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Battle Creek
Summary of
#BCvision Survey
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Purpose
The purpose of this survey was to provide the
community with an opportunity to offer their
input on priorities for action related to
community economic development.
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The sample reported their race/ethnicity as:
67% Caucasian (n = 1,526)
13% Hispanic or Latino (n=298)
10% African American (n=216) 2% Asian/Pacific Islander, Burmese, Japanese, or
Hawaiian (n=72)
1% American Indian or Alaska Native (n=31)
2% identified as other (n=45)
7% preferred not to answer (n=162)
About the Sample
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About the Sample
Respondents reported their employment status asfollows: 69% were employed full time (n = 1,580)
10% were employed part-time (n=219)
7% were retired (n=154) 6% were not employed, looking for work (n=132)
4% were not employed, not looking for work (n=98)
2% were disabled, unable to work (n=40)
Of those employed: 69% were employed in business (n=1,279)
20% worked in nonprofits (n=369)
11% (200) worked in government
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About the Sample
The sample was made up of 50% residents of
the City of Battle Creek (n=1,155)
12% lived in Kalamazoo County (n=279)
7% lived in Emmett Township (n=159)
6% lived in Pennfield Township (n=138)
3% lived in City of Springfield (n=66)
17% lived in other locations (e.g., Marshall,
Bellevue, Lakeview, Leroy Township) (n=380)
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About the Sample
19% preferred not to report their household income (n=417)
16% of respondents between $100,000-$149,999 (n=363)
15% earn $75,000-$99,999 (n=330)
14% earn $50,000-$74,999 (n=308)
8% earn $35,000-$49,999 (n=185) 5% earn $25,000-$34,999 (n=119)
5% earn $15,000-$24,999 (n=107)
5% earn $20,000 or more (n=108)
4% earn $10,000 or less (n=87) 3% earn $10,000-$14,999 (n=66)
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Method
Community members received solicitationsthrough the mail and online.
Surveys were available online and through a
social media link. Data collection was initiated on October 24 and
closed on November 10.
Efforts were made to reach non-English speakingcommunity members. Paper versions of thesurvey were available in Spanish (n = 252) andBurmese (n = 4).
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COMPARISON OF SURVEY SAMPLE TO COMMUNITY AT
LARGE
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Summary
The racial/ethnic demographics of the survey indicated: African Americans were underrepresented, while
Hispanic/Latinos and Native Americans were overrepresented.
The White sample was consistent with the percentage of thepopulation in Battle Creek.
The survey sample overrepresentedthose at the highestincome levels and underrepresentedthose making lessthan $75,000.
The sample was largely middle aged and underrepresentedyounger demographic segments (Below 29 years of age)
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#BC Vision
CommunityEngagement Survey
Battle Creek, city2010 Census
Calhoun County2010 Census
African-American 9.41% 18.2% 11.1%
American
Indian/Native Alaskan1.4% 0.7% 0.7%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2.8% 2.4% 2.0%
Caucasian 67.6% 68.6% 79.3%
Hispanic or Latino 13.11% 6.7% 4.7%
Other 1.96% 4.3% 3.1%
Prefer not to answer 7.14%
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#BC Vision
Community
Engagement Survey
Battle Creek, city2010 Census
Calhoun County2010 Census
Less than $10,000 3.8% 7.9% 9.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 2.9% 6.6% 8.5%
$15,000 to $24,999 4.7% 15.1% 16.5%
$25,000 to $34,999 5.2% 12.9% 13.3%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.2% 15.7% 14.8%
$50,000 to $74,999 13.7% 17.8% 16.2%
$75,000 to $99,999 14.8% 10.4% 8.3%
$100,000 to $149,999 16.3% 9.4% 7.7%
$150,000-$199,999 6.7% 2.6% 2.6%
$200,000 or more 4.9% 1.7% 2.1%
Prefer not to answer 18.6% -- --
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#BC Vision
Community
Engagement Survey
Battle Creek, city2010 Census
Calhoun County2010 Census
Under 14 years 0.7% 21.7% 19.8%
15 to 19 years 9.0% 7.1% 7.5%
20 to 29 years 11.7% 13.0% 12.0%
30 to 39 years 21.2% 13.1% 11.8%40 to 49 years 20.2% 13.0% 13.7%
50 to 59 years 23.5% 13.4% 14.5%
60 to 69 years 10.0% 9.0% 10.2%
70 years or older 3.0% 9.6% 10.5%
Prefer not to answer 0.6% -- --
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WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD YOU IDENTIFY AS THE
MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS TO TAKE RELATED TO JOBSAND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY?
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Which of the following would you identify as the most
important actions to take related to jobs and career
opportunities in the community?
The top three priorities for action related to
jobs and career opportunities for the entire
sample were:
Increase the number of jobs with benefits (41%,
n=977)
Job training (38%, n = 898)
Increase Wages (38%, n = 890)
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Which of the following would you identify as most important
actions to take related to jobs and career opportunities in the
community?
Action Priorities by Race An overview of top three priority rankings by race/ethnicity is
provided in the following table. Multiple rankings within racialcategory indicates a tie.
Caucasians and Hispanic/Latinos reported the top priorityshould be increasing the number of jobs with benefits.
African Americans and Burmese reported increased wages asthe top priority.
Both Hispanic/Latinos and Burmese included support to
improve English skills as on of the top three priorities. Overall, African-American and Caucasian respondents endorsed
the same action priorities, although not in the same order.
African American Asian/Pacifi Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or Japanese Native
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African
American
American
Indian or
Alaska
Native
Asian/Pacifi
c Islander
Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or
Latino
Japanese Native
Hawaiian
Mentoring opportunities 3 2
Learning about opportunities for career
advancement once employed1 2 3
Job training 2 1 2 2 2 1
Increase wages 1 2 3 1 3
Increase the number of jobs with
benefits3 1 1
More family-friendly work policies
(like paid maternity leave, flexiblehours, etc.)
2
More affordable and high-quality day
care options
Support for people who want to start a
business3
Support to improve English skills (for
immigrants learning English)3 3 1
Access to legal work authorization 2
Transportation 3 3
Jobs that are available to people with
prior criminal history
Access to different types of
jobs/diverse sectors for employment
3
Recruit outside talent
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Which of the following would you identify as the most
important actions to take related to jobs and career
opportunities in the community?
Action Priorities by Income
An overview of top three priority rankings byincome is provided in the following table. Multiple
rankings within income category indicates a tie. Across the income spectrum, job training,
increased wages, and increasing jobs with benefitsemerged as priorities.
Transportation and employment for those withprior criminal histories also emerged as prioritieswhen analyzed by income.
Less $10 000 $15 000 $25 000 $35 000 $50 000 $75 000 $100 000 $150 000 $200 000
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Less
than
$10,000
$10,000
-
$14,999
$15,000
-
$24,999
$25,000
-
$34,999
$35,000
-
$49,999
$50,000
-
$74,999
$75,000
-
$99,999
$100,000
-
$149,999
$150,000
-
$199,999
$200,000
or more
Mentoring opportunities
Learning about opportunities for
career advancement once
employed
Job training 2 2 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2
Increase wages 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
Increase the number of jobs with
benefits3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
More family-friendly workpolicies (like paid maternity
leave, flexible hours, etc.)
More affordable and high-quality
day care options
Support for people who want to
start a business
Support to improve English skills
(for immigrants learning English)
Access to legal work
authorization
Transportation 3
Jobs that are available to people
with prior criminal history3
Access to different types ofjobs/diverse sectors for
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Which of the following would you identify as the most
important actions to take related to jobs and career
opportunities in the community?
Action Priorities by Age
An overview of top three priority rankings by ageis provided in the following table. Multiple
rankings within age category indicates a tie. Increased wagesare ranked in the top 3 for every
age group.
Increasing the number of jobs with benefits is a
priority for groups aged 20-70 and older. 20-29 and 30-39-year-olds list family-friendly
work policiesas a top concern.
14 and 15-19 20-20 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and
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14 and
younger
15 19 20 20 30 39 40 49 50 59 60 69 70 and
older
Mentoring opportunities
Learning about opportunities for career
advancement once employed
Job training 2 2 3 3 2 2
Increase wages 1 1 1 2 1 2 3 3
Increase the number of jobs with
benefits2 3 2 1 1 1
More family-friendly work policies
(like paid maternity leave, flexible
hours, etc.)3 1
More affordable and high quality day
care options
Support for people who want to start a
business3
Support to improve English skills (for
immigrants learning English)
Access to legal work authorization
Transportation 3
Jobs that are available to people with
prior criminal history
Access to different types ofjobs/Diverse sectors for employment 3
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WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD YOU IDENTIFY AS THE
MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS TO TAKE TO PREPARE OURCOMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR COLLEGE OR EMPLOYMENT?
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Which of the following would you identify as the most important actionsto take to prepare our community members for college or employment?
The top three priorities for college and
employment preparation for the entire sample
were:
Apprenticeship/internship opportunities in skilled
trades (46%, n = 1,090)
Access to scholarships/financial aid for college/job
training (44%, n = 1,042) Better K-12 education, leading to higher
graduation rates (41%, n = 968).
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Which of the following would you identify as the most important actionsto take to prepare our community members for college or employment?
Action Priorities by Race An overview of top three priority rankings by race/ethnicity is
provided in the following table. Multiple rankings within racialcategory indicates a tie.
African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos reported access to
scholarships/financial aid for college/job training was the toppriority.
Both Hispanic/Latinos and Burmese included informingparents about the steps for college preparation as a one of thetop three priorities.
When analyzed by race, the majority of racial subgroupsranked better K-12 education as one of three top priorities.
Overall, African Americans and Caucasians endorsed the sameaction priorities, although not in the same order.
African American Asian/Pacifi Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or Japanese Native
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American Indian or
Alaska
Native
c Islander
p
Latino
p
Hawaiian
More mentors/academic role models 1 3 1
Apprenticeship/internship opportunities
in skilled trades3 1 1 1 1
Inform parents about the steps for
college preparation so they can support
and guide their kids
3 2 3 2 2
Access to scholarship/financial aid for
college/job training1 2 1 2 3 1 1
Better K-12 education, leading to
higher graduation rates 2 2 2 2 3 1More help with tutoring
More extracurricular opportunities
Begin college preparation planning
earlier in the curriculum1 2
More career exploration opportunities,
leading to higher associate/bachelor-
level talent
3
More leadership development
opportunities
Access to GED preparation 1
Quality preschool opportunities for allchildren
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Which of the following would you identify as the most
important actions to take related to jobs and career
opportunities in the community?
Action Priorities by Income
An overview of top three priority rankings by
income is provided in the following table. Multiple
rankings within income category indicates a tie.
Opportunities for apprenticeships, improving
education, and scholarships were important acrossthe income spectrum.
Less $10,000 $15,000 $25,000 $35,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000
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than
$10,000
-
$14,999
-
$24,999
-
$34,999
-
$49,999
-
$74,999
-
$99,999
-
$149,999
-
$199,999
or more
More mentors/academic role
models
Apprenticeship/internship
opportunities in skilled trades 2 1 3 2 1 1 1 2Inform parents about the steps for
college preparation so they can
support and guide their kids
2
Access to scholarship/financial
aid for college/job training1 2 1 1 2 3 3 2 3
Better K-12 education, leading tohigher graduation rates 3 2 3 3 2 2 1 1
More help with tutoring 1
More extracurricular
opportunities3
Begin college preparation
planning earlier in the curriculum3 3
More career exploration
opportunities, leading to higher
associate/bachelor-level talent
More leadership development
opportunities
Access to GED preparation
Quality preschool opportunities
for all children
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Which of the following would you identify as the most
important actions to take related to jobs and career
opportunities in the community?
Action Priorities by Age
An overview of top three priority rankings by ageis provided in the following table. Multiple
rankings within age category indicates a tie. Access to scholarship/financial aid and better K-
12 education are listed as priorities across all agegroups.
Those who identify in age groups between 40-70and older rank apprenticeship and internshipopportunitiesas a priority.
14 and 15-19 20-20 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and
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younger older
More mentors/academic role models 2
Apprenticeship/internship opportunitiesin skilled trades
3 1 1 1 1
Inform parents about the steps for
college preparation so they can support
and guide their kids
3
Access to scholarship/financial aid for
college/job training1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3
Better K-12 Education, leading tohigher graduation rates
3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2
More help with tutoring
More extracurricular opportunities
Begin college preparation planning
earlier in the curriculum3 2
More career exploration opportunities,
leading to higher associate/bachelor
level talent
3
More leadership development
opportunities
Access to GED preparation
Quality preschool opportunities for all
children.
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WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR BATTLE CREEK TO
BE A THRIVING CITY WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE,WORK, AND PLAY?
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What is MOST important for Battle Creek to be a thriving city
where people want to live, work, and play?
The top three priorities for Battle Creek to be a
thriving community for the entire sample
were:
Safe neighborhoods (61%, n = 1,423).
Having an active and lively downtown (44%, n =
1,046).
Having a variety of affordable recreationalactivities (34%, n = 800).
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What is MOST important for Battle Creek to be a thriving city
where people want to live, work, and play?
Action Priorities by Race
An overview of top three priority rankings by race/ethnicityis provided in the following table. Multiple rankings withinracial category indicates a tie.
African Americans and Caucasians reported that safeneighborhoodsshould be the top priority.
African Americans and Caucasians reported that having alively downtownshould be the second priority.
Both Hispanic/Latinos and Burmese subgroups prioritizedhaving a strong sense of community togetherness.
African
American
American
Indian or
Asian/Pacifi
c Islander
Burmese Caucasian Hispanic or
Latino
Japanese Native
Ha aiian
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American Indian or
Alaska
Native
c Islander Latino Hawaiian
Having a variety of affordable
recreational activities3 2 3 3 2 2 2
Having good infrastructure
2 3More opportunities for residents to be
involved and have a voice3
Adopting a culture of appreciation for
academic excellence1 1 1 1 1
Safe neighborhoods 1 1 1
Having more diverse communityleadership
Having lots of opportunities for many
people to be leaders
Being a community that actively
embraces its diversity3 2
Having a variety of local businesses
3 3Having an active and lively downtown 2 2 2 2
Having strong social services to
support all in meeting basic needs3
Having a strong sense of community
unity and togetherness3 3 3
Good housing opportunities
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Which of the following would you identify as most important
actions to take related to jobs and career opportunities in the
community?
Action Priorities by Income
An overview of top three priority rankings by
income is provided in the following table. Multiple
rankings within income category indicates a tie. Respondents across all income levels reported safe
neighborhoods as their top priority.
Having and active and lively downtownis apriority for those whose household income is
$15,000 or more.
Less
than
$10,000 $15,000 $25,000 $35,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000
or more
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than
$10,000
-
$14,999
-
$24,999
-
$34,999
-
$49,999
-
$74,999
-
$99,999
-
$149,999
-
$199,999
or more
Having a variety of affordable
recreational activities3 3 2 3 3 3
Having good infrastructure
More opportunities for residents
to be involved and have a voice
Adopting a culture of
appreciation for academic
excellence.
Safe neighborhoods 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2Having more diverse community
leadership
Having lots of opportunities for
many people to be leaders.
Being a community that actively
embraces its diversity
Having a variety of local
businesses3 3 3
Having an active and lively
downtown3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1
Having strong social services to
support all in meeting basic needs3
Havin a stron sense of
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Which of the following would you identify as most important
actions to take related to jobs and career opportunities in the
community?
Action Priorities by Age
An overview of top three priority rankings by age isprovided in the following table. Multiple rankingswithin age category indicates a tie.
Safe neighborhoods are a top priority across all agegroups.
All age groups identify having an active and lively
downtownas a priority. Respondents 49 and younger prioritize having a
variety of affordable recreational opportunities.
14 and
younger
15-19 20-20 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 and
older
14 and
younger
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younger older younger
Having a variety of affordable
recreational activities1 2 3 3 3
Having good infrastructure
3More opportunities for residents to
be involved and have a voice2
Adopting a culture of appreciation
for academic excellence.
Safe neighborhoods 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Having more diverse communityleadership
Having lots of opportunities for
many people to be leaders.3
Being a community that actively
embraces its diversity
Having a variety of local businesses 3 3
Having an active and lively
downtown3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Having strong social services to
support all in meeting basic needs
Having a strong sense of community
unity and togetherness
3 2
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Summary
Employment with benefits, educational improvements and support, and safeneighborhoods emerged as priority action items.
The survey reached a strong cross-section of the community. Having surveys available in Spanish and Burmese supported this outreach effort
African Americans were underrepresented relative to their population.
The sample was largely employed and economically stable. More outreach is necessary to reach a larger cross-section of lower-income individuals.
The findings indicate that there are points of similarities in terms of the prioritiesidentified by different groups of respondents (i.e., race, age, and income).
A deeper analysis of priorities by intersections of race, income, and age would bebeneficial in future work.
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