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. 

RITZVILLE

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
151
60.2
75.5
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
49
19.5
24.5
25.3
Total
200
79.7
100
100
No Response
7
2.8
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
51
20.3
Total
251
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
166
66.1
83.6
80.6
Just A Place To Live
35
13.9
17.4
19.4
Total
201
80.1
100
100
No Response
6
2.4
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
50
19.9
Total
251
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
17.1
21.2
25.4
Satisfied
87
34.7
42.9
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
57
22.7
28.1
27
Dissatisfied
10
4
4.9
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
6
2.4
3
2.3
Total
203
80.9
100
100
No Response
4
1.6
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
48
19.1
Total
251
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
55
9.1
Better/More Jobs (1)
145
23.9
Services For The Elderly
59
9.7
Youth Activities (3)
83
13.6
Health Care
64
10.5
Improved Economy (2)
94
15.5
Education
50
8.2
Transportation
31
5.1
Other
26
4.3

 

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
6.8
9.1
10.2
Willing
63
25.1
33.7
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
75
29.9
40.1
38.8
Unwilling
25
10
13.4
9.5
Very Unwilling
7
2.8
3.7
3.6
Total
187
74.5
100
100
No Response
20
8
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
64
25.5
Total
251
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
44
17.5
19.7
18-24
13
5.2
5.8
25-34
6
2.4
2.7
35-44
13
5.2
5.8
45-54
29
11.6
13
55-64
62
24.7
27.8
65+
56
22.3
25.1
Total
223
88.8
100
No Response
28
11.2
Total
251
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
186
93.5
Mexican American
0
0
Native American/Indian
5
2.5
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
.5
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
.5
Other
6
3

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
73
29.1
37.4
Female
122
48.6
62.6
Total
195
77.7
100
No Response
12
4.8
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
56
22.3
Total
251
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
4
2.1
1-5
33
17.5
6-10
19
10.1
11-20
42
22.2
21-30
25
13.2
31-40
16
8.5
41-50
16
8.5
51-60
13
6.9
61+
21
11.1
Total
189
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
137
54.6
70.6
1
21
8.4
10.8
2
17
6.4
8.2
3
14
5.6
7.2
4
5
2
2.6
5
1
.4
.5
Total
194
77.3
100
No Response
13
5.2
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
57
22.7
Total
251
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
25
10
14.5
$20,000 - $50,000
93
37.1
54.1
More Than $50,000
54
21.5
31.4
Total
172
68.5
100
No Response
35
13.9
Under 18
44
17.5
Total
79
31.5
Total
251
100