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Demographics
A majority of the surveys were answered by • Female citizens of Poplar Bluff
The highest percentage of respondents fall into each of the following demographic “slots”:
• Married• In the 50-54 age range• Caucasian• Lifelong resident• High School level educational achievement• Annual income range of between $20,000 and $40,000
General Thoughts
While every question had some disagreement, Poplar Bluff Area Residents agreed
• Poplar Bluff is a great place to live• Poplar Bluff is a great place to raise children• They want Poplar Bluff to grow in size and population• They are proud to live in Poplar Bluff• Poplar Bluff is a great place to retire, and that• Poplar Bluff has a great future.
General Thoughts, 2
Poplar Bluff Area Residents did NOT agree with the statement• Poplar Bluff has sufficient variety of retail stores.
IssuesThere was agreement on the following• The City of Poplar Bluff should expand through annexation• The City should require curbs on most streets• The City should have more sidewalks.• Support keeping the old brick streets• The historic downtown area should be restored• Generally pleased with the City's utilities• The City should have more parks and walking areas. • Traffic movement is a problem for Poplar Bluff• Poplar Bluff should continue to spend money to clean-up derelict
houses• Poplar Bluff should invest money in marketing itself. • Poplar Bluff should invest money in providing incentives to bring
new companies into town.
Issues, 2
Area residents did not agree with the following statements • There are sufficient employment opportunities in town.
Issues, 3
There were mixed results when it came to the following questions• Support for a tax or bonds to fund street improvements• That the City's streets are too narrow• That there are sufficient housing options in the City• Poplar Bluff should have more ethnic diversity• Poplar Bluff has adequate street lighting• There are sufficient recreation programs for youth in Poplar Bluff• There are sufficient recreation programs for seniors in Poplar Bluff.
Attitudes• Family was the single most chosen response as to why people
choose to live in the Poplar Bluff area instead of other places. However, many people chose multiple reasons for choosing to live in Poplar Bluff.
• The most common reason for those that live in the city to continue to live within the city was utilities and services. As in other questions, some people chose multiple answers
• For those living outside of the city, the most common reason to not live in the city was fewer neighbors.
• The greatest weakness identified is low income levels• Poplar Bluff area residents see the future of Poplar Bluff as being
similar to today but with more residences and businesses.• A large majority of those responding to the survey plan to stay in
Poplar Bluff for a long time.
Interesting Item
To the Question of “If you were to recommend a place or a highlight of Poplar Bluff for others to visit, where would it be?” the answers broke out into 12 major groupings. The rank of these groups was:
1. None 24.4%2. Museums, Library, &
Historical Sites 14.5%3. Other 13.3%4. Black River Coliseum 9.7%5. Wappepelo & Natural
Resources 7.2%6. Parks 6.3%
7. Three Rivers Community College 5.7%8. Water Park 5.1%9. Shopping 5.0%10. Downtown 3.4%11. Restaurants 2.4%12. Churches 2.4%
Question 1 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to live.
StronglyAgree
Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree
17% (240) 47% (672) 26% (377) 8% (109) 2% (27)
Total Respondents 1425
(skipped this question) 152
Question 2 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to raise children.
StronglyAgree Agree Neutral Disagree
StronglyDisagree
15% (211) 43% (623) 29% (420) 11% (152) 2% (34)
Total Respondents 1440
(skipped this question) 137
Question 3 - I want Poplar Bluff to grow in size and population.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
35% (499) 39% (567) 17% (240) 7% (97) 3% (38)
Total Respondents 1441
(skipped this question) 136
Question 4 - I am proud to live in Poplar Bluff.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
21% (301) 42% (600) 28% (407) 6% (89) 3% (44)
Total Respondents 1441
(skipped this question) 136
Question 5 - Poplar Bluff has sufficient variety of retail stores.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
6% (92) 20% (293) 14% (203) 40% (574) 20% (288)
Total Respondents 1450
(skipped this question) 127
Question 6 - Poplar Bluff is a great place to retire.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
13% (191) 38% (538) 32% (456) 13% (179) 5% (66)
Total Respondents 1430
(skipped this question) 147
Question 8 - The City of Poplar Bluff should expand through annexation.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
20% (286) 31% (433) 29% (408) 11% (159) 6% (80) 3% (42)
Total Respondents 1408
(skipped this question) 169
Question 9 - The City should require curbs on most streets.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
21% (301) 40% (568) 28% (394) 8% (118) 2% (29) 1% (21)
Total Respondents 1431
(skipped this question) 146
Question 10 - The City should have more sidewalks.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
28% (411) 41% (593) 22% (320) 7% (95) 1% (12) 1% (13)
Total Respondents 1444
(skipped this question) 133
Question 11 - I would support a tax or bonds to fund street improvements.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
13% (178) 29% (415) 27% (386) 17% (245) 11% (158) 3% (39)
Total Respondents 1421
(skipped this question) 156
Question 12 - The City's streets are too narrow.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
16% (230) 31% (437) 33% (463) 17% (238) 3% (39) 1% (12)
Total Respondents 1419
(skipped this question) 158
Question 13 - I support keeping the old brick streets.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
32% (463) 21% (300) 14% (207) 12% (181) 20% (296) 1% (14)
Total Respondents 1461
(skipped this question) 116
Question 14 - The historic downtown area should be restored.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
36% (516) 35% (505) 17% (253) 7% (105) 4% (58) 1% (11)
Total Respondents 1448
(skipped this question) 129
Question 15 - I am generally pleased with the City's utilities.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
13% (187) 47% (673) 18% (264) 13% (184) 7% (95) 3% (36)
Total Respondents 1439
(skipped this question) 138
Question 16 - There are sufficient housing options in the City.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
5% (65) 31% (442) 31% (436) 23% (330) 8% (109) 3% (39)
Total Respondents 1421
(skipped this question) 156
Question 17 - The City should have more parks and walking areas.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
18% (265) 37% (529) 31% (443) 10% (143) 2% (34) 2% (23)
Total Respondents 1437
(skipped this question) 140
Question 18 - Poplar Bluff should have more ethnic diversity.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
6% (79) 16% (224) 51% (717) 16% (226) 7% (104) 3% (47)
Total Respondents 1397
(skipped this question) 180
Question 19 - Traffic movement is a problem for Poplar Bluff.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
24% (350) 37% (536) 21% (296) 15% (218) 2% (24) 0% (7)
Total Respondents 1431
(skipped this question) 146
Question 20 - Poplar Bluff has adequate street lighting.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
5% (71) 42% (579) 24% (335) 21% (287) 7% (93) 1% (17)
Total Respondents 1382
(skipped this question) 195
Question 21 - Poplar Bluff should continue to spend money to clean-up derelict houses.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
37% (530) 42% (597) 12% (169) 6% (81) 2% (35) 1% (14)
Total Respondents 1426
(skipped this question) 151
Question 22 - Poplar Bluff should invest money in marketing itself.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
17% (241) 36% (515) 32% (453) 9% (123) 4% (56) 2% (32)
Total Respondents 1420
(skipped this question) 157
Question 23 - There are sufficient recreation programs for youth in Poplar Bluff.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
6% (82) 24% (349) 27% (385) 26% (366) 14% (195) 4% (55)
Total Respondents 1432
(skipped this question) 145
Question 24 - There are sufficient recreation programs for seniors in Poplar Bluff.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
4% (54) 19% (281) 35% (500) 25% (363) 12% (170) 5% (76)
Total Respondents 1444
(skipped this question) 133
Question 25 - Poplar Bluff should invest money in providing incentives to bring new companies
into town.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
34% (494) 44% (641) 14% (209) 4% (54) 2% (36) 1% (16)
Total Respondents 1450
(skipped this question) 127
Question 26 - There are sufficient employment opportunities in town.
Strongly Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
N/A
2% (34) 15% (223) 21% (310) 36% (525) 20% (294) 4% (59)
Total Respondents 1445
(skipped this question) 132
Question 27 - Why do you choose to live in the Poplar Bluff area instead of other places?
Quality of Life Job Family Cost of Living Other
25.3% (369) 32.9% (480) 57.4% (837) 28.5% (416) 17.3% (253)
Total Respondents 1459
(skipped this question) 118
Question 28 - If you live inside Poplar Bluff City Limits, why do you choose to live in the city
instead of outside the City?
Utilities and Services
Police and Fire Protection
Access to Retail
Closer to Job Other
40.7% (480) 38.9% (459) 29% (342) 36% (425) 27.5% (324)
Total Respondents 1179
(skipped this question) 398
Question 29 - If you live outside City Limits, why do you choose to live outside the city
instead of in the City?
No Codes No City Tax Larger Lot Size
Fewer Neighbors
Other
29.6% (133) 36.7% (165) 43.4% (195) 49.7% (223) 30.1% (135)
Total Respondents 449
(skipped this question) 1128
Question 30 - Which statement best describes how you want Poplar Bluff to look 25 years
from now?
Much different than it looks
now.
As it looks now.
Similar, but with more
residential.
Similar, but with more business.
Other
29.6% (133) 36.7% (165) 43.4% (195) 49.7% (223) 30.1% (135)
Total Respondents 449
(skipped this question) 1128
Question 31 - Which statement best applies to you and your plans for the future?
I plan to stay in Poplar Bluff for a long time.
I plan to stay in the area, but
move outside city
limits.
I plan to leave the
area.
I plan to leave, but want to
stay.
I plan to stay, but want to leave.
I don't know.
62.3% (922) 9.7% (144) 6.2% (92) 2.5% (37) 8.1% (120) 12% (178)
Total Respondents 1479
(skipped this question) 98
Question 32 - Which of the following do you feel is Poplar Bluff's greatest weakness?
Low income levels
Lack of Shopping
Appearance of Downtown
Methamphetamine
Other
55.6% (819) 39.9% (587) 28.5% (420) 36.1% (532) 15.4% (227)
Total Respondents 1472
(skipped this question) 105
Question 36 - Gender
Male Female
35.4% (532) 66.3% (997)
Total Respondents 1503
(skipped this question) 74
Question 37 – City Resident
Yes No
76.4% (1129) 23.6% (349)
Total Respondents 1477
(skipped this question) 100
Question 38 – Marital Status
Single Married Divorced Widowed Other
13.5% (185) 55.2% (758) 14.3% (196) 16.5% (226) 1.2% (17)
Total Respondents 1373
(skipped this question) 204
Question 39 – Age Group
Under 20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49
0.7% (11) 2.8% (42) 4.5% (67) 4.5% (68) 5.4% (81) 6.4% (96) 7.2% (108)
50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 Over 80
12.1% (181)
11.8% (177)
10.9% (163)
10.3% (155)
9.1% (137)
6.9% (104)
8.9% (133)
Total Respondents 1501
(skipped this question) 76
Question 40 – Ethnic Group
Caucasian African-American
Hispanic Asian Native American
Mixed Race
89.4% (1301) 2.5% (37) 0.4% (6) 0.5% (8) 7.1% (104) 0.5% (7)
Total Respondents 1456
(skipped this question) 121
Question 41 – Resident Description
Lifelong resident of the
area.
Left for awhile, then moved back.
Moved here from
elsewhere in Missouri.
Moved here from other
state.
Born in another country.
31.6% (469) 23% (341) 24.8% (368) 22.4% (332) 0.9% (13)
Total Respondents 1482
(skipped this question) 95
Question 42 – Education Level
No High School
Education
High School/GED
Trade School
2-year degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctorate Other
10% (149) 41.5% (618)
8.5% (126)
15.3% (228)
16.4% (244) 9.9% (147)
3.2% (48) 4% (60)
Total Respondents
1488
(skipped this question) 89
Question 43 – Annual Income Level
Under $20,000 $20,000-$40,000
$41,000-$60,000
$61,000-$80,000
Over $80,000
28.1% (395) 34.7% (487) 17.1% (240) 9% (127) 11.4% (160)
Total Respondents 1405
(skipped this question) 172
Question 44 – Color of the Survey
Blue Green White/Other
92.6% (1448) 7.3% (114) 0.1% (2)
Total Respondents 1564
(skipped this question) 13
More Interesting Findings
Comparing City Residents to Non-City Residents
• City residents show more support for annexation than those who live outside city limits.
• Those living in the city appear to have more concern with city issues (such as investing in city improvements) yet these residents appear to have show the least support for increasing tax revenues to meet these needs.
• Base demographics show that, 50% of city residents are married while 70% of those outside city limits are married. City residents have far more single, divorced, widowed and elderly populations.
Interesting Findings, 2
Comparing High School Educated to College Educated
• The college educated group seems to be more open to city expansion, marketing the city, and general progress issues. They also appear to feel more confident about the city’s future.
• Overall, the high school educated group appear to be less happy with city services, youth programs, city utilities, housing options, employment, and income levels than the college educated group.
Support of higher education would appear to benefit the city immensely.
Interesting Findings, 3
Responses from Three Age Groups - (30-34) (50-54) (70-74)
• The 30-34 and 50-54 groups responses were often similar, yet showed more departure from the responses of the 70-74 age group. Most of these departures were income based.
• The 70-74 group shows the lowest annual incomes of the three groups which is reflected in their lower support for retail options and tax initiatives.
• However, the 70-74 age group shows stronger support for city maintenance issues, annexation and increased employment opportunities, albeit without much support for funding of these issues.
• Interestingly, the 50-54 and 70-74 groups appear to have more civic pride than the 30-34 group, who stated they are more likely to live in Poplar Bluff because of job opportunities.
Planning Impact
• Residents express significant civic pride. Can build on this by:– Meeting the unmet needs of the citizens– Reinvigorate and renovate existing resources (ex-
parks, brick streets, downtown, river)
• Residents clearly desire more diverse retail options. – One of the major challenges will be to control where
and how retail develops as well as to create a positive environment for retail developers.
Planning Impact, 2
• Expansion through annexation, better quality streets, and overall maintenance (ex-brick streets, downtown, derelict homes) are priorities to the residents
• Parks and Utilities are strengths– Can expand park system and access through
connections– Financing the city’s future directly tied to utility
revenues
• Lack of sufficient jobs and lower incomes continues to trouble residents
Planning Impact, 3
• Citizens are less certain about the city’s future when it comes to housing, ethnic diversity, street lighting, and recreational programs– Not a focus of residents now but planning needs to
address
• Family is a significant focus. – Using full, family oriented “thinking” in design and
programming of city spaces appears critical to success.
Final Thoughts
• Survey was very successful• A great deal of information has been gleaned• The survey provided a great opportunity to be a
part of the process and to “sound off” on topics that concern them
• Should consider public interest surveys every other year or so.
Poplar Bluff has a great story to tell!