Is the quality of life in Escambia getting better or worse? What citizens say
Every year, an annual Quality of Life Survey in Escambia County and Pensacola is a chance to understand how residents feel the community is faring on key issues like public safety, education, racism and the local economy.
It's also an opportunity to get residents' answer to the key question, "Generally, do you think that (Escambia County/Pensacola) is heading in the right direction, or are things on the wrong track?"
The results of the 2022 polling will be shared at a free CivicCon event on Monday at The REX Theatre from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
More about the survey: Surveys say Pensacola quality of life has been trending down. Did it turn around in 2022?
From 2021: Was Pensacola a better or worse place to live in 2021? Learn what surveys say at CivicCon.
Last time at CivicCon: ‘It can be done’: A Bose founder tells ‘dream story’ of how the $3 billion business began
Quint Studer, founder of the Studer Community Institute, and Claire Kirchharr, director of community development for Pensacola Young Professionals, will present the survey results.
"I think having the survey really just allows us to make data-driven decisions that represent the whole community," Kirchharr told the News Journal. "One thing that Quint said before is that there's no rose-colored lenses on this, there is no manipulation (of data to represent) how one group of people thinks or trying to make us look better or look worse. It just simply is what it is."
The Quality of Life Survey is an independent survey tool that was developed by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, an independent polling and communications firm. Participants who are interviewed are chosen randomly and accurately represent the actual demographic breakdown of the community. This includes the ratios of the respondents’ gender, race, age, political affiliation and area of residence, which mirror the county’s real statistics.
The survey includes standardized batteries of questions concerning the factors that contribute to and define the quality of life in the community — economic conditions, job security, educational opportunities, availability of cultural displays and entertainment, safety, clean and healthy environment, a sense of community and welcoming, a shared vision and understanding of future plans for community and economic development, and effective, competent government and community leadership that plans and executes.
Kirchharr said part of the survey's importance is that "it's so cross sectional and looking at so many issues. It's not just a survey about the economics of our area or the crime issues, or the environmental issues, it's has so many different aspects to it. It's not a one-objective survey. I think it's really one of the only ones of its kind available for everyone in the community, and I think that's really important."
The 2022 Quality of Life Survey data will be presented in a free and open-to-all CivicCon event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at The REX Theatre, 18 N. Palafox St.
CivicCon is a partnership of the News Journal and the Studer Community Institute to make our community a better place to live, grow, work and invest through smart planning and civic conversation.
To register for the event search "CivicCon" at eventbrite.com. The presentation will also be streamed live at pnj.com and the News Journal's Facebook page.
For more information about CivicCon visit pnj.com/civiccon.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: CivicCon presents 2022 Quality of life survey results in Pensacola
