Page 128 - 2015 Compass Now

Aspects of quality of life by demographic characteristics

See In-Depth Analysis in Appendix for more detail.

Gender: Most aspects of quality of life were rated similarly between male and female respondents. Female
respondents rated their community lower as a place where people are treated respectfully. Females also
rated lower their community as a place where people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds are
included in decision-making.

Age: There were many significant differences by age in ratings of aspects of quality of life in the community.
In general, respondents over age 65 rated aspects of quality of life higher or better than younger adults.
Ratings for physical recreation for adults and opportunities to volunteer did not differ by age.

Education: Those with a higher level of education were more likely to rate aspects of quality of life higher
than those with less education. Ratings for safe routes to school and work and efforts to protect the natural
environment did not differ by education level.

Income: There were only a few significant differences in quality of life ratings by household income.
Respondents with a household income less than $25,000 were more likely to rate leisure time
opportunities, physical recreation for adults, and opportunities to volunteer as fair or poor.

Race: There were no differences in white and non-white respondent ratings for any of the aspects of quality
of life.

Aspects of Care Giving in the Community

Respondents were asked to rate aspects of care giving in their community. Results from the current survey
are shown in Figure 14 ranked from highest to lowest rating, including the mean scores from the 2011
survey when a comparable question was asked. Items with an asterisk (*) indicate a significant difference
from 2011 to 2014.

Figure 14: Aspects of Care Giving in the Community 2014 mean

2011 mean 2.67
Availability of quality child care* 2.82

A place that meets the needs of the elderly 2.75
2.80
Efforts to prevent abuse or neglect*
2.62
A place that meets the need of persons with disabilities* 2.76

2.64
2.75

Access to help to stay in the home 2.73

Availability of services that meet the needs of abused 2.70

Ability to pay for child care 2.5
1=Poor; 2=Fair; 3=Good; 4=Excellent

1 | APPENDIX 120 COMPASS NOW 2015