Detroiters' Optimism About City's Direction Tied to Voting in Mayoral Election, U-M Survey Finds.
A new survey conducted by the University of Michigan has found that Detroiters who believe their city is moving in the right direction are more likely to vote in next week's mayoral election. The Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS) surveyed over 1,000 residents from August 6 to October 1 and found that 70% of those with a positive view of the city said they would definitely vote on November 4.
On the other hand, only 41% of those who believe the city is on the wrong track said they would participate in the election. The survey also revealed that optimism about the city's direction varies by age, income, education level, and geography. Residents living in areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Southwest Detroit are more likely to be optimistic than those living on the east side.
The survey found that older residents, those with higher incomes, and more educated individuals were more likely to say the city is improving. For instance, nearly 80% of residents with household incomes above $100,000 said the city is on the right track, compared to just 35% of those earning under $10,000.
The election marks the first time in over a decade that Detroiters will choose a new mayor, and the survey highlights the importance of capturing the diversity of opinions among residents. The top priorities for the next mayor include education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs. Infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation also emerged as key issues.
The findings suggest that optimism about the city's direction is closely tied to voting intentions, with 56% of residents saying Detroit is headed in the right direction, while 13% say it's on the wrong track. The survey can provide valuable insights into the hopes and concerns shaping this historic election and highlight the need for policymakers to address the diverse needs of different neighborhoods and demographics.
According to Professor Jeffrey Morenoff, who co-leads DMACS, the findings highlight both progress and persistent divides across the city. "We see notable differences by age, race, and city council district," he said. "These differences underscore the importance of capturing the diversity of Detroiters' views."
A new survey conducted by the University of Michigan has found that Detroiters who believe their city is moving in the right direction are more likely to vote in next week's mayoral election. The Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS) surveyed over 1,000 residents from August 6 to October 1 and found that 70% of those with a positive view of the city said they would definitely vote on November 4.
On the other hand, only 41% of those who believe the city is on the wrong track said they would participate in the election. The survey also revealed that optimism about the city's direction varies by age, income, education level, and geography. Residents living in areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Southwest Detroit are more likely to be optimistic than those living on the east side.
The survey found that older residents, those with higher incomes, and more educated individuals were more likely to say the city is improving. For instance, nearly 80% of residents with household incomes above $100,000 said the city is on the right track, compared to just 35% of those earning under $10,000.
The election marks the first time in over a decade that Detroiters will choose a new mayor, and the survey highlights the importance of capturing the diversity of opinions among residents. The top priorities for the next mayor include education, public safety, affordable housing, and jobs. Infrastructure, business investment, and public transportation also emerged as key issues.
The findings suggest that optimism about the city's direction is closely tied to voting intentions, with 56% of residents saying Detroit is headed in the right direction, while 13% say it's on the wrong track. The survey can provide valuable insights into the hopes and concerns shaping this historic election and highlight the need for policymakers to address the diverse needs of different neighborhoods and demographics.
According to Professor Jeffrey Morenoff, who co-leads DMACS, the findings highlight both progress and persistent divides across the city. "We see notable differences by age, race, and city council district," he said. "These differences underscore the importance of capturing the diversity of Detroiters' views."
i'm literally so hyped for this mayoral election!! i mean, 70% of ppl who think detroit is goin in the right direction are gonna vote lol what's not to be optimistic about?? 
i wish all those new developments in downtown detroit and midtown would trickle down to the rest of the city... we need affordable housing like, stat!!! 
and jobs, duh! 
education too, cuz our kids deserve a better future! 
what do u think the next mayor should focus on?? 
! The fact that 70% of those who think the city is going in the right direction say they're gonna vote tells me there's a lot of energy around change 
. But what I find crazy is how income plays into this - 80% of those with a 6-figure salary think it's on the up, but only 35% of those making less than $10k share that view 
. It makes you wonder if Detroit's economic growth is benefiting all neighborhoods equally or if there's still some major disparities at play 
.
). I mean, if you feel good about your city, you're more likely to show up and vote, right? 
It's all about capturing those diverse opinions - like, what's working for Detroiters and what's not (not 
). Education, public safety, affordable housing... these are legit top priorities 
. And infrastructure, business investment, public transportation too... they're all key issues! 
). It's not just about the mayor, it's about the city as a whole... Detroiters want a better life, and that's what they're voting for 
. Can't wait to see who wins! 
. We need someone who can bring all of Detroit together, regardless of where you live or how much money you make 
.
On the other hand, if u do think its headed in the right direction, then u should probably show up and make ur voice heard 
. Its interesting how it varies by age, income, education level, and geography tho 
like older ppl and those with higher incomes are way more optimistic 
especially with all the changes that are happening it's no wonder some ppl feel like the city is getting better while others just dont see it yet 
i feel bad for those who r struggling financially or dealing with public safety issues 
. It's definitely gonna be an interesting election!
. It'll be cool to see how the next mayor addresses these issues and what kind of impact that has on voter turnout 
... anyway, back to Detroit... I feel like if people were more optimistic about their city, they'd be more likely to try out new restaurants or attend community events, you know? Like, have you ever been to that new restaurant in Eastern Market? It's supposed to be amazing! 
. So, this new survey in Detroit says that people who think their city is on the right track are way more likely to vote next week. That's kinda cool, 'cause it shows that when folks have optimism about the future of their city, they're more stoked to participate in the democratic process.
. It's gonna be awesome to watch how this all plays out and if anyone can make a real difference 
But seriously, 70% of people who think the city is moving in the right direction are gonna show up to vote? That's pretty cool! I guess optimism is like a vote-boosting superpower or something. 
.