Eugene Neighborhood Survey Results are In!

More than 4,600 community members responded to the recent Eugene Neighborhood Survey, providing useful information about what they like in their neighborhoods and what they would like to improve. Conducted during the summer and fall of 2009, the survey was developed in partnership with neighborhood leaders and the UO’s Community Planning Workshop. Neighborhood associations, as well as City staff and other community groups, distributed the survey with a special emphasis on reaching people who have not participated in neighborhood associations and underrepresented groups.  These efforts paid off, as results indicate that survey responses are a good representation of the city population in terms of age, income, race/ethnicity, gender, and home ownership.

Just over half (54 percent) of respondents had not participated in their neighborhood association, but 38 percent expressed an interest in being connected. When asked what would encourage them to become more involved, the top answers were knowing other people who attend meetings and events and receiving more information about their neighborhood association.

Overall, community-wide results show that respondents have positive views of the quality of life in Eugene’s neighborhoods.  When asked about what they would like to improve in their neighborhood, safety was by far the most frequent response, followed by traffic, biking/walking, parks and natural areas, and neighborhood appearance.

Neighborhood surveys are considered a best practice in neighborhood planning initiatives. The survey provides a wealth of information for neighborhood associations and the City of Eugene, as we work to increase involvement and participation in neighborhood associations and improve neighborhood livability.  Neighborhood specific survey results are available on each neighborhood association page (www.eugene-or.gov/nassociations)  For more information, please contact Lorna Flormoe at 682-5670 or lorna.r.flormoe@ci.eugene.or.us.