Survey of South Jersey Residents
Questions and Responses
A sample of 900 adult residents of South Jersey was interviewed by Reed Haldy MacIntosh & Associates in June, 2001. This survey included 300 residents of each of three regions: the Atlantic Counties (Atlantic and Cape May), the Down Jersey Counties (Cumberland and Salem) and the Suburban Philadelphia Counties (Burlington, Camden and Gloucester).
Prior to this survey, a pretest sample of 515 adult residents of Burlington, Gloucester and Camden counties was interviewed by students in the Methods and Techniques of Social Research class at Rutgers, Camden, in March, 2001. Sampling procedures for the student survey were less rigorous than for the professional survey, so we are reporting the results separately in this report.
Some of the items were adapted a statewide survey done by the New Jersey Futures organization (http://www.njfuture.org/HTMLSrc/SprawlSurvey.html) in April and May of 2000. Others were taken from a South Jersey Survey done by the Forum for Policy Research in 1981.
In this report, we give the percentage responses from the Reed Haldy MacIntosh sample separately for each of the three regions of South Jersey. We compare these to the results from the other surveys when available.
Questions 7 to 12: How important is it for us to address (ISSUE)? Would you say it is Very Important; Somewhat Important: Not Very Important; or Not Important at All?
Shore Down Suburban Student NJ Futures
Jersey Survey Statewide
Q7: Reducing Property Taxes
Very Important 73% 85% 75% 67% 71%
Somewhat Important 22% 13% 20% 24% 23%
Not Very Important 4% 1% 4% 7% 5%
Not Important at All 1% 2% 1% 2% 0%
Q8: Preserving Open Space
Very Important 72% 65% 72% 52% 61%
Somewhat Important 24% 29% 22% 33% 30%
Not Very Important 5% 4% 5% 10% 6%
Not Important at All 0% 2% 2% 5% 2%
Q9: Lowering Crime Rates
Very Important 83% 88% 87% 74% 74%
Somewhat Important 15% 10% 10% 21% 21%
Not Very Important 2% 2% 2% 3% 3%
Important at All 0% 1% 0% 1% 1%
Q10: Lowering auto insurance rates
Very Important 83% 76% 79% 81% 81%
Somewhat Important 14% 10% 17% 15% 15%
Not Very Important 3% 2% 2% 4% 4%
Not Important at All 0% 1% 2% 1% 1%
Q11: Reducing traffic congestion
Very Important 64% 60% 68% 50% 62%
Somewhat Important 29% 27% 27% 35% 27%
Not Very Important 6% 11% 4% 12% 8%
Not Important at All 1% 2% 1% 3% 1%
Q12: Preserving Farmland
Very Important 75% 71% 75% 50% 64%
Somewhat Important 20% 25% 20% 36% 26%
Not Very Important 4% 3% 5% 11% 6%
Not Important at All 1% 1% 1% 3% 3%
Note: In the student Survey, the question wording was slightly different on some items: Q8 "Protecting open space from development"; Q10 "Reducing traffic"; Q12 "Protecting farmland from development." In the New Jersey Futures survey, about 1% of respondents with "no answer" are not included in the percentages. The question wording also differed slightly on some items: Q8 "Protecting open space from development"; Q11 "Reducing Traffic"; Q12 "Protecting Farmland from Development."
13. If you had to choose, would you prefer to live in a community where:
(1) People lived in and around a town center surrounded by open space; or
(2) People lived in a suburban development with lots that are at least one third (1/3) of an acre.
(3) DK, NA
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
Town Center 55% 58% 53% 54%
Suburban Development 45% 42% 47% 46%
Note: The student survey question was worded: "If you had to choose, would you prefer a community where: a. most people live in towns surrounded by open space or b. one where most people live in houses scattered throughout the countryside."
A related Student Survey Item asked: "If you had to choose, would you prefer a community where: a. traffic was congested but there was good bus and train service or b. one where traffic was light but there was little bus or train service." Answers:
Good Bus and Train Service - 28%
Light Traffic - 72%
14. In your own community, would you favor building compact apartments and townhouses close to schools and shopping?
Shore Down Suburban
Jersey
(1) Yes 46% 30% 33%
(2) No 54% 61% 58%
15. Considering the community where you live, do you believe that new commercial and residential development would stabilize or reduce local property taxes?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Agree 52% 60% 41%
(2) Disagree 48% 40% 59%
16. Considering the community where you live, would you favor:
(1) Allowing new stores and offices to be built to stabilize local property taxes; or
(2) Restricting commercial development to preserve the character of the community.
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
Allow 38% 56% 41% 42%
Restrict 62% 44% 59% 57%
17. In your own community, would you favor building affordable housing for people with limited incomes?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Yes 59% 63% 67% 55%
(2) No 41% 37% 33% 45%
18. Would you favor delegating zoning and planning authority from localities to county government in order to coordinate development and preserve open space and farmland?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Yes 71% 76% 74%
(2) No 30% 24% 26%
19. Would you favor building a light/commuter rail line that would pass through your community?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Yes 50% 54% 44% 40%
(2) No 50% 46% 56% 60%
20. New Jersey’s State Plan has the express purpose of preserving open space and quality of life. How effective would you say that the State has been in achieving these policy goals in South Jersey? Would you say the State has been very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective or completely ineffective in achieving these policy goals in South Jersey?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Very effective 11% 11% 7%
(2) Somewhat effective 51% 50% 45%
(3) Not very effective 21% 26% 31%
(4) Completely ineffective 9% 5% 10%
(5) Don’t know 8% 7% 7%
21. The Answers to Question 21 are at the end of this Appendix.
22. If a person from somewhere else in the country were to ask where you are from, how likely would you be to say that you are from South Jersey? Would you be very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely to say that you are from South Jersey?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Very Likely 74% 79% 76%
(2) Somewhat Likely 10% 10% 10%
(3) Not too Likely 7% 5% 7%
(4) Not at all Likely 9% 6% 7%
23. To what extent do you agree that South Jersey has its own distinct identity as a place? Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree that South Jersey has its own distinct identity as a place?
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
(1) Strongly Agree 65% 67% 56%
(2) Somewhat Agree 24% 25% 32%
(3) Somewhat Disagree 8% 5% 9%
(4) Strongly Disagree 4% 2% 3%
24-27. Making changes costs money and tax revenues are always limited. I am going to read four things that might be done to improve life in South Jersey. For each item, just tell me whether the State should Spend More Money; Spend Less Money; or Spend About the Same as is Currently Spent.
More / Less / Same / DK / NA/Ref24 / Improving the highway system
25 / Redeveloping urban centers and their older adjacent communities
26 / Improving public transportation options such as buses and rail lines
27 / Preserving open space and farmland
Q 24 Improving the Highway System 2001 Survey
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey
Less Money 12% 6% 7% 10%
The Same 41% 43% 45% 48%
More Money 47% 50% 48% 42%
1981 Survey
Shore Down Suburban
Jersey
Less Money 10% 8% 11%
The Same 37% 34% 49%
More Money 53% 60% 40%
Q25 Redeveloping Urban Centers 2001 Survey
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
Less Money 16% 17% 14% 10%
The Same 33% 34% 35% 27%
More Money 52% 49% 51% 64%
Q25(1981 wording) "Redeveloping our depressed cities."
1981 Survey
Shore Down Suburban
Jersey
Less Money 6% 9% 11%
The Same 21% 23% 33%
More Money 73% 67% 59%
Q26 Improving Public Transportation 2001 Survey
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
Less Money 11% 11% 10% 17%
The Same 38% 31% 37% 50%
More Money 51% 57% 54% 33%
1981 Survey
Q26(1981 wording) "Improving Public Transportation Such as Busses and Trains"
Shore Down Suburban
Jersey
Less Money 2% 3% 5%
The Same 22% 20% 32%
More Money 76% 77% 64%
Q 27 Preserving Open Space and Farmland 2001 Survey
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
Less Money 6% 6% 6%
The Same 28% 32% 26%
More Money 66% 62% 69%
1981 Question "The State should take steps to preserve farmland in New Jersey."
Shore Down Suburban
Jersey
Agree 90% 91% 93%
Undecided 3% 6% 5%
Disagree 7% 3% 2%
1981 Question "Improving the protection of the environment." 2001
Student Survey
Less Money 9% 6% 8% 5%
The Same 35% 47% 35% 34%
More Money 57% 47% 58% 61%
Now just a few questions to make sure we have enough people in each group:
Shore Down Suburban Student
Jersey Survey
28. Are you (READ LIST)
(1) Under 30 18% 21% 17% 43%
(2) 30 – 44 29% 29% 37% 25%
(3) 45 – 59 34% 28% 25% 22%
(4) 60 or older 20% 22% 21% 10%
29. Would you say you are (READ LIST)
(1) White 82% 70% 76% 75%
(2) African American 7% 19% 16% 16%
(3) Hispanic 5% 5% 3% 4%
(4) Asian, or 1% 1% 2% 2%
(5) Some Other Group 5% 4% 3% 0%
30. What was the last grade in school that you completed?
(1) Less than High School 8% 11% 5% 5%
(2) High School 25% 32% 36% 27%
(3) Some College or Technical School 30% 31% 25% 39%
(4) College Graduate 29% 19% 26% 23%
(5) Graduate Work 8% 7% 8% 7%
31. Are you currently registered to vote in New Jersey?
(1) Yes 81% 84% 80% 81%
(2) No 19% 16% 20% 19%
32. Could you please give me the zip code of your home: (RECORD BELOW)
Zip code distribution is given at the end of this appendix.
______
33. Respondent was: (OBSERVATION)
(1) Female 58% 58% 52% 59%
(2) Male 42% 42% 48% 41%
21. Can you give me an example of how state policy has been effective in preserving open space and quality of life in South Jersey?
35% of the respondents volunteered an example in response to this question. The answers are listed below, as recorded by the interviewers.
EXAMPLE"GREEN ACRES" LAND SET ASIDE FOR PARKS
500 ACERS OF PEACH BEHIND HER
A LARGE NUMBER OF ACRES SET ASIDE FOR PRESERVES
A LOT OF OPEN LAND
ABLE TO KEEP OPEN SPACE
ACC LAWSUITS FROM OPEN SPACE
AID OF STATE MONEY TO PURCHAS LAND
ALOT OF AREA HAS BEEN PRESERVED FOR WILDLIFE
ALOT OF FARMS TO GET PAID
ALOT OF TRAFFIC RT 55 NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED E
ALOT OF WILD LIFE THAT HAS BEEN PRESERVED
AREAS WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT ALLOWED
AVAILABLE LAND
BALL PARKS INSTEAD OF HOMES
BEACHES
BECAUSE PRSERVATION AROUND US
BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE LAND IN THE NORHTWEST!!!
BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PRESERVING FARMLAND
BI LAND
BIVALVE RECLAIMED OPEN SPACE,
BOUGHT FARMLAND AND RESTRICTED DEVELOMENT
BOUGHT FARMS
BOUGHT OPEN SPACE PREVENT DEVELOPMENT
BOUGHT UP A LOT OF FARMS AND PRESERVING THE LAND
BOUGHT UP ALOT OF PLACES/CONTROLLING POPULATION
BUILDING CODES,
BUILDING CONDOS ON BOARD WALK.
BUILT OF ALOT OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES..
BUILT RECRECTIONAL AREAS AND PARKS
BULDING ZONES
BULIDING FOR HOUSEING JOBS PLACE TO LIVE
BURDEN HILL-AGREE NOT TO DEVEL. &GET LUMP SUM OF &
BURLINGTON COUNTY FARMS
BUY PROPERTY FOR WILDLIFE PRESERVE
BUYING OFF LAND FROM PEOPLE
BY NOT ALLOWING FARMERS TO TURN OVER THEIR LAND
CEDAR ISLAND-KEPT FROM BEING BUILT ON
CITIES HAVE SMALL PARKS
CLOSE THE BEACH FOR INDANGER ANIMALS AND DEP
COMMISION WHERE HE LIVES SEEMS TO BE WORKING WELL
CONNIE'S POINT IN SALEM
CONSERVATION,
CONTINUING LAND ZONING
COOPER RIVER PARK
COUNTY PURCHASED LAND FOR OPEN SPACE
CRIME RATE IS DOWN A LITTLE
CRIME RATE IS VERY LOW
CRIME RATE ISN'T HIGH. POLICE DEPARTMENT GOOD JOB.
DEVELOPMENT IS SOMEWHAT CONTROLLED
DEVELOPMENT OF CHARTER SCHOOL
DOING A GOOD JOB
DOING GOOD PRESERVING PINELANDS!!!!!!!!!
DREADGING, BAYS,
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS HELP WITH FARMLAND
FARM LAND CONSERVATION
FARM LAND HAS BEEN SOLD TO THE PRESERVATION FARMLA
FARM LAND PRESERATION ACT
FARM LAND PRESERVATION
FARM LANDS ARE KEPT FOR FARMS
FARM POLICY,AGRICULTURE
FARM PROTECTION-SHORE PROTECTION
FARMLAND AND PINE RESICTTION DELPOMENT POLICY
FARMLAND HAS BEEN PRESERVEED!!!!!!1
FARMLAND IS BEING PRESERVED-PRESERVE THE FARMER
FARMLAND PRESERVATION
FARMLAND PRESERVATION AND THE PINE LANDS
FARMLAND PRESERVATION GOING ON
FARMLAND PRESERVATIONS
FARMLAND PRESERVED AND MORE WILDLIFE PARKS
FARMLAND STILL EXISTS
FARMLANDS
FARMLANDS NOT DEVELOPED
FARMS ARE GOING IN AREA
FARMS GRANDFATHERED
FARMS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED
FIVE ACRES OR MORE EACH
FOREST/WETLAND PRESERVATION
FRAM LAND VERY WELL OF STOPED COMMERCIAL PRODUCTIO
GAME PRESERVES
GET THEIR APPROVAL TO DO THINGS
GETTIN SUPPORT TO THE FARMERS..
GETTING TO VOTE ON ALL THE ISSUES
GIVING FARMERS MONEY FOR LAND NOT TO BE TOUCHED
GIVING WILD LIFE A BETTER CHANCE AND HEALTHY!!
GOVERNOR PRESERVED WET LANDS HELPED FARMERS
GRANTS TO PRESERVE FARM LAND
GREEN ACERS PROGRAM
GREEN ACRES
GREEN ACRES BEHIND HOUSE NOT ABLE TO BUILD ON IT
GREEN ACRES FUND & STATE WILD LANDS
GREEN ACRES PROGRAM
GREEN ACRES.PINE LANDS.
GREEN ARCES
HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE
HAS CREATED PRESERVATION IN CAMDEN COUNTY
HAS NOT BEEN BUILT UP
HAS PRESERVED MANY FARMS WHERE RAISED
HAVE BUILD A LOT OF BUILDINGS
HAVENT SEEN DEVELOPEMENT, STAYED THE SAME
HELP PROVIDE FUNDING AND LIMIT DEVELOPEMENT
HIGHWAYS
HINDERING COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
HIRE MORE POLICE
HUNTING AND FISHING LISCENSE U NEED TO OWN LAND!!!
IT WOULD HELP
JUST BOUGHT A LARGE ABANDONDED PARK TO PRESERVE