Basic Survey Results Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting 1/25/2007

Demographics A majority of the surveys were answered by Female citizens of Poplar Bluff The highest percentage of respondents fall into each of the following demographic “slots”: Married In the age range Caucasian Lifelong resident High School level educational achievement Annual income range of between $20,000 and $40,000

General Thoughts While every question had some disagreement, Poplar Bluff Area Residents agreed Poplar Bluff is a great place to live Poplar Bluff is a great place to raise children They want Poplar Bluff to grow in size and population They are proud to live in Poplar Bluff Poplar Bluff is a great place to retire, and that Poplar Bluff has a great future.

General Thoughts, 2 Poplar Bluff Area Residents did NOT agree with the statement Poplar Bluff has sufficient variety of retail stores.

Issues There was agreement on the following The City of Poplar Bluff should expand through annexation The City should require curbs on most streets The City should have more sidewalks. Support keeping the old brick streets The historic downtown area should be restored Generally pleased with the City's utilities The City should have more parks and walking areas. Traffic movement is a problem for Poplar Bluff Poplar Bluff should continue to spend money to clean-up derelict houses Poplar Bluff should invest money in marketing itself. Poplar Bluff should invest money in providing incentives to bring new companies into town.

Issues, 2 Area residents did not agree with the following statements There are sufficient employment opportunities in town.

Issues, 3 There were mixed results when it came to the following questions Support for a tax or bonds to fund street improvements That the City's streets are too narrow That there are sufficient housing options in the City Poplar Bluff should have more ethnic diversity Poplar Bluff has adequate street lighting There are sufficient recreation programs for youth in Poplar Bluff There are sufficient recreation programs for seniors in Poplar Bluff.

Attitudes Family was the single most chosen response as to why people choose to live in the Poplar Bluff area instead of other places. However, many people chose multiple reasons for choosing to live in Poplar Bluff. The most common reason for those that live in the city to continue to live within the city was utilities and services. As in other questions, some people chose multiple answers For those living outside of the city, the most common reason to not live in the city was fewer neighbors. The greatest weakness identified is low income levels Poplar Bluff area residents see the future of Poplar Bluff as being similar to today but with more residences and businesses. A large majority of those responding to the survey plan to stay in Poplar Bluff for a long time.

Interesting Item To the Question of “If you were to recommend a place or a highlight of Poplar Bluff for others to visit, where would it be?” the answers broke out into 12 major groupings. The rank of these groups was: 1.None24.4% 2.Museums, Library, & Historical Sites14.5% 3. Other13.3% 4. Black River Coliseum9.7% 5. Wappepelo & Natural Resources7.2% 6. Parks6.3% 7.Three Rivers Community College5.7% 8. Water Park5.1% 9. Shopping5.0% 10. Downtown3.4% 11. Restaurants2.4% 12. Churches2.4%

General Statement Questions

Question 1 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to live. Strongly Agree NeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree 17% (240)47% (672)26% (377)8% (109)2% (27) Total Respondents 1425 (skipped this question) 152

Question 2 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to raise children. Strongly Agree NeutralDisagree Strongly Disagree 15% (211)43% (623)29% (420)11% (152)2% (34) Total Respondents 1440 (skipped this question) 137

Question 3 - I want Poplar Bluff to grow in size and population. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree 35% (499)39% (567)17% (240)7% (97)3% (38) Total Respondents 1441 (skipped this question) 136

Question 4 - I am proud to live in Poplar Bluff. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree 21% (301)42% (600)28% (407)6% (89)3% (44) Total Respondents 1441 (skipped this question) 136

Question 5 - Poplar Bluff has sufficient variety of retail stores. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree 6% (92)20% (293)14% (203)40% (574)20% (288) Total Respondents 1450 (skipped this question) 127

Question 6 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to retire. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree 13% (191)38% (538)32% (456)13% (179)5% (66) Total Respondents 1430 (skipped this question) 147

Specific Issues Questions

Question 8 - The City of Poplar Bluff should expand through annexation. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 20% (286)31% (433)29% (408)11% (159)6% (80)3% (42) Total Respondents 1408 (skipped this question) 169

Question 9 - The City should require curbs on most streets. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 21% (301)40% (568)28% (394)8% (118)2% (29)1% (21) Total Respondents 1431 (skipped this question) 146

Question 10 - The City should have more sidewalks. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 28% (411)41% (593)22% (320)7% (95)1% (12)1% (13) Total Respondents 1444 (skipped this question) 133

Question 11 - I would support a tax or bonds to fund street improvements. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 13% (178)29% (415)27% (386)17% (245)11% (158)3% (39) Total Respondents 1421 (skipped this question) 156

Question 12 - The City's streets are too narrow. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 16% (230)31% (437)33% (463)17% (238)3% (39)1% (12) Total Respondents 1419 (skipped this question) 158

Question 13 - I support keeping the old brick streets. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 32% (463)21% (300)14% (207)12% (181)20% (296)1% (14) Total Respondents 1461 (skipped this question) 116

Question 14 - The historic downtown area should be restored. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 36% (516)35% (505)17% (253)7% (105)4% (58)1% (11) Total Respondents 1448 (skipped this question) 129

Question 15 - I am generally pleased with the City's utilities. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 13% (187)47% (673)18% (264)13% (184)7% (95)3% (36) Total Respondents 1439 (skipped this question) 138

Question 16 - There are sufficient housing options in the City. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 5% (65)31% (442)31% (436)23% (330)8% (109)3% (39) Total Respondents 1421 (skipped this question) 156

Question 17 - The City should have more parks and walking areas. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 18% (265)37% (529)31% (443)10% (143)2% (34)2% (23) Total Respondents 1437 (skipped this question) 140

Question 18 - Poplar Bluff should have more ethnic diversity. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 6% (79)16% (224)51% (717)16% (226)7% (104)3% (47) Total Respondents 1397 (skipped this question) 180

Question 19 - Traffic movement is a problem for Poplar Bluff. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 24% (350)37% (536)21% (296)15% (218)2% (24)0% (7) Total Respondents 1431 (skipped this question) 146

Question 20 - Poplar Bluff has adequate street lighting. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 5% (71)42% (579)24% (335)21% (287)7% (93)1% (17) Total Respondents 1382 (skipped this question) 195

Question 21 - Poplar Bluff should continue to spend money to clean-up derelict houses. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 37% (530)42% (597)12% (169)6% (81)2% (35)1% (14) Total Respondents 1426 (skipped this question) 151

Question 22 - Poplar Bluff should invest money in marketing itself. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 17% (241)36% (515)32% (453)9% (123)4% (56)2% (32) Total Respondents 1420 (skipped this question) 157

Question 23 - There are sufficient recreation programs for youth in Poplar Bluff. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 6% (82)24% (349)27% (385)26% (366)14% (195)4% (55) Total Respondents 1432 (skipped this question) 145

Question 24 - There are sufficient recreation programs for seniors in Poplar Bluff. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 4% (54)19% (281)35% (500)25% (363)12% (170)5% (76) Total Respondents 1444 (skipped this question) 133

Question 25 - Poplar Bluff should invest money in providing incentives to bring new companies into town. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 34% (494)44% (641)14% (209)4% (54)2% (36)1% (16) Total Respondents 1450 (skipped this question) 127

Question 26 - There are sufficient employment opportunities in town. Strongly Agree AgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree N/A 2% (34)15% (223)21% (310)36% (525)20% (294)4% (59) Total Respondents 1445 (skipped this question) 132

General Attitude Questions

Question 27 - Why do you choose to live in the Poplar Bluff area instead of other places? Quality of LifeJobFamilyCost of LivingOther 25.3% (369)32.9% (480)57.4% (837)28.5% (416)17.3% (253) Total Respondents 1459 (skipped this question) 118

Question 28 - If you live inside Poplar Bluff City Limits, why do you choose to live in the city instead of outside the City? Utilities and Services Police and Fire Protection Access to Retail Closer to JobOther 40.7% (480)38.9% (459)29% (342)36% (425)27.5% (324) Total Respondents 1179 (skipped this question) 398

Question 29 - If you live outside City Limits, why do you choose to live outside the city instead of in the City? No CodesNo City TaxLarger Lot Size Fewer Neighbors Other 29.6% (133)36.7% (165)43.4% (195)49.7% (223)30.1% (135) Total Respondents 449 (skipped this question) 1128

Question 30 - Which statement best describes how you want Poplar Bluff to look 25 years from now? Much different than it looks now. As it looks now. Similar, but with more residential. Similar, but with more business. Other 29.6% (133)36.7% (165)43.4% (195)49.7% (223)30.1% (135) Total Respondents 449 (skipped this question) 1128

Question 31 - Which statement best applies to you and your plans for the future? I plan to stay in Poplar Bluff for a long time. I plan to stay in the area, but move outside city limits. I plan to leave the area. I plan to leave, but want to stay. I plan to stay, but want to leave. I don't know. 62.3% (922)9.7% (144)6.2% (92)2.5% (37)8.1% (120)12% (178) Total Respondents 1479 (skipped this question) 98

Question 32 - Which of the following do you feel is Poplar Bluff's greatest weakness? Low income levels Lack of Shopping Appearance of Downtown Methampheta mine Other 55.6% (819)39.9% (587)28.5% (420)36.1% (532)15.4% (227) Total Respondents 1472 (skipped this question) 105

Demographic Questions

Question 36 - Gender MaleFemale 35.4% (532)66.3% (997) Total Respondents 1503 (skipped this question) 74

Question 37 – City Resident YesNo 76.4% (1129)23.6% (349) Total Respondents 1477 (skipped this question) 100

Question 38 – Marital Status SingleMarriedDivorcedWidowedOther 13.5% (185)55.2% (758)14.3% (196)16.5% (226)1.2% (17) Total Respondents 1373 (skipped this question) 204

Question 39 – Age Group Under % (11)2.8% (42)4.5% (67)4.5% (68)5.4% (81)6.4% (96) 7.2% (108) Over % (181) 11.8% (177) 10.9% (163) 10.3% (155) 9.1% (137) 6.9% (104) 8.9% (133) Total Respondents 1501 (skipped this question) 76

Question 40 – Ethnic Group CaucasianAfrican- American HispanicAsianNative American Mixed Race 89.4% (1301)2.5% (37) 0.4% (6)0.5% (8)7.1% (104)0.5% (7) Total Respondents 1456 (skipped this question) 121

Question 41 – Resident Description Lifelong resident of the area. Left for awhile, then moved back. Moved here from elsewhere in Missouri. Moved here from other state. Born in another country. 31.6% (469)23% (341)24.8% (368)22.4% (332)0.9% (13) Total Respondents 1482 (skipped this question) 95

Question 42 – Education Level No High School Education High School /GED Trade School 2-year degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree DoctorateOther 10% (149)41.5% (618) 8.5% (126) 15.3% (228) 16.4% (244) 9.9% (147) 3.2% (48)4% (60) Total Respondents 1488 (skipped this question) 89

Question 43 – Annual Income Level Under $20,000$20,000- $40,000 $41,000- $60,000 $61,000- $80,000 Over $80, % (395)34.7% (487)17.1% (240)9% (127)11.4% (160) Total Respondents 1405 (skipped this question) 172

Question 44 – Color of the Survey BlueGreenWhite/Other 92.6% (1448)7.3% (114)0.1% (2) Total Respondents 1564 (skipped this question) 13

More Interesting Findings Comparing City Residents to Non-City Residents City residents show more support for annexation than those who live outside city limits. Those living in the city appear to have more concern with city issues (such as investing in city improvements) yet these residents appear to have show the least support for increasing tax revenues to meet these needs. Base demographics show that, 50% of city residents are married while 70% of those outside city limits are married. City residents have far more single, divorced, widowed and elderly populations.

Interesting Findings, 2 Comparing High School Educated to College Educated The college educated group seems to be more open to city expansion, marketing the city, and general progress issues. They also appear to feel more confident about the city’s future. Overall, the high school educated group appear to be less happy with city services, youth programs, city utilities, housing options, employment, and income levels than the college educated group. Support of higher education would appear to benefit the city immensely.

Interesting Findings, 3 Responses from Three Age Groups - (30-34) (50-54) (70-74) The and groups responses were often similar, yet showed more departure from the responses of the age group. Most of these departures were income based. The group shows the lowest annual incomes of the three groups which is reflected in their lower support for retail options and tax initiatives. However, the age group shows stronger support for city maintenance issues, annexation and increased employment opportunities, albeit without much support for funding of these issues. Interestingly, the and groups appear to have more civic pride than the group, who stated they are more likely to live in Poplar Bluff because of job opportunities.

Planning Impact Residents express significant civic pride. Can build on this by: –Meeting the unmet needs of the citizens –Reinvigorate and renovate existing resources (ex- parks, brick streets, downtown, river) Residents clearly desire more diverse retail options. –One of the major challenges will be to control where and how retail develops as well as to create a positive environment for retail developers.

Planning Impact, 2 Expansion through annexation, better quality streets, and overall maintenance (ex-brick streets, downtown, derelict homes) are priorities to the residents Parks and Utilities are strengths –Can expand park system and access through connections –Financing the city’s future directly tied to utility revenues Lack of sufficient jobs and lower incomes continues to trouble residents

Planning Impact, 3 Citizens are less certain about the city’s future when it comes to housing, ethnic diversity, street lighting, and recreational programs –Not a focus of residents now but planning needs to address Family is a significant focus. –Using full, family oriented “thinking” in design and programming of city spaces appears critical to success.

Final Thoughts Survey was very successful A great deal of information has been gleaned The survey provided a great opportunity to be a part of the process and to “sound off” on topics that concern them Should consider public interest surveys every other year or so. Poplar Bluff has a great story to tell!

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