The Woodlands Township conducts a survey of residents every two years to gain insight regarding public opinion of township services and major issues in the community. During the March 22 township board of directors meeting, a representative from the National Research Center presented the newest survey results to the board.

Roughly 6,100 households in The Woodlands received a survey last fall between the months of October and December and about 1,550 completed it, resulting in an overall response rate of 25 percent. Of the total respondents, 21 percent were under age 44 and 79 percent were over age 44, according to the township. However, survey results were weighted so the respondents' ages were represented in the proportions reflective of the entire community—42 percent age 44 and under and 58 percent over age 44, according to the survey.

The survey focused on several major topics, including transportation, governance, township services, law enforcement and economic development. To view the entire survey results, click here.

Here are a few responses to survey questions:

 

According to the survey results, when prompted to write in their own words what they felt was the most important issue facing residents of The Woodlands, roughly three in 10 respondents made a comment about traffic, mobility and public transportation.



 

Residents who responded to the survey were split regarding the idea of becoming a city in the next five years.



When asked which additional services they would like if The Woodlands became a city, residents were split between no additional services, safety services and law enforcement services.*


A majority of residents who completed the survey were not in favor of paying additional property taxes to become a city.



The top three ideas to improve mobility in the community among respondents included improving public transportation, widening or building more roads and improving traffic signal timing.


A majority of households in The Woodlands that responded to the survey house at least one person who works and lives in the community.


Residents who took the survey were split between additional entertainment options needed in the community.



Development near residential areas has been a popular topic during recent board of directors meetings. Residents who took the survey were split regarding this topic.


*Respondents were able to select more than one answer.