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EMC #16-6007 Puget Sound Millennials | 1

Puget Sound Millennials Survey Findings on Growth, Housing, and Affordability


Live telephone survey of registered voters ages 18-35 in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties including landlines and cell phones

Conducted August 16 – September 8, 2016

300 total interviews, margin of error: + 5.7 percentage points overall at the 95% confidence interval

Interviewing conducted using trained, professional interviewers

Data weighted to be demographically representative of population

Findings refer to phone data except where noted

Methodology – Phone Survey


Online survey of 868 adults 18-35 in the Puget Sound region

Conducted August 4 – October 14, 2016

Survey advertised via multiple channels, including ads on Facebook, Geekwire, and local neighborhood blogs

Opinions represented are of those who chose to respond and are not projectable to the broader population of millennials in the region

Methodology – Web Supplement


Millennials in Puget Sound are optimistic about the future of the region but are concerned about the cost of living, and especially of housing

Most want to stay in the area but half can’t afford the life they want

In choosing a place to live, proximity to parks and public transportation and having a short commute are most important

While having a large home and living away from it all are not seen as important, just over half are willing to move further out so that they can own a home

Millennials are divided on the pace of growth and whether growth benefits the whole community or just developers, but largely support rent control and policies to prevent sprawl

Key Findings


Outlook & Affordability


52%

67%

23% 23%25%

9%

All Adults Regionally* Millennials

Right Direction Wrong Track Don't Know

*Heart+Mind Strategies web survey of adult residents of King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties; conducted May, 2015Q5. Do you feel things in your own community today are going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?

Direction of CommunityCompared to a web survey conducted in May of 2015, millennials are noticeably more optimistic

than adults overall about the direction of their community.


67%

59%

52%

66%

69%

76%

59%

57%

9%

15%

12%

9%

10%

10%

12%

5%

23%

26%

36%

25%

21%

14%

29%

38%

+44%

+34%

+16%

+40%

+48%

+63%

+29%

+19%

Millennials Phone

Millennials Web*

Puget SoundRegion**

Born in PS (55%)

Born Elsewhere(45%)

Democrat (50%)

Independent (28%)

Republican (21%)

Right Direction DK Wrong Track Net Right Direction

Direction of CommunityMillennials are much more optimistic about the direction of the region when compared to all adults

regardless of whether they are Puget Sound natives or transplants. Democrats are especially optimistic.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents only**March, 2016. Survey of registered voters in the Sound Transit DistrictQ5. Do you feel things in your own community today are going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?


Most Important Issue Affordable housing stands out when millennials are asked to name the most important issue in their

community. Among all voters in the region, traffic and transportation are the biggest issues.

Q8. What do you feel is the most important issue facing your community today? (Open-ended) *March, 2016. Survey of registered voters in the Sound Transit District

12%

8%

7%

7%

6%

6%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

4%

3%

2%

2%

2%

9%

8%

1%

Affordable housing/cost of living

Homelessness

Inequality/racism

Education

Traffic

Lack of jobs/good paying jobs

Crime

Drugs/heroin

Growth/overcrowding

Politics/politicians

Communication/unity

Infrastructure/transportation

Environment

Lack of personal responsibility

Morality/values/abortion

Taxes

Other

Not sure

Refused

17%

12%

9%

9%

6%

5%

4%

4%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%

3%

10%

4%

Traffic

Transportation

Homeless

Affordable Housing

Too much growth/Overopulation

Pollution/Environment

Crime/Drugs

Politicians/Government spending

Education

Infrastructure/Road conditions

Unemployment

Income inequality

Taxes

Cost of living

None

Other

Don’t know/Refused

Millennials Puget Sound Region*


Top Concerns Among Web RespondentsAs with phone respondents, affordability is the biggest concern.

Findings from web surveyQ9-25. Please indicate how concerned you are personally about each of the following issues using a scale of 1 to 7 where 1 means not at all concerned and 7 means very concerned.

52%

54%

48%

37%

43%

43%

40%

35%

35%

29%

30%

24%

22%

20%

8%

4%

2%

25%

22%

22%

26%

23%

22%

20%

24%

21%

20%

19%

21%

20%

20%

12%

4%

3%

14%

12%

17%

23%

17%

16%

19%

19%

16%

21%

17%

21%

23%

23%

17%

11%

4%

92%

88%

87%

87%

83%

82%

78%

78%

71%

69%

66%

66%

66%

63%

37%

20%

9%

The cost of living

The availability of affordable housing

The state of the environment

The extent of homelessness

Income inequality

Racial inequality

The cost of higher education

The adequacy of public transportation

Gun control

Traffic congestion

Homophobia and transphobia

The quality of public K-12 schools

The fast growth of the region

Employment opportunities

The amount of crime

The threat of terrorism

The amount of immigration

7 - Very Concerned 6 5 Total Concerned


Best Thing About Living in Puget SoundMillennials prize the natural beauty of the region.

Includes responses from web surveyQ6. In a few words, what do you think is the best thing about living in the Puget Sound Area?


Desire to Stay in Puget SoundThere is near unanimous desire to remain in the region long-term.

Q42. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements: I want to make Puget Sound my long-term home

“I want to make Puget Sound my long-term home”

Strongly 56%

2%

Somewhat 27%

5%

Agree83%

Disagree

6%

Phone Web

Strongly 60%

4%

Somewhat 28%

7%

Agree87%

Disagree

11%


AffordabilityJust over half say they can afford to lead the kind of life they want in their current community.

Q58. Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?

54%

45%

I can afford to lead the kind of life I want in my currentcommunity

To afford to lead the kind of life I want I would need tomove somewhere with a lower cost of living


Affordability by SubgroupWomen, millennials in their mid-twenties, and those earning less than $50,000 a year are among

those more likely to say they would need to move somewhere with a lower cost of living.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents onlyQ58. Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?I can afford to lead the kind of life I want in my current community OR To afford to lead the kind of life I want I would need to move somewhere with a lower cost of living

54%49%

65%46%

53%42%

64%

59%49%

35%55%

64%69%

58%58%

46%51%

5%

3%

6%

3%

45%46%

35%52%

47%56%

35%

40%50%

59%45%

36%31%

39%41%

54%49%

+10%+2%

+30%-6%

+7%-14%+30%

+19%-2%

-23%+10%+27%+37%

+18%+16%-7%+2%

Overall Phone

Web Respondents*

Male (47%)

Female (51%)

18-24 (37%)

25-29 (26%)

30-35 (37%)

Born in PS (55%)

Born Elsewhere (45%)

<$25K (18%)

$25-50K (15%)

$50-100K (18%)

$100K+ (18%)

Seattle (26%)

Rest of King (36%)

Snohomish (18%)

Pierce (20%)

Afford Current DK Need to Move Net Afford Current


Housing AttributesAccess to parks and wild places, proximity to good schools, and a short commute rise to the top of

millennials’ priorities in choosing a place to live.

Q45-57. For each of the following, please tell me if that attribute is very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important to you in deciding where to live.

66%

58%

57%

51%

47%

46%

35%

28%

18%

17%

15%

15%

8%

29%

25%

34%

32%

28%

32%

44%

37%

40%

25%

35%

36%

23%

3%

11%

7%

13%

19%

15%

18%

24%

33%

40%

34%

37%

52%

2%

5%

1%

4%

6%

6%

3%

12%

9%

18%

15%

12%

17%

95%

83%

91%

83%

75%

78%

79%

65%

58%

42%

50%

51%

30%

Having easy access to parks and other urban green spaces

Living near high-quality public schools

Having a short commute to work or school

Having easy access to wild places outside the city

Having public transportation within walking distance of home

Living in a neighborhood that’s racially, economically and socially diverse

Living within walking distance of a grocery store I like

Having a network of safe bike routes everywhere in the city

Living within walking distance of a farmer’s market

Living within walking distance to a place where I can garden

Living within walking distance of bars, cafés, clubs and galleries

Living in a place that’s away from it all

Having a large house*

VeryImportant

SomewhatImportant

Don’t Know

Not VeryImportant

Not At AllImportant

Total Important

*One notable outlier group: 45% of millennials who work in tech say that having large house is somewhat or very important.


Housing Attributes Among Web RespondentsAccess to green space and a short commute are also in web respondent’s top five. Proximity to public transit is rated as even more important, and being near a grocery store is a top five priority as well.

Findings from web surveyQ45-57. For each of the following, please tell me if that attribute is very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important to you in deciding where to live.

72%

70%

62%

56%

48%

43%

43%

39%

30%

24%

17%

6%

3%

21%

27%

33%

33%

41%

32%

41%

41%

32%

29%

46%

19%

15%

4%

3%

4%

8%

8%

16%

11%

16%

18%

29%

28%

41%

42%

2%

1%

1%

2%

3%

8%

5%

4%

16%

16%

8%

32%

40%

94%

97%

95%

89%

89%

75%

84%

79%

62%

53%

63%

24%

18%

Having public transportation within walking distance of home

Having easy access to parks and other urban green spaces

Having a short commute to work or school

Having easy access to wild places outside the city

Living within walking distance of a grocery store I like

Having a network of safe bike routes everywhere in the city

Living in a neighborhood that’s racially, economically and socially diverse

Living within walking distance of bars, cafés, clubs & galleries

Living near high-quality public schools

Living within walking distance of a place where I can garden

Living within walking distance of a farmer’s market

Living in a place that’s away from it all

Having a large house

VeryImportant

SomewhatImportant

Don’t Know

Not VeryImportant

Not At AllImportant

Total Important


Housing Attributes – National ComparisonHaving a large house and being away from it all are lower priorities for local millennials than all

adults nationally, while schools, diversity, a short commute, and public transit are more important.

*Realtors National Community Preference Survey, September 2013Q45-57. For each of the following, please tell me if that attribute is very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important to you in deciding where to live.

58%

45%

57%

28%

47%

25%

46%

19%

15%

21%

8%

18%

25%

29%

34%

37%

28%

34%

32%

34%

36%

34%

23%

31%

PS Millennials

Adults Nationally*

PS Millennials

Adults Nationally*

PS Millennials

Adults Nationally*

PS Millennials

Adults Nationally*

PS Millennials

Adults Nationally*

PS Millennials

Adults Nationally*

Very Important Somewhat Important

Near high quality public schools

Living away fromit all

Public transit within walking distance

Having a large home

Short commute

Living in a diverse community


Top 5 Housing Attributes – By OriginTransplants to the area prioritize public transit, good schools, and a short commute more than Puget

Sound natives.

Q45-57. For each of the following, please tell me if that attribute is very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important to you in deciding where to live.

64%

69%

53%

64%

51%

63%

56%

46%

43%

52%

32%

26%

29%

20%

38%

30%

30%

33%

31%

23%

Born in PS

Born elsewhere

Born in PS

Born elsewhere

Born in PS

Born elsewhere

Born in PS

Born elsewhere

Born in PS

Born elsewhere

Very Important Somewhat Important

Access to parks/greenspace

Near high quality public schools

Short commute

Public transit within walking distance

Access to wild places outside of city


Raising Kids Most agree their current community is a good place to raise children but disagreement is higher

among web respondents.

Q33-42. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements: My neighborhood is a good place to raise children

“My neighborhood is a good place to raise children”

Strongly 55%

6%

Somewhat 29%

9%

Agree84%

Disagree15%

Strongly 34%

6%

33%

16%

Agree68%

Disagree

22%

Phone Web


24%

50%

76%

43%

Phone

Web

Phone

Web

I would rather be a renter if it means I can live as close as possible

to the center of the city

I would rather own a home even if it means I have to live a lot farther from the center of

the city

Rent vs. OwnThree-quarters of millennials in the phone survey are willing to trade living near a city center for

home ownership. Web respondents were more divided, with a majority prioritizing proximity.

Q64. Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?


Rent vs. Own by SubgroupWeb respondents were more divided, with a majority prioritizing proximity. Parents are especially

likely to prioritize home ownership.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents onlyQ64. Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?

24%

50%

14%

28%

1%

7%

1%

76%

43%

86%

71%

-52%

+7%

-73%

-43%

Overall Phone

Web Respondents*

Parent (25%)

Not Parent (75%)

Rather Be Renter DK Rather Be Home Owner Net Renter


Pace of Growth by SubgroupOlder millennials and Seattleites are more likely to believe we should speed up on building new housing while those who can’tafford the life they want in their current community worry about things changing too fast. Web respondents are more divided.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents onlyQ61. Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?I think we need to slow down on building new housing. Neighborhoods are changing way too fastI think we need to speed up on building more housing, and not let so many obstacles get in the way

66%37%

64%70%

71%74%

56%

65%68%

61%72%

60%77%

49%67%

71%82%

3%

21%

2%

3%

1%

6%

3%

3%

3%

2%

4%

2%

2%

4%

3%

3%

1%

31%41%

35%27%

28%20%

41%

33%29%

37%23%

38%21%

47%30%

26%16%

+35%-4%

+29%+43%

+42%+54%+14%

+32%+39%

+23%+49%

+22%+56%

+3%+37%+45%+66%

Phone (longer here)

Web (newer here)*

Male (47%)

Female (51%)

18-24 (37%)

25-29 (26%)

30-35 (37%)

Born in PS (55%)

Born Elsewhere (45%)

Afford life I want (54%)

Can't afford (46%)

Growth Benefits All (55%)

Benefits Developers (41%)

Seattle (26%)

Rest of King (36%)

Snohomish (18%)

Pierce (20%)

Slow Down DK Speed Up Net Slow Down


Consequences of Growth by SubgroupMillennials in their mid- to late-twenties, who came of age in the midst of the recession and housing

crisis, are much more pessimistic about growth.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents onlyQ59. Which statement comes closer to your views, even if neither is exactly right?Growth and increased density benefits all of us by bringing jobs and opportunity…Growth and increased density is benefiting private developers while making life harder for the rest of us…

55%44%

54%56%

65%36%

59%

53%58%

61%45%

56%

54%61%

50%51%

70%53%

4%

9%

4%

3%

7%

5%

5%

3%

4%

6%

8%

2%

2%

3%

5%

4%

41%47%

41%41%

35%57%

36%

42%39%

35%49%

44%

38%37%

48%46%

24%43%

+14%-3%

+13%+15%

+30%-21%+24%

+11%+19%

+26%-4%+13%

+15%+25%+2%+6%

+46%+10%

Phone (longer here)Web (newer here)*

Male (47%)Female (51%)

18-24 (37%)25-29 (26%)30-35 (37%)

Born in PS (55%)Born Elsewhere (45%)

Democrat (50%)Independent (28%)

Republican (21%)

Seattle (26%)Rest of King (36%)Snohomish (18%)

Pierce (20%)

Tech Worker (17%)Not in Tech (83%)

Benefits All DK Benefits Developers Net Benefits All


86%

82%

81%

92%

89%

87%

84%

93%

82%

75%

89%

83%

89%

87%

4%

9%

4%

4%

6%

2%

4%

2%

7%

7%

6%

5%

5%

9%

8%

15%

4%

6%

11%

12%

4%

11%

18%

10%

12%

6%

8%

+77%

+74%

+66%

+88%

+83%

+76%

+72%

+89%

+71%

+57%

+79%

+71%

+83%

+79%

Phone (longer here)

Web (newer here)*

Male (47%)

Female (51%)

18-24 (37%)

25-29 (26%)

30-35 (37%)

Democrat (50%)

Independent (28%)

Republican (21%)

Seattle (26%)

Rest of King (36%)

Snohomish (18%)

Pierce (20%)

Agree DK Disagree Net Agree

Support for Preventing Sprawl by SubgroupPreventing sprawl is supported widely across King, Snohomish, and Pierce county.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents onlyQ35. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements: I support policies that keep growth in our cities and prevent sprawl from spilling out into farm and forestland

“I support policies that keep growth in our cities and prevent sprawl from spilling out into farm and forestland”


Support for Rent Control by SubgroupSupport for rent control is even higher among web respondents. Support is lower among older

millennials. Republicans are divided.

*Other subgroups displayed represent phone respondents onlyQ36. Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements: I support rent control

“I support rent control”

63%71%

52%72%

66%68%

56%

71%54%

58%69%

69%65%

45%

69%61%62%

59%

13%14%

12%14%

12%14%

12%

8%14%

14%11%

13%12%

13%

9%12%

18%14%

25%15%

36%15%

21%18%

32%

21%32%

28%20%

18%23%

42%

22%27%

20%27%

+38%+56%

+17%+57%

+45%+50%+23%

+50%+22%

+30%+48%

+52%+42%+3%

+48%+33%+42%+32%

Overall PhoneWeb Respondents*

Male (47%)Female (51%)

18-24 (37%)25-29 (26%)30-35 (37%)

Rent (48%)Own (39%)

Afford life I want (54%)Can't afford (46%)

Democrat (50%)Independent (28%)

Republican (21%)

Seattle (26%)Rest of King (36%)Snohomish (18%)

Pierce (20%)

Agree DK Disagree Net Agree


Phone Survey Demographics

Male47%

Female51%

Other2%

Age

37%

26%

37%

18-24

25-29

30-35

Ge

nd

er

Cit

y/C

ou

nty

26%

36%

18%

20%

Seattle

King (Excluding Seattle)

Snohomish

Pierce

Eth

nic

ity

71%

9%

5%

5%

4%

6%

White

Asian

Latino

African American

Bi or multi-racial

Other/Ref.

Yes14%

No 83%

Ref.3%

LGB

TQParent

25%

Not Parent75%

Ref.1%

Par

en

tho

od


Web Survey Demographics

Male33%

Female64%

Other3%

Age

23%

37%

40%

18-24

25-29

30-35

Ge

nd

er

Cit

y/C

ou

nty

72%

9%

5%

9%

6%

Seattle

King (Excluding Seattle)

Snohomish

Pierce

Other

Eth

nic

ity

74%

9%

5%

1%

8%

4%

White

Asian

Latino

African American

Bi or multi-racial

Other/Ref.

Yes18%

No 80%

Ref.3%

LGB

TQParent

10%

Not Parent90%

Par

en

tho

od


OriginWhile the majority of phone respondents were born in the Puget Sound area, a majority of web

respondents were born in another state.

Q102. Were you:

55%

11%

26%

8%

31%

6%

54%

9%

Puget Sound area

elsewhere in Washington

another state

another country

Born in…

Phone

Web


Years in Puget Sound While the majority of phone respondents have lived in the Puget Sound for over 20 years most web

respondents (56%) have lived here for 10 years or less.

Q101. About how long have you lived in the Puget Sound Area?

61%

28%

8%

1%

1%

31%

13%

15%

17%

24%

20+ Years

11-20

6-10

3-5

<3

Phone

Web


Living SituationMore Puget Sound millennials in the phone sample report living at home than millennials nationally.

Web respondents are far less likely to live at home.

*Pew Research Center/NPR, May 2016

32%

32%

14%

22%

28%

37%

8%

27%

45%

9%

15%

30%

Significant Other

Parents

Alone

Other/Ref.

Millennials Nationally*PS Millennials - PhonePS Millennials - Web


Home OwnershipHome ownership is higher among millennials regionally among the representative sample. The

largely newcomer web respondents are far more likely to be renters.

*Pew Research Center, Higher Education and Gender Survey, October, 2013

22%

47%

31%

39%

48%

14%

22%

71%

7%

Own

Rent

Other/Ref

MillennialsNationally*PS Millennials - Phone

Download - Puget Sound Millennials Survey Findings on Growth, … · Puget Sound Millennials Survey Findings on Growth, ... in the area but half can’t afford the life they ... 6007 Puget Sound

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