2007 Citizen Survey

1. 2007 Citizen Survey Research conducted for theCity of GreshamJanuary 2008

2. Methods • Goal: Help City officials & staff better understand resident attitudes & opinions • Research design: telephone survey, random sample of 400 Gresham residents • Worst-case reliability for sample of 400 is 4.9% • Follow-up to 2006 Citizen Survey 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

3. Respondent criteria: • Self-identified as living within city limits of Gresham. Location confirmed when possible • Age 18 or older • Not employed by City • 50/50 male/female 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

4. ZIP code quotas — one-third each in: • 97030 • 97080 • All other ZIP Codes (97230 & 97233, 97236, 97024) • Interviews conducted Jan. 4–17 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

5. Research Results • Living in Gresham • Perceptions of Public Safety in Gresham • Attitudes Toward Gresham City Government • Perceptions of Economic Issues • Information Sources • Demographics 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

6. 97024 & 97236 97233 97080 97230 97030 2007 2006 Living in Gresham Respondents from all areas of City 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

7. Living in Gresham Two-thirds provided cross-street info, mapped by City staff 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

8. Living in Gresham Most continue to be satisfied with Gresham as a place to live, but slight decline 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

9. Living in Gresham • Residents continue to value Gresham’s “small-town” feel (43%) & “convenient location” (37%) • Crime has become #1 concern • This year, 60% mention crime-related issue as top problem facing Gresham. In 2006 only 30% • Crime mentions particularly high in western portion of City (83%) • Growth (22%) much lower priority than in 2006 (43%) 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

10. Living in Gresham Ratings for community characteristics often slightly lower than in 2006 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

11. Perceptions of Public SafetyMost believe fire, medical, police will be there; feel safe in neighborhood in day, less at night 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

12. Perceptions of Public Safety While majority perceives level of crime in neighborhood as unchanged, one-third believe it has increased 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

13. Perceptions of Public Safety Overall, most perceive their neighborhood as free of dangerous crime 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

14. 5 – Happens routinely Don’tknow Mean rating 1 – Essentially free 2 3 4 97080 1.7 Dangerous criminalactivity 2.1 97030 2.9 All other ZIPs 2.3 Nuisanceactivity 2.6 3.2 Perceptions of Public Safety However, sharp difference in perception of crime when broken out by area of town 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

15. Attitudes Toward City Government Courteous, helpful employees continue to be City’s biggest asset 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

16. Attitudes Toward City Government Most City services ratings hold steady;improvement for “traffic congestion & safety” 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

17. Attitudes Toward City Government More residents feel well informed, interested in City volunteer opportunities 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

18. Attitudes Toward City Government Civic engagement is up, including a significant increase in volunteering 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

19. Attitudes Toward City Government However, as in 2006, most have not had contact with City 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

20. Perceptions of Economic IssuesContinued interest in sustainability, helping businesses in Gresham 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

21. Somewhat disagree Somewhat agree Strongly agree Don’tknow Stronglydisagree Would prefer to workcloser to my homeThose who are employed, n=225 Important to expand number of stores & restaurantsTotal, n=400 Perceptions of Economic Issues Most would prefer to work closer to home; moderate interest in expanding retail 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

22. 2006 2007 TV news* None Word-of-mouth “Civic Agenda” City website Gresham Outlook “GRESHAM”newsletter** Radio The Oregonian Council on TV Information SourcesCity newsletter now key info source 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

23. Information sources Internet access continues to spread 2007 & 2006 n=400 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

24. Demographics • Respondent profile very similar to 2006: • Average age is 55 years old • Length of residence averages 17 years • About 3/4 are homeowners • Most do not have young children (69%) • Vast majority are white (84%) • About 1/3 are college graduates • Just over half employed, most work outside of Gresham • Nearly all say they are registered voters 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

25. Key Conclusions & Recommendations • Gresham residents remain generally pleased with their quality of life, as well as City services • However, substantial divides in community between: • Longtime Gresham residents & those new to the community • More affluent & less affluent areas 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

26. Conclusions & Recommendations • Crime is a major concern this year, particularly in hardest-hit areas of town • Most Gresham residents still feel safe in their neighborhoods — yet crime clearly perceived as City’s #1 problem 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

27. Conclusions & Recommendations • “Gresham” newsletter succeeding in reaching residents • Continue to attract more residents, especially young families, to volunteer & get engaged 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey

28. For answers to questions or more information, contact: Campbell DeLong Resources, Inc. Martha DeLong, Research Director (503) 221-2005e-mail: MarthaD@cdri.com 2007 Gresham Citizen Survey