UC Survey Finds Cincinnatians Concerned With Race Relations, Economic Conditions

Residents of Greater Cincinnati most frequently cited race relations and economic concerns when asked to name the most important issue facing the Greater Cincinnati region today.

The survey results are based on the Spring 2003 Greater Cincinnati Survey (GCS), conducted by the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) at the University of Cincinnati. The GCS was conducted by telephone with 1,565 adults in the eight county region between May 9 and June 10, 2003.

Twenty-two percent of residents in the region identified race relations as the most important issue facing Greater Cincinnati. Residents mentioning race relations often cited even more specific concerns, such as racial unrest and tension including the riots (5.5%), and the downtown boycott (3.5%).

Another 19 percent of residents mentioned the economy when asked about the most important issue facing the region. More specific economic concerns included unemployment and the lack of jobs (6.3%) and the need to revitalize the city and the downtown area (3.4%).

Crime and safety was also cited by 16 percent of residents as being the most important issue facing Greater Cincinnati. In particular, many residents (5.1%) were concerned with the shootings and murders that take place in the region.

Residents with annual household incomes over $30,000 tend to rate race relations as the region’s most important issue more frequently than residents earning lower levels of income. Similarly, residents with some college or a college degree also tend to rate race relations as the region’s most important issue more frequently than residents with lower levels of education.

Residents with annual household incomes less than $30,000 tend to rate crime and safety as the most important issue more often than those earning higher levels of income. Also, those residents who possess a high school degree or that have not yet completed high school tend to rate crime and safety as the most important issue more frequently than residents with higher levels of education.

Greater Cincinnati Survey Methodology

These findings are based on the most recent GCS conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati from May 9 through June 10, 2003.

A random sample of 1,565 adults from the Greater Cincinnati Region (Butler, Boone, Campbell, Clermont, Clinton, Dearborn, Hamilton, and Warren Counties) was interviewed by telephone.

In 95 of 100 cases, the regional estimates will be accurate to plus or minus 2.5 percent.

In addition to sampling error, there are other sources of variation inherent in public opinion studies, such as non-response, question wording, or context effects that can introduce error or bias.

Reported percentages may not total to 100% due to rounding.

Results reported for subgroups have potential for somewhat larger variation than those for the entire population.

Respondents to the GCS were asked:

· "There are many issues facing the Greater Cincinnati Region today. In general, what do you think is the most important issue facing the Greater Cincinnati Region today?"