Survey: Residents happy but want better pre-K, flights, less traffic

More high-quality pre-kindergarten options they can afford topped the list of things that would make their lives better, Northwest Arkansas residents said in a survey released Wednesday by the Walton Family Foundation.

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Getting around was also a concern, with greater access to air travel at more affordable prices and relief of congestion on road also ranking high in a survey of 815 residents in Benton and Washington counties.

“In general, Northwest Arkansans are happy and think they have a high quality of life,” the survey found. The survey concentrated on areas that the foundation invests in, particularly education and amenities. Core concerns among those issues like jobs, income and family issues were also brought up in the survey, though, results show. The survey was conducted by the foundation’s Evaluation Unit in partnership with the Survey Research Laboratory at Mississippi State University.

Survey findings

Amenities

  • 40-63 percent of residents used amenities funded by the foundation (local trails, The Jones Center, Walton Arts Center and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Education

  • 60-77 percent perceived kindergarten through higher education to be of good quality
  • 52 percent say pre-K offerings are high-quality
  • Only 21 percent believe pre-K is affordable

Diversity

  • 60 percent say diverse lifestyles and cultures make the area a better place to live

Environment

  • 68 percent believe water quality is very good

Economic Development and Infrastructure

  • 70 percent say there is too much traffic on the way to work and school
  • 60 percent of the respondents report they would like more public transit options

Source: Walton Foundation

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