Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll
This Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll was conducted by telephone May 10 to 31, 2011, among a random sample of 1,342 adults living in Washington D.C., including users of both conventional and cellular phones. The full sample includes additional interviews with randomly selected African Americans, for a total of 812 black respondents. The added interviews (commonly referred to as an “oversample”) were completed to ensure there were enough respondents for separate analysis; the group is not over-represented in the reported results. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points; error margins are 4 points for the African American sample, and 6.5 points for non-Hispanic whites. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) of Media, Pa.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. First, do you think things in the District of Columbia are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
Right Wrong Neither No
direction track (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 46 36 11 7
White 54 30 10 6
Black 43 41 8 8
8/26/10 56 29 9 6
1/28/10 52 29 11 8
1/8/08 56 31 8 5
7/18/06 42 46 7 5
5/19/02 54 33 8 5
2/7/00 69 22 6 3
8/27/98* 47 46 NA 7
5/18/98 31 58 4 6
5/4/97 20 71 6 2
5/19/96 14 78 NA 2
2/29/96 16 80 NA 4
3/02/95 15 80 NA 5
12/21/93 11 83 NA 6
7/86 42 47 NA 12
*Among Democratic likely voters only.
2. What is the biggest problem facing the District today, the one you want the mayor to work the hardest to solve?
--------------- Among RVs ----------------
5/31/11 5/31/11 8/26/10 7/18/06 5/19/02 2/7/00
Education/improving schools 25 26 34 24 18 17
ECONOMY NET 22 23 26 5 14 12
Jobs/employment/opportunities 16 16 18 3 9 7
Economy/Econ development/
improving quality of life/
cost of living 5 6 8 2 3 4
Taxes 1 1 * 1 2 2
CITY GOVERNMENT NET 13 15 4 2 3 6
Improve city government/
increase efficiency/less corrupt 6 7 2 1 3 4
Balanced budget/improve finances 5 6 2 1 1 2
The Mayor/issues involving the Mayor 1 1 NA NA NA NA
SERVICES NET 5 6 2 5 11 17
Improving city services 3 4 2 4 8 14
Improving soc. services/health care 2 2 NA 1 3 3
Crime/violence 12 10 13 38 22 21
Traffic/parking problems 5 3 2 1 1 3
Want DC to be self-governing/
representation in Congress/
Congressional oversight 5 4 1 1 3 3
Housing costs/
low income housing/
more affordable housing 4 4 4 16 15 2
Poverty/homelessness 2 2 2 2 2 3
Nothing * * 0 NA * 5
Other 4 3 10 3 7 8
Don't know 4 4 3 3 4 3
3. How would you rate the quality of life in Washington? Compared to other cities, would you say Washington is one of the best cities in the nation, above average, below average, or far below average?
--One of best/Above-- -----Below/Far below----
One of Above Average Below Far below No
NET best aver. (vol.) NET aver. aver. opinion
5/31/11 66 24 42 21 10 9 2 3
White 82 27 55 13 4 3 1 1
Black 53 20 33 27 16 14 3 4
2/7/00 57 22 35 30 10 8 2 3
12/84 NA 30 32 27 NA 6 2 3
4. How interested are you in District government and city affairs: Very interested, fairly interested, not too interested or not interested at all?
------Interested----- ------Not interested------ No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
5/31/11 79 35 45 20 12 8 1
White 82 29 53 18 15 4 -
Black 82 39 42 18 8 9 *
12/21/93 76 32 44 23 14 9 1
2/2/92 85 46 39 15 10 5 *
5. How often would you say you attend public or political meetings, hearings or speeches dealing with District government or city affairs: Would you say very often, somewhat often, hardly ever or never?
-------- Often -------- ------- Not often ------- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Hardly ever Never opinion
5/31/11 29 7 22 71 34 37 *
White 20 3 17 80 38 42 -
Black 36 9 27 63 30 33 *
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Vincent Gray is handling his job as Mayor? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or just somewhat?
-------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
5/31/11 41 10 31 40 26 14 20
White 27 4 23 57 41 16 16
Black 51 15 36 27 16 11 22
5/31/11 RV 40 11 29 43 27 16 17
Compare to Adrian Fenty:
-------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
8/26/10 RV 47 15 32 46 19 27 8
1/28/10 RV 40 13 27 53 20 33 7
1/28/10 42 13 29 49 20 29 9
1/8/08 RV 72 31 41 22 11 11 6
1/8/08 72 32 40 21 11 10 7
Compare to Anthony Williams:
-------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
7/18/06 RV 54 20 34 40 16 24 6
5/19/02 RV 64 24 40 29 11 18 7
5/19/02 64 22 42 28 11 17 8
2/7/00 77 36 40 17 9 7 7
Compare to Marion Barry:
-------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
5/18/98 35 16 19 52 17 34 14
5/4/97 31 13 19 63 21 41 6
5/19/96 50 25 25 47 21 26 3
2/29/96 48 19 29 45 19 26 7
3/02/95 58 28 30 27 13 14 15
5/89 28 NA NA 62 NA NA 10
8/21/87 44 NA NA 41 NA NA 15
7/86 50 NA NA 38 NA NA 12
Compare to Sharon Pratt Kelly:
-------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
12/21/93 30 7 23 67 32 35 3
2/2/92 54 20 34 42 19 23 4
7. For each of the following people, please tell me if you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of that person, or perhaps you don’t know enough to say. Is that strongly or somewhat favorable/unfavorable?
5/31/11 – Summary table
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly op.
a. Vincent Gray 46 13 32 37 26 11 17
White 30 4 25 57 45 12 13
Black 59 20 39 22 12 10 19
b. Adrian Fenty 54 24 31 35 14 22 10
White 78 36 43 16 12 4 6
Black 36 14 22 54 16 38 11
c. Council Chairman
Kwame Brown 30 9 22 36 19 17 33
White 20 1 19 43 23 21 37
Black 40 15 24 32 17 15 28
d. Schools Chancellor
Kaya Henderson 34 10 24 12 8 4 54
White 34 7 27 10 8 2 56
Black 33 12 21 13 8 5 54
Trend where available
a. Vincent Gray
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/31/11 46 13 32 37 26 11 17
5/31/11 RV 47 13 33 40 27 13 14
8/26/10 RV 60 27 32 16 12 5 24
1/28/10* RV 48 17 31 13 8 4 36
1/28/10* 43 16 27 13 8 5 44
1/8/08 RV 43 NA NA 11 NA NA 46
1/8/08 39 NA NA 9 NA NA 52
*District Council Chairman Vincent Gray
b. Adrian Fenty
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/31/11 54 24 31 35 14 22 10
5/31/11 RV 52 25 30 39 14 25 6
8/26/10 RV 51 17 34 42 17 24 7
7/18/06 RV 59 NA NA 16 NA NA 25
c-d no trend.
8. Please tell me whether the following statements apply to Mayor Gray, or not?
a. He understands the problems of people like you
Yes No No opinion
5/31/11 52 36 12
White 43 45 12
Black 60 29 11
5/31/11* 54 36 9
*Based on registered voters who self-identify as Democrats
Compare to:
8/26/10** 61 16 23
**Based on registered Democrats
b. He is honest and trustworthy
Yes No No opinion
5/31/11 42 37 20
White 38 48 14
Black 49 29 23
5/31/11* 45 38 16
*Based on registered voters who self-identify as Democrats
Compare to:
8/26/10** 61 13 26
**Based on registered Democrats
9. Thinking back to when Adrian Fenty was in office, would you say you approve or disapprove of the way Fenty handled his job as mayor? Do you feel that way strongly or just somewhat?
-------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
5/31/11 58 26 31 38 14 24 5
White 81 37 44 17 11 6 2
Black 40 18 22 56 18 38 4
5/31/11 RV 56 26 30 42 14 27 2
8/26/10 RV* 47 15 32 46 19 27 8
1/28/10 RV 40 13 27 53 20 33 7
1/28/10 42 13 29 49 20 29 9
1/8/08 RV 72 31 41 22 11 11 6
1/8/08 72 32 40 21 11 10 7
*8/26/10 and previous: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Adrian Fenty is handling…
10. Generally speaking, how would you rate (INSERT)? Excellent, good, not so good or poor?
5/31/11 – Summary table
- Excellent/Good - -- Not Good/Poor -- No
NET Excel. Good NET Not Good Poor opin.
a. The job that District
Police are doing 76 15 61 21 16 5 3
b. The quality of District parks
and recreation facilities 71 15 56 22 16 6 7
c. The job that District public
schools are doing 32 4 28 60 38 22 8
d. The job that the District
is doing to keep the streets
in good repair 49 6 43 50 33 17 1
Trend:
a. The job that district police are doing
--Excellent/Good-- ---Not Good/Poor--- No
NET Excel. Good NET Not Good Poor opin.
5/31/11 76 15 61 21 16 5 3
White 81 13 68 15 15 1 3
Black 72 15 57 26 18 8 2
1/28/10 73 12 61 25 17 8 2
1/8/08 61 8 53 37 27 10 2
7/18/06 RV 53 6 47 43 30 13 4
5/19/02 65 8 57 31 21 10 4
2/7/00 63 9 54 33 23 10 4
5/18/98 49 7 42 45 29 16 5
5/4/97 68 15 53 30 21 9 2
5/21/90 65 13 52 26 20 6 9
b. The quality of District parks and recreation facilities
--Excellent/Good-- ---Not Good/Poor--- No
NET Excel. Good NET Not Good Poor opin.
5/31/11 71 15 56 22 16 6 7
White 76 15 61 16 13 2 9
Black 68 16 52 26 17 8 7
1/28/10 65 11 54 28 19 8 7
7/18/06 RV 54 8 47 34 21 13 11
5/19/02 52 7 45 35 24 12 12
2/7/00 56 7 49 33 22 11 11
5/18/98 47 6 41 39 22 17 14
5/4/97 52 7 45 38 24 14 9
2/29/96 45 4 41 41 24 17 14
2/95 38 3 35 42 28 14 20
5/21/90 58 10 48 16 12 5 25
c. The job that district public schools are doing
--Excellent/Good-- ---Not Good/Poor--- No
NET Excel. Good NET Not Good Poor opin.
5/31/11 32 4 28 60 38 22 8
White 20 1 19 69 40 29 11
Black 40 5 35 54 38 16 6
1/28/10 37 5 32 54 32 22 9
1/8/08 23 3 20 71 38 33 5
7/18/06 RV 15 1 14 78 35 43 7
5/19/02 26 3 24 59 35 23 15
2/7/00 32 3 28 56 33 23 12
5/18/98 18 3 16 70 30 39 12
5/4/97 18 2 16 74 35 39 8
5/21/90 38 7 31 36 23 13 26
d. The job that the district is doing to keep the streets in good repair
--Excellent/Good-- ---Not Good/Poor--- No
NET Excel. Good NET Not Good Poor opin.
5/31/11 49 6 43 50 33 17 1
White 50 2 48 48 33 15 1
Black 49 7 41 51 33 18 1
1/8/08 46 8 38 53 33 20 1
7/18/06 RV 46 5 41 53 32 21 2
5/19/02 RV 43 4 39 56 34 22 1
5/19/02 43 4 39 55 33 22 2
2/7/00 32 3 29 65 35 31 3
5/18/98 21 2 19 78 34 44 2
5/4/97 18 2 16 81 32 49 1
2/29/96 22 2 20 76 26 50 2
2/95 25 2 23 69 30 39 6
11. These days, how safe from crime do you feel in your neighborhood? Would you say you feel very safe from crime, somewhat safe, not too safe, or not safe at all?
-------Safe-------- --------Not safe-------- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too Not at all opinion
5/31/11 82 26 55 18 13 5 *
White 89 30 59 11 9 2 -
Black 78 25 54 21 14 7 1
1/28/10 79 27 52 21 15 6 *
1/8/08 74 24 50 26 16 11 -
7/18/06 RV 72 15 57 28 19 8 1
5/19/02 74 27 47 25 16 9 *
2/7/00 80 24 56 20 15 5 1
5/18/98 67 15 52 32 20 12 *
12/93 57 11 47 43 23 20 -
12. Do you think the U.S. Congress has (too much), (too little) or about the right amount of control over District affairs these days?
Too much Too little About the right amount No opinion
5/31/11 66 13 16 5
White 77 5 14 3
Black 63 17 14 6
13. Do you believe that corruption is (a big problem) in the District government, (a small problem), or not a problem at all?
Big problem Small problem Not a problem No opinion
5/31/11 52 39 6 4
White 50 46 1 3
Black 52 35 9 4
12/21/93 57 36 3 4
2/2/92 44 45 7 4
5/90 65 28 4 3
5/89 74 20 3 3
8/87 67 23 5 5
14. What do you think is the MOST urgent health problem facing the District of Columbia TODAY?
5/31/11
HIV/AIDS 36
Affordability of health care/health insurance 10
Not enough places to get care/not enough places that accept your coverage/
poor quality of available care/access to health care 7
Obesity, people being overweight/junk foods/lack of good nutrition 7
The uninsured 5
Drugs/drug addiction 3
Elderly/seniors' issues/Medicare/aging population issues 2
Diabetes 2
Heart disease/high blood pressure/hypertension 1
Cancer 1
STD's 1
Global warming/environmental health issues (water, pollution) 1
Poverty 1
Other 4
Nothing *
No opinion 13
On another topic…
15. Would you describe the state of the District’s economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
--- Excellent/Good --- --- Not so good/Poor --- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
5/31/11 50 5 45 48 38 10 2
White 71 8 63 26 23 2 3
Black 37 3 34 62 47 15 1
16. All in all, how financially secure do you feel? Very secure, somewhat secure, somewhat insecure, or very insecure?
------ Secure ------- ----- Insecure ------ No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
5/31/11 70 22 48 30 19 11 *
White 86 33 53 13 11 3 *
Black 61 15 46 39 22 17 *
National comparison:
All in all, how financially secure do you feel? Very secure, somewhat secure, somewhat insecure, or very insecure?
------ Secure ------- ----- Insecure ------ No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
2/9/11 64 16 48 35 23 12 1
Whites 67 17 50 32 22 11 *
Blacks 65 16 49 34 21 13 1
2/22/09 57 12 45 43 28 15 *
9/14/08 64 16 48 35 22 12 1
9/7/08 RV 65 20 44 34 24 11 1
7/13/08 63 21 42 36 21 15 1
Feb. 2011 survey conducted by the Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University.
17. At any time within the last 12 months (INSERT), or not?
5/31/11 – Summary table (vol.)
No Don’t
Yes No opinion drive
a. Did you fall behind in paying your rent or mortgage 14 86 1 NA
White 2 97 1 NA
Black 21 78 * NA
b. Have you had problems with credit card debt or other
personal debt 21 79 - NA
White 9 91 - NA
Black 29 71 -
c. Have you had problems paying for food 16 84 * NA
White 3 97 - NA
Black 23 77 * NA
d. Have you had any problems paying for gas 19 74 * 6
White 3 92 * 5
Black 30 62 * 8
18. How would you rate the District in terms of the career opportunities available for the young people you know? Would you say it provides these young people with excellent, good, not so good or poor career opportunities?
--- Excellent/Good --- --- Not so good/Poor --- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
5/31/11 54 15 39 41 25 16 5
White 70 24 46 24 19 5 6
Black 40 10 30 56 31 25 4
19. Overall, how would you rate your neighborhood as a place to live: excellent, good, not-so-good, or poor?
--- Excellent/Good --- --- Not so good/Poor --- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
5/31/11 87 40 47 13 9 4 -
White 97 63 35 3 3 * -
Black 80 24 56 20 14 6 -
1/28/10 79 34 46 21 14 6 *
White 94 56 38 6 5 1 *
Black 71 21 51 28 19 9 *
2/29/96 78 23 55 21 13 8 1
12/21/93 72 21 51 27 20 7 1
2/88* 56 18 38 43 28 15 *
*“fair” instead of “not so good.”
20. In recent years, has your neighborhood gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same?
Gotten Gotten Stayed about No
better worse the same opin.
5/31/11 46 6 46 1
White 53 3 44 1
Black 43 9 46 2
1/28/10 42 9 46 3
White 46 6 44 4
Black 38 12 48 1
5/19/02 40 14 44 2
2/7/00 37 11 49 3
2/29/96 17 24 53 6
12/93 13 31 51 5
2/88 18 27 52 3
21. Are you currently renting the place where you now live, or do you own it?
Other/something No
Renting Own else (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 49 47 4 -
White 40 57 3 -
Black 53 43 4 -
1/8/08 44 53 3 *
White 32 67 1 -
Black 51 45 3 *
1/8/08 RV 38 59 2 *
7/18/06 RV 43 55 2 *
22. If you had to move today, do you think you could (buy a home/ find a rental) in the District that you would like and could afford, or do you think you would have to move to the suburbs to find something you would like and could afford?
Could find something Would have to No
in District move to suburbs opinion
5/31/11 48 48 4
White 69 29 2
Black 35 60 5
1/8/08 47 49 4
White 69 29 3
Black 33 62 5
1/8/08 RV 47 49 4
7/18/06 RV 44 50 6
23. (IF RENTING) If you were looking to buy a home, do you think you could find something in the District that you would like and could afford, or do you think you would have to move to the suburbs to find that?
Could find something Would have to No
in District move to suburbs opinion
5/31/11 31 66 4
White 30 65 5
Black 33 63 4
1/8/08 25 71 4
White 25 68 7
Black 29 68 3
1/8/08 RV 29 67 4
7/18/06 RV 24 70 6
24. As you may know, 'gentrification' is the process in which developers or higher income families buy and fix up homes or apartment buildings in working class city neighborhoods. Some say (this type of redevelopment is good because it may draw new businesses to the area, increase home values and encourage higher income residents to move into the neighborhood). Others say (this type of redevelopment is bad because it may cause rents and property taxes to increase, and force lower income residents to move out of the neighborhood.) In general, would you say this kind of redevelopment is mainly a good thing or mainly a bad thing?
Mainly Mainly Neither Both No
Good Bad (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 54 33 4 5 4
White 79 9 3 4 5
Black 37 51 4 5 3
5/19/02 55 34 2 6 3
White 76 15 2 5 3
Black 45 44 2 6 3
25. Is this kind of redevelopment happening in your own neighborhood, or not?
Yes No No opin.
5/31/11 56 43 1
White 49 50 1
Black 64 34 1
5/19/02 48 50 2
White 43 55 2
Black 49 49 2
26. (IF YES) Thinking about your own personal housing situation, is the redevelopment in your neighborhood mainly a good thing for you or mainly a bad thing for you?
Mainly Mainly Neither Both No
Good Bad (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 71 21 4 2 1
White 88 9 2 - *
Black 64 26 5 2 2
5/19/02 65 25 5 4 1
White 76 18 4 1 -
Black 61 28 5 5 2
27. As you may know, recent Census numbers show the District is no longer a majority black city. Do you think this shift has changed the culture of the city, or not?
Yes No No opinion
5/31/11 64 31 4
White 53 41 6
Black 73 24 3
27a. (IF YES) Is that a change for the better or a change for the worse?
Neither Both No
Better Worse (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 41 28 17 6 8
White 37 20 28 7 8
Black 44 33 10 6 8
27/27a NET
----------Yes, has changed culture-------- No, not No
NET Better Worse Both Neither No opin. Changed opin
5/31/11 64 26 18 4 11 6 31 4
White 53 19 10 4 15 6 41 6
Black 73 32 24 4 7 6 24 3
Now I’d like to ask you some questions about DC public schools…
28. How would you rate the job the DC public schools are doing in (INSERT): excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
5/31/11 – Summary table
--- Excellent/Good --- --- Not so good/Poor --- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
a. Preparing students
for college 27 5 22 62 40 22 11
White 12 1 11 73 46 27 15
Black 37 7 30 55 37 19 8
b. Helping students get
the skills they need
to be competitive in
the job market 28 5 24 62 40 22 10
White 15 1 14 71 46 25 14
Black 36 6 31 57 36 21 7
29. From what you know or have heard, what is the reputation of the local public schools in your neighborhood: mostly good, mixed, or mostly bad?
Mostly good Mixed Mostly bad No opinion
5/31/11 32 37 26 5
White 31 36 28 5
Black 30 39 25 5
5/31/11 RV 32 38 26 5
7/18/06 RV 32 38 25 4
30. Do you think DC's charter schools are generally (better) than the average public school, generally (worse) than the average public school, or are they about the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
5/31/11 41 7 42 9
White 42 9 37 12
Black 43 7 44 7
5/31/11 RV 40 8 43 9
7/18/06 RV 37 8 43 12
31. Do you favor or oppose using federal money in the form of vouchers to help send low-income students in the District to private or parochial school?
Favor Oppose No opinion
5/31/11 64 31 5
White 56 39 5
Black 71 25 4
Compare to:
8/27/98* 45 46 9
*Among Democratic likely voters only.
32. Thinking back to when Michelle Rhee served as Chancellor of the D.C. public schools, would you say you approve or disapprove of the way Rhee handled her job as school chancellor?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/31/11 55 29 26 35 13 22 10
White 76 44 32 17 7 10 7
Black 40 18 21 51 18 33 10
8/26/10* 44 23 22 38 12 26 17
White 67 38 29 16 10 6 17
Black 27 12 15 58 14 44 15
1/28/10 43 21 22 44 15 29 13
1/8/08 59 27 32 29 14 15 12
*8/26/10 and previous: Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Michelle Rhee is handling …
33. Generally speaking, do you think race relations in the District are excellent, good, not so good or poor?
--- Excellent/Good --- --- Not so good/Poor --- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
5/31/11 54 4 50 44 33 11 3
White 60 4 56 38 32 6 2
Black 49 4 46 47 34 13 4
34. Looking back over the last 10 years, do you think the quality of life for people in (INSERT) Washington has gotten (better), gotten (worse), or stayed about the same?
a. Northwest
About the No
Better Worse same opinion
5/31/11 55 5 32 7
White 61 1 35 3
Black 53 7 30 10
b. Southeast
About the No
Better Worse same opinion
5/31/11 35 20 31 15
White 35 14 30 21
Black 37 22 30 11
c. Northeast
About the No
Better Worse same opinion
5/31/11 44 10 33 13
White 53 7 22 18
Black 39 12 40 10
d. Southwest
About the No
Better Worse same opinion
5/31/11 45 8 27 20
White 50 4 22 24
Black 43 11 30 17
35. How important do you think it is that DC have an African American mayor – very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important?
--- Important ---- ----- Not important ------ No
NET Very Smwht NET Not too Not at all opinion
5/31/11 45 18 27 54 22 32 1
White 33 8 25 67 24 43 -
Black 54 26 28 45 19 25 1
Compare to:
8/27/98* 52 26 27 46 22 23 2
*Among Democratic likely voters only.
36. How important do you think it is that a majority of the city council’s members be African-American — very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important?
--- Important ---- ----- Not important ------ No
NET Very Smwht NET Not too Not at all opinion
5/31/11 41 11 30 57 30 27 1
White 24 3 21 74 37 37 1
Black 57 19 38 43 23 20 1
5/19/02 67 32 35 32 18 14 1
White 55 16 39 44 25 19 2
Black 74 40 34 24 14 10 1
Compare to:
8/27/98* 57 20 37 41 25 16 2
*Among Democratic likely voters only
37. Would you describe the people of the District as (mainly unified), or (mainly divided by things like race or income)?
Mainly Mainly divided No
unified by race or income opinion
5/31/11 19 76 5
White 15 80 5
Black 21 74 5
38. (IF DIVIDED ON RACE AND INCOME) Would you say the District is mainly divided (by race) or mainly divided (between rich and poor)?
Race Rich and poor Both (vol.) Other (vol.) No opinion
5/31/11 15 74 10 * 1
White 12 79 8 - 1
Black 13 74 11 * 1
37/38 NET
------------- Mainly divided --------------
Mainly Rich and Both Something No
unified NET Race poor (vol) else/No op. opinion
5/31/11 19 76 11 56 7 1 5
White 15 80 9 63 6 1 5
Black 21 74 10 55 8 1 5
39/40. Thinking about the past few years in D.C., have you personally felt discriminated against because of your race or not? (IF YES) Has that happened often, occasionally or rarely?
------------ Yes ------------ No
NET Often Occas. Rarely No opinion
5/31/11 26 6 11 8 74 1
White 18 1 7 10 82 -
Black 29 9 14 6 70 1
Moving on to health care…
41. What is your main source of health insurance coverage today, if any?
5/31/11 White Black
Private insurance through an employer
or that you bought on your own 65 91 47
Medicare 12 6 17
Medicaid or DC Healthy Families 11 * 19
DC Alliance 2 - 3
The VA or other government program 3 1 6
Or none, you are uninsured 6 2 6
No opinion 1 1 1
42. Today, what kind of place, if any, do you usually go to when you are sick or when you need advice about your health? Is it…?
5/31/11 White Black
A private doctor's office 65 80 58
A neighborhood clinic or health center
or clinic at a hospital 22 6 29
A retail clinic at a place like CVS
or Walgreens 1 2 *
A hospital emergency room 6 2 8
Or do you have no usual source of care 6 9 4
University/student health center (vol.) * * *
No opinion * * *
43. In general, would you say your health is excellent, very good, good, only fair, or poor?
---- Excellent/very good/good ---- --- Only fair/poor --- No
NET Excellent Very good Good NET Only fair Poor opinion
5/31/11 87 31 28 27 13 10 3 *
White 96 45 35 16 4 3 1 *
Black 80 21 25 34 20 15 5 *
44. At any time within the last 12 months (INSERT), or not?
5/31/11 – Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. Did you delay getting care, tests,
or treatments that you or a health
care provider believed necessary
because you couldn’t afford it 13 87 *
White 7 93 -
Black 15 84 *
b. Did you or another family member in
your household have any problems
paying medical bills 12 88 *
White 6 94 -
Black 16 83 1
KFF National comparison*:
3/13/11 23 77 *
*KFF national survey fielded March 8-13, 2011.
45. When was the last time you visited a dentist or dental clinic for any reason, including visits to dental specialists or orthodontists – was that within the past year, between 1 and 2 years ago, from 2 to 5 years ago, or more than 5 years ago?
Within the Between 1 and 2 From 2 to 5 More than No
past year years ago years ago 5 years ago opinion
5/31/11 68 14 9 8 *
White 80 11 8 1 -
Black 59 17 11 12 *
46. How serious a problem, if at all, is the issue of HIV-AIDS in your local community today: very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not a problem at all?
------ Problem ------ -------- Not serious -------- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too Not a problem opinion
5/31/11 59 39 20 30 15 15 10
White 50 27 23 42 22 20 9
Black 68 50 17 21 10 11 11
47. How often would you say the subject of HIV/AIDS comes up in discussions with your family and friends? Often, sometimes, rarely or never?
--- Often/sometimes --- --- Rarely/never --- No
NET Often Sometimes NET Rarely Never opinion
5/31/11 40 15 24 60 36 24 *
White 26 7 19 74 46 28 -
Black 49 21 27 51 29 22 *
KFF National comparison:
5/1/11* 23 6 17 77 41 36 *
*National comparison on this and following items to Kaiser Family Foundation survey conducted April 4 through May 1, 2011.
48. Bearing in mind the different ways people can be infected with HIV—how concerned are you PERSONALLY about becoming infected with HIV? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?
----- Concerned ----- ----- Not concerned ------ Already have No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too Not at all HIV (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 29 17 12 70 22 49 * *
White 10 2 9 90 22 68 - -
Black 44 29 15 55 22 33 1 *
KFF National comparison*
5/1/11* 31 18 13 68 21 47 * 1
49. How concerned are you about an immediate family member becoming infected with HIV? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?
----- Concerned ----- ----- Not concerned ------ Already have No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too Not at all HIV (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 40 26 14 59 22 37 * *
White 8 1 7 91 31 61 * *
Black 65 44 21 34 15 20 * *
KFF National comparison*
5/1/11* 45 24 21 54 24 30 * 1
50. Please tell me whether you think each of the following statements about HIV and AIDS is true or false – OR if you don't know whether it's true or false.
True False No opinion
a. A pregnant woman who has HIV can take
certain drugs to reduce the risk of
her baby being born infected 69 17 14
White 76 11 13
Black 65 21 14
b. There is a vaccine available to prevent
people from becoming infected with HIV 12 77 11
White 3 91 6
Black 21 65 14
c. Magic Johnson has been cured of AIDS 12 76 12
White 2 90 7
Black 21 67 12
KFF National comparison 5/1/11*
True False No opinion
a. A pregnant woman who has HIV can take
certain drugs to reduce the risk of
her baby being born infected 53 26 21
b. There is a vaccine available to prevent
people from becoming infected with HIV 11 76 13
c. Magic Johnson has been cured of AIDS 9 74 18
51. In general, how comfortable would you be, personally, working with someone who has HIV or AIDS?: Very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable, or very uncomfortable?
---- Comfortable ---- --- Uncomfortable --- Does not No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very apply (vol.) opinion
5/31/11 81 55 26 18 11 6 * 1
White 91 71 19 9 7 1 * *
Black 76 47 29 22 13 9 1 1
KFF National comparison*
5/1/11* 78 49 29 18 11 7 NA 3
52. Do you personally know anyone who now has AIDS, has died from AIDS, or has tested positive for HIV?
Yes No No opinion
5/31/11 58 41 1
White 54 45 1
Black 65 34 1
KFF National comparison*
5/1/11* 41 58 *
Question 53 held for release.
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