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Eagle County Quality of Place Survey November 2007



















Eagle County
Quality of Place Survey
November 2007

Eagle County-Quality of Place Survey
November 2007
Page 2


Research & Polling, Inc.
Table of Contents


I. Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

Executive Summary............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5


II. Summary of Results.............................................................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.


III. Demographics .....................................................................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.


IV. Questionnaire .....................................................................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.







Eagle County-Quality of Place Survey
November 2007
Page 3


Research & Polling, Inc.






I. Introduction


Eagle County-Quality of Place Survey
November 2007
Page 4


Research & Polling, Inc.
Methodology

This research study was commissioned by Eagle County to identify and quantify the primary components affecting the Quality of Life for residents living in Eagle
County. In addition, this research study assesses citizens perceptions and satisfaction with public services offered by Eagle County government.


The Interview

A random sample of Eagle County residents was interviewed by telephone.
Telephone numbers were generated from the Research & Polling, Inc.
database. All interviews were conducted between October 3
rd
and October
14
th
, 2007.

The telephone interviewers are professionals who are brought together for a
training session prior to each survey. This ensures their complete and
consistent understanding of the survey instrument.


Margin of Error

A total of 400 phone interviews were completed. A sample size of 400 at a
95% confidence level provides a maximum margin of error of approximately
4.9%. In theory, in 95 out of 100 cases, the results based on a sample of
400 will differ by no more than 4.9 percentage points in either direction from
what would have been obtained by interviewing all Eagle County residents.


Sample Bias

In any survey, there are some respondents who will refuse to speak to the
professional interviewer. A lower response rate among certain types of
individuals can result in a sample wherein certain types of individuals are
over-represented or under-represented. The potential for sampling bias
increases as the response rate decreases. Research & Polling, Inc. often
sets quotas for various segments of the population who are historically
undercounted. This has the effect of minimizing, but not necessarily
eliminating, sampling bias.

The Report

This report summarizes the results from each question in the survey and
reports on any variances in attitude or perception, where significant, among
demographic subgroups. The subgroups examined in this report include:

gender

ethnicity

age
income

education

length of residency
marital
status

own versus rent home


Quotations

The quotations used in italics throughout this report were obtained from the
online Quality of Life survey conducted by Research & Polling on behalf of
Eagle County. Approximately 184 residents participated in the online study.
Eagle County-Quality of Place Survey
November 2007
Page 5


Research & Polling, Inc.
Executive Summary

The vast majority of Eagle County residents enjoy the quality of life that is
afforded by living in the high country of the Rocky Mountain region. In fact,
81% of county residents rate their overall quality of life in Eagle County as
being excellent or good, whereas only 3% rate their overall quality of life
poorly. Less than one-fifth (16%) of area residents rate their quality of life in
the middle (a rating of 3 on a 5 point scale). Interestingly, as age and
household income increases, so too does the likelihood of feeling that the
overall quality of life is excellent. In addition, Anglos and homeowners are
more likely to rate the quality of life highly. Many residents say they enjoy life
in Eagle County because of the natural scenic beauty and panoramic views,
overall lifestyle, small town feel and sense of community, and access to
outdoor activities (skiing, hiking and biking, etc.)

Moved here to work for Vail Associates as a Vail Ski
Patrolman in 1982; left for grad school in 1989 and returned
here in 1995. The county offers a great combination of
outdoor recreational culture, climate, and is a really good
place to raise our two daughters. It is home.

My family has been here for a long time! We've been
employed here, raised our family and our children have done
the same. Eagle County has been a great place to do this!
Hopefully we will be able to afford to live here! Most of the
families that we have known have moved away because of
the expenses.

Although most residents enjoy many aspects of life in Eagle County, many
feel that certain issues such as the high cost of living, expensive housing,
urban sprawl, and traffic issues are things that may threaten the quality of life
in the area. One resident states, I have lived in rural Eagle County for 38
years and have struggled to help preserve the above qualities of life. I find
them slipping away and sadly am contemplating leaving, as are many of my
friends and neighbors, if this trend continues. PLEASE Eagle County,
preserve what we have left

Although the vast majority of local residents are quite satisfied with their
overall quality of life, people are divided on whether the quality of life has
been getting better or worse; and, residents are also polarized regarding the
prospects for the future quality of life in the region. Specifically,
approximately one-quarter of county residents feel that quality of life has
improved over the past few years, while three-in-ten feel it has worsened.
Optimism levels for the upcoming five years are also tentative in that one-
quarter of area residents feel the quality of life will get better while more than
one-third feel it will get worse. It's interesting to note that young adults are
most optimistic about the future, while middle-aged residents and long time
residents are most pessimistic about what the future holds for Eagle County.

Residents were asked, in an unaided, open-ended manner, what one thing
they would change in the Eagle County area to improve the quality of life.
Just under one-fifth (18%) say limit growth, while 15% say create more
affordable homes, 11% say lower the cost of living, and one-in-ten say
reduce traffic. Seniors and long time residents are twice as likely to mention
limiting growth as the single change they would make. Those in the online
study mention that the one thing that would cause them to leave the area is
further unrestrained growth, a lack of affordable homes, increased cost of
living, and employment opportunity outside of area/loss of job/retirement.
One resident suggests,

Invest in infrastructure and services to support low and
middle income working families and older adults...housing,
child care, health care, volunteer and non-profit human
services.

As mentioned previously, the two top concerns of county residents are: 1)
growth and development issues, and 2) affordability issues (overall cost of
living and expensive housing). These are issues/concerns that the general
public feel can be addressed and hopefully mitigated by local government. In
fact, area residents are relatively complimentary of the overall direction that
Eagle County government is going. Approximately half (51%) of residents
feel Eagle Country government is going in the right direction, whereas less
than one-quarter (23%) think it is going in the wrong direction and 11% have
mixed feelings. Younger adults (under 50 years old) and shorter term
residents (less than 20 years) are more likely to say that county government
is moving in the right directio