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Student survey: Many local youth would return IF . . .

November 25, 2008

Are rural Nebraska youth — including those in Boone County — interested in returning to their communities after completing their educations?

Yes . . . if they can find the right opportunities back home.

That was a conclusion supported in a recent survey of Boone County Middle School students conducted in the spring of 2008, with follow-up interviews this fall.

A total of 82 seventh and eighth grade students at Boone Central Middle School were surveyed.

Among the key findings:

  • 80 percent of the students surveyed rated their community as an above average to excellent place to live: (42 percent excellent, 38 percent above average).
  • 78 percent indicated they plan to attend college; 65 percent pictured themselves living in the Boone County area in the future; 58 percent are interested in taking an entrepreneurship class with hands-on experience, and 38 percent are interested in owning their own business in the future.
  • 68 percent indicated that Boone County is a good place to raise a family; 48 percent said they have family ties in the community, and 38 percent said the cost of living is lower.
  • 40 percent indicated they would prefer to return — if quality career or business ownership opportunities are available.
  • 20 percent indicated it is very likely they would prefer to stay in their community after high school graduation.

On the negative side, 62 percent of the students indicated that career opportunities elsewhere could prevent them from moving back to the area. Fifty-eight percent indicated that the opportunity to make more money elsewhere could keep them from moving back, and 40 percent said there are too few shopping opportunities locally.

Complete details in the Albion News Print Edition.

Written by jdickerson · Filed Under News