UCI

Conclusions

The Orange County Annual Survey finds dramatic improvements in residents' perceptions on several fronts this year. No doubt, California's economic recovery is a major contributor to these positive sentiments. Also, the shock of the Orange County government bankruptcy in 1994 has now worn off and is being replaced by a growing sense that things are returning to normal.
Given the goals we had in conducting the 1996 Orange County Annual Survey, here are some of the key results:

Perceptions of the Orange County economy have improved dramatically since last year. Forty-four percent believe the Orange County economy is in excellent or good shape, while only 10 percent think that local conditions are poor. This is a 25-point increase in optimism since last year, while negative feelings declined by 20 points. The local economic attitudes today reflect a high point since we began tracking this issue in 1992.

Eighty-two percent say things are going well in Orange County today; a 14-point increase over 1995. These quality of life perceptions are at levels not seen since the late 1980s. Also, residents are more likely to believe that Orange County will be a better place than a worse place to live in the future.

We see no signs of a decline in ratings of local public services after the county's financial crisis. In fact, most residents give excellent or good evaluations to their parks, police, public libraries and streets and roads. Police and public school ratings are higher today than in the 1991 survey, and more are willing to pay higher taxes to improve local schools.

The lingering effects of the bankruptcy are seen in ratings of county government. Few are confident in the county government's ability to solve problems, and many still think the county wastes tax money. City government is viewed more favorably. Many feel city and county officials pay some attention to what the people think, but few feel they are highly responsive.

Consumer confidence has rebounded strongly in Orange County. Overall ratings are above the national average and in a highly positive range that has not been seen for several years. There is a strong sense that the U.S. economy will perform well both in the short term and the long run. Many see their own economic conditions improving and expect to be even better off next year.

Still, a low rate of income growth is taking its toll on perceptions of personal finances. About one in four residents say they worry a lot about money, and a third worry fairly often, which mirrors the results of the survey taken during the 1992 recession. About half say they have just enough money to pay their bills, while one in six say they do not have enough to make ends meet. A third say they are able to save and buy extras, which is higher than in national surveys.

Crime is again viewed as the biggest public policy concern in Orange County. Top mention of the Orange County fiscal crisis is down sharply (26% to 7%). As another sign of the recovery, the number mentioning the economy is well below the 1992 survey, when it was rated as the top problem (26% to 11%).

Drug abuse tops the list of social problems on the minds of Orange County residents today (38%). Concern has risen steeply this past year and has reached its highest level since 1990. In the meantime, mention of health care is now on the decline. The public's concerns about the homeless, race relations and child care are substantial and have remained steady.

The perception that owning a home in Orange County is a good investment has improved since last year. Sixty percent of homeowners see this as a positive move, compared with 50 percent a year ago. Forty-five percent of renters think owning a home in Orange County would be an excellent or good investment, compared with 41 percent in the 1995 survey. As important, the numbers thinking this is a poor investment have also dropped.

Mortgage payments in Orange County are showing an upward trend, while rents have slightly declined this decade. The South County continues to have by far the highest housing payments, mirroring their higher household incomes.

Perceptions of the county's freeways are slowly, but steadily, improving. Nine percent were satisfied at the beginning of the decade, while 26 percent are today. Twice as many wanted new freeways in 1990 as today (45% to 22%). Still the number who experience major commuting problems has remained at just under 20 percent throughout the decade.

There is growing support for the way that Orange County transportation funds are being used. Today, 73 percent are satisfied with the way Measure M funds are spent, compared to 60 percent last year and 48 percent in 1992.

Residents are feeling more charitable. The median contribution was $253, a substantial gain from last year. Volunteering time also went up.

As in the past, residents are most favorable toward giving to programs for the needy, followed by religious charities. However, favorability toward giving to the needy and to hospitals and medical causes has dropped. Those favorable toward religious charities are the most likely to donate money.

One reason that residents do not give more to charity is that many are not being asked. Three in 10 residents say they are rarely or never asked for donations. Yet, those who are asked are considerably more likely to give.

Residents' skepticism about Orange County charities may also be holding back donations. Only one in five have a great deal of confidence that local charities spend the money they receive in donations wisely or can produce results. Those with more confidence donate more.

The Orange County political profile is shifting toward moderate views. Those saying they have very liberal or very conservative leanings are on the decline since 1990, while those who are middle-of-the-road have increased. Democrats and Republicans have both moved toward the middle of the spectrum.

Many Asians and Hispanics are not registered to vote, and these two groups are much less likely than non-Hispanic whites to participate in elections. As a result, local elections that are dominated by "frequent voters" have overwhelmingly white and non-Hispanic participants.