Montgomery County Satisfaction Survey

Montgomery County recently released the results of a survey with the goal of determining the mood, behavior and makeup of its residents. The entire report can be read here, but I've highlighted some interesting parts of the county-wide survey -- which was conducted in September with responses from approximately 1,000 residents: 

Overall

• 89% say Montgomery County is an excellent/good place to live
• 63% feel an excellent/good sense of community

On Safety

• 70% feel safe in their neighborhood after dark
• 48% feel safe in "Montgomery County's downtown areas after dark"

On Transportation 

During a typical week, how do you commute to work? (Check all that apply):

• 66% drive solo
• 24% take public transportation
• 14% car pool
• 11% telecommute
• 8% walk
• 5% have home based businesses
• 4% take bicycle

When asked about "bus or transit" services, 68% rate them as excellent/good, though I wonder if that will drop in 2010 due to ongoing service problems with WMATA. And interestingly enough, 43% say they never rode a Metrobus or Ride On bus within Montgomery County in 2010, with an additional 20% claiming to have ridden only "once or twice in the last year."

It should be noted that the survey did not ask about frequency of Metrorail use, only Metrobus/Ride On. But the survey shows that the perception of mass transit services is likely better than those services really are, considering 68% approve of the state of mass transit while 63% have had fewer than two trips on Metrobus/Ride On during the last year and only 24% commuting to work on public transportation. There are a few pieces of data missing, but I believe a real disconnect exists among county residents.

On average, about how long does it take you to travel to work?

• 51% say it takes longer than 31 minutes
• 9% more than an hour

Pedestrian Safety?

• 57% believe the county is not doing a good job on the issue of pedestrian safety

Civic Engagement

Only 45% of residents have volunteered their time in Montgomery County during the last year, with 20% only doing so once or twice. While the survey doesn't account for volunteering in other jurisdictions, it does show that many among us are not taking advantage of the many meaningful opportunities to volunteer within our own community.

The survey also shows that 73% of residents never attended a public meeting, which is a great reason for everyone to attend the next SSSNA meeting on February 4th.

It's also worth noting that 19% of respondents "get most or a lot" of their local news from civic or homeowner association newsletters or listervs.

Housing

When asked "how important, if at all" is it for Montgomery County to address the issue of affordable housing, 70% said it is important. That makes sense, given the fact that only 23% of residents say affordable housing is available in the county.

• 28% rent their home
• 37% live in a multifamily dwelling (apartment or condominium)

Respondents' Demographics

• 53% work in Montgomery County
• 27% were not “employed for pay” (when the survey was taken in September)
• A plurality (43%) have lived in Montgomery County for more than 20 years
• 33% were not born in the United States
• 5% of respondents live in the 20910 zip code
• 55% of households earn less than $100,000
• 5% earn more than $300,000