ORANGE COUNTY ANNUAL SURVEY

INTRODUCTION

This is the fifth year of the Orange County Annual Survey. The 1986 report uses two methods that have 
worked well for us in the past. One is to ask questions found in national surveys and compare Orange 
County to the nation. The other is to examine key trends over time with questions repeated annually in 
our survey.

The design, analysis, and interpretation of the 1986 survey were guided by the goals we have had in 
conducting the study since its beginning: (1) to provide decisionmakers in the private and public sectors 
with valid and current information on Orange County residents; (2) to track shifts in important attitudes 
and population characteristics over time; (3) to study the social, economic and political issues of 
Orange County from a non-advocacy positions and (4) to help establish public discussion and enlightened 
debate in future public policy.

The theme of this year's survey is "Economic Well-being and the County's Future." As the county evolves, 
it is entering a stage where conflicting signals prevail. On one hand, the county's economy continues to 
thrive. On the other, concerns about community growth and development appear to be increasing. How do 
these trends affect life in Orange County, and what do they bode for the future?

On the personal front, we know that incomes in orange county are far higher than in the nation as a 
whole. But we also know that housing costs are high. What we don't know is how financially comfortable 
residents actually are. How much do they worry about money? How do they perceive their own social 
standing? Most importantly, how does actual and perceived economic well-being affect residents' interests 
and actions towards their community?

At the community level, local political discussions seem to be increasingly focusing on the 
community-growth debate. Slow-growth initiatives have appeared on ballots and candidates have built their 
platforms around this topic. Some believe there is a public movement afoot, fueled by a perceived decline 
in community quality, to strictly limit future growth. Are worries about the future of this community in 
fact on the rise? How do residents' feelings about their economic well-being relate to their growth 
preferences?

In focusing on economic well-being, we decided to give special attention to Orange County's upscale 
image. We did this by examining self-defined social class. Many people
have claimed the county has an abundance of households above the middle-class line. What proportion of 
residents actually are upscale? Who are these people, and do they act and think
differently from the middle class and the social groups below? The answers are sure to offer us new 
insights into the way of life, politics, and public-policy preferences here.

Several other topics also are addressed in this report, some seen in our study on a regular basis and 
others new to this inquiry. We continue to identify "the most important problem" in Orange County. We 
also probe further into transportation and housing, which emerged as the top two problems in 1985. Growth 
attitudes are considered, since these seem critical to future perceptions. This year we also address 
interest in the news, including sources of news, newspaper reading and topic preferences. Finally, we 
look at social responsibility and civil liberties, gathering more information on how Orange County 
residents relate to issues such as civic obligations and personal freedom.

Our findings on regional differences were so striking and significant in 1985 that we examined the topic 
again this year. In all areas of the report, we contrast residents living in the North, Central, West, 
and South County areas. Region of residence shows key differences for many trends and attitudes. And we 
continue to see evidence that the South County is becoming distinct and separating from the other 
regions.