A survey made public today by the Walton Family Foundation found 94 percent of Northwest Arkansas residents are happy with life overall.
The survey, which included 815 telephone respondents in Benton and Washington counties, also showed participants rate their quality of life as good or excellent (85 percent). Participants reported having a sense of pride about the way their city looks (83 percent).
In all, participants answered 77 questions about community amenities, schools, income, jobs, water quality, traffic, diversity and other topics.
Among the survey’s findings:
– Most respondents think school quality is good. In fact, 77 percent said the region’s higher education institutions are good. The overall perception of schools is higher in Northwest Arkansas (70 percent had a positive perception) than it is in Denver (54 percent), Los Angeles (43 percent) and throughout Arkansas (53 percent).
– Most people see water quality as good or very good (68 percent) and most said water pollution is not a problem (85 percent).
– Crime was viewed as low and safety is viewed as high. Respondents said they feel safe in their homes during the day (98 percent) and at night (97 percent). They also reported being safe walking alone in their neighborhood during the day (97 percent) and at night (84 percent).
– Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Razorback Greenway trail, which is still being developed, were among several regional amenities that were recognized for their quality and frequent use by survey participants.
The survey was guided by the foundation’s Evaluation Unit and the Survey Research Laboratory at Mississippi State University.
The Walton Family Foundation is one of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s supporting organizations. The foundation made investments of more than $23.5 million to 36 organizations in the region between January 2010 and August 2012.
