Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2023 Results

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The 42nd Kinder Houston Area Survey provides a glimpse into how Houstonians are thinking about the economy, affordable housing, inequality, and other critical challenges and issues facing their communities.

The 42nd Kinder Houston Area Survey provides a glimpse into how Houstonians are thinking about the critical challenges and issues facing their communities. Houston’s collective optimism shows signs of fading, dropping to some of the lowest levels recorded since the survey began in 1982. Half of Houstonians cited either the cost of housing or the economy as the biggest problem facing the area, despite the fact that jobs have rebounded since the pandemic. Respondents remain overwhelmingly supportive of more interventions to help people experiencing poverty. The survey also measured respondents' views on quality-of-life issues such as walkability, public transportation, environmental protection and safety.

RELATED URBAN EDGE
Skyline of Houston
With economic concerns rising, Houstonians want more done to address the gap between rich and poor
RESEARCH :  May. 15, 2023

As economic aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic linger, Houstonians have a dimmer view of their prospects, according to the 42nd annual Kinder Houston Area Survey. With inflation and housing costs reaching record highs—and a potential recession on the horizon—optimism among survey respondents was at one of its lowest levels in nearly three decades. More than ever before, Houston residents are also in alignment that more must be done to close income gaps.

DEMOGRAPHICS | URBAN DISPARITY
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Houstonians have put aside concerns about public health as pandemic recedes from view
PERSPECTIVES :  May. 15, 2023

On May 11, 2021, Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research released the results of the 40th annual Houston Area Survey. Among the findings: 22% of respondents – a far higher share than in any previous survey – rated “public health” as the “biggest problem facing people in the Houston area today.”

COVID 19 AND CITIES | HEALTH
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Physical activity is a magic bullet for our health. So what’s holding us back?
PERSPECTIVES :  Jun. 5, 2023

Regular physical activity may be the closest thing we have to a “magic bullet” to combat the obesity epidemic and alarmingly high rates of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity offers dramatic benefits for individuals but it also has the potential to knit together the social fabric of our communities, making us healthier physically and mentally. And it is free. So, what’s holding us back? As it turns out, something as easy as a safe walk around the neighborhood is out of reach for too many communities.

HEALTH
IN THE NEWS
Houston’s population and attitudes continue to transform
Apr. 14, 2023 - HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA
2023 Kinder Houston Area Survey: Concerns over economy and housing costs rattle the city’s optimism
May. 15, 2023 - RICE NEWS
Houston residents most concerned about economy and housing costs, annual Kinder survey finds
May. 15, 2023 - HOUSTON CHRONICLE
2023 Kinder Houston Area Survey: Housing costs and the economy are the two dominate concerns for most Houstonians
May. 15, 2023 - KPRC 2
Guns, abortion, immigration among hot-button issues in annual Houston Area Survey
May. 15, 2023 - KHOU 11
Annual Kinder survey shows Houstonians less optimistic about crime and economy
May. 15, 2023 - ABC 13
2023 Kinder Houston Area Survey released by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research
May. 15, 2023 - FOX 26
93% of residents in Texas’ largest city support universal background checks for gun ownership
May. 15, 2023 - HOUSTON STYLE MAGAZINE
Kinder survey: Houstonians show an increased desire for walkable neighborhoods for the first time in 15 years
May. 16, 2023 - HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA
Opinions about life in Houston (May 16, 2023)
May. 16, 2023 - HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA
Inflation, increased housing costs top of mind for Houstonians, survey reveals
May. 16, 2023 - HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
Annual survey shows Houstonians more concerned about cost of housing, economy
May. 16, 2023 - COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWS
More Houstonians Wary of Rising Housing Costs, Kinder Institute Reports
May. 16, 2023 - HOUSTON PRESS
Kinder survey: Houstonians weigh in on money, abortion and more
May. 16, 2023 - AXIOS HOUSTON
Houstonians less optimistic about crime and economy: Annual Kinder survey
May. 16, 2023 - GLOBAL VILLAGE SPACE
You are part of Houston's prosperity paradox (Editorial)
Dec. 28, 2023 - HOUSTON CHRONICLE
RELATED INITIATIVES
Kinder Houston Area Survey

For over four decades, the Kinder Houston Area Survey has been tracking the changing attitudes and experiences of Houstonians.

RELATED INITIATIVES
Greater Houston Community Panel

The Greater Houston Community Panel includes thousands of scientifically selected adults in Harris County, Texas, who are regularly surveyed about their families and communities, including their health, well-being, expectations, opinions, priorities and aspirations.

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