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. 

WHITE SALMON

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
176
67.4
73
74.7
People Go Their Own Way
65
24.9
27
25.3
Total
241
92.3
100
100
No Response
17
6.5
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
20
7.7
Total
261
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
206
78.9
85.5
80.6
Just A Place To Live
35
13.4
14.5
19.4
Total
241
92.3
100
100
No Response
17
6.5
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
20
7.7
Total
261
100

 

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

  Number Percent Valid Percent Horizons Project Norm
Very Satisfied
69
26.4
28.2
25.4
Satisfied
105
40.2
42.9
40.7
Somewhat Satisfied
56
21.5
22.9
27
Dissatisfied
9
3.4
3.7
4.6
Very Dissatisfied
6
2.3
2.4
2.3
Total
245
93.9
100
100
No Response
13
5
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
16
6.1
Total
261
100

 

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

  Number Percent of Responses
Addordable Housing (1)
154
21
Better/More Jobs (2)
132
18
Services For The Elderly
33
4.5
Youth Activities
95
13
Health Care
52
7.1
Improved Economy
75
10.2
Education (3)
96
13.1
Transportation
50
6.8
Other
45
6.1

 

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
7.3
8
10.2
Willing
71
27.2
30
37.9
Neither Willing or Unwilling
102
39.1
43
38.8
Unwilling
32
12.3
13.5
9.5
Very Unwilling
13
5
5.5
3.6
Total
237
90.8
100
100
No Response
21
8
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
24
9.2
Total
261
100

 

Q8  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR AGE (By Category)

  Number Percent Valid Percent
<18
3
1.1
1.2
18-24
7
2.7
2.8
25-34
22
8.4
8.7
35-44
44
16.9
17.4
45-54
65
24.9
25.7
55-64
59
22.6
23.3
65+
53
20.3
20.9
Total
253
96.9
100
No Response
8
3.1
Total
261
100

 

Q9  RACE/ETHNICITY (Self ID)

 
Number
 Valid Percent
Caucasion/White (Not Mexican or Latino/Hispanic)
243
96.8
Mexican American
3
1.2
Native American/Indian
2
.8
Asian American/Pacific Islander
1
.4
Black/Afro-American
0
0
Latino/Hispanic (Not Mexican)
1
.4
Other
1
.4

 

Q10  GENDER

Gender Number
Percent
 Valid Percent
Male
74
28.4
30.2
Female
171
65.5
69.8
Total
245
93.9
100
No Response
13
5
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
16
6.1
Total
261
100

 

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

Years in Community Number of Responses Percent
<1
17
6.9
1-5
62
25.1
6-10
36
14.6
11-20
45
18.2
21-30
31
12.6
31-40
26
10.5
41-50
12
4.9
51-60
11
4.5
61+
7
2.8
Total
247
100

 

Q12  HOW MANY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

  Number Percent Valid Percent
0
177
67.8
70.8
1
28
10.7
11.1
2
31
11.9
12.4
3
12
4.6
4.8
5
2
.8
.8
Total
250
95.8
100
No Reponse
8
3.1
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
11
4.2
Total
261
100

 

Q13  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPROXIMATE FAMILY INCOME BEFORE TAXES IN 2006

  Number Percent Valid Percent
Less Than $20,000
29
11.1
11.9
$20,000 - $50,000
94
36
38.5
More Than $50,000
121
46.4
49.6
Total
244
93.5
100
No Response
14
5.4
Under 18
3
1.1
Total
17
6.5
Total
261
100