Washington Community Survey and Stakeholder Focus Group 1
Agenda Themes Survey Methodology and Respondents Profile of Part-Time Residents Comparison of Full-Time Versus Part-Time Residents Demographics Employment Life in and Perceptions of Washington Summary Findings 2
General Overview of Survey Methodology and Respondents 3
Survey Methodology Survey designed by CERC with input from Washington Economic Development Committee Data collected through SurveyMonkey Link provided to Town of Washington to publicize and recruit respondents Survey open August 14 September 12, 2016 4
428 Respondents 374 (88.4%) owned a home in Washington Residential Status 314 (85.8%) were full-time residents 52 (14.2%) were part-time residents Employment Status 77 (20.6%) were self-employed with their business in Washington 42 (11.2%) were self-employed with their business outside Washington 79 (21.1%) worked for someone else in Washington 64 (17.1%) worked for someone else outside Washington 11 (2.9%) were not employed 101 (27.0%) were retired 5
Charter: Balancing unique village character, with rural and appropriate commercial development 6
Challenge: Balancing Resident Expectations Washington should make a strong push for smart economic development. We have no choice. Either we are committed or we are out of business! Be creative in attracting young families, support our school system The biggest issue facing Washington is the declining population. All the other problems flow from this one. *** For a small town we have a lot going for us now. Don't mess it up! Keep doing what you've been doing. We have no complaints. Washington is a very unique community and we are blessed to live here. The less it changes, the better. We came to Washington because of the way it was. 7
When Here, Part-Time Residents Spend As Much or More Time in Town Dining in Washington 100% Shopping in Washington 100% 80% 80% 60% 60% 40% 40% 20% 20% 0% Full-time Part-time 0% Full-time Part-time 0% <25% 25-50% 50-75% >75% 0% <25% 25-50% 50-75% >75% 8
Business & Growth Mindset 9
Washington s Assets make it a Destination 10
Part-Time Residents Rated Most Quality of Life Factors Slightly Higher 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Importance of quality of life factors in choosing to own a home in Washington Full-time Part-time 11
Respondents Generally Agreed on Drivers of Washington s Reputation 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Washington is know for Full-time Part-time 12
Good Quality of Life 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Arts and cultural institutions There is plenty of parking in are important in Washington. Washington for dining, retail services, and town events. Child care options meet my needs. Health care services meet my needs. Agree Neutral Disagree 13
Dedicated Economic Development Function 14
Attracting Young Families 15
Neighborhood Characteristics and Family Drive the Decision to Live In Washington Full-Time Part-Time Family reasons Neighborhood characteristics Favorable cost of living Proximity to another home Proximity to work Family reasons Neighborhood characteristics Favorable cost of living Proximity to another home Proximity to work 16
Population and Jobs Considered Top Challenges 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 17
Part-Time More Likely to Participate in Activities; Full-Time More Likely to Volunteer 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Participation in Local Activities Full-Time Part-Time 18
Connections 19
Strong Interest in Additional Activities in Washington 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Activities to Offer or Expand Full-Time Part-Time 20
Business Conditions Can Be Improved 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% The business climate in Washington is good. The town s land use regulations and their enforcement are conducive to the economic well-being of the town. Washington should do more to attract commercial development. The broadband/ internet speeds and reliability offered at my location are sufficient to meet my needs. Cell phone service and reliability meet my needs. Agree Neutral Disagree 21
Internet Service Was Top Business Need Telecommuters All Employed Respondents Faster or better internet Shared workspace Shared office amenities 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Faster or better internet Shared workspace Shared office amenities Help accessing business services Networking events 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Part-Time Full-Time Part-Time Full-Time 22
Other Business Needs In open-ended responses to business service needs, better cell service was mentioned frequently Sample comments: Cell Towers. Service is horrendous. It's 2016. Better Cell reception imperative to me staying in Washington. Other items mentioned: More retail, including food, gas, pharmacy, books, clothing, office supplies, hardware store, restaurants A shared marketplace in town for craft items, antiques and food Artist studio space A fitness gym More hotels and inns More doctors Bus or helicopter service 23
Characteristics Specific to Part-Time Residents 24
They Spend Less than Half of Their Time in Town 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Less than 25% of time Between 25-50% of time Between 50-75% of time More than 75% of time 25
They Are More Likely to Be in Town on Weekend and in Summer Days in Washington Months in Washington 100% 100% 90% 90% 80% 80% 70% 70% 60% 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. 0% Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 26
Most Part-Time Residents Also Own in NYC Other locations 33% Location of second home 67% of part-time residents had another home in New York City Other locations include: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, other cities in New York, Virginia, Florida, and Texas New York City 67% 27
Unlikely to Rent Out Home on a Long- Term Lease Do you rent out your home on a long-term lease when you are not here? Yes 4% No 96% 28
Part-Time Residents Telecommute Less Frequently but Want to telecommute more 100% 100% 80% 80% 60% 60% 40% 40% 20% 20% 0% Full-time Part-time 0% Full-time Part-time <25% 25-50% 50-75% >75% Yes No 29
Comparison of Full-Time Versus Part-Time Residents Demographics 30
Part-Time Residents Were Slightly Younger 100% More Educated 100% 80% 80% 60% 60% 40% 40% 20% 20% 0% Full-time Part-time Less than 18 18-34 35-54 55-74 75+ 0% Full-time Part-time Grad or prof degree Bachelor's degree Associate's degree Some college HS grad or equivalency Less than HS diploma 31
Part-Time Residents Households Were Bigger 100% With More Children 100% 80% 80% 60% 60% 40% 40% 20% 20% 0% Full-time Part-time 0% Full-time Part-time 1 2 3 4 5 Number of people in household 0 1 2 3 4+ Number of children in household 32
Comparison of Full-Time Versus Part-Time Residents Employment 33
Employment Patterns Differed Full-time Part-time 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Self-employed in town Self-employed outside town Employed in town Employed outside town Retired Not employed 34
Employers Industries Also Differ 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Full-time Part-time 35
Comparison of Full-Time Versus Part-Time Residents Life in and Perceptions of Washington 36
Most News Comes From Other Residents or the Newspaper 70% How Respondents Get Town News 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Full-Time Part-Time 37
Summary Findings 38
Washington is Most Similar To: 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 39
A Few Representative Comments Washington CT is a cultural and environmental destination. People come here to be in nature and to relax. I see this as the primary attractor for the town and for the future. Please don't turn Washington into a Disney attraction. We need longer-term thinking than just tourist destinations and summer homes. We must be willing to change and welcome newcomers or we will fade away. We need more affordable housing. Our children cannot afford to live here. As much as I would love to shop local, existing local shops are minimal and are not in my price point. I have lived in this town for over 20 years. I still don't know what it has to offer or what I can offer to become a member of this community. 40
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