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Executive Summary The eleventh report of the Orange County Annual Survey, UCI focuses on the timely issue of "Jobs and the Economy," as well as examining the topics we have been monitoring in previous years. The 1992 survey was conducted from August 26 to September 2 and included 1,012 adult residents. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percent. Here are the highlights of the findings: Jobs and the economy were chosen as the top problem in the county by 26 percent, far outpacing crime (17%), the historical leading problem of traffic (14%), schools (13%), growth (11%), immigration (10%) and housing (9%). The economy is the top issue for those earning less than $80,000, while the more affluent name traffic as the Number One problem. Only 19 percent rate the local economy today as "good" or "excellent," while 52 percent say it is "fair" and 28 percent say "poor." Two years from now, 46 percent expect the economy to be improved, 33 expect no change and 16 percent look for worse conditions. Money worries affect 26 percent "very often" and 33 percent "fairly often." The number who frequently worry has climbed 17 points since 1986. As for their current standard of living, 15 percent say they are "more than comfortable," 61 percent are "comfortable" and 24 percent are not comfortable. The number who are not comfortable has risen 11 points since 1986. In social class, 27 percent call themselves "upper" or "upper-middle," 55 percent say they are "middle class" and 18 percent think they are below middle class. The ranks of those above middle class have shrunk by 7 points since 1986. Seventeen percent are now "very satisfied" with their financial situation, 50 percent are "somewhat satisfied," and 33 percent are dissatisfied. Satisfaction has fallen 6 points since last year and 15 points since 1982. A household income of $50,000 appears to be the dividing line between those who do and do not worry frequently about money and between those who are and are not comfortable. The Consumer Confidence Index has hit a new low of 75 points, down 9 points from 1991 and 30 points from the pre-recession days of 1989. Only 35 percent are better off today than last year, while another 35 percent are worse off. Only 44 percent expect to be better off next year. For the nation, 58 percent forecast bad economic times next year and 52 percent expect bad conditions for the next five years. Fewer than half (48%) think this is a good time to make major purchases; 40 percent say it is a bad time. The median household income, meanwhile, has fallen to $45,000 -- down $4,000 from last year. Economic pessimism is greatest in the lower-income groups and among older residents. The South County continues to be the most affluent region and the Central County the least so. Computers and electronics (64%) and the bio-medical and bio-technology industries (58%) are considered the industries that will figure most prominently for Orange County's future economic growth. The traditional leading industries of tourism (47%), finance, insurance and real estate (40%) and aerospace (37%) are rated by residents as much less important to the county's future. Forty percent now say the county's quality of life is going "badly," while only 8 percent say things are going "very well." Fifty-two percent say things are going "somewhat well." As for the future, 32 percent think the county will become a better place to live, 32 percent a worse place and 36 percent think it will be about the same. Perceptions of the current quality of life in the county are more negative among older and less-affluent residents. Expectations for the future are bleakest among South County residents. As for social problems, drug abuse (25%) and health care (24%) lead, followed by the homeless (20%), child care (10%), AIDS (9%), race relations (8%) and others (4%). Since last year, mentions of drug abuse have fallen while the homeless and AIDS have risen. Seventeen percent are satisfied with the current freeway system, 47 percent want lanes added to existing freeways and 36 percent want new freeways. Satisfaction gained 4 points since 1991. Support for new freeways is highest in the South County, where satisfaction with the current system is lowest. Wealthier residents are also less satisfied. Thirty-five percent are aware of Measure M projects currently underway, and 48 percent are satisfied with the way the funds are being used. Of several possible transportation projects, residents give highest priority to an inter-county commuter rail system and ride-sharing programs (both 54%), followed by an intra-county commuter rail (46%) and shuttle buses to employment centers (43%). Lowest priority goes to increasing local bus service (34%). As for air pollution, 88 percent believe "some" or "most" of the problem in Orange County is caused by people driving cars. Twenty-seven percent expect a "great deal" of improvement in air quality from current transportation projects, and another 49 percent expect "some." Sixty-three percent would be more likely to carpool or take public transit if they heard that doing so would greatly improve local air quality. Younger people are most willing to change. Fifty-four percent now perceive their communities as growing rapidly; down 10 points from 1991. Fifty percent think their local growth regulations are not strict enough, down 7 points from last year. Perceptions of rapid growth are highest in the South and Central County, while support for stricter controls is lowest in the South. Forty-eight percent say environmental problems pose a "very serious" threat to their personal health and well-being, down 12 points since 1990, while 35 percent say the threat is "somewhat serious." Air pollution in the county is considered a "big problem" by 37 percent -- an 11-point drop from 1989. Forty-two percent would be willing to accept higher unemployment in the county in exchange for better environmental protections; 48 percent would not. Women and younger residents are more concerned than others about air pollution and environmental problems, but fewer than half in any group are willing to accept higher unemployment in trade for protection. Of those who drive alone to work, 35 percent say they would be "very likely" to carpool if one were available at their work, and 33 percent would stop driving alone if public transit were readily available. A cash bonus would make 26 percent of solo drivers switch to another means of commuting. Fees and fines are less successful; parking fees at work would deter only 18 percent of solo drivers, smog fees would discourage 17 percent and congestion fees would make 16 percent stop driving alone. Younger and lower-income residents are more willing to switch to another means of commuting. Public transit is more attractive to those with longer commutes, while carpools are a bigger draw for those who spend less time on the road. The median monthly mortgage ($900) and rental payment ($720) are both unchanged from last year. Fifty-nine percent of owners pay more than $750 a month, with 45 percent paying more than $1,000. Among renters, 46 percent pay more than $750 and 16 percent pay more than $1,000. Housing prices continue to be higher in the South County. Eighty-one percent of renters hope to buy a home someday; unchanged from 1982 and 1989. Only 28 percent think it is "very likely" they will own within three years; down from 1989. Residents with household incomes below $50,000 believe they have little chance of becoming homeowners soon. Charitable donations have fallen sharply. The 1992 median annual donation of $146 is down 35 percent from last year and 49 percent from 1989. Twenty-three percent gave no money to charity this year, and only 22 percent gave more than $500. Giving has dropped significantly in all the key donor groups. Of five charitable needs asked about, programs to feed and shelter the needy are considered most important (57%), followed by medical research and education (55%), medical care facilities (51%), college and universities (44%), and museums and the performing arts (17%). Twenty-nine percent of voters say they are liberals, 29 percent are middle-of-the-road, 30 percent are somewhat conservative and 12 percent are very conservative. A sizeable number of both Democrats (46%) and Republicans (70%) call themselves middle-of-the-road to somewhat conservative. Political orientation and political party profiles are both unchanged from last year. |
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