This document summarizes research conducted by Acti-Dyne Research to understand community values and identity in Dublin, Ohio. The research included focus groups, interviews with 67 stakeholders, and an online survey of 407 residents. Key findings include that Dublin is seen as family-oriented, with good schools and city planning. Historic Dublin, recreation areas, and bike paths were cited as special places. Most valued the city's quality of life and schools. The Dublin Arts Council received an average rating of 7.32 out of 10 for its work in the community.

1. Dublin: A Sense of Place
Research Project
Bruce Shoemaker, President
Acti-Dyne Research
June 26, 2014

2. Dublin: A Sense of Place
Research Project
Objective:
To obtain information from the community
to identify values, characteristics, resources
and assets that communicate the
character of Dublin.

3. Dublin: A Sense of Place
Research Project
Goal:
To use the research to inform themes for
public artwork, projects, initiatives and
infrastructure in the community and
in grant opportunities for creative placemaking.

4. Dublin: A Sense of Place
Research Project
Methodology: Qualitative & Quantitative
 Focus Groups recruited from a random list of
3,000 city residents – two groups of 9-12 persons each.
 One-on-one interviews with stakeholders in the
community (67)
 On-line survey of community at large (407)

5. One-on-One Stakeholder Interviews
 Community Service Agencies and Organizations
 Charitable and Differently-Abled Community organizations
 City of Dublin elected officials and staff
 Community arts organizations
 Dublin Arts Council board and staff
 Dublin Chamber of Commerce (established and NextGen members)
 Dublin City Schools
 Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau
 Dublin Foundation
 Dublin Historical Society
 Historic Dublin Business Association
 Leadership Dublin
 Service organizations (e.g. Dublin A.M. Rotary, Dublin Kiwanis)
 Community Members
 Community servants (police and fire)
 Community volunteers
 Diverse populations (e.g. age and ethnic diversity)
 Homeowners associations
 News media
 Economic Contributors
 Entrepreneurs
 Large businesses
 Major event presenters (e.g. Memorial Tournament)
 Small to medium businesses

6. Online Survey Respondents
23% ZIP code 43016
61% ZIP code 43017
Other participants:
Other Ohio ZIP codes
Colorado, Florida and Australia
"Dublin Arts Council Survey - 'Dublin: a Sense of Place'"
Do you live in Dublin, Ohio?
Answer Options
Response
Percent
Response
Count
Yes
85% 347
No 15% 60
answered question 407
skipped question 0

7. How long have you lived in Dublin?
Answer Options
Response
Average
Response Total
Response
Count
Years 16.9 5,869 347
answered question 347
skipped question 60
Average residency: nearly 17 years
What is your gender?
Answer Options
Response
Percent
Response
Count
Female 65% 263
Male 32% 130
Prefer not to answer 3% 10
answered question 403
skipped question 4
Higher percentage of female respondents
Online Survey Respondents

8. Online respondent demographics
Do you work in Dublin?
Answer Options
Response
Percent
Response
Count
Yes, I work in Dublin 40.0% 161
No, I work outside of Dublin 32.0% 129
Currently unemployed 0.7% 3
Retired 16.6% 67
Student 1.0% 4
Do not work 4.7% 19
Other (please specify) 5.0% 20
answered question 403
skipped question 4

9. Online respondent demographics
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
45.0%
50.0%
Business
owner
City
employee
or elected
official
Service
club
member
Community
volunteer
Visitor DAC staff
or board
member
None of
the above
I am a Dublin, Ohio… (Check all that apply)
I am a Dublin, Ohio… (Check all that apply)
Answer Options
Response
Percent
Response
Count
Business owner 12% 49
City employee or elected official 6% 25
Service club member 7% 28
Community volunteer 39% 159
Visitor 6% 23
DAC staff or board member 5% 20
None of the above 44% 177
answered question 407
skipped question 0

10. 2
1. Family Oriented City
2. Good Schools
3. Affluent
Also highly ranked: ‘Good City Services’ and ‘Safe City’
What three things best describe
the City of Dublin, Ohio
Active Affluent Artistic Caring Clean Diverse “Dublin bubble”
Educated Family oriented Feels small town Friendly Fun Good schools
Good city services Green Healthy Innovative Involved
Irish themed Planned Professional Progressive Responsive Safe
Visionary Visitor destination Well run

11. Core Community Values
Other (please specify)
1 All of the above
2 Green outdoor space
3 Dublin strives to do everything as "Best in class"
4 Community oriented
5 Strategic Planning and Implementation
6 Progressive
7 A great place to live and work.
8 Sense of neighborhoods / community
9 Friendly and responsive to citizens of the city
10 Something for everyone no matter age or gender
11 Business friendly
12 Proud to live in Dublin. Tastefully done. Well kept

12. Leisure Pursuits

13. Cultural Identity

14. Community Favorites

15. Distinctive Community Assets

16. 2
1. Quality of Life
2. Great Schools
3. City Planning
What do you value most
about Dublin?
Public events Quality of life Public art Corporate involvement Easy accessibility
Good city planning Community involvement Community pride
Government-listens & responds Forward thinking Family friendly Great schools
Safe Cultural diversity Lack of 'sign pollution’ Very clean

17. What places make Dublin special to you?
1. Downtown / Historic Dublin
2. Recreation Center
3. Bike Paths & Muirfield (tie)

18. Contributions to Society

19. Community Character
Other (please specify)
1 Friendliness
2 I agree with all of the above
3 Great planning
4 A model city that demonstrates the success of civic
involvement in its success
5 Quality of Life
6 Wealth
7 Golf courses are essential in promoting recreational
opportunities
8 Hard to pick just one, they are all good choices. I guess
'Historic Culture' if I have to pick just one.
9 Golf......
10 Best planned community
11 The beautiful, well planned community that has attracted, as
well as, made possible, all of the above.
12 Irish theme is not character. Displaying pride in our history
would be.
13 None of the above

20. Dublin Arts Council’s role

21. Future Performing Arts

22. Future Visual Arts

23. Gallery Visitors
Response
Average
Response
T otal
Response
Count
5.54 1,312 237
237
170
Number of visits per year?
Answer Options
0' if less than once a year
answered question
skipped question

24. Visiting Public Artwork

25. Future Public Art Projects

26. Dublin Arts Council
7.32 average rating on a 10 point scale
More than half rated 8 or better
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00
How is Dublin Arts Council doing? Please rate on a scale of '0' to '10', with a '0' being the lowest
possible score and a '10' being the highest score.

27. Dublin: A Sense of Place
Research Project
Bruce Shoemaker, President
Underwritten by a Hotel/Motel Tax Grant from City of Dublin