2008 Iowa Poll Results

Contact: Susan Buckles, APR

Northwest Area Foundation

651-225-3865 sbuckles@nwaf.org

Iowans worry their paychecks won’t cover basic costs in 2008 - yet they stay hopeful of local improvements

Nearly eight in 10 say they will take their concerns to the voting booth this November

FOR FULL DETAILS: www.nwaf.org

ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 16, 2008) Nearly one-third of Iowans worry most of the time that their total family income will not be enough to meet their family’s expenses and bills in 2008, bringing the struggle to make ends meet to a very personal level, according to a nationwide survey released today by the Northwest Area Foundation. Whether due to the depressed housing market, record numbers of home foreclosures, mounting debt or a wavering stock market, a majority of the state’s residents rated the local economy as only fair or poor. Nearly two-thirds say they are worried the economy will get worse this year. The poll numbers show:

Thirty percent worry most or all of the time their total family income won’t be enough to meet bills.
Fifty-one percent rate the local economy as fair or poor.
Sixty-four percent say they are worried the economy might get worse in the next year.

The leader of a statewide agency that helps people who are struggling sees the impact of the numbers throughout Iowa.

“Food, health care, home heating costs and gas prices have risen dramatically this past year. Meeting family needs is becoming harder than ever before for low-wage workers. Programs to help families bridge the gaps during difficult times have not been able to keep up with the increased demand for service,” said Lana Ross, executive director, Iowa Community Action Association.

An overwhelming number of Iowans say their concerns about people struggling to make ends meet will be an issue in this year’s elections:

Eighty-four percent say they will probably vote in the November election.
Eighty-nine percent think it is important for elected officials to help those who are struggling.
Seventy-seven percent say they will take that belief with them to the voting booth.

Yet, Iowans hold out hope. For three straight years they have said they believe the number going through hard times can be reduced.

"A lot of positive things are happening in the community. The school board approved an addition on the elementary school to provide an early childhood center. It's the project that is going to have the most impact on poverty in our community. When we look at where we can have significant impact, quality day care when parents are out working is the biggest thing," said Bruce Weigel, president of People's Savings Bank in Elma, Iowa.

“People are fully aware that the struggle to make ends meet has become harder and more pervasive all around this country and in all kinds of communities – urban, rural and American Indian reservations,” said Gary Cunningham, vice president of programs and chief program officer for the Northwest Area Foundation. “As significantly, the hope and drive we’ve seen in communities to reduce poverty, build prosperity and take back their destinies, is also borne out in this national poll.”

A likely reflection of the rising cost of living, more people say it takes twice the federal poverty threshold, $21,027, to meet basic needs for a family of four:

Sixty-eight percent in 2008 vs. 57 percent in 2007 say it takes at least $40,000 for a family of four.
Thirty-seven percent in 2008 vs. 27 percent in 2007 say it takes more than $40,000 for a family of four.

For the third year in a row, a majority in the state, 82 percent, said they know someone who is working full time, yet is still struggling to make ends meet. Fifty-eight percent say they know people who are working two or more jobs and are struggling.

Despite their own personal financial worries, 84 percent of Iowans report they would like to do more to help those who are struggling to make ends meet. Among the steps they are willing to take, 61 percent say they would pay $50 more per year in taxes if it would go to people in their community.

For full details on the national poll, including actions people are willing to take to help others, priorities for lawmakers, and optimism for the future, visit www.nwaf.org.

The Northwest Area Foundation is dedicated to helping communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington reduce poverty for the long term. These states were served by the Great Northern Railway, founded by James J. Hill. In 1934, Hill’s son, Louis W. Hill, established the foundation. To learn more, visit www.nwaf.org.

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The Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) commissioned Lake Research Partners (LRP) to conduct a national tracking survey to explore the public’s perception of poverty in one’s own community, attitudes toward the roles of local elected officials, and ways in which to address the issue. The survey was conducted among 4,000 Americans age 18 and older, from February 8-29, 2008. Eight hundred interviews were conducted nationally, and oversamples of 400 were conducted in each of the following eight states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The oversamples were weighted down to reflect their true proportion in the country. The margin of error is +/-3.5 percentage points for national and +/-5.0 points for state results. This is the third survey of its kind, replicating studies NWAF and LRP released in March 2006[1] and April 2007.

[1] The 2006 findings also included a national sample of 800 interviews, but the state oversamples only included 200 interviews in each.