177
100
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
131
94.2
Mexican American
1
.7
Native American/Indian
3
2.2
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
0
Black/Afro-American
1
.7
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
0
0
Other
3
2.2

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
71
40.1
50
Female
71
40.1
50
Total
142
80.2
100
No Response
1
.6
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
35
19.8
Total
177
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
14
10.2
1-5
51
37.2
6-10
19
13.9
11-20
8
5.8
21-30
17
12.4
31-40
9
6.6
41-50
4
2.9
51-60
6
4.4
61+
9
6.6
Total
137
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
93
52.5
66.9
1
15
8.5
10.8
2
17
9.6
12.2
3
11
6.2
7.9
4
2
1.1
1.4
12
1
.6
.7
Total
139
78.5
100
No Response
2
2.3
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
38
21.5
Total
177
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
27
15.3
20.1
$20,000 - $50,000
53
29.9
39.6
More Than $50,000
54
30.5
40.3
Total
134
75.7
100
No Response
9
5.1
Under 18
34
19.2
Total
43
24.3
Total
177
100