The excessive price of residing stays a major concern in America’s largest exacerbated by the January 2025 wildfires is without doubt one of the largest worries bothering residents of Los Angeles County.
A survey centered on the county, the nation’s largest with 9.7 million individuals, additionally reveals worries concerning the Trump Administration’s newest spherical of efforts to deport and curtain immigrants, and the persistent downside of homelessness.
Associated: California Units Apart $170M to Skinny Vegetation, Forests to Assist Stop Wildfires
The annual survey from the UCLA Luskin College of Public Affairs produces a High quality of Life Index. The QLI was unchanged this yr, however the rating of 53 matches final yr’s lowest within the 10 years of the QLI’s existence. The survey has hit this low level in three out of the final 4 years.
Along with the standardized questions included within the QLI survey, questions had been included this yr that touched on the L.A. wildfires.
Associated: California at Danger of New Insurance coverage Bailout Amid Hearth Hazard
The survey discovered the collective trauma of the January wildfires in communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena is extra widespread than anticipated, with results felt throughout the county in areas starting from North County to South Bay.
Greater than two-fifths of individuals polled mentioned they know somebody affected by the fires, whereas 14% mentioned that an precise lack of revenue brought on by the fires utilized an excellent deal to them personally, and one other 13% mentioned it utilized considerably.
Nearly all of county residents (89%) imagine that owners who misplaced their property to the fires needs to be allowed to rebuild on the identical location. The identical query was requested in 2019 after the Woolsey Hearth close to Simi Valley, and 76% agreed with permitting for rebuilding in the identical location. About half (52%) of these polled are prepared to extend taxes to fund efforts to enhance wildfire response.
This yr, price of residing has soared to its highest salience stage, with three-quarters respondents saying it’s crucial class affecting their high quality of life over all of the others. This can be a major contributing issue to why the general QLI rating is unchanged from final yr, in response to the organizers of the survey.
A big proportion of county residents (44%) are anxious that they, a member of their household or a pal might be deported by federal authorities. Latinos (54%), residents ages 18-29 (57%) and 30-39 (52%) are the likeliest to have this concern.
For the primary time in recent times, the variety of county residents who imagine the homeless downside is getting worse truly declined by practically 10 factors—from 60% in 2024 to 52% in 2025. Nonetheless, solely 10% of Angelenos imagine the state of affairs is enhancing.
The survey included 1,400 L.A. County residents and was carried out February 23 to March 9. It covers 9 classes and likewise ranks the salience of these classes.
Matters
Disaster
Pure Disasters
Developments
Wildfire
Louisiana
Fascinated by Disaster?
Get automated alerts for this subject.