Community Living - Civic Life

Quick Data Links

Community Development

  Growth
  Housing
  Transportation

Community Living

  Civic Life
  Public Sector Performance

Crime & Safety

  Crime
  Public Safety

Demographics

  Demographics

Economy

  Business
  Individual

Education

  Early Childhood
  K-12
  Adult

Enrichments

  Arts & Culture
  Recreation

Environment

  Use of Resources
  Quality

Health

  Physical Health
  Mental Health
  Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs

What We Measured:

• Quality of Life

Civic Participation

• Donations to United Way
• Public Charities
• Voter Characteristics
• Voter Participation
• Religious Affiliations in Larimer County

Diversity

• Citizen Perception of Tolerance & Diversity
• High School Drop-out Rates by Ethnicity
• High School Graduation Rates by Ethnicity
• Larimer County Population Race & Ethnicity
• K-12 Enrollment by Ethnicity

Highlights:

• In 2003, the Fort Collins Area United Way and United Way of Loveland/Berthoud/Estes Park joined together. The merge was done in an effort to meet the growing needs of the communities during difficult economic times in a way that would create the most impact. After the merge, United Way of Larimer County successfully increased fundraising from 2004 to 2007 by 33%. (United Way Donations)
• In 2008, there were approximately 387 Larimer County public charities with assets above $25,000. Health and Human Services organizations represented 31% of these charities. (Public Charities)
• According to the City of Fort Collins 2006 Citizen Survey, 'Job Opportunities' and 'Overall, economic health' were rated the lowest among living aspects in Fort Collins. (Citizens Perception of Tolerance & Diversity)
• Larimer County is predominately Caucasian with growing minority populations. Hispanic persons are the second largest ethnic group, making up approximately 8% of the total population in 1999. Asian/Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing ethnic minority. However, this group makes up only 2% of the population, an increase of 1704 persons from 1990 to 1999 represented an increase of over 60%. (Larimer County Population Race & Ethnicity)
• 54.0% of respondents to the 2004 Health District Survey viewed our community's Quality of Life positively. Females were much more likely than males to respond that Quality of Life was a 'Serious/Very Serious Problem'. (Quality of Life)
• According to the 2001 Health District Community Survey, the older, more educated, or wealthier a respondent was, the more likely that he or she would have voted within the previous 12 months. (Voter Characteristics)
• From 1994 to 2002, while Larimer County had a higher percentage of registered voters than the United States and Colorado, but the lowest voter turnout of the three regions. However, in 2004, voter turnout increased 46% from 2002 figures (Voter Participation)

Related Studies:

• Serving Country and Community: A Longitudinal Study of Service in AmeriCorps [pdf] (December 2004) - This study, by the Corporation for National and Community Service, examines long term outcomes for AmeriCorps members.
• Volunteering in the United States, 2003 - this report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics examines the increase in volunteerism from September 2002 - September 2003.
• 2004 Loveland Quality of Life Survey - Released annually, this survey concentrates on the resident satisfaction of quality of life services such as community safety, arts and recreation, and city development among others. The 2002 Loveland Community Survey is also available.
• City of Fort Collins 2003 Citizen Survey
• Giving and Volunteering in the United States, 2001 - This report from the Independent Sector shares key findings of national civic trends in 2001. One example was the increase in amount donated when either youth were involved in volunteering, or if donators attended religious services regularly.
• Larimer County Citizen Survey 2004 [pdf] - (July 2004) - the results of this mail survey indicated that citizens think the county is doing a good job of delivering the services residents find most important - those falling in the general categories of personal safety and health issues. The Larimer County Citizen Survey 2002 [pdf] is also available.
• National Center for Education Statistics: Service Learning and Community Service Among 6th- through 12th Grade Students in the United States, 1999
• United Way of America State of Caring Index
• World Bank Social Capital Library: Database of Documents about Social Capital

Related issues within Compass:

• Community Concerns
• Crime
• Enrichments: Arts & Culture
• Growth
• Health

Additional Resources:

• City of Fort Collins Human Rights Office
• City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Resources
• First Call - 211
• Fort Collins Neighborhood Web sites
• Fortnet Listing of Local Community Organizations & Clubs
• Healthier Communities Coalition
• Tolerance.org
• United Way of Larimer County

Colorado State University:

• Center for Applied Studies of American Ethnicity
• Colorado State University President's Commission on Women and Gender Equity
• Colorado State University Tri-Ethnic Center

Other Groups:

• Coloradoans United Against Hatred
• League of Women Voters
• National Community Initiatives Designed to Improve the Quality of Life
• The World Bank Group - Excellent list of articles regarding the concept of Social Capital.