Central OklahOma HouseHold survey 2010
Biennial Household survey
Financial Stability
Strong Families Successful kids Community Involvement
Disaster Preparedness
United Way of Central Oklahoma is proud to present the results of our most recent Household Survey. The Household Survey is a biennial phone survey of residents of Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties designed to obtain a community perspective regarding our five focus areas in order to identify new or changing community needs and trends. This year, over 300 households were surveyed by the local firm of Cole, Hargrave, Snodgrass and Associates. The following is a summary of our 2010 survey results, much of which validates existing data previously reported in our Vital Signs and Pulse publications. Many of the questions involve personal and household financial stability; these questions are particularly important due to the economic downturn during the past two years. As you will see in the report, there is a clear division in point of view and perception between individuals with a high school diploma and those with at least some college education. The disparities between the two groups lend further support to our community’s need to focus on education and training as a primary solution for addressing some of our society’s most prevalent social and economic issues, including unemployment and financial instability. Oklahoma is no stranger to powerful weather phenomena. Since the last Household Survey was released in 2008, there have been seven major disaster declarations issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a result, we decided to introduce new survey questions regarding the state of emergency preparedness for households. Interestingly, many households have taken the necessary steps to be prepared for natural disasters. We hope this information is both informative and helpful to you. If you have any comments or suggestions, please call the United Way staff at 523-3532 or send an email to bschoeb@unitedwayokc.org Best Regards,
Michael E. Joseph Chair, United Way Research and Community Initiatives Advisory Committee Director, McAfee & Taft
Financial Stability How would you say you feel about the overall financial security of your household? 4%
7%
Very Secure Somewhat Secure Somewhat Insecure
50%
12%
Individuals who feel very financially secure are more likely to have some level of college education, own their own home and live within 5 miles of a park/walking trail. They have done a great deal of financial planning for their retirement, contribute financially to charitable organizations, volunteer, and recycle. They are also twice as likely to have a family emergency plan and emergency kit as those who feel somewhat financially secure.
Very Insecure No Response/Did Not Know
27%
Of that number, 33 percent were High School graduates or those with a GED.
Compared to five years ago, would you say that the overall financial security of your household has: 50
40
30
20
10
2006
2008
2010
Improved Remained the Same Worsened
Are you currently or have you been unemployed anytime in the last year? 4% 65%
*31% Of those who said yes, 32 percent were high school grads/GED, and 23 percent had exhausted their unemployment benefits.
No Yes No Response/Did Not Know
*This percentage is not truly reflective of the greater community, as many individuals, such as retirees and/or homemakers, may select this category even if they are not necessarily seeking employment.
Do you feel like your job is secure? 19% 53% Individuals who feel they have job security are more likely to have a financially secure household, plan financially for retirement, own their home, and financially contribute $100+ to charitable organizations.
28%
No Yes No Response/Did Not Know
Would you change jobs if you have the option when the economy improves? 29%
52%
No Yes No Response/Did Not Know
19%
Of those who said yes, 53 percent said their overall financial security was somewhat insecure and 33 percent said they felt very insecure financially. When compared to their level of financial security five years ago, 39 percent said their overall household financial security has worsened.
How much financial planning have you done for retirement? 3% 28% Of that number, 27 percent were individuals with some college education.
17% Of that number, 40 percent were High School graduates/GED.
20% 32%
A Great Deal A Good Amount Not Very Much None at All No Response/Did Not Know
Of that number, 22 percent were individuals with a bachelors degree.
Do you own your own home? 1%
26%
No Yes No Response/Did Not Know
Of that number, 35 percent were High School graduates/GED.
When asked what the
biggest concern about retirement was, more than
a quarter of respondents said
financial insecurity. 73% Individuals who own their own home are more likely to possess a college degree (Associates, Bachelors, Masters), financially plan for their retirement, and financially contribute to charitable organizations.
Individuals were asked if they or anyone in their household
had trouble making various payments in the past year.
Medical bills (19%)
presented the greatest challenge, followed closely by rent/mortgage payments, necessary home repairs, and necessary car repairs.
Nearly half of the
1st-3rd Graders
in the Oklahoma City School District
receives reading remediation. Source: Oklahoma Office of Accountability
One in every four
high school freshman students in Oklahoma
will drop out
before reaching graduation. Source: Oklahoma KIDS Count Factbook
In 2010, United Way of Central Oklahoma invested over $3 million to partner agencies with programs that supported education. In 2010, United Way of Central Oklahoma awarded $150,000 in Education Venture Grants to agencies focused on increasing reading levels, increasing high school graduation rates, and mentoring.
In 2008 there were
140,000 adults
in Oklahoma County who were
functionally illiterate. Source: Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition
One in seven adults in Oklahoma County did not complete their high school education. Source: American Community Survey 2009
Strong Families Successful Kids Slightly more than a quarter of respondents said they had school-age children. Of those individuals, 81 percent said they attend parent teacher meetings, PTA meetings, and/or school open house events.
When asked what their opinion was of their local school district, 27 percent of all respondents said their district met their expectations, 17 percent said it was adequate, and 20 percent said their district needed improvement. Only 13 percent said their district exceeded their expectations.
The greatest percentage of respondents lived within the following five school districts: Oklahoma City Moore Edmond Putnam City Midwest City/Del City Metro Area 0
5
10
15
20
25
The remaining (approximate) 25 percent lived in other metro area school districts or were unsure of which district they lived in.
30
Community Involvement
Have you volunteered with any charitable organizations or non-profits such as religious institutions, charities, health and medical organizations in the past 12 months? 2%
46%
Yes No No Response/Did Not Know
52% Of those who volunteered, 45 percent did so by themselves or with family; 33 percent volunteered with a church group; 11 percent volunteered through their job.
Does your place of employment offer opportunities to volunteer during the work day?
29%
19%
52%
Yes No No Response/Did Not Know
A few examples of local companies that encourage volunteerism during the work day or provide work credit for volunteer hours served are American Fidelity Assurance, Chesapeake Energy,Cox Communications, Dell, and Devon Energy.
Have you donated anything other than time to any charitable organizations or non-profits such as religious institutions, charities, health and medical organizations in the past 12 months? 22%
78%
Yes No
Total amount donated to charitable organizations this past year:
$1,001-3,000 $501-1,000 $101-500 $50-100 Less than $50 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
disaster preparedness Does your family have an individual or family emergency plan for when disaster strikes? 1%
68%
31%
Yes No No Response/Did Not Know
When asked what they believed to be the most significant weather/disaster threat
to themselves and their household,
75 percent of respondents said
tornado.
Family emergency plans help families prepare for times of natural disasters. Things to include in your family emergency plan are escape routes from your home and agreed upon meeting places in case of an evacuation.
Escape Routes Draw a floor plan of your home. Use a blank sheet of paper for each floor. Mark two escape routes from each room. Make sure children understand the drawings. Post a copy of the drawings at eye level in each child’s room.
Where to Meet Establish a place to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Record and review the locations with all family members. For example, a “near the home” location might be the next door neighbor’s yard or porch. If for some reason you need to meet outside the immediate area, you might choose a nearby church or grocery store parking lot as your meeting place.
Family Communications Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Complete a “contact card” for each family member that includes their name, phone number, an out-of-state contact and phone number, and neighborhood meeting place and phone number. Have family members keep these cards handy in a wallet, purse, backpack, etc.
Does your household have an emergency preparedness kit? 1%
53%
46%
Yes No No Response/Did Not Know
A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster. Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work, and vehicles.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit The following items are recommended for a basic disaster supplies kit: • Three-day supply of non-perishable food. • Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content. • Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener. • Three-day supply of water - one gallon of water per person, per day. • Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries • Flashlight and extra batteries • First aid kit and manual • Sanitation and hygiene items • Matches and waterproof container • Whistle • Extra clothing • Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener • Photocopies of credit and identification cards • Cash and coins • Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries • Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers • Other items to meet your unique family needs Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/assemble_disaster_supplies_kit.shtm For more information about natural hazards, family disaster plans and emergency preparedness kits, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency website at http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
Does your household have a weather radio?
55%
45%
Yes No
In times of bad weather, emergency alert weather radios provide you with immediate information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS) about local watches and warnings, giving you extra time to prepare and seek shelter if necessary. Emergency weather radios may be purchased at local hardware, home improvement, and discount retail stores and can range in price from $12-$100. Many radios have a solar charge or crank-to-charge option, eliminating the need for batteries.
coming in Spring 2011 Vital Signs, Volume 1, Edition 6 This issue will provide details on disaster preparedness and highlight the community’s response during times of disaster.
On average, volunteers in Oklahoma City contribute
53.2 service hours per resident annually, ranking them 2nd among the nation’s 51 largest cities. Source: Volunteering in America
Oklahoma ranks
third in the nation of states having the most
disaster declarations.
Oklahoma is the only non-coastal state
ranked in the top five states. Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency
In the past decade, there have been
28 major disaster declarations
for the state of Oklahoma. Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency
United Way of Cent ral Oklahoma P.O. Box 837 Oklahoma City, Okla homa 73101 www.unitedwayokc.o rg 405 -236-8441
The Biennial household survey resulTs is a puBlicaTion of uniTed Way of cenTral oklahoma. For questions or comments, please contact blair Schoeb, Sr. Vice President, bschoeb@unitedwayokc.org or ashleigh Sorrell rose, Director of research, asorrellrose@unitedwayokc.org.