Quality of Life Indicators

2006 Updated Quality of Life Indicators

Below you will find the complete list of Quality of Life Indicators listed/grouped by category.

• arts & cultural vitality

  Arts and Cultural Vitality. It makes us human, engages us socially, preserves our authenticity, heritage and traditions. It is a vital component of leisure and a thriving economy. The cultural community provides a wide variety of high-quality fine arts and folk arts to the largest possible audiences; accessible to all citizens at many facilities, and integrated into our educational curriculum in a systematic manner at all levels. Business and government recognize and support the economic, social and spiritual benefits of developing cultural resources within our community.

  • participation in the arts & cultural activities
    People creating art and attendance at arts & cultural events (such as Artown and multicultural festivals) enhance not only our lives but also our economic base, contributing to the region's bottom line, and offering ways for the community to come together.
  • expression of culture through the arts
    Civic investment and grants allow for public art, tours in historical areas, cultural & arts districts, and multiple venues for expression. Expression of Culture through the arts is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified, researched, and civic investment funding and grants support for the arts identified as the easest to track on a consistent basis.

• civic engagement

  Civic Engagement. It's the essence of democracy, social responsibility / investment in community, stewardship for the future of the community. Our community exhibits a high quality of design that reflects our unique sense of place and culture. Residents are engaged civic participants. We welcome diversity of perspectives, age, gender and orientation, cultures, races and ethnicities in governance that guides our community.

  • emergency preparedness
    Households with emergency kits and businesses with disaster recovery plans denote stewardship for the future of our families and our community. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.
  • civility and neighborhood pride
    Giving your best here and now indicates civic and social connectivity, strengthens inclusion, and provides a sense of pride and community. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.
  • voter turnout
    The percentage of eligible citizens registered and casting votes indicates they are invested in our community and see the value in working to make it even better.
  • effective government engagement
    Civic responsibility includes having the ability to effectively participate in the governing process; while the diversity of elected or appointed members of community boards, councils, commissions, as well as government staff, demonstrate that government is representative of and responsive to our citizens. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.

• economic wellbeing

  Economic Wellbeing. Economic wellbeing for the people and businesses here. A thriving economy that provides valuable jobs, income for necessities, and sufficient revenue for the public services, which create a healthy community. Strong economic resources allow individuals and families to be more self-reliant. Residents possess the skills to be successful in work.

  • entrepreneurship
    Venture funding and other sources of capital, along with new patents, point to a supporting environment to foster start-up companies and enhance economic diversity in the region. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but there are few metrics currently available.
  • individual & family wellbeing
    The Cost of Living Index compares living costs (such as housing, transportation, utilities, groceries and healthcare) for the typical middle-class family; keeping the cost of living close to the national average helps economic development organizations bring quality jobs to the region.
  • economic vitality
    Strong employment growth and revitalization are signs of and contribute to a healthy economy; employment by sector indicates a diverse economy, while increased wage rates make the region more affordable for citizens to be self-sufficient.
  • workforce development
    A local employers workforce preparedness survey could measure education performance for needed workforce skills. On the other hand, a workforce survey could show if employees are able to get the necessary technological training for advancement. Although neither survey has been comprehensively conducted in northern Nevada, TMT’s December 2007 community survey attempts to address workforce development. is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but few metrics are currently available.

• education & lifelong learning

  Education and Lifelong Learning. Skills to be a productive citizen that include self-sufficiency, economic contribution, and personal enrichment. Ready for life. Respect for all types of education that allows an individual to realize his/her potential and earn a living wage: primary, secondary, higher education and lifelong learning; vocational and occupational; professional; gifted, talented and special education. Quality of life means everyone has access to quality educational opportunities throughout their lives. Education prepares us for life, enhancing our enjoyment and understanding of our diverse world. Education equips us with the ability to learn, think, and access information in order to make effective decisions. Our library system is a doorway to our heritage and our future offering boundless opportunities for discovery and growth.

  • educational success
    Graduating from high school, higher education and formal training, in addition to educational attainment, imply skills for employment, social responsibility and economic self-sufficiency.
  • community wide involvement in education
    Parental involvement in their children's education, volunteering in schools, supporting the local education system, and business collaboration with education all enhance education as students see parents as role models along side generous community leaders.
  • literate community
    Functional literacy and quality libraries are some of the keys to educational success, including the ability to complete GED programs. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but few metrics are currently available.
  • educational infrastructure to meet community needs
    School capacity vs. enrollment, including technology for learning and other specialized needs signify access to educational opportunities to be ready for life. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.

• enrichment

  Enrichment. The community supports pursuit of individual interests, passions, values, and beliefs. Personal enrichments reflect inclusion, philanthropy, and opportunities to express and live with freedom from intolerance. Live your values and create a fulfilling life through knowledge and awareness of other people, places, activities and attitudes.

  • access to faith communities and spiritual wellbeing
    Surveying ability to participate in spiritual opportunities when needed or wanted, suggest access barriers to overcome for personal fulfillment. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but few metrics are currently available.
  • recreation
    Having access to the types of recreation and recreational facilities (such as parks programs, public trails, museums, music venues, sporting events, community service facilities) allows everyone to regularly participate in opportunities enriching life and health, while at the same time retaining skilled workers. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.
  • philanthropy and volunteerism
    Surveying volunteer hours per month and annual contributions, in combination with economic development recruitment of companies giving back to the community (EDAWN's Community Contribution Tracking System), are all measures of value, social responsibility and community improvement efforts. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but few metrics are currently available.

• health & wellness

  Health and Wellness. Healthy community and self-sufficient families for a healthy economy. We invest in preventative measures, as a cost-effective way to improve health. The people who live here take an active role managing their own health. It means that people have their basic medical needs met and access to a variety of medical facilities and services.

  • access to healthcare
    Health insurance coverage is considered to be one of the best indicators of access to healthcare, and businesses offering wellness programs allow employees to manage their personal health; just as healthcare for the uninsured is a community-wide concern because unpaid expenses are spread to providers and those with insurance.
  • wellness & preventative healthcare
    Building a Healthy Nevada encourages healthy lifestyles so citizens can live longer and healthier lives, saving families, businesses and the community the high cost of care and treatment; adequate prenatal care reduces the risk of medical problems and infant mortality, while healthy behaviors and preventative healthcare increase productivity and economic prosperity.
  • mental health & social wellbeing
    Suicide rates are a marker of mental wellbeing and represent a cost to the community in terms of productive lives cut short; business employee assistance programs provide access to treatment when needed. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.

• innovation

  Innovation. Creative problem solving, coming together around new ways to address community issues. We welcome new ideas and new ways of doing things that contribute to our community in positive ways. Creative people attract knowledge workers and drive economic growth.

  • renewable energy
    Renewable energy sources and the amount of renewable energy brought back from utility customers directly impacts the health of our economy and environment, and provides natural resource stewardship for future generations. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.
  • technology infrastructure & engagement
    Surveying if you have the right technology for your life needs, as well as the knowledge to use that technology, denotes ability to access and use new technology for productivity, advancement, enrichment and innovation. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but few metrics are currently available.
  • transformative community initiatives
    Surveying what major community transformations have made a positive impact in your life, living and working in the region, suggest new or innovative programs that improve the community and contribute to the long-term viability of the economy, while also removing barriers to greater creativity for responsible citizens building vital communities. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Community surveys will be used for data measures.

• land use & infrastructure

  Land Use and Infrastructure. Housing and mobility options enable families to be self-sufficient and businesses to be profitable. Appropriate and affordable housing exists for all residents. The region has a positive view of the future. We will seize change as an opportunity to improve our community and varied land uses support many different types of active outdoor lifestyles. The people who live here make sure our planning reflects our hopes and priorities, not just for a few years, but also for decades into the future.

  • mobility & convenience
    Public transit is critical to our economy and traffic congestion; surveying access to affordable and reliable transportation, alternative transit and transportation mode split indicates an effective transportation system with a diversity of options.
  • development that encourages healthy lifestyles & neighborhood livability
    Acres dedicated for public recreation vs. new development and new housing units, in conjunction with surveying access to public parks, multi-use trails and pedestrian-friendliness indicates planning for active healthy lifestyles. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.
  • affordable housing
    How much a family pays for rent or housing greatly impacts how self-sufficient a family can be; the Housing Affordability Index measures whether a typical family earning median wages could qualify for a mortgage loan, especially important because housing is usually a family's largest expense but transportation costs rise dramatically when families live farther away from the area they work and shop.
  • land use balance & sensitivity
    The way the region grows as a community affects how much we drive, traffic congestion, and ultimately our air quality; infill building permits and high-density housing reduce urban sprawl and the cost to build and maintain roads, develop public transportation, and improve air quality, whilst maintaining open space attracts quality companies and tourism, and provides natural benefits including purifying the air and water, cooling the region, and flood control. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process.

• natural environment

  Natural Environment. Clean air and water support healthy communities, recreational options and diverse wildlife; invest in natural resources for future generations enjoyment. We can all enjoy the diverse and beautiful lands, plants and animals that make the Truckee Meadows unique. As much as possible, we live in harmony with our environment.

  • open space access & connectivity
    Miles of connected multi-use trails and acres of public land acquired as open space, including publicly funded access points and connections to trail networks and greenways, point to preservation of access to federal lands and open spaces for future generations. This is a new indicator identified by the community in the 2006 update process. Data measures have been identified but few metrics are currently available.
  • air quality
    The Pollution Standard Index measures the region's air quality that affects the health of our more vulnerable citizens and impacts an active outdoor lifestyle, important for tourism and attracting young professional to the region.
  • clean & available water
    A "living river" system helps improve Truckee River water quality for many uses from drinking water to recreation to wildlife habitat; efficient water consumption and conservation are key to ensuring water sources into the future.

• public wellbeing

  Public Wellbeing. Safe neighborhoods, schools and workplaces; secure families and vibrant tourism which encourages visitors to enjoy the outdoor experience and feel confident visiting the region's attractions. People enjoy their communities deeply with freedom from fear about personal safety and security of property. The community accepts and exercises responsibility for their needs, cares for the community's most vulnerable, and ensures that others are provided opportunities to achieve their full potential in a nurturing environment.

  • perception of safety
    While the Uniform Crime Index and crime rates track reported crime over time, the "feeling of safety" has more of an impact on an individual's daily life; seniors can be more self-sufficient in safe neighborhoods, students can focus on learning in safe schools, employees can be productive traveling safely to work, and families can feel safe at home from forest fires; at the same time, average fire, police and ambulance response times reflect quality emergency services in the community.
  • secure families
    Substantiated and reported cases of child, spousal/partner, senior abuse and neglect are indicators of volatile family situations; shelter capacity, motions and orders granted indicate that support services are in place for families in need.
  • community responsiveness to its most vulnerable populations
    The annual Reno Alliance for the Homeless count plus Washoe County School District count of students without shelter, basic food security and poverty measures, in conjunction with the resolution of local 2-1-1 issues indicate the community's response family difficulties.