Poll Reveals Austinites' Opinion on the City
AUSTIN -- Creative, artistic, musical, active, technologically sophisticated: That's how Austinites describe the city, according to a new public opinion poll.
The 2015 Zandan Poll revealed Austin residents' attitudes and behaviors toward city issues and the city itself, which age being one of the largest factors in residents' attitudes.
According to the poll, Austinites see the city as a "haven" for Millennials, a town for singles and "more defined by the University of Texas brand" than by the Texas State Capitol. They also said the town is well-suited for young adults, both those who have children and those who don't.
As one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, Austin residents said they've noticed increased diversity and economic activity. However, half of Austinites surveyed said affordability is one of the city's biggest issues, and the city may lose some of its appeal due to its rising cost of living. The poll also reveals that nearly half of Austinites say the growth has caused traffic problems in the area.
Poll founder Peter Zandan said the results reveal the city's slogan, "Keep Austin Weird," is just a way of saying "Keep Austin Creative."
"Keeping the city creative means keeping the city affordable and open to a diverse mix of ideas, ethnicities, jobs, and socioeconomic situations. There's an understanding that in order to keep Austin weird, the city has to remain affordable and diverse," Zandan said in a statement.
The poll also revealed that Austinites think the city is most similar to Portland. They also said if they had to leave Austin but go to another city in Texas, they'd move to San Antonio or the outskirts of Austin.
Austinites also said the city is welcoming, especially for members of the LGBT community, Asian Americans and Hispanics.
Another fun fact: 29 percent of Austin residents have tattoos, 8 percent higher than the national average.