UCI

Introduction

The eleventh report of the Orange County Annual Survey focuses on the timely issue of "Jobs and the Economy," as well as examining many topics we have been monitoring in previous years.

The attention to jobs and the economy comes at a critical time in the county's history. After a decade of rapid employment growth, Orange County has had significant job losses in the 1990s. As we enter the third year of the recession, local economic confidence is waning. This could have profound effects on politics, local attitudes, the economy and demographic trends.

In this survey, we ask residents about their current and future perceptions of the Orange County economy. We ask a series of questions about residents' personal financial situation, and compare the results to previous years. In addition, we repeat the University of Michigan's five-question "Consumer Confidence Index," comparing the answers this year to previous years, and to national statistics. Finally, we ask residents about their impressions of the kinds of local industries critical to the county's future economic growth.

The 1992 Orange County Annual Survey also includes "tracking" questions on key issues we have explored in recent years. We look at trends in identification of the county's most important public policy issues and social problems. We examine residents' ratings of the current quality of life in Orange County and their optimism about the county's future. And we ask about overall satisfaction with the freeways.

Turning to transportation solutions, we look at public awareness and satisfaction with Measure M projects, two years after the half-cent sales tax received voter approval. We examine support for ride-sharing and public transit projects. We then ask a series of questions about the perceived link between air pollution and automobile driving, and the degree to which recognizing that link would move people away from solo driving and toward using carpools and public transit.

Next, we examine trends in environmental practices and environmental quality concerns. We are particularly interested in the degree to which perceptions of environmental problems, the perceived threat of environmental problems and willingness to pay for a clean environment may have been affected by the recession. We also ask a group of questions about the incentives and costs that would encourage commuters to reduce their solo driving.

Housing costs remain a major issue in Orange County. Thus, we analyze trends in mortgage payments and rental costs both for the county as a whole and for its regions.

We continue to explore charitable giving, analyzing the trends in giving to charities over time and across key demographic groups. This year, we also consider the importance residents place on various charitable causes.

Finally, we look at the political climate in Orange County, asking about the 1992 U.S. Senate and presidential races. We also examine the political profiles of the county as a whole, and Republicans and Democrats in particular, to see if there are any shifts underway.

In analyzing the 1992 survey, we compare this year's results to previous Orange County Annual Surveys. We also consider differences between various subgroups, such as age, income and region of residence. When possible, we contrast local opinions with those found in state and national surveys.