HEALTHY CONCORD TOWN FORUM What We’ve Learned

Population Characteristics  Total Population: 17,668 (8,707 female, 8,961 male)  There are 2,061 (33.3%) households with one or more people under 18 years of age.  There are 2,354 (38%) households with one or more people 65 years and over.  There are 15,850 (89.7%) White residents  There are 673 (3.8%) Black or African-American residents  There are 709 (4%) Asian residents  There are 655 (3.7%) Hispanic or Latino residents of any race

Income and Benefits  There are 6,197 total households in Concord. Of these,  135 (2.1%) households earn less than $10,000  88 (1.4%) households earn between $10,000 -$14,999  319 (5.1%) households earn between $15,000 - $24,999  1,699 (27%) households earn $200,000 or more  The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for a family of 4 is $23,550. For one person, FPL is $11,490. A total of 542 households in Concord have income of $24,999 or less.  Mean Social Security income is $19,595  Mean Supplemental Security Income is $7,430  Mean cash public assistance income is $4,113  Food Stamps/SNAP benefits is $72

This Just In…  A family of four in Massachusetts needs to earn nearly $74,000 to make ends meet without public or private assistance, according to a study released Thursday by the Crittenton Women's Union. according to a study released Thursday by the Crittenton Women's Union  In Concord, that number is slightly higher— $81,576. This amount includes rent, utilities, food, transportation, healthcare and personal needs of two parents with one school age child and one pre-schooler.Concord, that number is slightly higher  Source: The Concord Patch, 3/25/13

Housing Costs  The average price of a 4-bedroom home in Concord is $785,407. The average price of a similar home nationwide is $292,152. (Coldwell Banker, 2012)  The median cost of a home is $707,900.  23% of the homes in Concord are valued over $1m  The median rental cost in Concord is $1,572.  More than one third of renters pay 35% or more of their household income for rent.

Schools and Education School Enrollment :  Population 3 years and over enrolled in school: 4,381  Elementary School (grades 1-8): 1,729  High School (grades 9-12): 1,146  College or graduate school: 792  Educational Attainment:  Population 25 years and over: 12,598  Bachelor’s degree: 4,034  Graduate or professional degree: 4,196

Commuting to Work  Workers 16 years and over: 7,261  Drove alone: 5,242 (72.2%)  Carpooled: 556 (7.7%)  Public Transportation: 537 (7.4%)  Walked: 331 (4.6%)  Other means: 51 (0.7%)  Worked at home: 544 (7.5%)  Mean travel time to work (minutes):29.5 minutes

Concord’s Assets  30% of the land in Concord is open space! Trails, parks and rivers! Walden Pond, Minuteman National Park, Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge, and many acres in conservation…  Arts and Cultural offerings abound! Emerson Umbrella, Concord Museum, Concord Youth Theater, 51 Walden St. Performing Arts, Concord Chamber Music Society, Concord Public Library, Concord Art Association…  Supportive Community Agencies!  Concord-Carlisle Community Chest, Open Table, Gaining Ground, Communities for Restorative Justice, Minutemen Senior Services, Elliot Community Health Services…

Survey Results

Age distribution of all respondents

Mental Health—All respondents

Environmental Issues – All Respondents

Basic Needs—all Respondents

Transportation—all Respondents

Community—All Respondents

Recreation—All Respondents

Youth Issues—All Respondents

Education—all Respondents

Discussion Themes Social and Emotional Supports Community Connections Supporting Seniors Growing Up Getting Around

Social & Emotional Supports What can we do to create a more caring and supportive community for those who face challenges like social isolation and mental health problems brought on by age, economics or other conditions?  Building and strengthening community networks and relationships  Creating intergenerational connections  Reducing economic disparity  Addressing mental health needs

Supporting Seniors How can we as a community help senior citizens attain or maintain a healthy and independent life?  Transportation  Housing and care  Socialization  Family Caregivers

Growing Up What can be done to create a gentler pace for our youth that balances high expectations with the need to reduce and manage the stress that many are experiencing?  Academics  Athletics  Social

Community Connections What types of activities, places, or programs could be created or built upon that would bring Concord together for recreation, entertainment, and relationship development?  Events  Street Life  Recreation

Getting Around How can we reduce our dependence on cars while promoting safe and healthy ways of getting around Concord? (Within the cost constraints of this project, and in the context of Concords’ participation in a regional transportation project.)  Walking  Biking  Cars and motorized vehicles