For paper of Aug. 27
The New York Times Poll New York City Poll
Aug. 20-25, 2004
Total N = 1,096
Results are based on the total citywide sample unless otherwise noted. An asterisk indicates registered respondents.
TRENDS ARE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING SURVEYS — NEW YORK TIMES POLLS: DEC. 1981, JAN. 1985, NOV. 1991, APRIL 1995 OCT. 1997, DEC. 1999, AUG. 2001, OCT. 27-NOV.1, 2001, OCT. 2002, JAN., JUNE AND AUG. 2003; NEW YORK TIMES/CBS NEWS POLLS: OCT. 1998 - OCT. 2000, OCT. 6-9, 2001, JUNE 2002, AUG. 2002 AND JULY 2003; NEW YORK TIMES/WCBS NEWS POLLS: APRIL 1985 - JUNE 1990 AND MAY 1993 - OCT. 1994. Respondents are asked if they are white, black, Asian or some other race with a separate question asking if they are of Hispanic origin or descent. Between March 1986 and May 1993, respondents were asked if they are white, black or some other race, also with the separate question on Hispanic origin. Before March 1986, respondents were asked if they were white, black, Hispanic or some other race. If separate Hispanic results are not provided, there were too few Hispanic respondents in the survey to be statistically reliable. Separate results are not provided for Asians because there are too few respondents in each survey to be statistically reliable. 1. What's your long range view for the city -- do you think that ten or fifteen years from now, New York City will be a better place to live than it is now, a worse place, or about the same? Better Worse Same Better & worse DK/NA 11/731 8/77 12/77 12/7-14/81 1/5-10/85 1/4-6/87 1/10-12/88 6/11-17/89 6/17-10/90 11/2-12/91 5/10-14/93 3/1-6/97 8/5-12/01 10/6-9/01 10/27-11/1/01 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 1/11-15/03 6/6-11/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 38 27 38 30 30 26 24 22 20 19 22 28 34 54 51 41 33 34 30 34 33 30 32 42 34 40 31 35 42 48 51 58 50 36 25 11 12 20 23 26 33 31 28 32 26 18 17 22 27 31 28 24 24 17 23 29 32 26 26 31 38 32 29 26 32 30 4 13 11 7 6 5 6 5 4 5 5 6 9 8 9 6 6 7 7 8 6 6
5 4 1
1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1
1 Poll conducted by Yankelovich, Skelly & White.
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2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? Approve 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 10/12-16/02 1/11-15/03 6/6-11/03 7/13-27/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 48 47 47 31 24 25 32 38 40 Disapprove 26 31 41 53 65 67 57 46 49 DK/NA 26 22 12 16 11 8 11 16 11
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling the recovery efforts following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center? Approve 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 57 49 55 Disapprove 24 29 33 DK/NA 18 22 12 handling his job as
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is President? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 10/6-9/01* 8/25-29/02 7/13-27/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 79 47 34 34 35 24 12 43 58 58 59 71 9 10 8 8 6 5
5. In the last two years, do you think life in New York City has generally gotten better, gotten worse or stayed about the same? Better 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 20 16 Worse 46 48 Same 32 34 DK/NA 1 2
Varied wording: In the last year, do you think life in New York City has generally gotten better, gotten worse or stayed about the same? Better Worse Same DK/NA 1/11-15/03 16 43 39 2 6/6-10/03 12 60 27 1
6. IF BETTER OR WORSE, ASK: How much do you think that has to do with the policies of the Bloomberg administration -- a lot, some, hardly any or nothing at all? Better A lot Some Hardly any Nothing DK/NA 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 15 22 50 49 15 17 11 10 8 2 Worse A lot Some Hardly any Nothing 31 35 39 40 14 14 9 8 DK/NA 7 3
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7. Looking ahead about four years, if it was entirely up to you, would you want to be living where you are now, or would you want to be living somewhere else in New York City, or outside the city? Living where now 4/27-5/3/85 1 8/5-12/01 1 10/6-9/01 1 6/4-9/02 1 8/25-29/02 1 1/11-15/03 1 6/6-11/03 1 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 44 42 55 47 40 38 42 40 43 40 Elsewhere in in NYC 15 21 12 16 17 17 13 11 14 12 Outside NYC 40 35 31 34 42 42 42 47 41 47 DK/NA 1 3 2 3 1 3 3 3 2 2
1 Question read: Looking ahead about four years, if it was entirely up to you, would you want to be living where you are now, or would you want to be living somewhere else in New York City, or outside the city? Varied wording: Looking ahead about four years, if it was entirely up to you, would you want to be living in New York City, or would you want to be living somewhere else? 12/7-14/81 1/5-10/85 6/17-20/90 11/2-12/91 3/1-6/97 8/5-12/01 10/6-9/01 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 1/11-15/03 6/6-11/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 In NYC 48 54 38 37 49 62 67 63 57 55 55 51 57 52 Somewhere else 48 42 59 60 47 35 31 16 43 42 42 47 41 47 DK/NA 4 4 3 3 4 3 2 3 1 3 3 3 2 2
8. Do you think Michael Bloomberg has performed his job as Mayor well enough to deserve re-election, OR do you think it's time to give a new person a chance? Deserves re-election 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 27 27 Time for new person 64 67 DK/NA 9 7
9. So far, has Michael Bloomberg's performance as Mayor been better than you expected, worse than you expected, or has it been about what you expected? Better 6/4-9/02 1/11-15/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 13 13 16 16 Worse 15 29 25 24 About what expected 56 48 54 56 DK/NA 16 10 6 4
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10. How would you rate the condition of the New York City economy these days? Is it very good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? Very good 9/29-10/3/93 3/1-6/97 8/5-12/01* 10/6-9/01* 10/27-11/1/01* 6/4-9/02 1/11-15/03 6/4-11/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 2 6 12 5 4 4 2 2 2 3 Fairly good 30 53 66 55 54 46 28 22 43 44 Fairly bad 40 25 13 27 30 34 42 43 33 32 Very bad 25 12 5 8 9 12 24 30 19 19
DK/NA 3 4 4 5 2 4 3 3 3 2
11. In general, do you think New York City's economy is better, worse, or about the same as it was five years ago? Better 11/2-12/91 3/1-6/97 8/5-12/01* 10/6-9/01* 10/27-11/1/01* 6/4-9/02 1/11-15/03 6/4-11/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 4 38 21 21 18 23 11 11 28 20 Worse 86 27 25 35 39 31 50 52 31 36 Same 9 28 51 38 39 42 36 35 37 41 DK/NA 2 6 3 5 5 4 4 3 4 2
12. Is your opinion of Michael Bloomberg favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Michael Bloomberg yet to have an opinion? Not favorable 16 16 15 13 30 39 33 34 Haven't heard enough 31 29 17 30 15 9 13 13
Favorable 8/5-12/01* 10/6-9/01* 10/27-11/1/01* 6/4-9/02* 1/11-15/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 26 26 37 39 26 21 28 28
Undecided 26 27 30 18 28 28 23 24
Refused 1 2 1 1 2 3 1
13. Is your opinion of George Pataki favorable, not favorable, undecided or haven't you heard enough about George Pataki yet to have an opinion? Favorable 9/29-10/2/94* 10/26-29/94* 4/26-30/95 10/1-6/98* 10/21-25/98* 6/4-10/00* 10/12-16/02* 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 10 13 17 33 32 40 45 30 29 Not favorable 27 39 40 24 34 28 25 29 32 Undecided 21 26 21 33 27 26 21 26 21 DK enough 41 22 22 8 5 6 7 13 17 Refused 1 2 2 2 1 1
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14. Is your opinion of Rudolph Giuliani favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Rudolph Giuliani yet to have an opinion? Not favorable 7 7 4 20 34 28 32 39 22 26 37 45 52 58 60 52 38 16 16 24 Haven't heard enough 55 50 39 12 10 11 7 2 15 4 1 5 3 1 1 1 2 4 5
Favorable 3/9-10/86* 1/4-6/87* 1/10-12/88* 6/11-17/89* 5/10-14/93* 9/29-10/3/93* 10/20-24/93* 4/26-30/95* 3/1-6/97* 10/13-18/97* 10/1-6/98* 3/8-14/99* 10/23-28/99* 2/16-22/00* 4/1-5/00* 6/4-10/00* 8/5-12/01* 6/4-9/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 27 36 46 41 30 31 30 44 39 45 49 31 33 30 26 35 50 72 66 60
Undecided 11 7 9 25 26 29 29 15 21 22 12 18 11 10 13 11 11 8 13 11
Refused 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
15. How much do you think the Republican Party cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself - a lot, some, not much, or not at all? THE ORDER OF Q. 15 AND 16 WAS ROTATED A lot 8/20-25/04 9 Some 25 Not much 29 Not at all 34 DK/NA 3
16. How much do you think the Democratic Party cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself - a lot, some, not much, or not at all? THE ORDER OF Q. 15 AND 16 WAS ROTATED A lot 8/20-25/04 28 Some 43 Not much 17 Not at all 9 DK/NA 3
17. Do you happen to know if Michael Bloomberg is a Democrat or a Republican? IF YES, ASK: Which is he? Democrat 8/20-25/04 14 Republican 65 DK/NA 21
18. IF REPUBLICAN, ASK: Do you think of Michael Bloomberg as a typical Republican, or not? Typical Not typical DK/NA 8/20-25/04 27 31 7
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19. Do you think it's better for New York City when the Mayor and the President of the United States are of the same political party, or doesn't it make much difference? Better 9/29-10/93 8/20-25/04 37 26 No difference 61 69 DK/NA 2 5
20. Do you think Mayor Bloomberg has done a good job of getting help from the federal government for New York City, or not? Good job 8/20-25/04 38 Not good job 48 DK/NA 14
21. Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out? Right thing 8/20-25/04 25 Stay out 65 DK/NA 11
22. Do you think the result of the war with Iraq was worth the loss of American life and other costs of attacking Iraq or not worth it? Worth it 8/20-25/04 17 Not worth it 77 DK/NA 6
23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Raymond Kelly is handling his job as police commissioner? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 8/20-25/04 59 18 23
24. In general, do you think most people have a good image of New York City or a bad image of New York City? IF MIXED IMAGE, SAY: Is that mainly good or mainly bad? Good 8/20-25/04 58 Bad 36 DK/NA 6 IF "MIXED IMAGE", SAY: Is it
25. Is your image of New York City a good one or a bad one? mainly good or mainly bad? Good 11/2-12/91 3/1-6/97 10/6-9/01 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 54 77 93 86 85 82 79 Bad 36 16 4 9 9 13 16 DK/NA 10 7 3 5 6 5 4
30. As you may know, the Republican Party has chosen New York City as the location for its 2004 presidential nominating convention. Do you think it was a good idea for the Republicans to hold their convention in New York, or should they have held it in another city? Good idea Another city DK/NA 8/20-25/04 41 52 7
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31. As far as you know, do most delegates think it was a good idea for the Republicans to hold their convention in New York, or do they think it should have been held in another city? Good idea Another city DK/NA 8/20-25/04 31 30 38
32. Do you plan to participate in any public protests or demonstrations during the Republican convention? Yes 8/20-25/04 7 No 89 Depends 2 DK/NA 1
33. Do you plan to stay in the city during the convention, or do you expect to be out of town? Planning to stay Expect to be out of town DK/NA 8/20-25/04 84 13 3
34. What do you think is the main reason the Republican Party chose New York City for its 2004 nominating convention? 8/31-9/4/031 To capitalize on 9/11 To reach out minorities To help NYC’s economy Sympathize with city’s losses Support the city/show it is safe To counteract the Democrats Publicity/In the media center Bloomberg/Pataki Looking for New York votes General positive/great place for a convention/best city in the world Money/financial center Other DK/NA 19 1 9 4 9 4 3 3 5 6 3 1 34 4/16-21/041 14 1 8 1 9 1 4 1 8 15 4 2 32 8/20-25/04 17 1 3 2 8 3 4 2 6 9 4 10 31
1 Varied wording: As you may know, the Republican Party has chosen New York City as the location for its 2004 presidential nominating convention. What do you think is the main reason that it chose New York City for this convention?
35. How worried are you about a possible terrorist attack in New York City during the convention - very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried or not at all worried? Very worried 8/20-25/04 20 Somewhat worried 33 Not too worried 25 Not at all 21 DK/NA 1
36. How worried are you that some protest marches or demonstrations will lead to violence during the convention - very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried or not at all worried? Very worried Somewhat worried Not too worried Not at all DK/NA 8/20-25/04 18 30 29 21 1
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37. Do you think the New York City Police will have to use so much manpower for the Republican convention and its related activities that the rest of the city will be left unsafe, or don't you think that will be a problem? Not pay attention to other NYC 8/20-25/04 37 Not a problem 54 Depends 5 DK/NA 4 enough to
40. Since September 11th, do you think the government in Washington is doing help protect New York City from terrorist attacks, or not? Enough 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 46 57 50 45 Not enough 44 34 42 47 DK/NA 10 8 8 8
41. Since September 11th, do you think the government in Washington is doing enough to help New York City recover financially from the terrorist attacks, or not? Enough 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 28 27 Not enough 61 60 DK/NA 10 12
42. As of today, would you say your daily routine has gotten pretty much back to normal, or are you still dealing with changes caused by the attacks on the World Trade Center? Normal 10/6-9/01 10/27-11/02/01 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 820-25/04 52 50 66 70 67 70 Still dealing 44 44 29 27 29 27 Never back normal 1 3 2 1 1 2 DK/NA 3 3 3 2 3 2
43. New Yorkers are reacting to the terrorist attack in various ways. What about you? At any time since the terrorist attack, did you have any trouble sleeping? If yes, ask: Are you still having trouble sleeping? Yes, still having trouble 10/6-9/01 1 6/4-9/02 2 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 22 16 14 14 12 Yes, but not now 18 23 30 27 22
No 59 59 57 58 65
DK/NA 2 1 1
1 Question read: Since the terrorist attack, have you had any trouble sleeping? 2 Question read: At any time since the terrorist attack, have you had any trouble sleeping?
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44. Would you say you are personally very concerned about another terrorist attack in New York City, or not? Yes No DK/NA 10/6-9/01 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 1/11-15/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 74 70 62 70 68 72 66 25 28 36 27 29 27 33 1 1 2 3 3 1 1
45. Do you think New York City is adequately prepared to deal with a another terrorist attack, or not? Yes 1/11-15/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 35 33 39 No 54 58 51 DK/NA 11 9 11
46. Do you think the threat of another terrorist attack is higher in New York City than it is in other big cities, or is the threat or terrorism here about the same as it is in other big cities? Higher 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 60 49 60 65 62 Same 31 44 34 29 34 Lower (vol) 2 3 3 2 1 DK/NA 7 4 3 3 3
47. Do you think the security measures currently in place in New York City subways are sufficient, or not? Yes 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 22 25 24 28 No 64 65 64 57 DK/NA 15 11 11 14
48. Do you think the security measures currently in place at New York City airports are sufficient, or not? Yes No DK/NA 6/4-9/02 1 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 38 41 40 39 53 50 54 49 9 9 6 12
1 Question read: Do you think the security measures currently in place at New York City airports are sufficient, or not sufficient?
49. Do you think the security measures currently in place at the New York City waterfront and ports are sufficient, or not? Yes 8/20-25/04 24 No 53 DK/NA 23
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50. Do you think the security measures currently in place at New York City bridges and tunnels are sufficient, or not? Yes 6/4-9/02 1 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 37 34 36 39 No 53 54 54 50 DK/NA 10 13 9 11
1 Question read: Do you think the security measures currently in place at New York City airports are sufficient, or not sufficient?
51. Since Sept. 11, the government has issued warnings about possible terrorist attacks on Americans abroad and in the United States. Do you think the warnings have been useful, or harmful, or neither? Useful 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/2-25/04 52 55 46 Harmful 13 7 17 Neither 28 32 33 DK/NA 7 6 4
52. Have the warnings made you feel mostly secure or mostly anxious? Secure 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 34 33 27 Anxious 47 48 48 Both 4 3 6 Neither 11 11 16 DK/NA 4 5 3
53. Are you doing anything differently since the government issued the most recent warning about a possible terrorist attacks in New York City? Yes 8/20-25/04 27 No 72 DK/NA 1
Varied wording: Do you do anything differently when the government has issued a warning about a possible terrorist attack in New York City? Yes 22 36 No 75 61 DK/NA 3 3
8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03
54. How do you think most New Yorkers feel these days about their own safety from terrorist attacks? Do you think most New Yorkers generally feel safe from terrorist attacks, feel somewhat uneasy, or feel in danger? Safe 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 16 15 15 Uneasy 63 61 59 In danger 16 19 20 DK/NA 5 5 5
55. What about you personally? Do you generally feel safe from terrorist attacks, feel somewhat uneasy, or feel in danger? Safe 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 35 29 30 Uneasy 48 50 53 In danger 14 18 12 DK/NA 3 3 5
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Some people are registered to vote and others are not. Are you registered to vote in the election district where you now live, or aren't you? Yes 8/20-25/04 72 No 27 DK/NA 1
59. How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2004 election campaign for United States President -- a lot, some, not much, or no attention so far? A lot 8/20-25/04* 41 Some 39 Not much 16 No attention 4 DK/NA 1
60. If the 2004 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were John Kerry for President and John Edwards for Vice President, the Democrats, and George W. Bush for President and Dick Cheney for Vice President, the Republicans, would you vote for John Kerry and John Edwards or George W. Bush and Dick Cheney? THE ORDER OF THE CANDIDATES’ NAMES ARE ROTATED Kerry/Edwards 8/20-25/04* 68 Bush/Cheney 17 Other 1 Won't vote 1 DK/NA 13
61. Are you currently employed, or are you temporarily out of work, or are you not in the market for work at all? Currently employed 10/6-9/01 6/4-9/02 8/25-29/02 1/11-15/03 6/6-11/03 7/13-27/03 8/31-9/4/03 4/16-21/04 8/20-25/04 59 60 56 54 53 59 49 56 58 Out of work 13 13 13 20 21 16 22 15 14 Not in market 28 27 31 26 26 24 28 29 27 DK/NA 1 -
62. Did you lose a job at any time because of the terrorist attacks? Yes 8/20-25/04 63. 11 No 89 DK/NA -
IF YES,ASK: About how long did it take you to find a another job? 3 2 1 2 1
Less than 6 months 6 months-1 year Over a year Not yet DK/NA
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64. Do you or any of your friends or relatives know someone who was hurt or killed in the terrorist attack? Yes No DK/NA 10/6-9/01 1 6/4-9/02 1 8/24-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 59 55 61 66 63 41 44 38 33 36 1 1
1 Question read: Do you or any of your friends or relatives know someone who is missing, hurt or killed in the terrorist attack?
65. IF YES, ASK: Do you personally have a close friend or relative who was hurt or killed in the terrorist attack? Yes 10/6-9/01 1 6/4-9/02 1 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 20 22 29 27 25 No 39 34 33 40 38 DK/NA
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1 Question read: Do you personally have a close friend or relative who is missing, hurt or killed in the terrorist attack?
66. My last few questions are for background only. How long have you lived in New York City? Less than 1-3 4-5 6-10 11-20 Over 20 one year years years years years years DK/NA 8/20-25/04 1 4 4 9 19 62 1
Did you vote for Mayor in 2001, did something prevent you from voting, or did you choose not to vote for Mayor in 2001? IF VOTED, ASK: Did you vote for Mark Green, or Michael Bloomberg? Voted, won't say Green Bloomberg for whom or other Didn't vote Not in NYC then DK/NA 8/20-25/03 21 24 2 48 3 2
In what borough do you NOW live? Bronx 8/20-25/04 15 Brooklyn 31 Manhattan 22 Queens 27 Staten Island 5
67. Were you living in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks? IF YES, ASK: Were you physically in New York City at the time of the terrorist attacks or were you somewhere else on that day? Yes, living in NYC/Yes on 9/11 8/31-9/4/03 8/20-25/04 83 79 Yes, living in NYC/No on 9/11 9 11
No 8 10
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What is your religious preference today? Protestant 8/20-25/04 25 Catholic 39 Jewish 10 Muslim 1 Other 6 None 15 DK/NA 5
Are you now married, widowed, divorced, or have you never been married? Married 8/20-25/04 40 you Dem 54 Widowed 7 usually Ind 24 Divorced 10 consider Other 2 Separated 6 yourself a Never married 35 Republican, DK/NA 1 a Democrat, an
Generally speaking, do Independent, or what? Rep 8/20-25/04 13
DK/NA 7
How would you describe your views on most political matters? Generally do you think of yourself as liberal, moderate, or conservative? Liberal 8/20-25/04 29 Moderate 37 Conservative 26 DK/NA 7
What was the last grade in school you completed? Not a H.S. grad 8/20-25/04 How old are you? 18-29 8/20-25/04 24 30-44 32 45-64 28 Over 64 16 Refused 1 25 H.S. grad 24 Some College college grad Post grad 23 17 11 Refused 1
Are you of Hispanic origin or descent, or not? Hispanic 8/20-25/04 14 Not Hispanic 71 Interviewed in Spanish 12 DK/NA 3
Are you white, black, or some other race? White 8/20-25/04 51 Black 27 Asian 4 Other 16 Refused 2
Was your TOTAL family income in 2003 UNDER or OVER $50,000? IF UNDER, ASK: Was it under $15,000, between $15,000 and $30,000 or was it between $30,000 and $50,000? IF OVER, ASK: Was it between $50,000 and $75,000, or between $75,000 and $100,000, or was it over $100,000? Under $15,000 8/20-25/04 Gender Male 8/20-25/04 46 Female 54 15 $15,000$29,999 21 $30,000$49,999 16 $50,000- $75,000$74,999 $100,000 18 9 Over $100,000 Refused 11 10
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