Every two years, the city of Decatur commissions a city-wide survey of its populace from the National Research Center to get an updated read on opinions on everything from “quality of life” to safety perceptions, to opinions of various city’s services.  As has been the case in other years of late, the full survey made its first appearance in the appendix of the city’s budget, so you’re already welcome to view it HERE (PDF).

The ever-changing “custom questions” for this year seem to indicate that Decatur is pretty evenly divided over whether the city needs a stronger tree ordinance, is OK with the current level of traffic enforcement, and a large majority “strongly” or “somewhat” support using tax funds to renovate Beacon Hill.

Among questions that have been asked in previous years, the quality of life is at an all-time high with 92% rating it as “excellent/good”. The quality of economic development is up from two years ago to 73%, but still a bit below 2006 and 2008’s ratings.  Quality of natural environment is also notably higher at 81% excellent/good vs. 75% two years ago. Ease of bicycle use is also up 6 points to 69% from 2 years ago.

Among the lower scores, positive views on the amount of public parking is higher than previously perceived (38% vs. 32%) but still comparably low, while quality of traffic enforcement dipped 6 points to 65% from 71% two years ago.   Additionally, 45% of residents rated the availability of affordable quality public housing as excellent/good (up 2 points from 2 years prior), with only 9% rating it as “excellent”.  Availability of affordable quality child care registered at similar levels.  You can see many of the year-to-year comparisons throughout the budget’s narrative section.

Overall, according to the survey’s summary, “Most ratings tended to be stable or show an upward trend over time.”

Though we may all gripe and bicker from time to time, apparently we nearly all agree on one thing…that Decatur is “an excellent/good place to live”.

In the 2008 citizen survey, 97% of residents rated Decatur as either an “excellent” or “good” place to live. That’s up 5 points from 2006! Can’t go much higher than 97%…maybe the next step is only looking at the “excellent” catagory.

Results of the Decatur Citizen Survey (in which I participated) are scattered throughout the 2008 proposed budget “expenditures” section. (To view the full budget click here)

Some other notable scores…

95% of citizens rate Decatur’s quality of life as “excellent” or “good” (up 6 points from 2006)

87% of citizens rate Decatur’s quality of services as “excellent” or “good” (up 3 points from 2006)

96% of people in the city would recommend living here “to someone who asks”

83% of citizens rate Decatur as a “place to work” as “excellent” or “good” (up 33 points from 2006)

77% of citizens rate Decatur’s quality new development as “excellent” or “good” (up 15 points from 2006)

96% of citizens feel “very” or “somewhat” safe in their neighborhoods during the day (down 1 point from 2006)

And that’s just a smattering…take a look at the whole document to see the results. Nearly everything is up vs. two years ago.

Some areas that still need improvement (according to citizen opinion)

Affordable, quality childcare options – though its up 34 points vs. 2006, its still only at 52%

Quality of land use, zoning and planning services – up 25 points vs. 2006, but could be improved at 62%.

Quality of storm drainage system – up 28 points from 2006, but still at only 61%.

Sidewalk maintenance – up 17% but still only at 59%. This should continue to improve as bond money ear-marked for sidewalks is spent. There’s still a lot left.

Value of services for taxes paid – remained steady, up only a point from 2006 to 64%. (might want to complain to DeKalb County for withholding HOST money)