By Robert Phipps, KCOG

Things are looking up! Seventy-eight percent of Kern County residents are at least “somewhat satisfied” with the quality of life in their communities and hold a generally positive attitude about their futures, according to the 2010 Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) community survey. Those who reported being “very satisfied” with the community in which they live increased 3 percent over 2009.

Mountain region residents are more satisfied with quality of life (85 percent), than those of other parts of Kern County. Residents said creating more high paying jobs; maintaining and improving basic local services such as education, public safety and road maintenance; and improving air and water quality are the most important issues facing the future of Kern County.

As in 2009, the 1,200 person random telephone survey examined attitudes about community growth, traffic, housing, government services and other quality-of-life issues throughout Kern County.

Sampling was proportional to the population in the Central Valley, eastern Kern, western Kern and the mountain regions.

With Kern’s population expected to double to nearly 1.5 million people by 2040, Kern COG has conducted the surveys to determine residents’ attitudes about how that growth should be addressed and what impact it will have on the region in general.

The complete 277-page survey, including appendices, is available at www.kerncog.org. Arrangements for copies may also be made through: Kern Council of Governments, 1401 19th St., Suite 300, Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661-861-2191).

This is part of the June 04, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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