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. 

REPUBLIC

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
160
82.5
87.9
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
22
11.6
12.1
25.3
Total
182
93.8
100
100
No Response
12
6.2
Total
194
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
160
82.5
85.1
80.6
Just A Place To Live
28
14.4
14.9
19.4
Total
188
96.9
100
100
No Response
6
3.1
Total
194
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
50
25.8
25.8
25.4
Satisfied
75
38.7
38.7
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
47
24.2
24.2
27
Dissatisfied
10
5.2
5.2
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
5
2.6
2.6
2.3
Total
187
96.4
100
100
No Response
7
3.6
Total
194
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
70
11.8
Better/More Jobs (1)
144
24.3
Services For The Elderly
34
5.7
Youth Activities (3)
85
14.3
Health Care
59
9.9
Improved Economy (2)
96
16.2
Education
41
6.9
Transportation
38
6.4
Other
26
4.4

 

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
17
8.8
9.6
10.2
Willing
60
30.9
33.9
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
69
35.6
39
38.8
Unwilling
26
13.6
14.7
9.5
Very Unwilling
5
2.6
2.8
3.6
Total
177
91.1
100
100
No Response
17
8.8
Total
194
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
18-24
9
4.6
4.9
25-34
19
9.8
10.4
35-44
28
14.4
15.3
45-54
39
20.1
21.3
55-64
45
23.2
24.6
65+
43
22.2
23.5
No Response
11
5.7
Total
194
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
163
87.6
Mexican American
2
1.1
Native American/Indian
11
5.9
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
.5
Black/Afro-American
1
.5
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
2
1.1
Other
6
3.2

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
52
26.8
28.6
Female
130
67
71.4
Total
182
93.8
100
No Response
12
6.2
Total
194
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
7
3.8
1-5
37
20.2
6-10
31
16.9
11-20
44
24
21-30
35
19.1
31-40
18
9.8
41-50
4
2.2
51-60
4
2.2
61+
3
1.6
Total
183
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
131
67.5
72.8
1
21
10.8
11.7
2
18
9.3
10
3
5
2.6
2.8
4
4
2.1
2.2
5
1
.5
.6
Total
180
92.8
100
No Response
13
6.7
Under 18
1
.5
Total
14
7.2
Total
194
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
50
25.8
28.6
$20,000 - $50,000
74
38.1
42.3
More Than $50,000
51
26.3
29.1
Total
175
90.2
100
No Response
19
9.8
Total
194
199