UCI

2001 PPIC Statewide Survey: September 2001
Special Survey of Orange County
Public Policy Institute of California
in collaboration with the
University of California, Irvine

Executive Summary
Press Release
Press Release on El Toro
Survey Methodology

Home

Local Perceptions
Local Population Growth
Residential Satisfaction
Local Public Service Ratings

County Regional Issues
County Regional Problems
Causes of County Regional Problems
Preparing for Regional Growth

Orange County Issues
Most Important Issue
The County's Population Growth
The Consequences
El Toro Airport
Traffic and Transportation
County Government

Economic and Political Trends
Consumer Confidence
Overall Mood
Real Estate Market
Governor's Approval Ratings
President's Approval Ratings
Computers and the Internet

Appendices
2001 Survey
Survey Advisory Commitee

University of California, Irvine
© 2001 UC Regents

County Regional Problems

Despite the general satisfaction with neighborhoods, county residents do perceive problems in their regions of the county when asked about specific issues. Most residents think that traffic and housing are at least somewhat of a problem, and about half said that traffic congestion (54%) and affordable housing (48%) are big problems. In contrast, although seven in 10 see at least some problem with growth and development, only 29 percent saw this as a big problem. Similarly, although about half see lack of jobs as at least somewhat of a problem, only 19 percent see it as a big problem.

Orange County residents give nearly identical ratings as residents statewide to problems with traffic, housing, and growth in their regions. However, 47 percent of Orange County residents think a lack of jobs is at least somewhat of a problem, compared to 61 percent of California residents. Orange County residents complain less than Los Angeles residents about traffic congestion and the lack of jobs, and they complain less than Bay Area residents about traffic, housing, and growth.

"In your region, how much of a problem is ..."

All Adults

California

SF Bay Area

Los Angeles

Orange County

Traffic congestion on freeways and major roads      
Big problem

60%

82%

69%

54%

Somewhat of a problem

23

14

20

35

Not a problem

17

4

11

10

Don't know

0

0

0

1

Availability of housing you can afford      
Big problem

47%

74%

40%

48%

Somewhat of a problem

26

17

34

28

Not a problem

25

8

24

20

Don't know

2

1

2

4

Population growth and development      
Big problem

29%

39%

28%

29%

Somewhat of a problem

37

40

38

38

Not a problem

32

19

31

30

Don't know

2

2

3

3

Lack of opportunities for well-paying jobs      
Big problem

29%

18%

31%

19%

Somewhat of a problem

32

30

33

28

Not a problem

35

49

32

44

Don't know

4

0

4

9

Source for California, Bay Area, and Los Angeles is the PPIC Statewide Survey, May 2001. The phrase "part of Orange County" replaced the word "region" in the series of questions asked in Orange County.


As for differences within Orange County, 52 percent of North County residents think that lack of well-paying jobs is at least somewhat of a problem in their region, compared to 34 percent in the South County. However, the North County and South County have similar perceptions of traffic, housing, and growth.

Problem perceptions differ across population groups. Non-Hispanic whites tend to be unhappier than other groups about traffic and growth issues, while Latinos are especially likely to say that the availability of well-paying jobs and affordable housing are problematic. People with higher incomes and college education are more likely than others to cite traffic and growth as major regional issues. Those with lower incomes and less education are more likely to mention jobs and affordable housing as big problems. Older residents are more likely to mention traffic and growth, and less likely to mention housing and jobs, as significant problems in their regions.

"In your part of Orange County today, how much of a problem is ..."

Region Race/Ethnicity

 

All Adults

North

 

South

 

White

Latino

Asian

Traffic congestion            
Big problem

54%

56%

49%

56%

48%

51%

Somewhat of a problem

35

33

39

36

32

39

Not a problem

10

10

12

8

19

10

Don't know

1

1

0

0

1

0

Availability of housing you can afford            
Big problem

48%

49%

47%

47%

52%

44%

Somewhat of a problem

28

26

30

28

25

29

Not a problem

20

21

19

21

19

23

Don't know

4

4

4

4

4

4

Population growth and development            
Big problem

29%

28%

32%

32%

23%

19%

Somewhat of a problem

38

38

39

39

36

32

Not a problem

30

31

27

27

37

42

Don't know

3

3

2

2

4

7

Lack of opportunities for well-paying jobs            
Big problem

19%

23%

9%

13%

39%

11%

Somewhat of a problem

28

29

25

28

29

31

Not a problem

44

39

55

48

26

49

Don't know

9

9

11

11

6

9