O'Brien County Resident & Former Resident Survey Analysis


Primghar, Iowa, May 1, 2017 – O’Brien County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) has been presented with the results of two surveys that were created by Iowa State University’s CyBiz Lab in order to address O’Brien County’s population loss and shrinking workforce.


Key findings show the importance of livable wages, job opportunities and amenities to both current and former O’Brien County residents. While there was more emphasis on livable wages and amenities in the respondents who had left, current residents valued affordability and small town communities as well as education.


O’Brien County Economic Development Director, Kiana Johnson stated, “The information we have receive from these two surveys give the OCEDC Board and administrators in all our communities an excellent feel for what we are doing right and what areas may need improvement. Our goal is not only to attract new families and businesses, but to also ensure our graduates know there are good career opportunities here in  O’Brien County. This will guarantee the availability of a quality workforce for our employers.”


The survey analysis can be found by following the links below.


Part I: Executive Summery/Market Analysis


Part II: O'Brien County Residents Survey


Part III: O'Brien County Return Survey


Part IV: Survey Analysis