Page 5 - The City of Greensboro Community Preference Survey

Executive Summary – Ideal Community

Overall residents in Greensboro show somewhat more of a preference for living in a walkable community in homes with a smaller

yards (54 percent) versus a suburban community with larger yards (41 percent) than in the national survey. However, both locally and

nationally, clear divides appear by generation and the presence of children at home. Moreover, adding in the element of a short
commute and attached house appears to change the calculation for these groups.

 Older Greensboro residents (Gen Xers and Boomers) are more likely to prefer living in a home with a smaller yard and more

walkable community, while Millennials are split in their preference between such a community and one with larger yards and
more driving.

 When a shorter commute is included (even if it means living in an attached house), the preferences switch. Millennials are more

likely to prefer the short commute and walkable community, while the older generations prefer the detached, single-family house
with a larger yard and longer commute.

 Those with children living at home prefer living in a detached home with a large yard even with more driving and longer commute.

However, those families are split in their choice if the smaller yard and the walkable community is not tied to living in an attached
home. In both cases, women prefer walkable communities, even if it means a smaller yard or attached home, while men are split.

 Combining the examples above, thirty-three percent always prefer the walkable community and short commute, no matter the

caveats. Those respondents are more likely to be non-college or older women, or those with lower incomes. Twenty-five percent
of respondents always prefer homes with bigger yards and more driving. Those respondents tend to be registered Republicans,

have higher incomes, and are in the 35-49 age range, especially men. The remaining 42 percent are inconsistent: these

respondents are more likely to be men over age 50 or in the 50 to 64 age range. They are also more likely to live in City Council
District 1.