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Business & Economy>Routt County Economic Development Cooperative>2008 Routt County Livability Index Results
Livability Index -2008 Results
![2008 Composite Graph [Click here to view full size picture]](media/business/tn_overall_composite_graph_1.jpg)
ROUTT COUNTY RANKS 6th Highest of 10 Comparable Counties for Overall Livability in 2008The data sets used in the Routt County Livability Index were either characteristics of what the groups wanted to measure or highly correlated traits of such within each of the four main categories. These data sets are from public sources, most of which are updated and available on the Internet. We believe that collectively these measurements begin to quantify what is valued when quality of life or a community’s livability is discussed. The process to obtain the data is well documented which will enable easy replication from year to year. This initial Index is a starting point which will expand over time as new and enhanced data becomes available. Who are Routt County’s “neighbors” and why are they included? The Team also decided to it would be beneficial to compare these metrics to neighboring counties with similar characteristics, in order to give us a contrasting view, or “backdrop,” of Routt County’s change. There are certain external factors that will affect all markets, and therefore resort based counties will likely shift in similar directions at similar rates. Monitoring Routt County compared to other similar markets over time, we can better identify the areas where we can influence change with our policies and action. The nine comparable Colorado counties selected are: Chaffee, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, La Plata, Pitkin, San Miguel, and Summit. (Combined with Routt County, these are referred to throughout the Index as “Core Counties”). These counties were selected for comparison because they have similar traits and characteristics of Routt County. While each of the counties differ from one another in economic and demographic features, they all include a recreational component and are beautiful places to live, and share the benefits and challenges that accompany the change which Routt County is experiencing. By studying the trends for all of these markets in the areas of importance as identified by the RCEDC Team, we as a community are able to have access to measurable information that helps us make more informed decisions. HOME - Routt County Livability Index
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Economic
ROUTT COUNTY RANKS 5th
Rural Colorado towns have historically had a “boom or bust” nature due to their dependency upon a place-based economy. As our society moves more towards technology, it is important to foster and maintain diversity within our community to keep our economy balanced and sustainable.
The Team has identified six categories to quantify and track in order to continue to foster a healthy economy: Gross County Product (GCP), Income and Employment Diversity by Industry, Housing Affordability, Construction Industry Values, and Value of Agriculture Production.
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Social
ROUTT COUNTY RANKS 1st
The Index addresses six broad-based areas that are identified as having an impact on the lifestyle aspects of Routt County residents. Within these areas, the Social Group is measuring the access to services and how socially responsive we are to meeting the needs of the following categories/areas: Child Care, Juvenile Delinquency, Education, Aging and Wellness, Low Income, and Housing.
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Environmental
ROUTT COUNTY RANKS 6th
As population growth and the availability, use, and consumption of our energy impact our global environment, the Team asked “What makes Routt county the ‘place that it is’ through an ecological eye?” After reviewing and researching a number of livability factors encompassing environmental, land use, and energy consumption impacts,
the Team arrived at six final categories to measure: Land Use, Water Quality, Air Quality, Ambient Conditions, Solid Waste, and Environmental Stewardship. As bio-diversity information becomes available, it will be added and tracked in the Index.
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Civic
ROUTT COUNTY RANKS 4th
Civic engagement encompasses a broad spectrum of individual and collective actions. It can be reflected in many forms, from individual volunteerism to organizational involvement to electoral participation. It can include efforts to directly address an issue, work with others in a community to solve a problem, or interact with the institutions of representative democracy. An underlying principal of civic engagement is defined by the ability, agency, and opportunity citizens have to move comfortably among these various types of civic acts within their community.
The Team identified eight categories to measure how engaged community members are in organizations or initiatives that reflect their interests. The final categories selected are: Citizen Involvement, Voter Contribution, Public Safety, Value of Civic Institutions, Individual Philanthropy, Representation of Arts and Culture, Support of Cultural Institutions, and Participation in Service Organizations.
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This page last updated on 5/13/2008.
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![2008 Composite Graph [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/business/overall_composite_graph_1.jpg', '2008 Composite Graph',762,509));)