Submitted by Thurston County Chamber
The Thurston County Chamber has completed its inaugural Quality of Life Index survey, marking the first in a series of efforts aimed at understanding the perspectives of residents regarding life in Thurston County. The survey is designed to initiate meaningful community conversations and provide measurable insights into key aspects of life in the region, establishing a benchmark for future comparisons.
Between June 18-24, 2024, 500 randomly selected residents from Thurston County’s voter registration list participated in the survey, conducted both online and by telephone. Survey respondents were asked to evaluate various dimensions of life in the county by assigning letter grades, similar to school report cards.
Key Findings:
- When asked to rate Thurston County as a place to live, residents assigned the region a “C+” grade. This grade reflects a general level of satisfaction, though it highlights room for growth and improvement in various areas.
- The survey explored opinions on growth and development, revealing that nearly 60% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that growth and development have positively impacted their communities. However, opinions diverged on increasing local housing density, with 53% opposing more housing in their neighborhoods. Interestingly, only about 25% of respondents fell into the “NIMBY” (Not In My Backyard) category—those who view growth positively but resist more housing in their neighborhood.
- Looking to the future, the Chamber found optimism among respondents, with 62% believing the upcoming year will be better for their household compared to 18% who expect it to worsen. This shows a clear trend toward optimism in the community.
The survey was designed and conducted by Elway Research, ensuring a scientifically rigorous approach with a margin of error of ±4.5% at a 95% confidence interval. This statistical reliability gives a solid foundation for ongoing discussions about the region’s future.
Why It Matters: The Quality of Life Index provides an invaluable resource for understanding community sentiment. These findings will guide community discussions, help address challenges, and hold Thurston County accountable as it strives toward the vision of a thriving, prosperous region for all its residents.
For a comprehensive analysis of the survey and its findings, please visit the Thurston Chamber’s website.
