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. 

STEVENSON

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
162
67.5
71.7
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
64
26.7
28.3
25.3
Total
226
94.2
100
100
No Response
12
5
Under 18
1
.8
Total
14
5.8
Total
240
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
188
78.3
81.4
80.6
Just A Place To Live
43
17.9
18.6
19.4
Total
231
96.3
100
100
No Response
7
3.2
Under 18
1
.8
Total
9
3.8
Total
240
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
80
33.3
34.6
25.4
Satisfied
93
38.8
40.3
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
50
20.8
21.6
27
Dissatisfied
6
2.5
2.6
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
2
.8
.9
2.3
Total
231
96.3
100
100
No Response
7
2.9
Under 18
1
.8
Total
9
3.8
Total
240
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing (2)
128
18.1
Better/More Jobs (1)
154
21.8
Services For The Elderly
38
5.4
Youth Activities (3)
90
12.7
Health Care
62
8.8
Improved Economy
80
11.3
Education
75
10.6
Transportation
48
6.8
Other
31
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
21
8
9.2
10.2
Willing
81
33.8
35.4
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
99
41.3
43.2
38.8
Unwilling
21
8.8
9.2
9.5
Very Unwilling
7
2.9
3.1
3.6
Total
229
95.4
100
100
No Response
9
3.8
Under 18
2
.8
Total
11
4.6
Total
240
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
1
.8
.9
18-24
36
15
15.4
25-34
21
8.8
9
35-44
48
20
20.5
45-54
49
20.4
20.9
55-64
40
16.7
17.1
65+
38
15.8
16.2
Total
234
97.5
100
No Response
6
2.5
Total
240
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
210
87.5
Mexican American
3
1.3
Native American/Indian
12
5
Asian American/Pacific Islander
5
2.1
Black/Afro-American
5
2.1
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
.4
Other
4
1.7

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
75
31.3
32.6
Female
155
64.6
67.4
Total
230
95.8
100
No Response
8
3.3
Under 18
2
.8
Total
10
4.2
Total
240
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
14
6.1
1-5
52
22.8
6-10
33
14.5
11-20
61
26.8
21-30
31
13.6
31-40
19
8.3
41-50
9
3.9
51-60
6
2.6
61+
3
1.3
Total
228
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
135
56.3
58.2
1
44
18.3
19
2
26
10.8
11.2
3
13
5.4
5.6
4
10
4.2
4.3
6
1
.4
.4
9
1
.4
.4
10
1
.4
.4
15
1
.4
.4
Total
232
96.7
100
No Reponse
6
2.5
Under 18
1
.8
Total
8
3.3
Total
240
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
75
31.3
32.8
$20,000 - $50,000
65
27.1
28.4
More Than $50,000
89
37.1
38.9
Total
229
95.4
100
No Response
9
3.8
Under 18
2
.8
Total
11
4.6
Total
240
100