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Long Beach, Calif. - City

The information in our study covers the city of Long Beach, Calif.

In each community, the Soul of the Community Study identified factors that emotionally bond residents to where they live. Some of these community characteristics were rated highly by residents, and are therefore community strengths while others were rated lower, making them opportunities for improvement. This information can provide communities a roadmap for increasing residents’ emotional attachment to where they live, which the study found has a significant relationship to economic vitality.

Most Important Problem Residents of Long Beach cited crime and violence as the city's most pressing problem in 2009.

In the Long Beach area, social offerings (fun places to gather), aesthetics (an area's physical beauty and green spaces) and openness (how welcoming the place is) are the most important factors in connecting residents to where they live.

Social offerings (particularly the nightlife), aesthetics (particularly parks, playgrounds and trails), openness (particularly to gays and lesbians) and education (particularly local colleges and universities) are still perceived as community strengths. However, in aesthetics, there was a significant drop in residents' perception of the natural beauty of the area. And in openness, there was a significant decrease in perceptions of how welcoming Long Beach is to college graduates, racial and ethnic minorities, and seniors in 2009.

Basic services (community infrastructure) is seen as an area needing improvement. Residents rated health care significantly lower in 2009, but affordable housing continues to be the lowest-rated aspect of basic services in the city.

Demographic Facts Residents most attached to Long Beach tend to be 35-45, retired or otherwise non-employed, suburban-dwelling, and middle-income.

Not surprisingly, ratings of the local economy were down significantly in 2009, however the economy is still not a key factor emotionally connecting residents to their communities.

Residents who feel a strong emotional connection to the area are most likely to be 35-45, retired and non-employed (including students), suburban-dwelling and middle-income. Those least likely to have a strong emotional connection to the area are most likely employed, urban-dwelling and new residents.