This is the thirtieth PPIC Statewide Survey and the fourth in a new series focusing on population growth, land use, and the environment. The current survey focuses in particular on public perceptions, priorities, and policy preferences regarding land use and development issues.
Some findings of the current survey:
- Strong majorities of Californians say that traffic congestion (81%), housing affordability (69%), population growth and development (63%), air pollution (60%), and the opportunity for well-paying jobs (59%) are at least somewhat of a problem in their area.
- Safety (37%), followed by living space (20%) and schools (16%), are what matter most to residents in choosing a home or community.
- The vast majority of employed residents (75%) say they drive alone to work, while 11% carpool, 6% ride public transportation, and 5% walk or bicycle.
- 66% of Californians prefer to live in a low-density neighborhood where they would use their car to travel locally, while only 31% would choose a high-density neighborhood where it was convenient to use public transit for local travel.