2024 Survey Results

OVERALL RATING

Nine hundred residents shared their views through telephone and online opinion surveys conducted in the first half of 2019. Key findings are summarized, including ratings for different aspects of life in Flint. Ratings are based on a scale of one to five, in which five means “very positive” and one means “very negative.” For more information about how the ratings were calculated, see Methodology.

THINGS TO CELEBRATE/
THINGS TO IMPROVE

This section highlights survey results regarding what’s working and what needs improvement. If a section of Focus on Flint does not include information about Things to Celebrate or Things to Improve, it’s because the survey didn’t yield responses to fit the categories.

ALSO HEARD

In addition to results of the opinion survey, Focus on Flint shares information that local nonprofit organizations and agencies have reported hearing from the residents they serve.

SUPPORT FROM MOTT

Support for the organizations and programs presented in bold text includes funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which produced this report. To learn more, visit the Foundation’s website, Mott.org.

FACTS & FIGURES

Each section includes data and statistics that illuminate strengths of the Flint community and highlight challenges. These facts were collected through opinion surveys of Flint residents; from city, state and federal agencies; and from local nonprofit organizations. The Flint surveys were conducted in the first half of 2019. Unless otherwise noted, all remaining data are from 2018.

DID YOU KNOW?

This section highlights organizations and programs working to address issues in the Flint community and provides information about how to connect with them.

THE ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE

Focus on Flint explores nine important issues facing the local community: Arts and Culture, Economy, Education, Health, Housing, Public Safety, Quality of Life, Standard of Living and Water. This section describes why each issue is critical to the community and summarizes work underway.

KEY ISSUES AND OVERALL RATINGS: 2019-2024

When the Mott Foundation launched the Focus on Flint initiative in 2019, we promised to continue to ask about and report on residents’ perspectives on life in the city. For the past six years, we have commissioned a survey of Flint residents about nine key issues that affect quality of life, as well as the top concerns and priorities they want to see addressed. Along with community conversations, survey results help to inform the Foundation’s local grantmaking.

On a scale from one to five, with one meaning “very negative” and five meaning “very positive,” below are residents’ average ratings recorded from 2019 through 2024 to show a six-year comparison.

TOP CONCERNS

FOR FLINT RESIDENTS

Survey participants were asked, “What do you think is the most serious issue facing the residents of Flint that you would like to see community leaders do something about?” Among those who responded in 2024, crime and water quality continue to top the list of key concerns. Below are the top three concerns from the 2024 survey:

  • 30% CRIME/SAFETY
  • 14% CLEAN AND AFFORDABLE WATER
  • 14% JOBS/ECONOMY

A FEW THINGS WORTH NOTING

  • While perceptions of the nine key issues have remained largely consistent, all ratings have improved since last year.
  • While a majority continue to say that what they pay for water is unfair, perceptions of water quality and affordability have steadily improved over time.
  • As in the past few years, crime and public safety continue to be the biggest concerns for Flint residents.
  • When it comes to public health, Flint residents are most satisfied with their personal health and the availability of emergency care and least satisfied with the affordability of health care and the availability of clean water.
  • A plurality of Flint residents say that housing conditions have worsened in recent years, and a majority would like to move elsewhere but don’t for affordability reasons.
  • At the same time, one in five say they would like to move to a different neighborhood in Flint.
  • Most renters aspire to own a home someday, but cost is the primary barrier for those who think it is unlikely to occur.

2024 SURVEY RESULTS: HOUSING IN FLINT

In addition to gathering feedback on nine key issue areas, we wanted to take a closer look at other important community issues. So this update also features residents’ thoughts and concerns regarding housing opportunities in Flint. 

Nearly half of the residents surveyed said they want to continue living in Flint, and 27% said they wanted to continue living in their current neighborhood and current home. Approximately half of the residents surveyed said they would like to move out of their current home, but 23% said they will likely stay because they can’t afford to move. 

In addition, residents were asked, “Which of the following reasons best describes why you live in your current house or apartment?”  

  • 57% I would prefer to move somewhere else, but I stay where I am because it would cost too much to move. 
  • 38% I like my home and my neighborhood.
  • 6% I don’t know.

When asked if housing conditions in their neighborhood have gotten better, gotten worse or stayed about the same over the last five years, only 14% said their neighborhood has improved.

  • 5% Much better
  • 9% Somewhat better
  • 39% Stayed about the same
  • 22% Somewhat worse
  • 22% Much worse
  • 3% Don’t know

What’s Missing? Let Us Know!