View of Quality of Life in Monmouth Mostly Favorable, Poll Finds

Monmouth residents have a mostly favorable view of their county and life in their homes towns, a quality of life poll conducted by Monmouth University reveals.

According to the poll, which was released Monday, Monmouth County scored a 23 on an overall quality of life index, just above the state average of 21. The index is a composite based on the positive views of residents to a number of factors, including things like job opportunities, traffic, and schools, among others.

The 23 score ranks Monmouth eighth out of 21 counties. The county with the highest quality of life index based on the positive feelings of its residents is Morris County, which scored a 42. On the other end of the quality of life spectrum is Cumberland County, which scored a 5.

The poll found that Monmouth trends along state averages in most categories presented by the poll – sometimes a few points above or below average. Residents of the county were most favorably about their hometowns and open space, but were less favorable than some of their state counterparts when it came to local schools and traffic conditions, the poll found.

Among the items that faired poorly in terms of positive feelings from the residents were job opportunities and affordable housing. Just 32 percent and 27 percent, respectively, of Monmouth gave favorable reactions to those two items, though those totals mirror state-wide sentiments.

Monmouth residents were most positive about their hometown (77 percent), crime and safety (77 percent), race relations (72 percent), and cultural activities (67 percent).

To view the complete study, click here (PDF download). Or view our uploaded PDF for the complete study.