Washington Post Prince William County [Virginia] Poll, January 1997

This special topic poll, conducted January 9-12, 1997,
solicited responses from Virginia residents of Prince William County
and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park on a range of community
and quality of life issues specific to their locale. Respondents were
asked to rate Prince William County as a place to live, and commented
on past, current, and future trends in their quality of life. Those
polled identified the most important problem facing Prince William
County, whether they would like to live in Prince William County in
five years, and whether they would move if housing was not less
expensive there relative to other areas around Washington. Respondents
were asked to assess the treatment of residents of the east and west
sides of the county by government officials, how well their local
government was providing public services, as well as the availability
of cultural activities, entertainment, and retail stores and
restaurants in Prince William County. Residents were also asked for
their opinion on problems facing their local public schools, such as
overcrowding, gang violence, and poor school facilities, and whether
they would be willing to sacrifice city services or pay more taxes to
provide more money to public schools. Other topics covered the growth
rate in Prince William County, and whether limits should be placed on
residential and commercial development. Additional questions asked
respondents how long they had lived in the Prince William County area,
the location of their previous residence, and whether they had any
children living in and attending school in Prince William
County. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level,
marital status, political party affiliation, and household income.