Poll data for Top Findings (December 2004)
Three Pennsylvanias Views of Quality of Life
Top Quality of Life Concerns by Geography
| |
Top Issues |
| City of Philadelphia |
|
| Crime |
65.0 |
| Jobs/Economic opportunities |
61.0 |
| Traffic congestion |
56.0 |
| Taxes |
51.0 |
|
|
| Outside Philadelphia/South Central PA |
|
| Traffic congestion |
53.0 |
| Taxes |
47.0 |
| Preserving open space/farmland |
44.0 |
|
|
| SW/NE/"Rest of State" |
|
| Jobs/Economic opportunities |
62.0 |
| Taxes |
52.0 |
|
|
|
|
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Source: 2004 IssuesPA/Pew Benchmark Survey
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There are three distinct Pennsylvanias when it comes to quality of life concerns. In two of the three Pennsylvanias, many people have a hard time just getting by economically. In the third Pennsylvania, where the economic environment is much more favorable, managing growth creates problems of its own.
To better understand quality of life issues in Pennsylvania, survey analysis suggests dividing the state geographically into the following three subgroups: 1) Philadelphia city; 2) the entire South Central region plus the “outside Philadelphia” portion of Southeast Pennsylvania; 3) the other three regions of state (the Southwest, Northeast, and “Rest of State.”)
Philadelphia city residents face the most threats to their quality of life. Majorities of these urbanites say that crime (65%), jobs/economic opportunities (61%), and traffic congestion (56%) are big problems. Half (51%) say keeping taxes down is a big problem and roughly a third say that basic services like police and fire (31%) and preparing for emergencies (31%) are big problems.
In the second geography, dominated by suburbs and small towns, the three top concerns are traffic congestion (53% big problem), the level of taxes (47%), and difficulties preserving open space and farmland (44%).
In the third geography of aging cities, towns and rural areas, the economic concerns dominate. The largest number (62%) name jobs and economic opportunities as a big problem, following by the level of taxes (52%). No other quality of life issue is rated a big problem by more than 30% in this geography.
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