1 month, 1 week ago by Scott Hardy
More affordable housing, restaurants needed
A newly-released survey of Brown County residents says that over 90 per cent of the county's population thinks that the quality of life there is good, but that affordable housing is the most critical issue.
That's according to the 2022 Brown County Community Survey and Assessment, which was presented Wednesday night at a public forum in Mt. Sterling. The survey found that 94% of county residents like the quality of life there, up from 84% four years earlier. Most of the over 650 people who responded to the survey felt that Brown County was a safe place to live, and also liked the quality of the county's schools, and the public services offered, such as police, fire and the library. Most of those who responded felt that housing priced under $150,000 was needed. They also said that more dining, entertainment and activities were needed in Brown County. High taxes were also cited by both residents and those who commute to Brown County. The study also found that Brown County's median income is the highest in a five-county area of West-Central Illinois, at over $59,000 a year. That's higher than Adams County by $1,000.
The full results of the survey are available at beheardbrowncounty.com.
