News
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
Houston-area residents cite diversity as the city’s best asset
The Kinder Institute for Urban Research released findings for the 44th Kinder Houston Area Survey in mid-May, showing that—while residents believe the best thing about living in the Houston area is diversity—crime, safety and traffic remain the city’s biggest problems. The overview The report showed 25% of residents said the best thing about living in the Houston area is its diversity, with economy, culture and entertainment ranking as the next three most important factors. However, when asked about the top five most commonly identified “biggest problems” facing the Houston area, respondents cited crime and safety, economy, cost of housing, traffic and infra- structure. Harris County residents ranked crime and safety as the No. 1 problem.
Best things about living in the Houston area
What’s being done Houston Mayor John Whitmire approved a $7 billion budget in June for the upcoming fiscal year that prioritizes public safety, including investing $1.1 billion in the Houston Police Department and $659 million in the Houston Fire Department. “I care about Houston and Houstonians; we all want a great city in which to live, work and raise our families,” Whitmire said during June budget talks. One more thing Harris County residents were also asked to share the best things about living in the Houston area. Respondents highlighted diversity, econ- omy and culture. Nearly 60% of all surveyed residents rated the culture positively, with over 80% also rating small and large-scale events, such as sports, concerts and theatre performances, as good, very good, or excellent.
Diversity
27%
Community/ local culture Family-friends
11%
5%
Economy
13%
Cost of living Entertainment
8%
9%
Food
5%
Biggest problems facing the Houston area Crime & safety Economy Cost of housing Traffic Infrastructure 24% 17% 15% 14% 9%
NOTE: THIS FIGURE REPORTS ONLY THE SEVEN MOST COMMONLY IDENTIFIED CATEGORIES. SMALLER CATEGORIES WERE EXCLUDED, SO TOTALS WILL NOT EQUAL 100%.
SOURCE: KINDER HOUSTON AREA SURVEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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