Macomb County Residents Mostly Satisfied In Second Community Climate Survey
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ) -- Data compiled from the second annual Community Climate Survey conducted by Macomb County Planning and Economic Development reveal that a clear majority of Macomb County residents are pleased with the overall quality of life they experience living in Macomb County.
"The results of this survey show the progress we are making in Macomb," said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. "For the second straight year, residents are clear in their responses. They are happy living here and feel that Macomb offers safe communities, good schools and an exceptionally high quality of life. As one of Michigan's fastest growing counties, Macomb is a desirable place to call home."
Responses from 1,562 individuals gathered from May 30 through July 31 -- Representing all of Macomb's 27 communities -- reveal the following facts reported by Macomb County residents:
* A very large majority of Macomb County residents are happy living here. Macomb County residents reported being happy or very happy 11.6 times as often as they reported being unhappy or very unhappy. In 2012, this ratio was 10:1, indicating an increase in happiness.
* Overall cumulative satisfaction on topics vital to measuring the health of a community was positive. Satisfaction for each individual topic was positive except for public transportation.
*The response ratings from the 2013 survey are nearly identical to those from the 2012 survey. The consistency of the ratings across all categories, and the volume of participants, lends credence to the survey results.
* Positive current conditions are expected to remain. Residents were neutral about future changes in quality.
* Residents believe that quality of life (24.3 percent) and schools (20.1 percent) are the county's biggest assets.
* Residents indicate public transportation as the area they believe that needs the most improvement. Residents felt stronger about improving public transportation than improving public safety and schools.
* Macomb County residents are staying put, with more than four out of five reporting no plans to leave the County in the next five years. Forty-one percent of those who do report planning to leave Macomb County plan to leave Michigan as well. Respondents 65 and over are most likely to stay put (88 percent), but the 20-34 age range is not much more likely to leave, with three out of four reporting plans to stay (75 percent). More property owners are planning to stay in Macomb (83 percent) than renters (69 percent). There does not appear to be a single factor motivating people to leave. Those planning to stay report much higher positive sentiment (4.16 out of 5) than those planning to leave (3.03 out of 5) but those planning to leave offer no clear trend on a specific reason as to why.
* Safe neighborhoods and high quality of life are ranked as the highest features impacting the decision to locate in Macomb County. Macomb residents employed in other counties are drawn to Macomb by quality of schools, public safety, local government services and access to emergency medical care.
Geographic breakdowns:
* Hall Road communities report peak satisfaction in retail.
* Lake St. Clair coastal communities receive an extra boost in satisfaction with recreational opportunities and quality of life.
Age breakdowns:
* Residents aged 35-49 view schools as Macomb County's best feature.
The purpose of the survey is to provide a resource that measures community sentiment across a variety of topics critical to the vibrancy of our local communities. The information contained in this report can serve as a resource for future planning and policy development to leaders and decision makers in both the public and private sectors. These results, along with the previous survey and future surveys, will serve as a benchmark to measure our progress toward improvement and to assist in identifying new opportunities for advancing community wellbeing across key areas.
The 2013 Community Climate Survey Report is available on the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development website.
