Results of the Community Survey for The
Hempfield Township Comprehensive Plan
The Community Survey was conducted from April 4, 2022 through June 30, 2022.
Community members could take the survey online, using either a smart phone or a computer.
Who took the survey?
1,079 responses
Who took the survey? 1,009
Nearly 92% of survey respondents live in Hempfield Township. Yes 91.7%
1
you a
No 8.3% Are
resident of Hempfield Township?
Who took the survey?
63% of survey respondents live in zip code 15601, which includes Greensburg.
Almost 13% of respondents live in the North Huntingdon zip code, which is 15642.
Just over 8% of respondents live in Jeannette, or the 15644 zip code.
2
How long have you lived in Hempfield Township?
Who took the survey?
63% of respondents have lived in Hempfield Township for 15 or more years. Almost 14% of respondents have lived in the Township for less than 5 years, which is consistent with recent population growth trends.
13.8% 13.2% 9.9% 63.1%
1,009
Less than 5 years 5-9 years 10-15 years 15 or more years
3
Who took the survey?
Only 20% of respondents describe their locale as Hempfield Township. Just over 42% of respondents use their mailing address or zip code to identify their locale.
Almost 24% of respondents identify with their development or community name.
4
1,009
19.9% 42.2% 23.7% 3.7% 10.4% By township name (Hempfield Township) By mailing address (example: 15601=Greensburg) By community or development name (example: Fort Allen) By nearest arterial road (example: Rt. 136) Other (please specify) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% When asked where you are from, which locale do you most use to describe your location?
Who took the survey? 1,009
Almost 42% of respondents were between the ages of 45 and 64. A quarter of respondents, 25%, were in the 35 to 44 age group.
5
1.3% 16.7% 25.4% 20.9%
14.7% Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% In what age range do you fall?
0.0%
20.9%
Social media and Headlining Hempfield are the two most popular ways residents get their information. Other responses included the local newspaper, nonTownship social media, temporary signage, churches, and neighbors.
Resident Communication 1,009
common response was that information was not readily available from the Twp.
6
do you typically find information on
and
in the
Another
Township website 12.3% Township magazine –Headlining Hempfield 20.8% Emails/Texts from the Township 3.5% Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) 30.8% Hempfield School District 10.6% Word of mouth 18.6% Other (please specify) 3.3% Where
events
happenings
Township?
Important Issues
Respondents think road improvement projects and parks improvement projects should be most important to Township officials and staff.
7
Road improvement projects Parks improvement projects Increased recreational programming Increased fire
and additional fire
Stormwater
and
improvements Citizen
Indoor community spaces Other
specify) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% What issues do you think should be most important to Township government, officials, and staff?
1,009
department coverage
fighters
management
flooding
engagement
(please
Other responses included… What issues do you think should be most important to Township government, officials, and staff? (Please check all that apply.) Creating a Local Police Force/ Improving Public Safety Control Township Spending Improved Walkability/ Adding Sidewalks Cleaning Up/ Improving Natural Areas Increase Fire Coverage/ Training Lower (or Maintain) Property Taxes Preserve Local Farming More Parks &Playgrounds Extend Public Sewer/Water Speeding in Residential Areas Code Enforcement 7 Important Issues
8
1,009
Fire Department responsiveness to emergency Calls Police responsiveness to emergency calls Ambulance responsiveness to emergency calls Access to public parks Access to a public library Access to reliable water/sewage services and development Access to major highways 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percent of Total Votes How well are the following resources working for you? 1 (not working well) 2 3 4 5 (working very well) 3.86 3.32 4.02 3.83 3.66 3.84 4.33 Average
Township Assets
Respondents are most satisfied with access to major highways, ambulance responsiveness, and access to reliable sewer services and development
common other responses included…
working
How well are the following resources working for you? Roadway Improvements Trash Service Fire Service High Tax Rate Public Area Litter/ Maintenance Stormwater/ Runoff Management Activities for All Ages Affordable Housing Sidewalks/ Walkability Abandoned Property Maintenance Public Transportation Indoor Public Space 8 Township Assets
Most
Mainly considered to not be
well.
Most Requested Development
Venues were the most requested types of development.
Restaurants and Sports/Entertainment
9
Respondents
10 Township Assets 3.06 3.4 2.09 1.57 1.76 2.21 3.41 3.92 3.23 4.2 1 2 3 4 5 Weighted Average How would you rate the quality of life and access to vital amenities that Hempfield offers compared to the following locations?* * Rating with 1 being poorer than Hempfield Township, 3 being on-par with Hempfield Township, and 5 being better than Hempfield Township
rated Greensburg most similar to Hempfield Township, Jeannette was rated lowest, and Cranberry Township was rated highest.
Township Assets
Other (please specify) 8% For
locations you rated a 4 or 5 for the previous question,
Environmental preservation 8%
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An effective government system…
the
what features
Ease of access to highquality public spaces (i.e. parks, libraries, sports fields) 25% Management of housing construction and land development 12% Reliable utilities (i.e. water, electric, gas, internet access) 12% these
Well-maintained infrastructure (i.e. road repairs, snow removal, bridge management) 24% do
of
areas
you find effective?
Ease of access to high quality public spaces and well-maintained infrastructure are features admired most by survey respondents in places like Cranberry Township.
65% of respondents believe there is adequate investment in parks and recreation.
12 Park Assets 1,009
34% of respondents do not believe there is adequate investment in parks and recreation.
Yes 65.8% No 34.2% Do you feel like the Township is investing adequately and properly in its parks and recreation assets and resources?
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1,009 Parks and trails, my neighborhood, schools, and local businesses are the most-valued assets
Local businesses Library Parks and trails Restaurants Schools My neighborhood Public safety /Fire Department Special events Communication (Magazine, Social Media, etc.) Local youth sports associations Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Please select up to three places or things that you particularly value in Hempfield Township.
Township Assets
in Hempfield Township.
Township Assets 1,009
Township.
14
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
important to you are improvements on the following issues as the Township moves forward?
Average
Fire services, EMS services, policing, and roads were voted the most important issues in Hempfield
Attracting new businesses/employers Connections from existing trails into neighborhoods Emergency services: Policing Emergency services: Fire Emergency services: EMS/ambulance Parks and trails Streets and roads Traffic Streetscapes and corridor enhancements Variety of housing options Water/sewer infrastructure extensions Zoning/land uses Other (please rate here and specify below)
How
1 (not important) 2 3 4 5 (very important)
4.11 3.38 4.21 4.32 4.35 3.80 4.39 4.08 3.38 3.14 3.63 3.52 3.93
15 Township Assets
Respondents like their schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and safety, among other things.
What do you like most about living in Hempfield Township? In other words, what makes Hempfield Township unique when compared to other municipalities in the area?
16 Moving Forward
Respondents want to see more attention brought to the police, roads, parks, and housing, among other items.
Is there anything else you’d like the Planning Team to be aware of moving forward with the Township’s Comprehensive Plan?
Key Takeaways on
Issues for the Comprehensive Plan: 1. Creating more self-identity within the Township 2. Making improvements to parks, open spaces, and trails 3. Addressing emergency services, particularly fire and police 4. Improving infrastructure maintenance (i.e. snow removal) for local roads and bridges 5. Attracting developments and uses that residents want to see, including sports and entertainment venues, more restaurants, retail stores, etc.
Important
THANK YOU to all who participated in the Survey. You are helping to preserve our roots and make the Township an even better place to LIVE LEARN WORK & PLAY !
