WORCESTER — A poll of 500 Worcester residents commissioned by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce found that 61% believe the city is going in the right direction, according to a Chamber news release Thursday.

The Chamber released portions of a poll it commissioned in April of Worcester residents using data from the 2020 U.S. Census.

Interviews were conducted over the phone from ZIP codes across the city, according to the release.

Timothy Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the polling will help for strategic planning.

"The Chamber commissioned this poll with Strategic Opinion Research Inc., a well-respected polling company to assist with strategic planning purposes and we are happy to share with our members and the public some of the results," Murray said.

When asked about the makeup of the polled group, a Chamber spokesperson reiterated that the company polled all of the ZIP codes in the city.

In total, 61% of those responding said the city was going in the right direction, 21% said it was headed in the wrong direction and 19% had no opinion.

Cost of living biggest concern

The polled group said cost of living and crime were the two issues they were most concerned about.

On education, 55% said the Worcester Public Schools provided a great education, 30% disagreed and 7% were undecided.

On the role of the City Council and city policy, 63% said a primary focus should be creating more jobs for Worcester residents, with 30% disagreeing and 7% expressing no opinion.

On taxes, 53% said taxing businesses "disproportionately" could drive those businesses out of the city; 36% disagreed with 12% having no opinion.

Sizable majorities in the polled group were in favor of the city building more apartments (71%), said the commuter rail and Worcester Regional Airport have benefited the city (80%) and believed workforce training was critical for attracting businesses and jobs to the city (82%).

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce poll finds optimism about city