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86% Concerned About Threat to Chesapeake Bay - Demographics

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Survey of 1,030 US Likely Voters in the Chesapeake Watershed
Conducted October 17-24, 2025 by Rasmussen Reports and NumbersUSA
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
        1,030 484 546 103 155 206 309 258 690 196 144 433 330 268 387 346 255 26 283 210 332 169 248 278 322 153 442 315 205 39 372 122 282 254 336 366 328 264 304 462
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
The U.S. Department of Agriculture calculates that over the last four decades nearly 5,200 square miles of farmland and wildlife habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been permanently converted into housing, shopping malls, roads, and other urban and suburban development. How do you feel about this trend? Very concerned 47% 49% 46% 46% 45% 48% 46% 51% 50% 39% 49% 48% 45% 48% 50% 40% 54% 56% 46% 46% 45% 58% 52% 52% 44% 45% 46% 51% 44% 54% 56% 43% 44% 40% 48% 47% 47% 50% 39% 52%
Somewhat concerned 39% 38% 39% 37% 44% 39% 38% 37% 38% 39% 40% 39% 39% 38% 37% 44% 35% 20% 38% 38% 44% 33% 37% 39% 40% 37% 39% 38% 39% 42% 34% 43% 42% 39% 39% 40% 37% 37% 44% 36%
Not very concerned 9% 8% 9% 12% 6% 8% 10% 7% 8% 14% 5% 8% 11% 7% 8% 10% 7% 10% 8% 14% 7% 5% 8% 6% 10% 10% 8% 9% 10% 4% 6% 8% 8% 13% 7% 8% 11% 9% 10% 7%
Not at all concerned 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% 2% 1% 2% 1% 5% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 2% 2% 4% 3% 1% 2% 0% 1% 1% 3% 2% 3% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2%
Not sure 3% 3% 4% 3% 2% 3% 5% 3% 3% 4% 4% 3% 3% 5% 3% 3% 2% 14% 5% 0% 2% 3% 2% 1% 4% 4% 5% 1% 4% 0% 2% 4% 3% 6% 3% 5% 3% 3% 5% 3%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Most of the new development in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has been driven by the addition of more than six million residents in the area. How do you feel about this level of population growth? Very concerned 39% 39% 39% 30% 40% 37% 39% 42% 41% 32% 37% 40% 39% 37% 41% 36% 41% 45% 36% 35% 40% 48% 43% 43% 35% 38% 37% 43% 39% 45% 47% 35% 37% 31% 37% 38% 41% 39% 32% 43%
Somewhat concerned 41% 40% 42% 47% 34% 45% 41% 40% 41% 44% 38% 40% 40% 44% 41% 43% 42% 36% 43% 42% 42% 37% 40% 42% 43% 39% 42% 38% 43% 41% 39% 38% 42% 44% 41% 43% 39% 40% 46% 38%
Not very concerned 14% 14% 13% 13% 19% 12% 13% 13% 12% 17% 14% 14% 15% 11% 13% 15% 13% 10% 14% 19% 12% 8% 12% 10% 17% 15% 14% 13% 15% 7% 10% 19% 14% 16% 15% 13% 12% 17% 15% 10%
Not at all concerned 3% 4% 2% 5% 5% 3% 2% 2% 2% 4% 6% 2% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% 0% 2% 3% 4% 3% 1% 4% 2% 5% 3% 4% 1% 7% 2% 4% 5% 2% 5% 1% 3% 2% 3% 4%
Not sure 4% 3% 4% 4% 3% 3% 5% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 3% 5% 2% 3% 3% 9% 5% 0% 2% 4% 4% 1% 3% 4% 5% 2% 2% 0% 2% 4% 2% 8% 2% 4% 5% 2% 4% 4%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Generally speaking, how has the additional development and population growth affected the quality of life in your region? Made it a better place to live 15% 19% 11% 27% 22% 22% 11% 4% 12% 19% 23% 17% 17% 8% 24% 7% 14% 31% 14% 11% 14% 20% 11% 23% 12% 15% 14% 14% 18% 29% 20% 25% 9% 8% 22% 13% 9% 25% 17% 7%
Made it a worse place to live 39% 38% 40% 36% 38% 38% 36% 44% 43% 31% 33% 34% 42% 44% 39% 39% 38% 39% 41% 37% 38% 41% 47% 42% 31% 40% 36% 42% 40% 43% 43% 42% 41% 29% 33% 40% 44% 33% 34% 46%
It did not have much of an effect 31% 32% 30% 29% 28% 25% 31% 38% 30% 35% 34% 33% 28% 31% 27% 35% 33% 6% 28% 36% 34% 30% 34% 25% 36% 28% 32% 32% 31% 21% 27% 26% 37% 33% 30% 31% 33% 26% 32% 33%
Not sure 15% 10% 19% 9% 11% 14% 21% 14% 16% 16% 10% 16% 13% 16% 9% 19% 16% 24% 17% 16% 13% 9% 8% 11% 21% 18% 19% 11% 11% 8% 9% 8% 13% 30% 15% 16% 14% 15% 16% 14%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
In terms of such environmental issues as air quality, open space and traffic congestion, what do you think the impact of this recent development of 5,200 square miles has been in your region? Mostly beneficial 14% 19% 10% 30% 21% 19% 11% 5% 11% 22% 21% 15% 18% 8% 22% 7% 15% 44% 13% 13% 12% 20% 13% 20% 10% 16% 14% 14% 16% 29% 21% 24% 8% 7% 22% 12% 9% 25% 16% 8%
Mostly harmful 52% 51% 52% 44% 52% 52% 55% 51% 54% 44% 53% 52% 48% 56% 48% 55% 54% 32% 51% 52% 52% 56% 53% 54% 50% 54% 48% 53% 57% 63% 54% 52% 60% 39% 47% 57% 52% 44% 53% 56%
It did not have much of an effect 20% 20% 20% 18% 20% 16% 17% 28% 21% 19% 18% 20% 23% 17% 19% 23% 18% 7% 19% 24% 23% 15% 23% 17% 21% 19% 23% 21% 16% 4% 18% 18% 20% 25% 19% 16% 26% 18% 17% 23%
Not sure 14% 10% 17% 8% 7% 13% 17% 16% 14% 16% 8% 13% 11% 18% 11% 15% 13% 17% 16% 11% 13% 9% 11% 9% 19% 11% 16% 12% 12% 4% 6% 7% 13% 29% 13% 14% 13% 13% 14% 14%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
In terms of water quality, fish and shellfish stocks, what do you think the environmental impact of this development has been on the Chesapeake Bay itself? Mostly beneficial 14% 18% 10% 27% 22% 20% 9% 3% 10% 21% 22% 14% 19% 7% 21% 8% 11% 38% 15% 12% 10% 17% 11% 20% 10% 13% 13% 14% 14% 22% 19% 23% 6% 9% 22% 11% 8% 27% 13% 7%
Mostly harmful 61% 58% 63% 47% 54% 58% 62% 71% 65% 49% 57% 62% 53% 69% 54% 65% 67% 43% 52% 60% 69% 66% 67% 58% 62% 58% 60% 61% 62% 64% 62% 55% 70% 51% 55% 61% 67% 51% 55% 71%
It did not have much of an effect 13% 13% 12% 17% 15% 8% 12% 14% 12% 17% 12% 14% 15% 9% 13% 13% 12% 6% 16% 16% 11% 8% 13% 12% 13% 15% 15% 13% 11% 5% 11% 14% 13% 15% 13% 14% 11% 13% 18% 10%
Not sure 13% 10% 15% 9% 10% 14% 16% 11% 14% 13% 8% 10% 14% 15% 12% 14% 10% 13% 16% 11% 10% 9% 9% 10% 15% 14% 12% 12% 14% 9% 8% 8% 11% 24% 11% 14% 13% 10% 14% 13%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
How important is it to protect the remaining farmland, forests, wetlands, and open spaces within the Chesapeake Bay watershed from development? Very important 68% 67% 70% 58% 61% 68% 68% 77% 71% 64% 63% 72% 63% 69% 64% 66% 78% 60% 67% 65% 70% 75% 73% 71% 66% 65% 68% 71% 65% 76% 76% 59% 67% 62% 64% 66% 75% 61% 64% 75%
Somewhat important 24% 26% 21% 24% 28% 25% 25% 17% 23% 26% 22% 22% 27% 22% 29% 25% 17% 26% 24% 25% 24% 20% 23% 23% 25% 25% 24% 21% 28% 19% 19% 31% 27% 23% 27% 26% 17% 29% 29% 17%
Not very important 4% 4% 4% 10% 6% 3% 3% 1% 3% 5% 8% 3% 6% 4% 4% 6% 1% 3% 4% 8% 2% 2% 3% 4% 3% 6% 4% 4% 5% 2% 3% 6% 3% 5% 6% 3% 3% 6% 3% 3%
Not at all important 1% 1% 2% 4% 3% 0% 1% 2% 1% 3% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 3% 1% 2% 1% 1% 0% 0% 3% 0% 2% 1% 0% 2% 1% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1%
Not sure 3% 2% 3% 5% 1% 4% 3% 3% 3% 2% 5% 3% 3% 4% 2% 2% 3% 7% 4% 0% 2% 3% 2% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 1% 1% 3% 2% 8% 1% 4% 4% 2% 3% 3%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
In terms of access to outdoor recreation like fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, and boating, what do you think the environmental impact of this recent development of 5,200 square miles has been in your region? Mostly beneficial 19% 24% 14% 33% 36% 23% 13% 6% 14% 24% 34% 18% 24% 13% 30% 12% 12% 48% 22% 17% 15% 18% 14% 27% 15% 19% 21% 17% 17% 23% 25% 31% 9% 14% 30% 14% 12% 32% 19% 11%
Mostly harmful 48% 49% 48% 37% 39% 46% 52% 56% 53% 38% 42% 49% 42% 55% 41% 55% 53% 37% 44% 55% 49% 52% 53% 49% 44% 52% 45% 50% 54% 59% 50% 48% 57% 37% 39% 52% 54% 40% 42% 58%
It did not have much of an effect 20% 17% 22% 17% 16% 19% 22% 21% 19% 26% 14% 20% 20% 19% 19% 21% 20% 2% 18% 19% 24% 18% 23% 15% 21% 22% 20% 21% 17% 11% 17% 16% 20% 26% 18% 20% 22% 16% 24% 19%
Not sure 13% 10% 16% 13% 10% 12% 13% 16% 14% 12% 11% 13% 13% 13% 10% 12% 14% 12% 16% 9% 13% 12% 9% 9% 20% 7% 15% 11% 12% 6% 8% 5% 15% 23% 13% 15% 12% 12% 15% 12%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
How important is it to you personally to be able to access natural areas fairly quickly from where you live? Very important 48% 50% 46% 42% 47% 52% 48% 48% 48% 47% 49% 50% 47% 46% 49% 44% 53% 61% 47% 48% 46% 54% 52% 50% 46% 44% 50% 47% 46% 50% 57% 45% 45% 38% 50% 42% 52% 52% 39% 52%
Somewhat important 35% 33% 37% 34% 35% 36% 38% 32% 36% 35% 33% 34% 36% 36% 34% 39% 33% 27% 34% 36% 38% 34% 31% 37% 35% 44% 35% 34% 38% 39% 31% 40% 34% 42% 33% 41% 32% 32% 39% 35%
Not very important 11% 11% 11% 15% 13% 7% 8% 14% 10% 12% 12% 9% 11% 13% 12% 12% 8% 3% 12% 13% 11% 8% 13% 9% 13% 9% 9% 13% 11% 8% 9% 11% 15% 9% 12% 10% 11% 11% 14% 8%
Not at all important 3% 3% 2% 4% 3% 1% 1% 4% 2% 4% 3% 3% 3% 1% 3% 2% 4% 4% 3% 2% 3% 1% 2% 2% 3% 1% 2% 4% 2% 0% 2% 3% 3% 3% 2% 3% 2% 2% 3% 3%
Not sure 3% 3% 4% 4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 5% 4% 1% 2% 4% 2% 2% 3% 2% 4% 2% 2% 3% 2% 1% 3% 7% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 2%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Would you prefer that your region’s towns and cities remain separate and distinct from each other and keep their own identities, or does it not matter much if they merge into larger, continuous urban areas? Prefer towns and cities remain separate and distinct 73% 74% 72% 69% 68% 70% 70% 83% 78% 62% 64% 69% 76% 75% 77% 71% 72% 80% 68% 71% 77% 78% 81% 77% 68% 67% 70% 74% 79% 84% 81% 69% 77% 59% 68% 71% 81% 68% 67% 79%
It doesn't much matter if they merge into larger urban areas 19% 18% 19% 24% 26% 22% 18% 11% 15% 26% 25% 21% 18% 16% 18% 18% 20% 12% 21% 25% 17% 14% 15% 16% 21% 25% 21% 20% 15% 9% 14% 26% 19% 23% 22% 20% 14% 22% 22% 14%
Not sure 8% 8% 9% 7% 6% 8% 12% 7% 7% 11% 11% 9% 7% 9% 5% 11% 8% 8% 11% 4% 7% 8% 4% 8% 11% 8% 9% 6% 7% 7% 6% 5% 5% 19% 11% 9% 6% 10% 11% 6%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
If the population in your area were to increase significantly over the next decade, would the government be able to build enough extra transportation capacity to accommodate the extra traffic, or would driving times likely become worse? Traffic likely could be accommodated  without increasing driving times 20% 25% 15% 35% 33% 23% 15% 8% 16% 25% 32% 18% 23% 18% 27% 15% 16% 43% 20% 19% 17% 23% 14% 28% 18% 19% 19% 20% 21% 23% 24% 31% 13% 15% 32% 15% 13% 35% 20% 11%
Traffic likely would become somewhat slower and worse 44% 43% 45% 35% 38% 41% 42% 57% 45% 43% 40% 45% 45% 42% 44% 42% 49% 35% 43% 48% 45% 43% 50% 41% 41% 49% 47% 45% 39% 33% 41% 48% 51% 39% 41% 42% 51% 39% 42% 49%
Would likely become much slower and worse 30% 26% 32% 24% 25% 28% 35% 29% 33% 25% 20% 29% 26% 34% 25% 37% 28% 17% 26% 29% 32% 33% 32% 28% 32% 25% 24% 33% 35% 40% 32% 18% 31% 29% 21% 36% 31% 19% 31% 34%
Not sure 7% 6% 7% 6% 4% 7% 8% 6% 6% 7% 7% 7% 6% 6% 4% 6% 8% 6% 10% 5% 6% 1% 4% 3% 9% 7% 10% 2% 4% 3% 2% 3% 5% 16% 6% 7% 6% 7% 7% 6%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
What would you prefer happen to the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s population in the future? Grow at its recent rapid rate 13% 17% 10% 23% 18% 18% 11% 5% 11% 20% 16% 15% 16% 7% 18% 9% 13% 45% 15% 8% 12% 14% 8% 18% 11% 18% 15% 11% 13% 23% 19% 15% 7% 11% 19% 13% 8% 22% 17% 6%
Grow much more slowly 33% 32% 33% 24% 32% 34% 31% 38% 33% 33% 31% 35% 31% 32% 33% 33% 35% 26% 28% 34% 32% 43% 37% 36% 30% 28% 32% 32% 35% 35% 35% 39% 38% 21% 34% 29% 36% 36% 33% 31%
Stay about the same size as it is now 31% 30% 31% 27% 29% 26% 33% 34% 31% 31% 30% 31% 28% 33% 28% 33% 33% 8% 34% 37% 31% 22% 35% 23% 33% 34% 33% 31% 28% 19% 29% 27% 32% 34% 27% 32% 34% 26% 29% 34%
Become smaller 13% 15% 12% 15% 16% 11% 15% 11% 15% 5% 16% 10% 15% 16% 13% 16% 12% 4% 10% 14% 17% 14% 12% 17% 13% 12% 10% 16% 17% 22% 12% 15% 14% 14% 13% 14% 12% 11% 8% 18%
Not sure 10% 6% 13% 11% 6% 12% 9% 12% 10% 12% 7% 9% 10% 12% 8% 10% 8% 17% 13% 7% 8% 7% 8% 6% 13% 10% 11% 10% 8% 1% 5% 5% 9% 20% 7% 12% 11% 5% 13% 11%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
The United States is growing by around two million people each year. Immigration accounts for most of the growth in the whole country, as well as in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Going forward, what should the government do? Reduce immigration to slow population growth in the region and nation 52% 57% 49% 46% 44% 50% 58% 55% 56% 44% 46% 37% 70% 56% 72% 52% 27% 48% 52% 61% 50% 50% 63% 56% 49% 40% 52% 57% 46% 61% 61% 53% 48% 45% 50% 48% 60% 45% 49% 59%
Keep immigration and population growth at current rates 29% 29% 29% 32% 37% 31% 23% 27% 26% 32% 35% 37% 19% 27% 19% 30% 44% 29% 26% 29% 31% 30% 22% 28% 31% 38% 29% 27% 34% 24% 25% 37% 31% 28% 32% 31% 22% 35% 33% 23%
Increase immigration and population growth 5% 5% 5% 8% 8% 4% 4% 4% 4% 6% 9% 5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 6% 9% 4% 1% 5% 9% 4% 6% 3% 7% 4% 4% 6% 11% 5% 4% 7% 3% 6% 5% 4% 8% 4% 4%
Not sure 14% 9% 18% 14% 11% 14% 16% 14% 14% 18% 10% 20% 7% 12% 5% 14% 24% 14% 18% 9% 14% 11% 11% 10% 16% 16% 15% 12% 14% 3% 9% 6% 14% 25% 12% 16% 13% 12% 14% 15%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Rezoning for increased density is an attempt to accommodate continued population growth while reducing development on farmland and natural habitat. Do you favor increasing density as means of limiting sprawl in your community? Yes 40% 47% 34% 44% 47% 51% 36% 31% 39% 44% 42% 42% 42% 35% 47% 33% 44% 52% 37% 36% 39% 52% 44% 50% 33% 35% 38% 40% 43% 63% 48% 52% 38% 25% 49% 37% 35% 52% 42% 33%
No 32% 32% 32% 36% 35% 26% 29% 37% 32% 30% 36% 31% 33% 32% 29% 36% 31% 24% 33% 33% 33% 26% 31% 31% 33% 34% 31% 34% 32% 31% 30% 31% 34% 33% 30% 33% 32% 28% 30% 35%
Not sure 28% 21% 35% 20% 18% 23% 35% 32% 30% 27% 23% 27% 25% 33% 24% 31% 24% 24% 30% 30% 27% 22% 26% 19% 34% 31% 31% 26% 26% 6% 22% 17% 29% 42% 21% 30% 33% 20% 28% 33%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Do you favor paying higher property taxes if needed to accommodate new residents and residential development in your community? Yes 28% 36% 21% 34% 38% 40% 23% 18% 25% 31% 41% 22% 42% 21% 45% 19% 20% 45% 27% 25% 28% 36% 24% 41% 23% 26% 27% 27% 34% 52% 33% 43% 24% 21% 37% 27% 22% 41% 31% 20%
No 41% 38% 44% 44% 40% 29% 35% 58% 42% 42% 37% 48% 29% 46% 31% 46% 51% 36% 45% 41% 43% 37% 46% 30% 45% 49% 43% 45% 34% 26% 45% 41% 46% 30% 36% 38% 51% 33% 38% 49%
Not sure 30% 26% 34% 22% 22% 31% 41% 24% 33% 28% 22% 30% 29% 33% 24% 35% 29% 19% 29% 34% 29% 28% 29% 29% 32% 25% 30% 29% 33% 22% 22% 16% 30% 50% 27% 36% 27% 26% 31% 32%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
The U.S. Department of Agriculture calculates that in recent decades urban sprawl has destroyed 43 million acres of farmland and natural habitat in the U.S., an area about equal in size to New England. If this trend were to continue, would it be .... Major problem 56% 55% 57% 54% 50% 56% 54% 63% 58% 49% 58% 59% 52% 58% 57% 52% 62% 64% 54% 60% 57% 55% 60% 53% 55% 61% 58% 56% 51% 64% 64% 50% 58% 46% 54% 56% 59% 49% 51% 64%
Somewhat of a problem 31% 33% 29% 33% 38% 31% 30% 26% 30% 33% 31% 31% 31% 30% 30% 35% 29% 6% 31% 27% 34% 34% 28% 38% 31% 26% 30% 31% 36% 29% 28% 40% 29% 32% 33% 32% 27% 34% 37% 25%
Not much of a problem 6% 7% 6% 5% 6% 5% 8% 6% 6% 9% 6% 5% 10% 4% 7% 7% 4% 10% 6% 10% 5% 4% 7% 6% 7% 5% 7% 6% 8% 1% 5% 4% 8% 8% 7% 5% 7% 10% 5% 5%
Not a problem at all 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 3% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 0% 1% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1%
Not sure 5% 4% 7% 6% 4% 7% 6% 4% 5% 7% 5% 4% 5% 7% 3% 5% 4% 17% 8% 1% 3% 5% 5% 2% 5% 7% 5% 5% 5% 5% 2% 3% 4% 14% 5% 6% 5% 5% 6% 5%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
A recent study of government data found that most development in the last decade was driven by the country’s population growing by 22 million people. The Census Bureau projects at current rates the U.S. population could grow by more than one hundred million over the rest of this century. How would this amount of population growth affect your community and region? Make them better places to live 16% 21% 11% 31% 26% 24% 12% 2% 10% 23% 31% 16% 17% 14% 24% 9% 13% 43% 15% 15% 13% 20% 12% 23% 14% 14% 15% 15% 19% 23% 18% 28% 11% 12% 27% 12% 8% 30% 14% 9%
Make them worse places to live 60% 57% 63% 44% 54% 57% 59% 74% 67% 47% 47% 58% 63% 59% 58% 66% 59% 42% 57% 61% 64% 63% 65% 63% 58% 58% 58% 62% 61% 67% 66% 52% 64% 52% 52% 61% 68% 46% 58% 70%
Not make much difference 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 9% 16% 10% 11% 17% 14% 14% 11% 11% 10% 12% 16% 4% 13% 13% 15% 7% 12% 8% 14% 17% 14% 10% 13% 5% 9% 13% 13% 15% 11% 12% 13% 12% 14% 11%
Not sure 12% 9% 14% 13% 8% 10% 13% 14% 12% 13% 8% 11% 10% 16% 8% 13% 12% 11% 15% 11% 8% 11% 11% 6% 15% 11% 13% 12% 8% 5% 6% 7% 12% 22% 11% 14% 10% 11% 14% 11%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Do you feel an emotional or spiritual uplift from time spent in natural areas such as forests, wetlands, meadows, mountains, and water bodies? Yes 76% 77% 76% 62% 73% 78% 77% 83% 83% 61% 68% 75% 79% 75% 79% 72% 82% 59% 70% 75% 81% 85% 83% 82% 72% 71% 73% 78% 79% 87% 85% 72% 76% 66% 70% 75% 84% 71% 72% 83%
No 16% 15% 16% 23% 19% 16% 15% 12% 12% 30% 18% 17% 15% 15% 15% 18% 14% 25% 21% 18% 12% 10% 13% 13% 19% 21% 19% 16% 13% 5% 11% 23% 17% 19% 20% 17% 11% 22% 18% 11%
Not sure 8% 8% 8% 15% 9% 7% 8% 5% 6% 10% 14% 7% 6% 10% 6% 10% 4% 16% 9% 6% 6% 5% 4% 5% 10% 9% 8% 6% 8% 8% 3% 5% 7% 16% 9% 8% 5% 7% 10% 6%
Total Gender Age Race Political Party  Ideology Education Marital status Income How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Where do you live? Where would you prefer to live?
LVs Men Women 18-29 30-39 40-49 50-64 65+ White Black Other Democrat Republican Other Conservative Moderate Liberal No HS diploma HS diploma Some college College Graduate Married, no children Married with children Not married, no children Not married, children <$50k $50-100k $100-200k $200k+ Whole life You moved here while a child You moved here as an adult Not sure Urban Suburban Rural Urban Suburban Rural
Which do you agree with more: that it is unethical to pave over and build on good cropland and wildlife habitat, or that the need for more housing is a legitimate reason to eliminate cropland and wildlife habitat? It is wrong to pave over and build on good cropland and wildlife habitat 75% 72% 78% 61% 63% 71% 81% 85% 79% 68% 66% 76% 71% 78% 75% 75% 77% 74% 72% 76% 80% 75% 82% 74% 76% 72% 77% 78% 69% 78% 79% 65% 79% 70% 67% 76% 82% 65% 72% 83%
The need for more housing is a legitimate reason to eliminate cropland and wildlife habitat 16% 19% 13% 28% 28% 19% 12% 6% 13% 21% 24% 16% 19% 11% 18% 16% 14% 12% 17% 18% 14% 16% 11% 21% 15% 17% 14% 15% 22% 17% 16% 29% 14% 12% 25% 13% 10% 25% 17% 10%
Not sure 9% 8% 10% 11% 9% 10% 8% 9% 8% 12% 10% 8% 10% 10% 7% 8% 9% 14% 11% 5% 6% 9% 7% 5% 9% 11% 9% 7% 10% 5% 5% 6% 8% 18% 8% 11% 8% 10% 11% 7%
Survey Demographics
Total
LVs
Gender Men 47%
Women 53%
Total
LVs
Age 18-29 10%
30-39 15%
40-49 20%
50-64 30%
65+ 25%
Total
LVs
Race White 67%
Black 19%
Other 14%
Total
LVs
Political Party Dem1 Democrat 42%
Republican 32%
Other 26%
Total
LVs
How long have you lived in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Whole life 36%
You moved here while a child 12%
You moved here as an adult 27%
Not sure 25%
Total
LVs
Where do you live? Urban 33%
Suburban 36%
Rural 32%
Total
LVs
Where would you prefer to live? Urban 26%
Suburban 30%
Rural 45%