According to new survey, nearly all residents feel good about living in Johnson County
In Johnson County’s annual community survey, residents again gave high marks for the county’s quality of life, services and programs, and voiced their opinions on the services most important to them.
Results from the 2022 community survey were shared Thursday, April 14, with the Board of County Commissioners during a Committee of the Whole meeting. The six-page survey consisted of 25 questions and was conducted in January and February by ETC Institute of Olathe.
“When it comes to being a place to live, raise children, work and retire, Johnson County is head and shoulders above the national and other large community averages,” Chris Tatham, president and chief executive officer of ETC, said.
Satisfaction with quality of life in the county
According to Tatham, overall satisfaction with county services rated 31% above the national average, public safety services rated 21% above the national average and value received for tax dollars rated 26% above the national average.
As in previous surveys, residents were asked to rate their quality of life in Johnson County. The 2022 satisfaction ratings were all virtually the same as in 2020, when the previous survey was conducted:
- 98% are satisfied with Johnson County as a place to live.
- 97% are satisfied with Johnson County as a place to raise children.
- 94% of respondents have an overall feeling of safety in the county.
- 91% are satisfied with Johnson County as a place to work.
70% are satisfied with Johnson County as a place to retire.
“The feedback we received from our residents through this survey is very important,” Ed Eilert, chairman of the BOCC, said. “We strive to make Johnson County a community where people want to live, work, and raise their family, while enjoying the benefits of county services.”
Satisfaction with county services
When asked what the most important services the county provides, the top choices were emergency services, including MED-ACT’s response to medical emergencies, Emergency Management and Communication dispatch of 911 first-responders, Public Health, the Election Office, the Park and Recreation District, Emergency Preparedness/NotifyJOCO and the county’s library system.
“Satisfaction with county services has increased in many areas this year even when you weigh in the pandemic,” County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson said. “All of this information is useful to us as we strive to serve our residents and meet their needs, today and in the future.”
Areas of opportunities for improvement included services provided by Aging and Human Services, Johnson County Mental Health Center and Public Health. This is based on satisfaction with services deemed highly important.
Ninety percent of respondents found it important for the county to provide safety-net services to residents and families in need, the vulnerable population, and low-income households. A strategic priority of the BOCC is to strengthen and finance services to meet the needs of the county’s vulnerable populations helping promote community health.
Top priorities moving forward
When asked where the county should devote additional resources, mental health services topped the list, followed closely by aging services, homelessness and public health.
According to the survey results, the county’s top priorities for the next five years should be:
- Public education (K-12)
- Personal safety, low crime
- Health care access
- Well-maintained roads
- Parks trails and open space
The survey asked why residents plan to stay in Johnson County for the next 10 years. The top reason, according to 63% of respondents, was a sense of feeling safe and a low crime rate. The quality of public schools was next, followed by having family members nearby and a high standard of living.
Residents were also polled on what the county government’s most critical roles should be in the next 10 to 20 years. The top three priorities were:
- Ensuring the availability of necessary health and human services
- Coordinating public safety and law enforcement within the county
- Maintaining quality leadership
The survey was mailed by ETC to a random sample of county households. Approximately 10 days after the surveys were mailed, residents who received a survey were contacted by email and text.
Of the households that received a survey, 1,649 respondents completed the survey, resulting in a 95%confidence level for the survey findings.
Full results of the 2022 community survey are available online.