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. 

SPRAGUE

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
79
66.4
72.5
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
30
25.2
27.5
25.3
Total
109
91.6
100
100
No Response
7
5.9
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
10
8.4
Total
119
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
95
79.8
84.8
80.6
Just A Place To Live
17
14.3
15.2
19.4
Total
112
94.1
100
100
No Response
4
3.4
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
7
5.9
Total
119
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
17
14.3
15.3
25.4
Satisfied
39
32.8
35.1
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
44
37
39.6
27
Dissatisfied
10
8.4
9
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
1
.8
.9
2.3
Total
111
93.3
100
100
No Response
5
4.2
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
8
6.7
Total
119
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
34
9.8
Better/More Jobs (1)
74
21.4
Services For The Elderly (3)
53
15.3
Youth Activities
49
14.2
Health Care
26
7.5
Improved Economy (2)
58
16.8
Education
21
6.1
Transportation
18
5.2
Other
13
3.7

 

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
15.1
16.5
10.2
Willing
41
34.5
37.6
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
41
34.7
37.6
38.8
Unwilling
6
5
5.5
9.5
Very Unwilling
3
2.5
2.8
3.6
Total
109
91.6
100
100
No Response
7
5.9
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
10
8.4
Total
119
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
3
2.5
2.6
18-24
3
2.5
2.6
25-34
10
8.4
8.7
35-44
13
10.9
11.3
45-54
30
25.2
26.1
55-64
26
21.8
22.6
65+
30
25.2
26.1
Total
115
96.6
100
No Response
4
3.4
Total
119
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
106
94.6
Mexican American
1
.9
Native American/Indian
4
3.6
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
0
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
.9
Other
0
0

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
51
42.9
45.5
Female
62
52.1
54.5
Total
113
95
100
No Response
3
2.5
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
6
5
Total
119
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
5
4.5
1-5
35
31.3
6-10
21
18.8
11-20
23
20.5
21-30
13
11.6
31-40
7
6.3
41-50
3
2.7
51-60
3
2.7
61+
2
1.8
Total
119
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
84
70.6
73.7
1
9
7.6
7.9
2
12
10.1
10.5
3
5
4.2
4.4
4
4
3.4
3.5
Total
114
95.8
100
No Response
2
1.7
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
5
4.2
Total
119
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
25
21
23.4
$20,000 - $50,000
58
48.7
54.2
More Than $50,000
24
20.2
22.4
Total
107
89.9
100
No Response
9
7.6
Under 18
3
2.5
Total
12
10.1
Total
119
100