MISSOULA COUNTY - According to the results of Missoula County’s community survey, county residents have several opportunities for education, culture and the arts but experience high living costs when compared to over 600 communities across the U.S.
Missoula County mailed the 1,700 surveys in June to residents and received 538 responses. Strategic Initiatives Manager Casey Gannon said was “a great response rate” during a virtual meeting with commissioners Jan. 14. Of those responses, 370 resided within Missoula City limits while 168 lived in unincorporated areas of the County. Survey results became available in the fall. Responses had a four percent margin of error according to a press release.
The National Community Survey conducted the survey last year. The survey measures the livability of a community by capturing opinions on central facets. Responders said the following county assets were “excellent” or “good” in comparison to benchmark counties:
• Economy: 43% (Similar)
• Mobility: 69% (Similar)
• Community design: 39% (Similar)
• Utilities: 62% (Similar)
• Safety: 68% (Similar)
• Natural environment: 84% (Similar)
• Parks and recreation: 89% (N/A)
• Health and wellness: 80% (Higher)
• Education, arts and culture: 83% (Higher)
• Inclusivity and engagement: 70% (N/A)
• Governance: 39% (Similar)
• Quality of Life – 79% (Similar)
Other facets included participation, facets of livability: quality and facets of livability: importance.
Missoula County’s results were also compared against the average results of 18 counties across the country with populations between 70,000 and 200,000. The 2019 Census estimates Missoula County’s population at 119,600.
Nationally Gannon said Missoula County ranked higher for 21 of the categories, similar for 80 and lower for 24. Compared to the 18 similar counties, Missoula County ranked higher for 24 categories, similar for 67 and lower for six.
Around 80% of responders gave the County excellent or good marks as a place to live. The overwhelming majority of residents, around 90%, said that the economic health of the County was essential in the coming years, but only 40% rated the overall state as excellent or good.
About 83% of responders said that the overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts was good which was higher than the national benchmark.
Approximately 10% of residents said that the availability of affordable housing was good while 84% indicated that providing affordable housing should be a top priority in the future.
Gannon said they used a company for the survey so the county could have scientific results to get the best representative sample of constituents and their feelings about Missoula’s livability and services provided.
He said it is a helpful tool to not only the county as leaders when looking at strategic planning, but also community members who would like to see what aspects can be improved and how communities can move forward. In the future Gannon hopes to continue doing more surveys to track the county’s progress in areas like housing costs.
Commissioner Dave Strohmaier said in a press release that the survey results are critical for Missoula County leaders as they approach the next budget cycle and determine county priorities.
“We will strive to maintain the things we love about Missoula County while we strategically address the concerns outlined in the survey,” he said.
The full results of the survey can be found at missoula.co/communitysurvey.
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