As part of the formal review of Chester County’s Strategic Plan, the Chester County Commissioners have announced the results of a citizen survey, undertaken as part of the review process for the Strategic Plan’s next five years.

Results of the Chester County Quality of Life Survey, conducted by West Chester University’s Center for Social and Economic Policy Research in September, are based on a random sample of 1,256 responses, evenly represented from all areas of the county. The results provide a comparison to the citizens’ surveys undertaken in 2009 and 2013, which helped form the basis of the Commissioners’ Strategic Plan goals.

In 2018, residents continue to give the county high ratings in terms of it being an excellent or good place to raise a family (94 percent) and nine out of ten (91 percent) rate it as an excellent or good place to obtain a good education. The survey reported a significant increase in those who found the county an “excellent or good” place to find a good job (moving from 62 percent in 2013 to 79 percent in 2018).

The percentage of residents describing Chester County as a better place to live increased from 25 percent in 2013 to 33 percent this year. Open space, scenery, and rural areas continue to be noted by respondents as the best thing about life in Chester County, and this year’s survey highlighted “maintenance of water quality” and “providing quality services while maintaining low taxes” as the two most important issues facing the county.

“We know that people have a positive impression of Chester County, both as a place to live and with regard to county services, and it is reassuring to see that validated through a survey such as this,” said Michelle Kichline, Chair of the Chester County Commissioners.

“These survey results help us to gauge where we stand now, and how we have increased the level of satisfaction over the past five years. The responses help us to move forward, refine our Strategic Plan goals, and dig deeper into what we need to do to improve upon our citizens’ satisfaction over the coming five years.”

When asked about the importance of issues facing the county, the top three results stating “most important or one of the most important” were maintaining the quality of water (83 percent), providing quality services while maintaining low taxes (81 percent), and the preservation of open space (77 percent). The issue of growth and land development in the county (55 percent) moved up in importance from the 2013 survey level of 42 percent.

Click here for more information on the Chester County Quality of Life Survey.

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