COVID-19 Community Impact Survey Results
Thanks to the 2,170 residents who completed the community impact survey. We will be using the results in the following ways:
1) Share with the City Council to inform their decision-making
2) Share with community organizations and other agencies to inform their response help attract resources to Brooklyn Park
3) The City’s Emergency Operations Center is using the data to inform the city’s response to the pandemic. Expect to see increased communications from the city about information and resource gaps we learned about in the survey.
Background
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city surveyed residents to learn how the community is faring and learn about the community’s needs.
The objective of the survey was to get rapid feedback on the current state and needs in our community and then for the results to be shared back with the Emergency Operations Center, City Council, partners and community-at-large.
Click here to download a PDF of the survey results >
Survey methods
The survey was open from March 25 through the morning of March 30.
Internet
The majority of respondents took the survey via the web, having received the link from an email, social media, or a flyer at their apartment community
Phone
Staff also called residents whose numbers we had (i.e. from Recreation and Parks programming or because they are a homeowner association member).
Special thanks to Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth staff for cleaning, analyzing and reporting out the data.
Who took the survey?
- 2170 people took the survey, which is about 8% of our population.
- 49% were households with people ages 0-24 years old
- 60% were households with people ages 25-54 years old
- 42% were households with people ages 55 years or older
- 33% had people in their household were more vulnerable to COVID-19
- 10% were renters and 81% were homeowners
Here’s how the respondents identified racially:
| Number | % of respondents | % of populations | |
| Black American | 254 | 12% | 15% |
| Hispanic or Latino/a | 83 | 4% | 8% |
| Southeast Asian or Asian | 144 | 7% | 15% |
| West African or African | 55 | 3% | 12% |
| White | 1515 | 70% | 46% |
| Other/No answer | 330 | 15% | 4% |
White respondents and homeowners were over-represented. So, to achieve a more accurate sample we weighted the results according to an estimate from the Census data on race and ethnicity categories.
What did the community say?
- Are you receiving the information you need on COVID-19 and strategies to slow the spread?
99% said YES - What sources are you using to get information about local efforts to address COVID-19?
Residents are most likely to get their information from television, federal or state websites (like CDC and MDH), social media, and emails from the city - Are you concerned about getting access to these basic needs either now or in the next couple of weeks?
| Overall (weight) | Black American | Hispanic or Latino/a | Southeast Asian or Asian | West African or African | White | Other | |
| Cleaning Products and Toiletries | 49% | 50% | 57% | 57% | 68% | 39% | 43% |
| Food of your households | 36% | 41% | 47% | 44% | 57% | 23% | 26% |
| Medications | 24% | 25% | 31% | 33% | 41% | 15% | 16% |
| Medical care | 22% | 20% | 28% | 29% | 31% | 16% | 16% |
| Helping children with schoolwork | 18% | 25% | 24% | 27% | 28% | 9% | 9% |
| Mental or emotional support | 13% | 18% | 17% | 19% | 18% | 8% | 7% |
| Internet access | 13% | 17% | 14% | 17% | 22% | 7% | 9% |
| Computer/laptop/tablet access | 7% | 13% | 8% | 8% | 15% | 3% | 4% |
| Childcare | 7% | 9% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 3% | 3% |
| Housing | 6% | 11% | 10% | 12% | 8% | 2% | 3% |
| Transportation | 4% | 5% | 4% | 7% | 14% | 1% | 2% |
| Other | 8% | 7% | 6% | 10% | 7% | 8% | 9% |
Orange text indicates a 7% – 9% higher percentage than the overall. Red text indicates a 10%+ higher percentage.
Overall, respondents said that getting cleaning products and toiletries, and food were their top concerns. Our cultural communities (especially West African or African) and renters were especially concerned with getting those groceries, plus access to medicines, helping their children with schoolwork, housing, and transportation
| Household includes youth (0-24) | Household includes seniors (55+) | Household includes COVID-19 high-risk | Renter | Homeowner | |
| Cleaning Products and Toiletries | 46% | 40% | 46% | 57% | 41% |
| Food of your households | 31% | 25% | 32% | 47% | 26% |
| Medications | 19% | 17% | 25% | 28% | 17% |
| Medical care | 18% | 18% | 22% | 23% | 17% |
| Helping children with schoolwork | 22% | 6% | 11% | 16% | 12% |
| Mental or emotional support | 11% | 7% | 11% | 21% | 8% |
| Internet access | 11% | 9% | 11% | 17% | 9% |
| Computer/laptop/tablet access | 6% | 3% | 5% | 14% | 4% |
| Childcare | 7% | 2% | 4% | 9% | 4% |
| Housing | 6% | 2% | 4% | 17% | 2% |
| Transportation | 2% | 2% | 4% | 10% | 1% |
| Other | 7% | 8% | 10% | 9% | 8% |
- What do you need during this time to feel safe and to take care of yourself and your family?
(open-ended question, results were themed and quantified)
| Rank | Theme | # of respondents | Percentage of repondants |
| 1 | We are ok/nothing | 244 | 21% |
| 2 | Supplies (cleaning products, TP, PPE) | 180 | 16% |
| 3 | Social distance, hygiene | 150 | 13% |
| 4 | Food | 139 | 12% |
| 5 | COVID-19 info updates | 120 | 12% |
| 6 | Money/relief from bills | 100 | 9% |
| 7 | Public safety/protection | 90 | 8% |
| 8 | Available medical care/testing | 58 | 5% |
| 9 | Positivity/calmness | 46 | 4% |
| 10 | Job security/work | 47 | 4% |
Renters were more likely to say they needed money or relief from bills.
| Renter | Home-owner | |
| Money/relief from bills | 27% | 7% |
| Overall (weight) | Black American | Hispanic or Latino/a | Southeast Asian or Asian | West African or African | White | Other | |
| Cleaning Products and Toiletries | 28% | 17% | 13% | 14% | 25% | 15% | 19% |
| Money/relief of bills | 14% | 17% | 9% | 12% | 30% | 6% | 7% |
| Public safety/protection | 11% | 1% | 9% | 33% | 6% | 5% | 10% |
Orange text indicates a 7% – 9% higher percentage than the overall. Red text indicates a 10%+ higher percentage.
Other answers included exercise and activity, people to stop hoarding, childcare and education, for local government to take action, medicines, contact with family and friends, internet connectivity, God and faith, mental health services, Personal protection equipment (PPE) for medical staff, and help for local businesses.
Similar to the previous question, many respondents reported that they need supplies (cleaning products, TP, PPE) and food. Many responses wondered if delivery could be improved for those groceries. Respondents wanted other people to obey social distancing guidelines (especially for young people they had observed out in the community) and businesses to be cleaning their facilities. Many people said that they needed timely and accurate information about COVID-19, especially on a local level.
Specifically, the Southeast Asian or Asian community was very concerned about their safety in light of the reports and personal experiences of Asians being harassed because of the belief that they are the cause of COVID-19. Also, the West African or African community and renters were very concerned about having enough money for rent or bills.
Weekly wellness calls, follow-ups and informational emails
| Yes | |
| If you or a household member are over 55, do you want a weekly wellness call? |
54 |
| Do you want someone to follow up with you and direct you to resources? |
129 |
| If you don’t already get emails from the City of Brooklyn Park, do you want us to sign you up? | 150 |
The Recreation and Parks Department staff will provide the weekly wellness calls to seniors and the Community Engagement Division staff followed up with those respondents who requested to discuss resources. They also signed up those who wanted to be on the city’s email list.
Key takeaways
- Residents are most concerned about having access to supplies (cleaning products, toiletries, and PPE), food, and medicines when they need it.
The perception is that stores are running out daily because some people are hoarding food and supplies. Residents are also concerned about their safety when having to venture outside of their homes to resupply. Delivery services are overwhelmed so people are not able to access them to get groceries in a timely manner. - Residents are concerned about public safety and potential increase in crime or unrest
There is a perception that crime has increased or will increase in the short-term. - Residents, especially those from our Asian community, are very concerned about racial discrimination and harassment tied to COVID-19.
Many respondents shared their personal experiences of racism because they were Asian, and others felt that police and the city should respond to those incidences proactively. - Residents said that they are currently receiving the information they need about COVID-19 but also said that getting up-to-date and accurate information is a priority.
The information about COVID-19 is changing so quickly and the response by the US government, the state of Minnesota, the county, the schools, and the city are not always aligned. - Residents will soon (if they are not already) face challenges with paying for rent, utilities, etc.
Even if the shelter-in-place period doesn’t last longer than the 2-weeks it is scheduled for, many people who live paycheck to paycheck will be weeks behind on their financial obligations. - Residents in households with youth (especially those in cultural communities) are reporting a need for support with schoolwork.
- Residents indicated some households have challenges related to accessing the technology (computers and tablets) and internet they need to function online while staying safe at home.
Not every school district has been able to provide digital devices for its students and even when they do, not every household is connected to the internet. This is not only difficult for students trying to complete their schoolwork, but adds barriers to families trying to get information, stay connected, or work from home.
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