March 29, 2024

Mixed results found in Newton’s livability survey

As a part of the revitalization of Newton, the city asked locals to participate in a National Citizens Survey, ranking the livability of the town. Between April 21 and May 5, a total of 1,200 randomly selected Newton households received the survey and 317 were completed and returned. The results were discussed at the recent City Council meeting.

Eight indicator areas were used to gauge the public’s feelings on the town. They included safety, mobility, natural environment, built environment, economy, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment and community engagement.

Of those areas, safety, economy and community engagement were picked as areas of emphasis for the town. Citizens had the ability to rate the categories as excellent, good, fair or poor.

First discussed were the areas citizens found Newton to be strong with excellent or good percentages higher than 50.

“The survey identified several areas of life in Newton that satisfy the needs an desires of most residents, these include: quality of life, safety, education and wellness,” said Natalie Umsted, management analyst.

It was found that 51 percent believe the quality of life in Newton is excellent or good, while only 12 percent find it poor. Within those numbers over 75 percent of the residents planned to stay in Newton and 63 percent would recommend living in Newton.

“Most people like living here, most people plan to continue living here and most people would recommend living here, so that is all good,” Umsted said.

Overall feeling of safety also scored high with 61 percent rating it excellent or good and only 11 percent said poor. The police department, fire department and EMS services also all had more than 65 percent positive results with the fire department and EMS services at 87 and 88 percent positive, respectively.

Education and enrichment was another area of strength with excellent or good at 58 percent and poor at only 11 percent. The library ranked particularly high at 78 percent and 72 percent of citizens said they had visited within the last year.

Last, health and wellness had 57 percent excellent or good and 12 percent poor. Affordability of healthcare, availability of paths or walking trails, fitness opportunities and quality of city parks all scored high percentages in the health and wellness field.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the survey found several areas that are not satisfying the needs of residents. Those categories are economic development, appearance, reputation and street.

The overall economic health had a 79 percent negative rating with employment opportunities being a big concern. Shopping opportunities, quality of Newton businesses and services, the downtown district and quality of new development in recent years were all areas that scored lower than the national benchmark.

“Some of these items we are already starting to work on. With Main Street we’re working on the downtown. With some of these challenges, we just need to keep moving forward in the direction we have identified (on items) that need to see improvement and also think about what else we can do,” Umsted said.

Overall appearance had a 60 percent fair or poor result with only 7 percent rating it excellent. Code violations, code enforcement and cleanliness were concerns that also had high negative percentages.

71 percent of citizens ranked the Overall Reputation as fair or poor with only 30 percent of people seeing Newton as a excellent or good place to visit.

The area with the highest negative percentage was street repair, with 36 percent at fair and 52 percent at poor. Only one percent ranked it as excellent. Street cleaning, snow removal and sidewalk maintenance were also areas of concern.

Newton has taken part in three other surveys since 1995, two conducted through Iowa State University and one by the city itself. Since 1995, every category has declined significantly, but there are signs of improvement. In the categories of Newton is a place with a bright economic outlook and overall appearance of Newton, there is an upward trend of approval.

All of this information will be used by the city in its fall planning session as well as its continuing efforts to make Newton a destination for new residents, businesses and tourist.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.