A Summary of Regional Results
with Comparisons between 2014 and 2013 Survey
(incl. County-Level Results)
November, 2014
REMINDER
Survey: Genesis and Goals
• Survey: Houston LINK Trip
and the Kinder Model
– Goals: Assess Perceptions,
Define Priorities, Gauge
Opinions
– Method: Random sample
survey of residents in the
10-county ARC area;
multiple years with
consistent questions
This Year’s Survey: Process Overview
• Internal Team + Guidance from Steering
Committee and Technical Advisory Group
• RFP Process April through May
• Consultant Selection June>Schapiro Group
• Question Refinement July
• Survey Implementation August-early September
• Delivery of Data started September 12th
• Targeting State of the Region Friday 11/7 for
Initial Release
• The 2014 Metro Atlanta Speaks survey asked 25 questions of 4,200 residents
in the 10-county area, significant down to the county-level.
• The 2013 instrument asked 21 questions of 2,100 residents, and was
significant only at the regional (10-county level)
• The goal in both years was gather opinions on how the 10-county Atlanta
region rates in terms of key quality-of-life issues like transportation,
education, the economy, the arts and aging in the Atlanta region.
• In 2014, the survey added questions on water, job training, starting a
business, healthcare, and parks
• This summary focuses on 2014 regional results, comparisons to 2013, as well
as on selected 2014 survey county results. 2014 regional margin of error is
+/- 1.5% percentage points. County-level results have a margin of error of
+/- 5%.
Metro Atlanta Speaks
COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS
(by topic)
THEN, the NEW questions (by topic)
21%
2%
24%
17%
4%
13%
3%
6%
6%
4%
24%
3%
20%
14%
4%
14%
7%
6%
4%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Trans
Race Relations
Economy
Crime
Public Health
Public Education
Human Services
Taxes
Other
DK
Q2: Biggest Problem Facing Residents in Metro-- MAS Response Comparison 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
14%
18%
18%
22%
24%
24%
25%
28%
30%
32%
17%
25%
26%
21%
22%
19%
22%
23%
21%
15%
17%
13%
16%
14%
15%
17%
11%
7%
12%
16%
18%
14%
11%
11%
14%
13%
14%
9%
13%
12%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
DeKalb
Fayette
Rockdale
Henry
Douglas
Fulton
Cobb
Cherokee
Gwinnett
Clayton
Q2 MAS 2014: Biggest Problem --by County
Trans Race Relations Economy Crime Public Health Public Education Human Services Taxes Other DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS:
TRANSPORTATION
41%
30%
22%
3%
5%
42%
28%
21%
5%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
Expand public transit
Improve roads/ highways
Develop communities live close to work
Do nothing
DK
Q13: Best Way to Fix Traffic Problems— MAS Response Comparison 2014/2013
2014
2013
33%
35%
35%
39%
40%
42%
42%
43%
45%
52%
33%
29%
33%
31%
32%
27%
24%
26%
28%
24%
22%
24%
21%
22%
22%
19%
24%
20%
20%
15%
8%
7%
6%
4%
3%
7%
6%
7%
4%
3%
4%
5%
3%
5%
5%
5%
3%
4%
5%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cherokee
Fayette
Henry
Douglas
Cobb
DeKalb
Fulton
Rockdale
Gwinnett
Clayton
Q13: Best Way to Fix Traffic by County: MAS 2014
Expand public transit Improve roads/ highways Develop communities live close to work Do nothing DK
71%
17%
9%
3%
70%
22%
7%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important at all
DK
Q15: Importance of Public Transit— MAS Response Comparison 2014/2013
2014
2013
57%
57%
64%
66%
67%
67%
68%
74%
75%
79%
29%
27%
23%
23%
23%
23%
23%
21%
18%
17%
12%
14%
11%
10%
9%
8%
9%
5%
5%
3%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
2%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cherokee
Fayette
Henry
Douglas
Gwinnett
Rockdale
Cobb
Fulton
DeKalb
Clayton
Q15: Importance of Public Transit (Buses/ Trains): By County-MAS 2014
Very important Somewhat important Not important at all DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS:
ECONOMY
7%
29%
36%
20%
8%
7%
36%
36%
17%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Q11: Availability of Metro Job Opportunities: MAS Response Comparison 2014/2013
2014
2013
3%
4%
5%
5%
5%
7%
7%
8%
8%
8%
31%
37%
28%
28%
29%
44%
38%
37%
32%
36%
41%
40%
34%
41%
38%
34%
35%
35%
39%
37%
22%
13%
29%
21%
22%
13%
16%
15%
19%
16%
4%
7%
5%
5%
5%
3%
4%
4%
3%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Rockdale
Fayette
Clayton
Douglas
Henry
Cobb
Gwinnett
Cherokee
DeKalb
Fulton
Q11: Rating Job Opportunities in Metro Atlanta: by County MAS 2014
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
8%
30%
37%
14%
3%
8%
11%
28%
38%
15%
5%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Much better
Slightly better
About the same
Slightly worse
Much worse
DK
Q6: Rate Economy Compared to Other Metros— MAS Response Comparison 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
7%
8%
8%
8%
8%
9%
10%
11%
11%
13%
21%
29%
24%
26%
21%
27%
34%
27%
29%
25%
43%
39%
37%
42%
43%
39%
35%
34%
40%
39%
15%
14%
19%
16%
18%
19%
13%
16%
13%
14%
6%
6%
6%
6%
5%
3%
4%
4%
4%
6%
7%
4%
6%
3%
5%
4%
4%
7%
3%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Rockdale
Cherokee
Clayton
Douglas
Henry
Fayette
Cobb
DeKalb
Gwinnett
Fulton
Q6: Economy Compared to Other Metros by County: MAS 2014
Much better Slightly better About the same Slightly worse Much worse DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS:
EDUCATION
20%
35%
26%
14%
5%
20%
33%
25%
16%
5%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Q19: Public Education in District Where You Live: MAS Response Comparison 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
8%
10%
14%
14%
17%
18%
25%
30%
38%
48%
29%
27%
36%
30%
37%
37%
36%
40%
36%
34%
32%
35%
28%
28%
23%
27%
22%
17%
13%
10%
27%
22%
17%
21%
17%
15%
12%
9%
9%
4%
3%
6%
5%
7%
6%
3%
5%
4%
4%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Clayton
DeKalb
Douglas
Fulton
Henry
Rockdale
Cobb
Gwinnett
Cherokee
Fayette
Q19: Rating by County of Local Public Education: MAS 2014
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
4%
30%
35%
21%
10%
6%
31%
36%
22%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Q20: Rating Public Education in Region as a Whole: MAS Response Comparisons 2014/2013
2014
2013
5%
5%
6%
6%
6%
6%
7%
7%
8%
8%
34%
26%
31%
27%
37%
28%
30%
33%
31%
24%
33%
38%
42%
42%
33%
37%
35%
35%
35%
39%
23%
26%
18%
20%
19%
23%
25%
21%
22%
26%
4%
4%
3%
5%
4%
6%
3%
4%
5%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cobb
Douglas
Clayton
DeKalb
Gwinnett
Henry
Fulton
Rockdale
Cherokee
Fayette
Q20: Rating Public Education in Metro Atlanta as a Whole: By County MAS 2014
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS:
QUALITY OF LIFE
33%
47%
15%
5%
0%
34%
44%
17%
5%
0%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Q8 (2014): Rating Neighborhood as a Place to Live: MAS Response Comparison 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
19%
28%
32%
32%
32%
34%
36%
39%
54%
57%
41%
46%
41%
42%
50%
45%
47%
38%
38%
35%
32%
20%
21%
17%
15%
16%
15%
20%
7%
6%
8%
5%
5%
8%
3%
5%
2%
2%
1%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Clayton
Rockdale
DeKalb
Fulton
Gwinnett
Henry
Cobb
Douglas
Fayette
Cherokee
Q8: Rating Your Neighborhood as a Place to Live: By County MAS 2014
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
15%
53%
28%
5%
1%
13%
50%
30%
6%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
DK
Q4: Metro as a Place to Live- MAS Response Comparison 2014/2013
2014
2013
7%
8%
9%
10%
12%
13%
13%
14%
15%
16%
42%
42%
44%
42%
51%
51%
50%
49%
49%
53%
35%
41%
33%
36%
30%
30%
30%
28%
24%
26%
11%
8%
11%
11%
4%
5%
5%
8%
10%
5%
4%
0%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
2%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Douglas
Clayton
Rockdale
Henry
Gwinnett
DeKalb
Fulton
Fayette
Cherokee
Cobb
Q4: Rating Metro as a Place to Live (County): MAS 2014
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
15%
30%
35%
9%
3%
7%
17%
30%
34%
10%
4%
5%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Much Better Place
Slightly BetterPlace
About the Same
Slightly WorsePlace
Much Worse Place
DK
Q5: Metro as Place to Live Compared to Other Metros— MAS Response Comparison 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
11%
12%
13%
13%
14%
16%
18%
18%
19%
21%
25%
28%
27%
28%
25%
29%
30%
32%
30%
30%
40%
35%
40%
35%
41%
36%
28%
32%
33%
31%
9%
11%
10%
12%
7%
10%
10%
10%
11%
10%
7%
6%
4%
5%
6%
3%
7%
3%
3%
3%
7%
8%
5%
6%
7%
6%
7%
5%
4%
6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Rockdale
Henry
Clayton
Fayette
Douglas
DeKalb
Cherokee
Gwinnett
Fulton
Cobb
Q5: Metro Atlanta Compared to Other Metros (Place to Live): by County MAS 2014
Much better Slightly better About the same Slightly worse Much worse DK
19%
57%
23%
1%
17%
57%
24%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Move to different neighborhood
Stay where you are now
Move away from metro Atlanta
DK
Q10: If You Could Move, Where Would You Move: MAS Response Comparison: 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
5%
8%
13%
13%
14%
15%
18%
19%
19%
19%
75%
69%
58%
55%
59%
60%
55%
45%
57%
55%
19%
22%
28%
30%
27%
24%
25%
34%
22%
23%
0%
1%
1%
1%
1%
2%
1%
2%
2%
2%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Fayette
Cherokee
Henry
Rockdale
Douglas
Gwinnett
Cobb
Clayton
DeKalb
Fulton
Q10: If You Could, Would you Move and If So, Where? By County MAS 2014
Move to different neighborhood Stay where you are now Move away from metro Atlanta DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS:
LAND USE
76%
18%
6%
66%
27%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Redevelop older areas
Continue to build new suburbs
Other/ DK
Q14: Best Way to Accommodate Growth: MAS Response Comparison 2014 and 2013
2014
2013
58%
62%
63%
64%
65%
65%
66%
69%
70%
70%
34%
30%
30%
30%
25%
27%
28%
22%
23%
24%
7%
8%
7%
7%
10%
8%
6%
9%
7%
6%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Rockdale
Clayton
Gwinnett
Fulton
Cherokee
Henry
Douglas
Fayette
Cobb
DeKalb
Q14: Best Way to Accommodate Growth by County: MAS 2014
Redevelop older areas Continue to build new suburbs DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTION:
AGING
12%
15%
20%
25%
15%
1%
12%
26%
21%
16%
10%
16%
2%
8%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Transportation
Housing
Financial resources
Having to move
Locating other services
Other
DK
Q17: Greatest Challenge to Growing Old: MAS Response Comparison: 2014/ 2013
2014
2013
22%
23%
24%
24%
25%
26%
26%
26%
26%
30%
15%
20%
18%
17%
19%
20%
25%
20%
22%
21%
13%
12%
20%
14%
16%
15%
16%
20%
14%
13%
15%
12%
7%
12%
13%
12%
9%
10%
10%
9%
21%
17%
20%
19%
17%
16%
14%
16%
16%
17%
4%
6%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
3%
3%
11%
10%
8%
10%
8%
9%
9%
6%
8%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Fayette
Cherokee
Clayton
Henry
Douglas
DeKalb
Fulton
Gwinnett
Rockdale
Cobb
Q17: Challenge to Growing Old: By County MAS 2014
Trans Housing Financial resources Having to move Locating other services Other DK
COMPARATIVE QUESTION:
FUTURE EXPECTATIONS
28%
31%
39%
3%
29%
24%
43%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Better in 3-4 years
Worse in 3-4 years
About the same
DK
Q3 (2014): Future Assessment of Living Conditions: MAS Response Comparison 2014/2013
2014
2013
19%
20%
24%
25%
25%
26%
26%
31%
33%
36%
44%
48%
45%
48%
44%
46%
41%
40%
38%
41%
32%
29%
28%
23%
27%
23%
30%
25%
25%
19%
5%
4%
3%
3%
3%
6%
3%
4%
4%
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cherokee
Rockdale
Douglas
Cobb
Fayette
Gwinnett
Henry
Fulton
Clayton
DeKalb
Q3: Living Conditions will be… (by County): MAS 2014
Better in 3-4 years About the same Worse in 3-4 years DK
NEW QUESTIONS (IN 2014)
NEW QUESTIONS (IN 2014):
ECONOMY
Excellent, 6%
Good, 32%
Fair, 36%
Poor, 15%
DK, 10%
Q12 MAS 2014: Assessment of Metro Job Training Opportunities
4%
5%
6%
6%
6%
7%
7%
7%
7%
8%
29%
36%
27%
30%
30%
40%
35%
27%
32%
35%
35%
36%
42%
37%
38%
27%
34%
38%
37%
34%
20%
11%
19%
19%
15%
14%
11%
18%
19%
14%
11%
12%
6%
8%
10%
12%
13%
10%
6%
9%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
DeKalb
Cobb
Clayton
Douglas
Fulton
Cherokee
Fayette
Henry
Rockdale
Gwinnett
Availability of Job Training Programs by County: MAS 2014
Excellent Good Fair Poor DK
Much better, 17%
Slightly better, 27%
About the same, 35%
Slightly worse, 10%
Much worse, 5% DK, 7%
Q7 MAS 2014: Compared to other Metros, Rating ATL as a Place to Start a Business
11%
28%
38%
15%
5%
4%
17%
27%
35%
10%
5%
7%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Much better
Slightly better
About the same
Slightly worse
Much worse
DK
Assessments Relative to Other Metros: MAS Responses 2014
StartingBusiness
Health ofEconomy
11%
12%
13%
16%
16%
16%
16%
17%
17%
19%
24%
24%
25%
30%
27%
22%
27%
25%
27%
27%
45%
33%
35%
35%
36%
35%
34%
34%
35%
35%
9%
16%
9%
8%
9%
14%
11%
12%
9%
10%
4%
8%
8%
4%
5%
6%
6%
6%
5%
3%
8%
7%
9%
7%
6%
8%
7%
6%
7%
7%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Fayette
Douglas
Cherokee
Cobb
Gwinnett
Henry
Rockdale
Clayton
Fulton
DeKalb
Ability to Start a Small Business cf: Other Metros? By County MAS 2014
Much better Slightly better About the same Slightly worse Much worse DK
Strongly agree, 28%
Somewhat agree, 46%
Somewhat disagree, 13%
Strongly disagree, 8% DK,
5%
Q21 MAS 2014: Atlanta's Postsecondary Schools Are a Competitive Advantage?
24%
25%
26%
27%
28%
28%
29%
30%
31%
33%
47%
46%
44%
53%
40%
48%
43%
41%
46%
45%
15%
13%
14%
10%
16%
11%
13%
16%
14%
12%
9%
11%
9%
6%
8%
7%
9%
5%
5%
5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
DeKalb
Clayton
Douglas
Gwinnett
Henry
Rockdale
Fulton
Fayette
Cobb
Cherokee
Postsecondary Institutions a Competitive Advantage? By County MAS 2014
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
NEW QUESTION (IN 2014):
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Very involved,
14%
Somewhat involved,
51%
Not at all involved,
35%
DK, 0%
Q9 MAS 2014: Self-Assessment of Community Involvement
12%
13%
13%
13%
14%
14%
15%
15%
20%
21%
53%
46%
50%
50%
52%
44%
51%
50%
50%
57%
34%
40%
36%
37%
34%
41%
32%
34%
30%
22%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cobb
Clayton
Fulton
Gwinnett
DeKalb
Rockdale
Douglas
Henry
Cherokee
Fayette
How Involved are You in Your Community? MAS 2014
Very involved Somewhat involved Not at all involved DK
NEW QUESTIONS (IN 2014):
AGING/ HEALTHCARE
Strongly agree, 26%
Somewhat agree, 38%
Somewhat disagree,
19%
Strongly disagree,
15%
DK, 2%
Q16 MAS 2014: Atlanta is a Place Where You Could Easily Live Throughout Senior Years?
23%
23%
23%
25%
25%
26%
27%
27%
27%
30%
38%
40%
31%
39%
36%
36%
36%
42%
39%
36%
17%
21%
22%
20%
20%
16%
18%
16%
16%
18%
20%
13%
20%
13%
17%
19%
17%
13%
16%
16%
2%
2%
3%
2%
2%
3%
2%
2%
2%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Douglas
Gwinnett
Henry
Cobb
Rockdale
Clayton
Cherokee
DeKalb
Fayette
Fulton
Atlanta is a place to easily remain throughout senior years (?) by County MAS 2014
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree DK
Definitely yes, 65%
Probably yes, 19%
Probably not, 7%
Definitely not, 8%
DK, 1%
Q18 MAS 2014: Do You Have All Healthcare Providers You Need?
58%
60%
62%
62%
63%
65%
66%
68%
68%
73%
19%
19%
20%
20%
16%
18%
18%
22%
20%
18%
8%
9%
9%
5%
7%
7%
6%
5%
6%
4%
12%
11%
7%
11%
13%
9%
9%
5%
5%
4%
3%
1%
2%
1%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Clayton
Henry
DeKalb
Douglas
Fulton
Rockdale
Cherokee
Cobb
Gwinnett
Fayette
Adequate Access to Healthcare by County?: MAS 2014
Definitely yes Probably yes Probably not Definitely not DK
NEW QUESTION (IN 2014):
WATER
Very important,
69%
Somewhat important,
27%
Not important at all, 4% DK, 1%
Q24 MAS 2014: How Important to Conserve Water in Your Own Home?
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Cherokee
Fayette
Douglas
DeKalb
Gwinnett
Henry
Cobb
Clayton
Rockdale
Fulton
62%
63%
67%
68%
68%
68%
69%
70%
70%
71%
33%
31%
30%
27%
26%
27%
26%
23%
24%
25%
4%
5%
3%
4%
5%
3%
4%
5%
5%
4%
1%
1%
1%
0%
1%
1%
1%
2%
1%
0%
How Important is Water Conservation in Home?: By County MAS 2014
Very important Somewhat important Not important at all DK
NEW QUESTIONS (IN 2014):
QUALITY OF LIFE
Very satisfied, 31%
Satisfied, 51%
Unsatisfied, 12%
Very unsatisfied, 5%
DK, 1%
Q23 MAS 2014: Satisfaction with Availability of Parks
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Clayton
DeKalb
Henry
Fulton
Douglas
Cobb
Rockdale
Cherokee
Fayette
Gwinnett
19%
24%
24%
27%
30%
31%
31%
37%
37%
44%
55%
55%
53%
51%
54%
54%
53%
46%
49%
44%
18%
14%
14%
15%
10%
11%
8%
12%
9%
9%
7%
5%
7%
7%
3%
3%
5%
4%
4%
3%
1%
2%
2%
1%
3%
1%
2%
1%
0%
1%
Q23: Assessment of Availability of Parks by County
Very satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied DK
Very satisfied, 22%
Satisfied, 55%
Unsatisfied, 14%
Very unsatisfied, 6%
DK, 3%
Q22 MAS 2014: Satisfaction with Availability of Arts
14%
15%
17%
18%
20%
22%
23%
23%
24%
25%
58%
60%
54%
60%
61%
50%
61%
59%
55%
53%
16%
16%
18%
12%
13%
17%
11%
12%
14%
13%
9%
7%
10%
7%
3%
8%
2%
5%
6%
6%
3%
3%
2%
2%
3%
4%
2%
2%
2%
3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Henry
Douglas
Clayton
Rockdale
Fayette
DeKalb
Cherokee
Cobb
Gwinnett
Fulton
Assessment of Availability of Arts and Culture by County
Very satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied DK
22%
55%
14%
6%
3%
31%
51%
12%
5%
1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Unsatisfied
Very unsatisfied
DK
Q22: Satisfaction of Availability: Parks and Arts: MAS 2014
Parks
Arts
