Survey: Warren County a ‘wonderful place’ to live
A survey filled out by a cross-section of county business and government leaders indicated Warren County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family, but at the same time showed major concerns about the county’s drug problem.
The survey was designed to indicate both the strengths and weaknesses of the community, and asked respondents to rate Warren County in six areas:
1. General Environment
2. Quality of Life
3. Infrastructure and Environment
4. Education and Workforce Development
5. Leadership
6. Business Environment
The scores for each question were presented in percentage format from the highest to lowest level of agreement, with five categories of agreement: (1) strongly disagree, (2) disagree, (3) somewhat agree, (4) agree and (5) strongly agree.
Survey respondents felt pretty safe, with a 96 percent score for the statement: “I feel safe going out in the evenings for shopping and entertainment.” The group also felt good about emergency services, with an 85 percent score on the statement: “Emergency services are readily available when needed.” Respondents also felt good about local health care, with 84 percent agreeing on the statement: “I use local doctors and hospitals when I need health care.”
Weakest under general environment was reaction to the drug problem. Respondents delivered an 84 percent disagreement score to the statement: “The use of illegal drugs is not a major problem in our community.” Second in disagreement scores was 57 percent on the statement: “Teen pregnancy is on the decline in this area.” Respondents also were not happy with the litter situation in the county, with a 27 percent disagreement score on the statement: “Our neighborhoods are free of trash and litter.”
In quality of life, the strongest element seemed to be the level of interest in political matters, with a 69 percent agreement score to the statement: “I am interested and involved in the politics of my community.” A 65 percent agreement score was given to the statement: “I volunteer for civic and social activities in my community.”
Respondents didn’t think much of the cultural activities available in the community with an 85 percent disagreement score to the statement: “Our community offers a variety of cultural amenities including art, music, theater and other activities.”
Under infrastructure and environment, utilities got a high score across the board, with a 93 percent score on water quality, an 88 percent score on adequate water supply for industrial growth, and an 81 percent score on essential utilities and services being available to industry.
Respondents didn’t think so much of the wise use of tax dollars, with a 46 percent somewhat agreed score, and an 8 percent disagree score.
Under education and workforce development, respondents showed significant support for the education system. Seventy-seven percent were in strong agreement on the statement: “I would send my children to our public schools.” Another 19 percent somewhat agree with that statement.
Respondents felt training for adults who want to learn new skills was more than adequate with an agreement score of 70 percent on that issue. On the negative side, there was only a 31 percent agreement score on career opportunities in the area for high school and college graduates who choose to stay here.
Under business environment, restaurants scored high among respondents, with an 81 percent agreement score on the statement: “I eat out at local restaurants.” Retail stores didn’t fare quite as well, with a 31 percent score on the variety of shops and stores in the area. Retail wages also took a hit with a 30 percent agreement score on local wages being comparable with other communities in the area.
The survey was part of a recent Community Preparedness for Economic Development seminar conducted by TVA.
Survey highlights