bc vision community engagement survey summary

8/10/2019 BC Vision Community Engagement Survey Summary

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Battle Creek

Summary of

#BCvision Survey


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Purpose

The purpose of this survey was to provide the

community with an opportunity to offer their

input on priorities for action related to

community economic development.


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The sample reported their race/ethnicity as:

67% Caucasian (n = 1,526)

13% Hispanic or Latino (n=298)

10% African American (n=216) 2% Asian/Pacific Islander, Burmese, Japanese, or

Hawaiian (n=72)

1% American Indian or Alaska Native (n=31)

2% identified as other (n=45)

7% preferred not to answer (n=162)

About the Sample


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About the Sample

Respondents reported their employment status asfollows: 69% were employed full time (n = 1,580)

10% were employed part-time (n=219)

7% were retired (n=154) 6% were not employed, looking for work (n=132)

4% were not employed, not looking for work (n=98)

2% were disabled, unable to work (n=40)

Of those employed: 69% were employed in business (n=1,279)

20% worked in nonprofits (n=369)

11% (200) worked in government


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About the Sample

The sample was made up of 50% residents of

the City of Battle Creek (n=1,155)

12% lived in Kalamazoo County (n=279)

7% lived in Emmett Township (n=159)

6% lived in Pennfield Township (n=138)

3% lived in City of Springfield (n=66)

17% lived in other locations (e.g., Marshall,

Bellevue, Lakeview, Leroy Township) (n=380)


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About the Sample

19% preferred not to report their household income (n=417)

16% of respondents between $100,000-$149,999 (n=363)

15% earn $75,000-$99,999 (n=330)

14% earn $50,000-$74,999 (n=308)

8% earn $35,000-$49,999 (n=185) 5% earn $25,000-$34,999 (n=119)

5% earn $15,000-$24,999 (n=107)

5% earn $20,000 or more (n=108)

4% earn $10,000 or less (n=87) 3% earn $10,000-$14,999 (n=66)


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Method

Community members received solicitationsthrough the mail and online.

Surveys were available online and through a

social media link. Data collection was initiated on October 24 and

closed on November 10.

Efforts were made to reach non-English speakingcommunity members. Paper versions of thesurvey were available in Spanish (n = 252) andBurmese (n = 4).


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COMPARISON OF SURVEY SAMPLE TO COMMUNITY AT

LARGE


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Summary

The racial/ethnic demographics of the survey indicated: African Americans were underrepresented, while

Hispanic/Latinos and Native Americans were overrepresented.

The White sample was consistent with the percentage of thepopulation in Battle Creek.

The survey sample overrepresentedthose at the highestincome levels and underrepresentedthose making lessthan $75,000.

The sample was largely middle aged and underrepresentedyounger demographic segments (Below 29 years of age)


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#BC Vision

CommunityEngagement Survey

Battle Creek, city2010 Census

Calhoun County2010 Census

African-American 9.41% 18.2% 11.1%

American

Indian/Native Alaskan1.4% 0.7% 0.7%

Asian/Pacific Islander 2.8% 2.4% 2.0%

Caucasian 67.6% 68.6% 79.3%

Hispanic or Latino 13.11% 6.7% 4.7%

Other 1.96% 4.3% 3.1%

Prefer not to answer 7.14%


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#BC Vision

Community

Engagement Survey



Less than $10,000 3.8% 7.9% 9.9%

$10,000 to $14,999 2.9% 6.6% 8.5%

$15,000 to $24,999 4.7% 15.1% 16.5%

$25,000 to $34,999 5.2% 12.9% 13.3%

$35,000 to $49,999 8.2% 15.7% 14.8%

$50,000 to $74,999 13.7% 17.8% 16.2%

$75,000 to $99,999 14.8% 10.4% 8.3%

$100,000 to $149,999 16.3% 9.4% 7.7%

$150,000-$199,999 6.7% 2.6% 2.6%

$200,000 or more 4.9% 1.7% 2.1%

Prefer not to answer 18.6% -- --


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#BC Vision

Community

Engagement Survey



Under 14 years 0.7% 21.7% 19.8%

15 to 19 years 9.0% 7.1% 7.5%

20 to 29 years 11.7% 13.0% 12.0%

30 to 39 years 21.2% 13.1% 11.8%40 to 49 years 20.2% 13.0% 13.7%

50 to 59 years 23.5% 13.4% 14.5%

60 to 69 years 10.0% 9.0% 10.2%

70 years or older 3.0% 9.6% 10.5%

Prefer not to answer 0.6% -- --


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WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD YOU IDENTIFY AS THE

MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS TO TAKE RELATED TO JOBSAND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY?


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Which of the following would you identify as the most

important actions to take related to jobs and career

opportunities in the community?

The top three priorities for action related to

jobs and career opportunities for the entire

sample were:

Increase the number of jobs with benefits (41%,

n=977)

Job training (38%, n = 898)

Increase Wages (38%, n = 890)


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Which of the following would you identify as most important

actions to take related to jobs and career opportunities in the

community?

Action Priorities by Race An overview of top three priority rankings by race/ethnicity is

provided in the following table. Multiple rankings within racialcategory indicates a tie.

Caucasians and Hispanic/Latinos reported the top priorityshould be increasing the number of jobs with benefits.

African Americans and Burmese reported increased wages asthe top priority.

Both Hispanic/Latinos and Burmese included support to

improve English skills as on of the top three priorities. Overall, African-American and Caucasian respondents endorsed

the same action priorities, although not in the same order.

African American Asian/Pacifi Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or Japanese Native


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African

American

American

Indian or

Alaska

Native

Asian/Pacifi

c Islander

Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or

Latino

Japanese Native

Hawaiian

Mentoring opportunities 3 2

Learning about opportunities for career

advancement once employed1 2 3

Job training 2 1 2 2 2 1

Increase wages 1 2 3 1 3

Increase the number of jobs with

benefits3 1 1

More family-friendly work policies

(like paid maternity leave, flexiblehours, etc.)

2

More affordable and high-quality day

care options

Support for people who want to start a

business3

Support to improve English skills (for

immigrants learning English)3 3 1

Access to legal work authorization 2

Transportation 3 3

Jobs that are available to people with

prior criminal history

Access to different types of

jobs/diverse sectors for employment

3

Recruit outside talent


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Action Priorities by Income

An overview of top three priority rankings byincome is provided in the following table. Multiple

rankings within income category indicates a tie. Across the income spectrum, job training,

increased wages, and increasing jobs with benefitsemerged as priorities.

Transportation and employment for those withprior criminal histories also emerged as prioritieswhen analyzed by income.

Less $10 000 $15 000 $25 000 $35 000 $50 000 $75 000 $100 000 $150 000 $200 000


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Less

than

$10,000

$10,000

-

$14,999

$15,000

-

$24,999

$25,000

-

$34,999

$35,000

-

$49,999

$50,000

-

$74,999

$75,000

-

$99,999

$100,000

-

$149,999

$150,000

-

$199,999

$200,000

or more

Mentoring opportunities

Learning about opportunities for

career advancement once

employed

Job training 2 2 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2

Increase wages 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3


benefits3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

More family-friendly workpolicies (like paid maternity

leave, flexible hours, etc.)

More affordable and high-quality

day care options

Support for people who want to

start a business

Support to improve English skills

(for immigrants learning English)

Access to legal work

authorization

Transportation 3

Jobs that are available to people

with prior criminal history3

Access to different types ofjobs/diverse sectors for


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Action Priorities by Age

An overview of top three priority rankings by ageis provided in the following table. Multiple

rankings within age category indicates a tie. Increased wagesare ranked in the top 3 for every

age group.

Increasing the number of jobs with benefits is a

priority for groups aged 20-70 and older. 20-29 and 30-39-year-olds list family-friendly

work policiesas a top concern.

14 and 15-19 20-20 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and


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14 and

younger

15 19 20 20 30 39 40 49 50 59 60 69 70 and

older

Mentoring opportunities

Learning about opportunities for career

advancement once employed

Job training 2 2 3 3 2 2

Increase wages 1 1 1 2 1 2 3 3


benefits2 3 2 1 1 1

More family-friendly work policies

(like paid maternity leave, flexible

hours, etc.)3 1

More affordable and high quality day

care options

Support for people who want to start a

business3

Support to improve English skills (for

immigrants learning English)

Access to legal work authorization

Transportation 3

Jobs that are available to people with

prior criminal history

Access to different types ofjobs/Diverse sectors for employment 3


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WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD YOU IDENTIFY AS THE

MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS TO TAKE TO PREPARE OURCOMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR COLLEGE OR EMPLOYMENT?


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Which of the following would you identify as the most important actionsto take to prepare our community members for college or employment?

The top three priorities for college and

employment preparation for the entire sample

were:

Apprenticeship/internship opportunities in skilled

trades (46%, n = 1,090)

Access to scholarships/financial aid for college/job

training (44%, n = 1,042) Better K-12 education, leading to higher

graduation rates (41%, n = 968).


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Which of the following would you identify as the most important actionsto take to prepare our community members for college or employment?

Action Priorities by Race An overview of top three priority rankings by race/ethnicity is

provided in the following table. Multiple rankings within racialcategory indicates a tie.

African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos reported access to

scholarships/financial aid for college/job training was the toppriority.

Both Hispanic/Latinos and Burmese included informingparents about the steps for college preparation as a one of thetop three priorities.

When analyzed by race, the majority of racial subgroupsranked better K-12 education as one of three top priorities.

Overall, African Americans and Caucasians endorsed the sameaction priorities, although not in the same order.

African American Asian/Pacifi Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or Japanese Native


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American Indian or

Alaska

Native

c Islander

p

Latino

p

Hawaiian

More mentors/academic role models 1 3 1

Apprenticeship/internship opportunities

in skilled trades3 1 1 1 1

Inform parents about the steps for

college preparation so they can support

and guide their kids

3 2 3 2 2

Access to scholarship/financial aid for

college/job training1 2 1 2 3 1 1

Better K-12 education, leading to

higher graduation rates 2 2 2 2 3 1More help with tutoring

More extracurricular opportunities

Begin college preparation planning

earlier in the curriculum1 2

More career exploration opportunities,

leading to higher associate/bachelor-

level talent

3

More leadership development

opportunities

Access to GED preparation 1

Quality preschool opportunities for allchildren


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An overview of top three priority rankings by

income is provided in the following table. Multiple

rankings within income category indicates a tie.

Opportunities for apprenticeships, improving

education, and scholarships were important acrossthe income spectrum.

Less $10,000 $15,000 $25,000 $35,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000


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than

$10,000

-

$14,999

-

$24,999

-

$34,999

-

$49,999

-

$74,999

-

$99,999

-

$149,999

-

$199,999

or more

More mentors/academic role

models

Apprenticeship/internship

opportunities in skilled trades 2 1 3 2 1 1 1 2Inform parents about the steps for

college preparation so they can

support and guide their kids

2

Access to scholarship/financial

aid for college/job training1 2 1 1 2 3 3 2 3

Better K-12 education, leading tohigher graduation rates 3 2 3 3 2 2 1 1

More help with tutoring 1

More extracurricular

opportunities3

Begin college preparation

planning earlier in the curriculum3 3

More career exploration

opportunities, leading to higher

associate/bachelor-level talent


opportunities

Access to GED preparation

Quality preschool opportunities

for all children


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An overview of top three priority rankings by ageis provided in the following table. Multiple

rankings within age category indicates a tie. Access to scholarship/financial aid and better K-

12 education are listed as priorities across all agegroups.

Those who identify in age groups between 40-70and older rank apprenticeship and internshipopportunitiesas a priority.

14 and 15-19 20-20 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and


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younger older

More mentors/academic role models 2

Apprenticeship/internship opportunitiesin skilled trades

3 1 1 1 1

Inform parents about the steps for

college preparation so they can support

and guide their kids

3

Access to scholarship/financial aid for

college/job training1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3

Better K-12 Education, leading tohigher graduation rates

3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2

More help with tutoring

More extracurricular opportunities

Begin college preparation planning

earlier in the curriculum3 2

More career exploration opportunities,

leading to higher associate/bachelor

level talent

3


opportunities

Access to GED preparation

Quality preschool opportunities for all

children.


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WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR BATTLE CREEK TO

BE A THRIVING CITY WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE,WORK, AND PLAY?


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What is MOST important for Battle Creek to be a thriving city

where people want to live, work, and play?

The top three priorities for Battle Creek to be a

thriving community for the entire sample

were:

Safe neighborhoods (61%, n = 1,423).

Having an active and lively downtown (44%, n =

1,046).

Having a variety of affordable recreationalactivities (34%, n = 800).


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What is MOST important for Battle Creek to be a thriving city

where people want to live, work, and play?

Action Priorities by Race

An overview of top three priority rankings by race/ethnicityis provided in the following table. Multiple rankings withinracial category indicates a tie.

African Americans and Caucasians reported that safeneighborhoodsshould be the top priority.

African Americans and Caucasians reported that having alively downtownshould be the second priority.

Both Hispanic/Latinos and Burmese subgroups prioritizedhaving a strong sense of community togetherness.

African

American

American

Indian or

Asian/Pacifi

c Islander

Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or

Latino

Japanese Native

Ha aiian


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American Indian or

Alaska

Native

c Islander Latino Hawaiian

Having a variety of affordable

recreational activities3 2 3 3 2 2 2

Having good infrastructure

2 3More opportunities for residents to be

involved and have a voice3

Adopting a culture of appreciation for

academic excellence1 1 1 1 1

Safe neighborhoods 1 1 1

Having more diverse communityleadership

Having lots of opportunities for many

people to be leaders

Being a community that actively

embraces its diversity3 2

Having a variety of local businesses

3 3Having an active and lively downtown 2 2 2 2

Having strong social services to

support all in meeting basic needs3

Having a strong sense of community

unity and togetherness3 3 3

Good housing opportunities


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community?


An overview of top three priority rankings by

income is provided in the following table. Multiple

rankings within income category indicates a tie. Respondents across all income levels reported safe

neighborhoods as their top priority.

Having and active and lively downtownis apriority for those whose household income is

$15,000 or more.

Less

than

$10,000 $15,000 $25,000 $35,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000

or more


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than

$10,000

-

$14,999

-

$24,999

-

$34,999

-

$49,999

-

$74,999

-

$99,999

-

$149,999

-

$199,999

or more


recreational activities3 3 2 3 3 3


More opportunities for residents

to be involved and have a voice

Adopting a culture of

appreciation for academic

excellence.

Safe neighborhoods 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2Having more diverse community

leadership

Having lots of opportunities for

many people to be leaders.


embraces its diversity

Having a variety of local

businesses3 3 3

Having an active and lively

downtown3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1


support all in meeting basic needs3

Havin a stron sense of


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community?


An overview of top three priority rankings by age isprovided in the following table. Multiple rankingswithin age category indicates a tie.

Safe neighborhoods are a top priority across all agegroups.

All age groups identify having an active and lively

downtownas a priority. Respondents 49 and younger prioritize having a

variety of affordable recreational opportunities.

14 and

younger

15-19 20-20 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and

older

14 and

younger


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younger older younger


recreational activities1 2 3 3 3


3More opportunities for residents to

be involved and have a voice2

Adopting a culture of appreciation

for academic excellence.

Safe neighborhoods 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Having more diverse communityleadership

Having lots of opportunities for

many people to be leaders.3


embraces its diversity

Having a variety of local businesses 3 3

Having an active and lively

downtown3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2


support all in meeting basic needs

Having a strong sense of community

unity and togetherness

3 2


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Summary

Employment with benefits, educational improvements and support, and safeneighborhoods emerged as priority action items.

The survey reached a strong cross-section of the community. Having surveys available in Spanish and Burmese supported this outreach effort

African Americans were underrepresented relative to their population.

The sample was largely employed and economically stable. More outreach is necessary to reach a larger cross-section of lower-income individuals.

The findings indicate that there are points of similarities in terms of the prioritiesidentified by different groups of respondents (i.e., race, age, and income).

A deeper analysis of priorities by intersections of race, income, and age would bebeneficial in future work.


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