2019 Report

Most Important Community Issue

When presented with a list of possible community issues, residents most often selected crime as the most important issue directly affecting their quality of life, with 16 percent of adults choosing it. This was followed by education (13 percent) and the economy (12 percent). Crime is especially important to the youngest adults (18 to 24 years) and blacks. Education is relatively more important to adults 35 to 44, who are likely to have school-age children, and females. The economy is relatively more important to those with a vocational or technical education, those working part-time, the self-employed and males.