Albemarle County Citizen Survey

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The Albemarle County Citizen Survey is a survey performed by Albemarle County of its citizens every two years to obtain feedback on how the local government provides services. The first survey was performed in 2002. The county uses the results to help craft strategic planning. Until 2011, the county employed the services of UVA's Center for Survey Research to conduct the work, but will now send questionnaires developed by the International City/County Management Association to 1,200 Albemarle residences chosen at random. Over 250 localities across the country use the survey, including Blacksburg and Lynchburg.

By making the switch, the county will save $28,000 but will give up the ability to ask questions specific to Albemarle County.[1]

2013 results

On July 12, Albemarle County released the results for the Albemarle County Citizen Survey. The survey was conducted as part of the National Citizen Survey, developed by the National Research Center, Inc. in cooperation with the International City/County Management Association.[2] Compared to the 2011 survey, citizens rated the county higher for snow removal, the variety of housing options, employment opportunities, economic development and the openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds.[3]

  • Most residents note a good quality of life in Albemarle County – Quality of life was rated “excellent” or “good” by 92% of the respondents.
  • Residents demonstrate strong trust in County government:
    • A majority rated the overall direction being taken by Albemarle County as “good” or “excellent.”
    • Most residents who interacted with County employees in the last 12 months rated their impression as “excellent” or “good”
  • Residents gave favorable ratings to a majority of County services. Of the 41 services for which comparisons were available, 19 were above the national benchmark comparison, 17 were similar to the national benchmark comparison and five were below.
  • Residents are civically engaged:
    • 97% had provided help to a friend or neighbor in the previous 12 months
    • A majority had volunteered their time to some group or activity in Albemarle County, which was much higher than the national benchmark.
  • The most popular activities frequently participated in by respondents within Albemarle County included providing help to a friend or neighbor and visiting a neighborhood park or County park.
  • The most favorable ratings for “characteristics of the community” were:
    • The County’s overall image or reputation
    • The County’s overall appearance
    • The County’s overall quality of its natural environment
  • The least favorable ratings for “characteristics of the community” were:
    • Traffic flow
    • Ease of bus travel
    • Ease of rail or subway travel
  • Benchmark comparisons for "characteristics of the community":
    • Of the 32 characteristics available to be benchmarked, 20 were above the national benchmarks, 3 were similar, and 9 were below those in other benchmark localities.

2011 results

On July 1, Albemarle County released the results for the Albemarle County Citizen Survey.[4]

  • Most residents note a good quality of life in Albemarle County – Quality of Life was rated “excellent” or “good” by 90% of the respondents.
  • Residents demonstrate trust in County government:
    • Majority rated direction the County is going is “excellent” or “good.” (similar to Benchmark communities)
    • Most residents who interacted with County employees rated their impression was “excellent” or “good”
  • Residents gave favorable ratings to a majority of County services
    • Of the 41 services in which comparables were available, 26 were above benchmark comparisons, 11 were similar to benchmarks and 4 were below.
  • Residents are civically engaged:
    • 80% of citizens ranked opportunities to participate in community matters as excellent or good, which was categorized as much above the national benchmark.
    • Almost 60% of citizens described the job that Albemarle County does at welcoming citizen involvement as excellent or good, above the national benchmark.
  • The majority of residents, 57%, feel that the value of services for taxes paid was “Excellent” or “Good.” The response to this question was similar to the response received to this question in surveys conducted by benchmark communities.
  • The most favorable ratings for “ characteristics of the community” were:
    • The County’s overall image or reputation
    • The County’s overall appearance
    • The County’s overall quality of its natural environment
    • The County’s educational opportunities
  • The least favorable ratings for “characteristics of the community” were:
    • Ease of bus travel
    • Ease of rail travel
    • Ease of bicycle travel
    • Availability of affordable child care
  • Benchmark Comparisons for “characteristics of the community”:
    • Of the 31 that were available to be benchmarked, 19 were above the national benchmarks, 3 were similar, and 9 were below those in other benchmark localities.

References

  1. E-mail. Lee Catlin, Albemarle County. "RE: COUNTY CITIZEN SURVEY IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK." Message to Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow. April 19, 2011.
  2. E-mail. Lee Catlin, County of Albemarle. "County releases 2013 citizen survey results." Message to Claudia Elzey, Charlottesville Tomorrow. 12 July 2013.
  3. Web. National Citizen Survey: Albemarle County, National Research Center, 2013, retrieved 12 July 2013.
  4. Web. County Releases Citizen Survey Results, Release, Albemarle County, 1 July 2011, retrieved 1 July 2011.

External Links

Albemarle County Citizen Survey Results 2013

Albemarle County Citizen Survey Results 2011