UCI

Most Important Problem

When asked what they think is the most important issue facing Orange County today, residents are most likely to mention population growth and development (20%), traffic congestion (16%), and housing (12%). Other topics such as jobs and the economy (8%), schools and education (6%), crime and gangs (5%), the El Toro Marine base (4%), environment and pollution (3%), and immigration (3%) are each noted by fewer than one in 10 residents. Compared to a year ago, the most notable changes in opinion are the declining mention of the El Toro Air Base (14% to 4%)-a reflection of the fact that Orange County voters passed the Great Park plan in March 2002-and increasing mention of traffic (12% to 16%) and the economy (4% to 8%) as the most important issue.

There are significant regional and racial/ethnic differences in opinion. Whites are more likely than Latinos to mention growth (25% to 8%), while Latinos are more likely than whites to mention the economy (13% to 6%) and crime (12% to 3%) as the most important issue. In the South County, population growth has now replaced the El Toro Marine Base as the focus of attention. In fact, South County residents are much more likely than those in the North County to mention growth as a problem (27% to 17%), while concerns about traffic and housing costs are fairly similar across Orange County. Mention of growth and traffic increases with education and income.

Interestingly, a year after the September 11th attacks, only 1 percent of Orange County residents name terrorism and homeland security as the most important issue facing the county.

To place the county's responses in a comparative light, the PPIC Statewide Surveys conducted throughout 2002 found that Californians in general named education, the economy, and energy and electricity as the three most important issues confronting the state.

"What do you think is the most important issue facing Orange County today?"