Philadelphia Compact Survey of Potential Voters Major Findings Our Survey of over 2300 residents of Philadelphia during December 1998 provides an overview of the problems that Philadelphians mention most often today. The order of these problems does not differ across major ethnic groups.
Crime is the most frequently mentioned problem across all parts of the city.
Jobs and the economy are the second most mentioned problem across the city. Although declining conditions in neighborhoods ranked behind schools and jobs, this concern was mentioned more often than schools in several neighborhoods. Center City and Northeast residents were more likely than residents in other areas to mention concerns about poverty and homelessness. Taxes were mentioned more often by residents of West and Northwest Philly than in other areas. Philadelphia residents are concerned about the future of the city and willing to consider joining meetings to discuss the city's problems.