O'NEIL ASSOCIATES VALLEY MONITOR

 

 

Economic Outlook Mixed

Even in the days immediately prior to the World Trade Center terror, residents of Maricopa County exhibited only moderate optimism about the economy. A bit under half (44%) indicated that they feel the economy will improve in the next year and a quarter (25%) indicated that they feel it would actually get worse.  These results are according to the just completed O'Neil Associates Valley Monitor.

According to the director of the poll, Dr. Michael O'Neil, "These results reflect a muted optimism even prior to the recent terrorist act on September 11."

 

TIME TRENDS

O'Neil continued, "We have a significant database on attitudinal time trends on this question over nearly the last ten years. The current 44% who felt the economy would improve (even prior to the September 11 terrorism) is actually the lowest figure we have ever observed, even lower than the figures we found in the recession year of 1992.  Similarly, the proportion that indicates they think that economic matters are going to get worse, 25%, was higher than we have ever observed, exceeding even the 1992 figures by 2%.

 

ECONOMIC OPTIMISM BY GROUP

O’Neil continued, “There are some interesting variations by group. In particular, we noticed a generally higher level of optimism in the Northeast Valley (48% of whom expected improvement) and the East Valley (47%) compared to the West Valley (41%) and Central Phoenix (41%).”

Republicans (49%) are somewhat more optimistic than either Independents (40%) or Democrats (38%), perhaps reflecting the recent inauguration of a Republican president.  Similarly, conservatives (52%) are more optimistic than either moderates 39%) or liberals (36%).

Men are more likely to expect an improvement in the economy (46%) than are women (41%). Finally, we observed that those under 30 years of age are least likely to project economic improvements over the next year.

O’Neil Associates, Inc. is a Tempe-based public opinion research firm specializing in client-focused attitude and awareness studies for a wide variety of industries and organizations.

FOR RELEASE:                       Friday, September 28, 2001                          (VMP2001-178-1614)
FURTHER INFORMATION:    Michael O'Neil, Ph.D., (480) 967-4441

These results may be reported freely provided that they are identified as the “O’Neil Associates Valley Monitor” including identification on any graphic material. Media interviews available.