HEALTHY CONCORD TOWN FORUM

What We’ve Learned

Population Characteristics

 Total Population: 17,668 (8,707 female, 8,961 male)

There are 2,061 (33.3%) households with one or more people under 18 years of age.There are 2,354 (38%) households with one or more people 65 years and over.

There are 15,850 (89.7%) White residents There are 673 (3.8%) Black or African-American residents There are 709 (4%) Asian residentsThere are 655 (3.7%) Hispanic or Latino residents of any race

Income and Benefits

There are 6,197 total households in Concord. Of these, 135 (2.1%) households earn less than $10,000 88 (1.4%) households earn between $10,000 -$14,999 319 (5.1%) households earn between $15,000 - $24,999 1,699 (27%) households earn $200,000 or more

The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for a family of 4 is $23,550. For one person, FPL is $11,490. A total of 542 households in Concord have income of $24,999 or less.

Mean Social Security income is $19,595 Mean Supplemental Security Income is $7,430 Mean cash public assistance income is $4,113 Food Stamps/SNAP benefits is $72

This Just In…

A family of four in Massachusetts needs to earn nearly $74,000 to make ends meet without public or private assistance, according to a study released Thursday by the Crittenton Women's Union.

In Concord, that number is slightly higher—$81,576. This amount includes rent, utilities, food, transportation, healthcare and personal needs of two parents with one school age child and one pre-schooler.

Source: The Concord Patch, 3/25/13

Housing Costs

The average price of a 4-bedroom home in Concord is $785,407. The average price of a similar home nationwide is $292,152. (Coldwell Banker, 2012)

The median cost of a home is $707,900. 23% of the homes in Concord are valued over

$1m The median rental cost in Concord is $1,572. More than one third of renters pay 35% or more

of their household income for rent.

Schools and Education

School Enrollment: Population 3 years and over enrolled in school: 4,381Elementary School (grades 1-8): 1,729High School (grades 9-12): 1,146College or graduate school: 792

Educational Attainment:

Population 25 years and over: 12,598Bachelor’s degree: 4,034Graduate or professional degree: 4,196

Commuting to Work

Workers 16 years and over: 7,261Drove alone: 5,242 (72.2%)Carpooled: 556 (7.7%)Public Transportation: 537 (7.4%)Walked: 331 (4.6%)Other means: 51 (0.7%)Worked at home: 544 (7.5%)

Mean travel time to work (minutes):29.5 minutes

Concord’s Assets 

30% of the land in Concord is open space!Trails, parks and rivers! Walden Pond, Minuteman

National Park, Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge, and many acres in conservation… Arts and Cultural offerings abound! Emerson Umbrella, Concord Museum, Concord Youth Theater, 51 Walden St. Performing Arts, Concord Chamber Music Society, Concord Public Library, Concord Art Association… Supportive Community Agencies!Concord-Carlisle Community Chest, Open Table, Gaining Ground, Communities for Restorative Justice, Minutemen Senior Services, Elliot Community Health Services… 

Survey Results

Age distribution of all respondents

Mental Health—All respondents

 

Environmental Issues – All Respondents

Basic Needs—all Respondents

Transportation—all Respondents

Community—All Respondents

Recreation—All Respondents

Youth Issues—All Respondents

Education—all Respondents

Discussion Themes

Social and Emotional SupportsCommunity Connections

Supporting SeniorsGrowing Up

Getting Around

Social & Emotional Supports

What can we do to create a more caring and supportive community for those who face challenges like social isolation and mental health problems brought on by age, economics or other conditions?

Building and strengthening community networks and relationships Creating intergenerational connectionsReducing economic disparityAddressing mental health needs

Supporting Seniors

How can we as a community help senior citizens attain or maintain a healthy and independent life?

TransportationHousing and careSocializationFamily Caregivers

Growing Up

What can be done to create a gentler pace for our youth that balances high expectations with the need to reduce and manage the stress that many are experiencing?

AcademicsAthleticsSocial

 

Community Connections

What types of activities, places, or programs could be created or built upon that would bring Concord together for recreation, entertainment, and relationship development?

EventsStreet LifeRecreation

Getting Around

How can we reduce our dependence on cars while promoting safe and healthy ways of getting around Concord? (Within the cost constraints of this project, and in the context of Concords’ participation in a regional transportation project.)

WalkingBikingCars and motorized vehicles