Danville Region Social Capital Survey Center for Survey Research A Unit of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service University of Virginia Center for Survey Research A Unit of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service University of Virginia October 20, 2009

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 2 Report Authors Deborah L. Rexrode Staff Research Analyst Thomas M. Guterbock Director Center for Survey Research

University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 3 Purpose of Survey To measure how people feel about the region and their future in it To measure people’s attachment to their community To measure the region’s social capital To gather baseline data to be compared to results of future, bi-annual surveys

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 4 Survey Features SPONSOR: Danville Regional Foundation n = 1,026 Samples 3 geographic areas: City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County, NC Respondent selection within household CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) Solid interviewer training and pretest { RDD (random digit dialing) Listed Cell-Phone

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 5 Survey Accuracy Margin of error: +/- 3.7% Data weighted on gender, geographic region, home ownership, and race.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 6 Age of Respondents by Phone Type Reaching respondents by cell phone provides better coverage of young people, unmarried, renters, minorities, newcomers.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 7 Survey Topics Overall quality of life in the Danville Region Community Attachment Civic Participation Political Participation People in the Economy Children and Schools Health Issues

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 8 National, Regional, State and Local Comparisons An attempt was made in the design of this study to use comparable measures with other county, regional, state, and national studies. There is no single source of information to use in comparing these survey results with broader results. The report reflects some individual item comparisons where possible.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 9 Demographic Profile

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 10 Geographic Distribution

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 11 Age of Respondents

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 12 Education

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 13 Survey Highlights Danville area residents rate their region fairly high for quality of life Danville area residents have a strong sense of community, social connectedness and religious involvement However, civic involvement lags somewhat behind averages elsewhere Many Danville area residents worry about their children’s future

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 14 What is “Social Capital” “By ‘social capital,’ I mean features of social life – networks, norms, and trust – that enable participants to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives.” --Robert Putnam “Social capital refers to our relations with one another…I use the term ‘civic engagement’ to refer to people’s connections with the life of their communities, not merely with politics.” --James S. Coleman

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 15 Quality of Life... and wanting to live in the Danville Region

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 16 Quality of Life Rated on a ten-point scale (10 = highest) Danville Region rating: 7.30 –Albemarle County (2008):8.01 –Spotsylvania County (2007):7.39 –Bedford County (2001) 7.80 –Prince William County (2009)7.30

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 17 Overall Quality of Life Ratings Best (8-10) Middle (6-7) Worst (1-5)

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 18 Overall Quality of Life Ratings by Geographic Region

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 19 Quality of Life Overall rating of quality of life in the Danville Region of 7.30 is relatively high Residents of Pittsylvania County, VA and Caswell County, North Carolina rate the quality of life higher than those who live in Danville city. Long-time residents are concerned about the quality of life in the Danville Region in the future

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 20 Community Attachment

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 21 Neighbors You Know

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 22 Safety at Home and in Schools

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 23 Community Attachment Index Relatives who live within driving distance Relatives who live within walking distance How important it is to feel a part of the community How often you feel a sense of belonging or membership in the community How much you feel at home in the area where you live How much you feel you have a lot in common with the people in your community How much you care what others think of your actions How important it is to live in this particular area

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 24 Community Attachment Overall average score was –Compared to the AARP national study: People who answered “yes” or “strongly agree” for six or more of the variables in the index gave higher ratings for the overall quality of life in the Danville Region.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 25 Community Attachment Residents of the Danville Region have a strong sense of community, feel a sense of belonging, and feel it is important to live in this area Residents of the Danville Region feel they have an impact in making their community a better place to live Some residents expressed concern for safety in shopping areas The level of community attachment is at parity with national averages.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 26 Civic Participation

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 27 Religious Service Attendance

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 28 Strongest Membership in Community Organizations Religious organizations (69%) Hobby and recreation groups (24%) School support groups (24%) Organizations for older adults (24%) Higher than the AARP national study.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 29 Lower Memberships in Community Organizations Labor unions (6.6%) Professional and trade organizations (23%) Neighborhood associations (12.6%) Lower than the AARP national study.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 30 Volunteer Hours Lower volunteering hours than national average Higher involvement in churches and religious organizations. Lower involvement in foundations, fraternal associations, business organizations, community action organizations, and housing associations.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 31 Civic Skills Officer percentages: Social Benchmark – 19.5% AARP – 26% NWAF – 33%

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 32 Civic Involvement Actively involved in religious organizations Support school activities Only a small percentage participate to the level of acquiring civic skills Volunteering: less than national averages Results indicate the need for programs in the area that directly foster leadership and civic involvement

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 33 Political Participation

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 34 Participation in Political Activities

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 35 Trust in Government “Only some of the time” Social Benchmark – 46.5% AARP – 41%

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 36 People in the Economy

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 37 Employment

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 38 Perceptions of Work

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 39 Special Training—for what? 64% of employed respondents said they would be likely to take special training. This graph shows the reasons why.

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 40 Economic Situation More than 50% of respondents have been affected by the economic downturn A significant number of residents are currently unemployed, temporarily laid off or disabled, and only working part-time. Most employed residents derive meaning from their work and feel a sense of accomplishment A significant number are working more than 40 hours a week and holding more than one job

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 41 Children and Schools

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 42 Stay or Go? What is Best for Children Q: “When a child from the Danville region is ready to leave home, do you think it would be better for them to stay in the Danville region or move to some other area to live?”

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 43 Rating of Schools

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 44 Challenges for Children and Youth

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 45 Schools and Children More than three-fourths of respondents said that the Danville Region is a good place to raise children Nearly 70% said when a child is ready to leave home, it is better for them to move away Most respondents send their children to public schools. The biggest challenge affecting children and youth is the lack of jobs

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 46 Health Issues

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 47 Overall Health Status

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 48 Overall Health Comparisons

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 49 Vigorous activity for children: how often?

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 50 TV Watching by Children

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 51 Summary

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 52 Overall Results Residents have a strong sense of connectedness evidenced by the neighbors they know Residents are not as involved in community and civic organizations Residents are less likely to be taking leadership positions and getting involved in the community Residents have concern for safety in schools, and worry about the future of their children But ratings for overall quality of life are favorable

Center for Survey Research University of Virginia Center for Survey Research University of Virginia 53 What does social capital look like in the Danville Region? Overall the level of social capital is fairly strong in terms of: –Community Attachment –Social Connectedness –Religious Involvement However, the Danville Region is in need of development in areas of civic engagement

Danville Region Social Capital Survey For further information please contact: Thomas M. Guterbock Director October 20, 2009