Basic Survey Results Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting 1/25/2007.

Basic Survey Results

Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

1/25/2007

Demographics

A majority of the surveys were answered by • Female citizens of Poplar Bluff

The highest percentage of respondents fall into each of the following demographic “slots”:

• Married• In the 50-54 age range• Caucasian• Lifelong resident• High School level educational achievement• Annual income range of between $20,000 and $40,000

General Thoughts

While every question had some disagreement, Poplar Bluff Area Residents agreed

• Poplar Bluff is a great place to live• Poplar Bluff is a great place to raise children• They want Poplar Bluff to grow in size and population• They are proud to live in Poplar Bluff• Poplar Bluff is a great place to retire, and that• Poplar Bluff has a great future.

General Thoughts, 2

Poplar Bluff Area Residents did NOT agree with the statement• Poplar Bluff has sufficient variety of retail stores.

IssuesThere was agreement on the following• The City of Poplar Bluff should expand through annexation• The City should require curbs on most streets• The City should have more sidewalks.• Support keeping the old brick streets• The historic downtown area should be restored• Generally pleased with the City's utilities• The City should have more parks and walking areas. • Traffic movement is a problem for Poplar Bluff• Poplar Bluff should continue to spend money to clean-up derelict

houses• Poplar Bluff should invest money in marketing itself. • Poplar Bluff should invest money in providing incentives to bring

new companies into town.

Issues, 2

Area residents did not agree with the following statements • There are sufficient employment opportunities in town.

Issues, 3

There were mixed results when it came to the following questions• Support for a tax or bonds to fund street improvements• That the City's streets are too narrow• That there are sufficient housing options in the City• Poplar Bluff should have more ethnic diversity• Poplar Bluff has adequate street lighting• There are sufficient recreation programs for youth in Poplar Bluff• There are sufficient recreation programs for seniors in Poplar Bluff.

Attitudes• Family was the single most chosen response as to why people

choose to live in the Poplar Bluff area instead of other places. However, many people chose multiple reasons for choosing to live in Poplar Bluff.

• The most common reason for those that live in the city to continue to live within the city was utilities and services. As in other questions, some people chose multiple answers

• For those living outside of the city, the most common reason to not live in the city was fewer neighbors.

• The greatest weakness identified is low income levels• Poplar Bluff area residents see the future of Poplar Bluff as being

similar to today but with more residences and businesses.• A large majority of those responding to the survey plan to stay in

Poplar Bluff for a long time.

Interesting Item

To the Question of “If you were to recommend a place or a highlight of Poplar Bluff for others to visit, where would it be?” the answers broke out into 12 major groupings. The rank of these groups was:

1. None 24.4%2. Museums, Library, &

Historical Sites 14.5%3. Other 13.3%4. Black River Coliseum 9.7%5. Wappepelo & Natural

Resources 7.2%6. Parks 6.3%

7. Three Rivers Community College 5.7%8. Water Park 5.1%9. Shopping 5.0%10. Downtown 3.4%11. Restaurants 2.4%12. Churches 2.4%

General Statement Questions

Question 1 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to live.

StronglyAgree

Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree

17% (240) 47% (672) 26% (377) 8% (109) 2% (27)

Total Respondents 1425

(skipped this question) 152

Question 2 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to raise children.

StronglyAgree Agree Neutral Disagree

StronglyDisagree

15% (211) 43% (623) 29% (420) 11% (152) 2% (34)



Question 3 - I want Poplar Bluff to grow in size and population.

Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

35% (499) 39% (567) 17% (240) 7% (97) 3% (38)



Question 4 - I am proud to live in Poplar Bluff.

Strongly Agree


21% (301) 42% (600) 28% (407) 6% (89) 3% (44)



Question 5 - Poplar Bluff has sufficient variety of retail stores.

Strongly Agree


6% (92) 20% (293) 14% (203) 40% (574) 20% (288)



Question 6 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to retire.

Strongly Agree


13% (191) 38% (538) 32% (456) 13% (179) 5% (66)



Specific Issues Questions

Question 8 - The City of Poplar Bluff should expand through annexation.

Strongly Agree


N/A

20% (286) 31% (433) 29% (408) 11% (159) 6% (80) 3% (42)



Question 9 - The City should require curbs on most streets.

Strongly Agree


N/A

21% (301) 40% (568) 28% (394) 8% (118) 2% (29) 1% (21)



Question 10 - The City should have more sidewalks.

Strongly Agree


N/A

28% (411) 41% (593) 22% (320) 7% (95) 1% (12) 1% (13)



Question 11 - I would support a tax or bonds to fund street improvements.

Strongly Agree


N/A

13% (178) 29% (415) 27% (386) 17% (245) 11% (158) 3% (39)



Question 12 - The City's streets are too narrow.

Strongly Agree


N/A

16% (230) 31% (437) 33% (463) 17% (238) 3% (39) 1% (12)



Question 13 - I support keeping the old brick streets.

Strongly Agree


N/A

32% (463) 21% (300) 14% (207) 12% (181) 20% (296) 1% (14)



Question 14 - The historic downtown area should be restored.

Strongly Agree


N/A

36% (516) 35% (505) 17% (253) 7% (105) 4% (58) 1% (11)



Question 15 - I am generally pleased with the City's utilities.

Strongly Agree


N/A

13% (187) 47% (673) 18% (264) 13% (184) 7% (95) 3% (36)



Question 16 - There are sufficient housing options in the City.

Strongly Agree


N/A

5% (65) 31% (442) 31% (436) 23% (330) 8% (109) 3% (39)



Question 17 - The City should have more parks and walking areas.

Strongly Agree


N/A

18% (265) 37% (529) 31% (443) 10% (143) 2% (34) 2% (23)



Question 18 - Poplar Bluff should have more ethnic diversity.

Strongly Agree


N/A

6% (79) 16% (224) 51% (717) 16% (226) 7% (104) 3% (47)



Question 19 - Traffic movement is a problem for Poplar Bluff.

Strongly Agree


N/A

24% (350) 37% (536) 21% (296) 15% (218) 2% (24) 0% (7)



Question 20 - Poplar Bluff has adequate street lighting.

Strongly Agree


N/A

5% (71) 42% (579) 24% (335) 21% (287) 7% (93) 1% (17)



Question 21 - Poplar Bluff should continue to spend money to clean-up derelict houses.

Strongly Agree


N/A

37% (530) 42% (597) 12% (169) 6% (81) 2% (35) 1% (14)



Question 22 - Poplar Bluff should invest money in marketing itself.

Strongly Agree


N/A

17% (241) 36% (515) 32% (453) 9% (123) 4% (56) 2% (32)



Question 23 - There are sufficient recreation programs for youth in Poplar Bluff.

Strongly Agree


N/A

6% (82) 24% (349) 27% (385) 26% (366) 14% (195) 4% (55)



Question 24 - There are sufficient recreation programs for seniors in Poplar Bluff.

Strongly Agree


N/A

4% (54) 19% (281) 35% (500) 25% (363) 12% (170) 5% (76)



Question 25 - Poplar Bluff should invest money in providing incentives to bring new companies

into town.

Strongly Agree


N/A

34% (494) 44% (641) 14% (209) 4% (54) 2% (36) 1% (16)



Question 26 - There are sufficient employment opportunities in town.

Strongly Agree


N/A

2% (34) 15% (223) 21% (310) 36% (525) 20% (294) 4% (59)



General Attitude Questions

Question 27 - Why do you choose to live in the Poplar Bluff area instead of other places?

Quality of Life Job Family Cost of Living Other

25.3% (369) 32.9% (480) 57.4% (837) 28.5% (416) 17.3% (253)



Question 28 - If you live inside Poplar Bluff City Limits, why do you choose to live in the city

instead of outside the City?

Utilities and Services

Police and Fire Protection

Access to Retail

Closer to Job Other

40.7% (480) 38.9% (459) 29% (342) 36% (425) 27.5% (324)



Question 29 - If you live outside City Limits, why do you choose to live outside the city

instead of in the City?

No Codes No City Tax Larger Lot Size

Fewer Neighbors

Other

29.6% (133) 36.7% (165) 43.4% (195) 49.7% (223) 30.1% (135)



Question 30 - Which statement best describes how you want Poplar Bluff to look 25 years

from now?

Much different than it looks

now.

As it looks now.

Similar, but with more

residential.

Similar, but with more business.

Other

29.6% (133) 36.7% (165) 43.4% (195) 49.7% (223) 30.1% (135)



Question 31 - Which statement best applies to you and your plans for the future?

I plan to stay in Poplar Bluff for a long time.

I plan to stay in the area, but

move outside city

limits.

I plan to leave the

area.

I plan to leave, but want to

stay.

I plan to stay, but want to leave.

I don't know.

62.3% (922) 9.7% (144) 6.2% (92) 2.5% (37) 8.1% (120) 12% (178)



Question 32 - Which of the following do you feel is Poplar Bluff's greatest weakness?

Low income levels

Lack of Shopping

Appearance of Downtown

Methamphetamine

Other

55.6% (819) 39.9% (587) 28.5% (420) 36.1% (532) 15.4% (227)



Demographic Questions

Question 36 - Gender

Male Female

35.4% (532) 66.3% (997)



Question 37 – City Resident

Yes No

76.4% (1129) 23.6% (349)



Question 38 – Marital Status

Single Married Divorced Widowed Other

13.5% (185) 55.2% (758) 14.3% (196) 16.5% (226) 1.2% (17)



Question 39 – Age Group

Under 20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49

0.7% (11) 2.8% (42) 4.5% (67) 4.5% (68) 5.4% (81) 6.4% (96) 7.2% (108)

50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 Over 80

12.1% (181)

11.8% (177)

10.9% (163)

10.3% (155)

9.1% (137)

6.9% (104)

8.9% (133)



Question 40 – Ethnic Group

Caucasian African-American

Hispanic Asian Native American

Mixed Race

89.4% (1301) 2.5% (37) 0.4% (6) 0.5% (8) 7.1% (104) 0.5% (7)



Question 41 – Resident Description

Lifelong resident of the

area.

Left for awhile, then moved back.

Moved here from

elsewhere in Missouri.

Moved here from other

state.

Born in another country.

31.6% (469) 23% (341) 24.8% (368) 22.4% (332) 0.9% (13)



Question 42 – Education Level

No High School

Education

High School/GED

Trade School

2-year degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctorate Other

10% (149) 41.5% (618)

8.5% (126)

15.3% (228)

16.4% (244) 9.9% (147)

3.2% (48) 4% (60)

Total Respondents

1488


Question 43 – Annual Income Level

Under $20,000 $20,000-$40,000

$41,000-$60,000

$61,000-$80,000

Over $80,000

28.1% (395) 34.7% (487) 17.1% (240) 9% (127) 11.4% (160)



Question 44 – Color of the Survey

Blue Green White/Other

92.6% (1448) 7.3% (114) 0.1% (2)



More Interesting Findings

Comparing City Residents to Non-City Residents

• City residents show more support for annexation than those who live outside city limits.

• Those living in the city appear to have more concern with city issues (such as investing in city improvements) yet these residents appear to have show the least support for increasing tax revenues to meet these needs.

• Base demographics show that, 50% of city residents are married while 70% of those outside city limits are married. City residents have far more single, divorced, widowed and elderly populations.

Interesting Findings, 2

Comparing High School Educated to College Educated

• The college educated group seems to be more open to city expansion, marketing the city, and general progress issues. They also appear to feel more confident about the city’s future.

• Overall, the high school educated group appear to be less happy with city services, youth programs, city utilities, housing options, employment, and income levels than the college educated group.

Support of higher education would appear to benefit the city immensely.

Interesting Findings, 3

Responses from Three Age Groups - (30-34) (50-54) (70-74)

• The 30-34 and 50-54 groups responses were often similar, yet showed more departure from the responses of the 70-74 age group. Most of these departures were income based.

• The 70-74 group shows the lowest annual incomes of the three groups which is reflected in their lower support for retail options and tax initiatives.

• However, the 70-74 age group shows stronger support for city maintenance issues, annexation and increased employment opportunities, albeit without much support for funding of these issues.

• Interestingly, the 50-54 and 70-74 groups appear to have more civic pride than the 30-34 group, who stated they are more likely to live in Poplar Bluff because of job opportunities.

Planning Impact

• Residents express significant civic pride. Can build on this by:– Meeting the unmet needs of the citizens– Reinvigorate and renovate existing resources (ex-

parks, brick streets, downtown, river)

• Residents clearly desire more diverse retail options. – One of the major challenges will be to control where

and how retail develops as well as to create a positive environment for retail developers.

Planning Impact, 2

• Expansion through annexation, better quality streets, and overall maintenance (ex-brick streets, downtown, derelict homes) are priorities to the residents

• Parks and Utilities are strengths– Can expand park system and access through

connections– Financing the city’s future directly tied to utility

revenues

• Lack of sufficient jobs and lower incomes continues to trouble residents

Planning Impact, 3

• Citizens are less certain about the city’s future when it comes to housing, ethnic diversity, street lighting, and recreational programs– Not a focus of residents now but planning needs to

address

• Family is a significant focus. – Using full, family oriented “thinking” in design and

programming of city spaces appears critical to success.

Final Thoughts

• Survey was very successful• A great deal of information has been gleaned• The survey provided a great opportunity to be a

part of the process and to “sound off” on topics that concern them

• Should consider public interest surveys every other year or so.

Poplar Bluff has a great story to tell!

Basic Survey Results Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting 1/25/2007.

Documents

Transcript of Basic Survey Results Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting 1/25/2007.