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. 

WARDEN

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
124
64.6
62.6
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
68
35.4
35.4
25.3
Total
192
100
100
100
No Response
0
Total
192
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
112
58.3
59.6
80.6
Just A Place To Live
76
39.6
40.4
19.4
Total
188
97.9
100
100
No Response
4
2.1
Total
192
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
24
12.5
12.6
25.4
Satisfied
75
39.1
39.3
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
66
34.4
34.6
27
Dissatisfied
10
5.2
5.2
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
16
8.3
8.4
2.3
Total
191
99.5
100
100
No Response
1
.5
Total
192
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing
71
12.1
Better/More Jobs (2)
95
16.2
Services For The Elderly
46
7.8
Youth Activities (1)
110
18.8
Health Care
57
9.7
Improved Economy
67
11.4
Education (3)
83
14.2
Transportation
39
6.7
Other
18
3.1

 

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
19
9.9
10.2
10.2
Willing
73
38
39.2
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
73
38
39.2
38.8
Unwilling
10
5.2
5.4
9.5
Very Unwilling
11
5.7
5.9
3.6
Total
186
96.9
100
100
No Response
6
3.1
Total
192
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
18-24
22
11.5
11.6
25-34
44
22.9
23.2
35-44
51
26.6
26.8
45-54
34
17.7
17.9
55-64
21
10.9
11.1
65+
18
9.4
9.5
No Response
2
1
Total
192
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
80
42.8
Mexican American
85
45.5
Native American/Indian
2
1.1
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
.5
Black/Afro-American
3
1.6
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
16
8.5
Other
0
0

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
72
37.5
38.9
Female
113
58.9
61.1
Total
185
96.4
100
No Response
7
3.6
Total
192
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
2
1.1
1-5
32
17.3
6-10
17
9.2
11-20
45
24.3
21-30
44
23.8
31-40
28
15.1
41-50
15
8.1
51-60
2
1.1
61+
0
0
Total
185
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
84
43.8
44.2
1
34
17.7
17.9
2
29
15.1
15.3
3
25
13
13.2
4
12
6.3
6.3
5
4
2.1
2.1
6
2
1
1.1
Total
190
99
100
No Response
2
1
Total
192
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
44
22.9
23.4
$20,000 - $50,000
97
50.5
51.6
More Than $50,000
47
24.5
25
Total
188
97.9
100
No Response
4
2.1
Total
192
100