Community Survey Results

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

1 Are you a resident of Hempfield Township?

Who took the survey?

Nearly 92% of survey respondents live in Hempfield Township.

No 8.3%

Yes 91.7%

1,009

2 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.

1,009

3 How long have you lived in Hempfield Township?

Who took the survey?

13.8%

13.2%

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.

63.1% 9.9%

1,009 Less than 5 years

5-9 years

10-15 years

15 or more years

4 Who took the survey?

When asked where you are from, which locale do you most use to describe your location?

45% 40%

42.2%

35%

Only 20% of respondents describe their locale as Hempfield Township.

30% 25%

23.7%

20% 19.9% 15%

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.

10%

10.4%

5%

3.7%

0% By township name By mailing address By community or (Hempfield Township) (example: development name 15601=Greensburg) (example: Fort Allen)

1,009

By nearest arterial road (example: Rt. 136)

Other (please specify)

5 In what age range do you fall?

Who took the survey?

30%

25%

25.4%

20%

20.9%

20.9%

16.7%

15%

14.7%

Almost 42% of respondents were between the ages of 45 and 64.

10%

5%

0.0%

1.3%

0%

A quarter of respondents, 25%, were in the 35 to 44 age group.

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

1,009 55-64

65+

6 Resident Communication 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.

Another common response was that information was not readily available from the Twp.

Where do you typically find information on events and happenings in the Township?

Other (please specify) 3.3%

Township website 12.3% Word of mouth 18.6%

Hempfield School District 10.6% Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)

30.8%

Township magazine – Headlining Hempfield 20.8%

1,009 Emails/Texts from the Township 3.5%

7

What issues do you think should be most important to Township government, officials, and staff?

0%

Important Issues

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Road improvement projects

Parks improvement projects

Increased recreational programming Increased fire department coverage and additional fire fighters Stormwater management and flooding improvements

Respondents think road improvement projects and parks improvement projects should be most important to Township officials and staff.

Citizen engagement

Indoor community spaces

Other (please specify)

1,009

7 Important Issues

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

Lower (or Maintain) Property Taxes

Other responses included…

Improved Walkability/ Adding Sidewalks

More Parks &Playgrounds

Increase Fire Coverage/ Training Cleaning Up/ Improving Natural Areas

Code Enforcement

Speeding in Residential Areas Extend Public Sewer/Water

Control Township Spending Preserve Local Farming

8 Township Assets

Respondents are most satisfied with access to major highways, ambulance responsiveness, and access to reliable sewer services and development

How well are the following resources working for you?

Access to major highways

3.86

Access to reliable water/sewage services and development

3.32

Access to a public library

4.02

Access to public parks

3.83

Ambulance responsiveness to emergency calls

3.66

Police responsiveness to emergency calls

3.84

Fire Department responsiveness to emergency Calls

4.33 0%

20%

40%

60%

Percent of Total Votes

1 (not working well)

2

3

4

5 (working very well)

1,009 80%

100%

Average

How well are the following resources working for you?

8 Township Assets

Roadway Improvements

Activities for All Ages

Fire Service

Abandoned Property Maintenance

High Tax Rate

Trash Service Sidewalks/ Walkability

Most common other responses included…

Mainly considered to not be working well.

Stormwater/ Runoff Management

Public Area Litter/ Maintenance

Public Transportation Affordable Housing

Indoor Public Space

9 Most Requested Development

Restaurants and Sports/Entertainment Venues were the most requested types of development.

10 How would you rate the quality of life and access to vital amenities that Hempfield offers compared to the following locations?*

Township Assets

5 4.2 3.92

4 3.41

Respondents rated Greensburg most similar to Hempfield Township, Jeannette was rated lowest, and Cranberry Township was rated highest.

Weighted Average

3.4 3.06

3.23

3 2.21

2.09 2

1.57

1.76

1

* Rating with 1 being poorer than Hempfield Township, 3 being on-par with Hempfield Township, and 5 being better than Hempfield Township

11 Township Assets Ease of access to high quality public spaces and well-maintained infrastructure are features admired most by survey respondents in places like Cranberry Township.

For the locations you rated a 4 or 5 for the previous question, what features of these areas do you find effective?

Other (please specify) 8% Environmental preservation 8%

Well-maintained infrastructure (i.e. road repairs, snow removal, bridge management) 24%

An effective government system…

Ease of access to highquality public spaces (i.e. parks, libraries, sports fields) 25%

Management of housing construction and land Reliable utilities (i.e. development water, electric, gas, 12% internet access) 12%

12 Do you feel like the Township is investing adequately and properly in its parks and recreation assets and resources?

Park Assets 65% of respondents believe there is adequate investment in parks and recreation.

34% of respondents do not believe there is adequate investment in parks and recreation.

No 34.2%

Yes 65.8%

1,009

13 Please select up to three places or things that you particularly value in Hempfield Township.

Township Assets

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Local businesses Library Parks and trails Restaurants Schools My neighborhood

Parks and trails, my neighborhood, schools, and local businesses are the most-valued assets in Hempfield Township.

Public safety /Fire Department

Special events Communication (Magazine, Social Media, etc.)

Local youth sports associations Other (please specify)

1,009

50%

14 Township Assets

Fire services, EMS services, policing, and roads were voted the most important issues in Hempfield Township.

How important to you are improvements on the following issues as the Township moves forward?

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Average

Attracting new businesses/employers

4.11

Connections from existing trails into neighborhoods

3.38

Emergency services: Policing

4.21

Emergency services: Fire

4.32

Emergency services: EMS/ambulance

4.35

Parks and trails

3.80

Streets and roads

4.39

Traffic

4.08

Streetscapes and corridor enhancements

3.38

Variety of housing options

3.14

Water/sewer infrastructure extensions

3.63

Zoning/land uses

1,009

Other (please rate here and specify below)

1 (not important)

2

3

4

5 (very important)

3.52 3.93

15

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?

Township Assets

Respondents like their schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and safety, among other things.

1,009

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?

1. Creating more self-identity within the Township

Key Takeaways on Important Issues for the Comprehensive Plan:

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.

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 !