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Gas Industry Housing Survey
About the Survey:
In order to obtain a sampling of demographic data relating
to the gas industry workforce, a one-page survey was
distributed to gas industry employees in the Fall of 2005.
The intent of the survey was to gather both demographic
and housing-related information, and was distributed
directly to employees at some gas field companies, through
collection boxes, mailings, and door-to-door canvassing.
Out of an estimated 1500 surveys distributed, 524 surveys
were filled out and returned, which is thought to represent
an estimated 15-25% of the total gas industry workforce
working in Sublette County. The occupations of the 524
respondents are diverse across the spectrum of
occupations within the gas industry, with the exception of rig
hands – or “roughnecks” – which are thought to be
somewhat underrepresented by the survey.
Summary of Findings:
In sum, the survey found that among non-residents (ie.
temporary or rotational workers) currently employed in the
gas industry, there appears to be substantial interest in
permanently relocating to the area. Potential relocatees
tend to be older, married, and have children under the age
of 18 then those not considering relocation. Those thinking
or planning on relocating also indicated they wished to
purchase a home, with more interest expressed in moving
to Sublette County (especially the Pinedale and Boulder
areas) then Sweetwater County. The vast majority of
potential relocatees indicated, however, they would be
willing to spend less than $750 a month in housing costs
which would require a very substantial down payment in
order to afford the average home in Sublette County. When
asked the biggest obstacle in moving to the area, the
overwhelming majority of people indicated housing
affordability and overall housing availability as key.
Housing Budget of Those Thinking About or Planning on
Relocating.
When those non-residents thinking or planning on
relocating were asked “Given your family budget, how much
would you be willing to pay per month for housing”, the near
majority of respondents (47%) indicated they would be
willing pay between $500 to $750 per month for housing,
while 22% indicated they would be willing to pay less than
$500/month. About 13% indicated they would be willing to
pay between $750 to $1000 a month for housing, while
about 15% said they would be willing to pay between $1000
to $1250 a month.
Given these results, it is unlikely the vast majority of
respondents can afford to buy or rent an average single
family home in Sublette County without providing a
substantial down-payment on a new house purchase. The
amount of such assets available was not recorded by the
survey, although it is assumed the amount of available
down-payment increases with age. According to the
Wyoming Economic Analysis Division of the Department of
Administration and Information, the average rental rate for a
single family home in Sublette County as of June of 2005 is
nearly $900/month. According to the County Assessor’s
office, the average sales price of a single-family home in
Sublette County was $244,979 in 2005. Over the course of
a typical 30-year mortgage at a 7% APR, in order to afford
the average home in Sublette County and keep monthly
mortgage payments under $1000/month, a down-payment
in excess of $100,000 would be required.
Factor most likely to influence relocation:
When asked which factors would most likely influence their
decision to relocate, about 65% of respondents indicated
that more affordable housing would influence their decision,
while about 50% said more available housing was
important. About 25% of the respondents indicated that
more shopping/entertainment opportunities would influence
their decision, while 20% indicated that better health care in
the area was a factor. Less than 10% indicated that year-
round drilling in Sublette County would influence their
decision.
About the Survey:
In order to obtain a sampling of demographic data relating
to the gas industry workforce, a one-page survey was
distributed to gas industry employees in the Fall of 2005.
The intent of the survey was to gather both demographic
and housing-related information, and was distributed
directly to employees at some gas field companies, through
collection boxes, mailings, and door-to-door canvassing.
Out of an estimated 1500 surveys distributed, 524 surveys
were filled out and returned, which is thought to represent
an estimated 15-25% of the total gas industry workforce
working in Sublette County. The occupations of the 524
respondents are diverse across the spectrum of
occupations within the gas industry, with the exception of rig
hands – or “roughnecks” – which are thought to be
somewhat underrepresented by the survey.
Summary of Findings:
In sum, the survey found that among non-residents (ie.
temporary or rotational workers) currently employed in the
gas industry, there appears to be substantial interest in
permanently relocating to the area. Potential relocatees
tend to be older, married, and have children under the age
of 18 then those not considering relocation. Those thinking
or planning on relocating also indicated they wished to
purchase a home, with more interest expressed in moving
to Sublette County (especially the Pinedale and Boulder
areas) then Sweetwater County. The vast majority of
potential relocatees indicated, however, they would be
willing to spend less than $750 a month in housing costs
which would require a very substantial down payment in
order to afford the average home in Sublette County. When
asked the biggest obstacle in moving to the area, the
overwhelming majority of people indicated housing
affordability and overall housing availability as key.
Housing Budget of Those Thinking About or Planning on
Relocating.
When those non-residents thinking or planning on
relocating were asked “Given your family budget, how much
would you be willing to pay per month for housing”, the near
majority of respondents (47%) indicated they would be
willing pay between $500 to $750 per month for housing,
while 22% indicated they would be willing to pay less than
$500/month. About 13% indicated they would be willing to
pay between $750 to $1000 a month for housing, while
about 15% said they would be willing to pay between $1000
to $1250 a month.
Given these results, it is unlikely the vast majority of
respondents can afford to buy or rent an average single
family home in Sublette County without providing a
substantial down-payment on a new house purchase. The
amount of such assets available was not recorded by the
survey, although it is assumed the amount of available
down-payment increases with age. According to the
Wyoming Economic Analysis Division of the Department of
Administration and Information, the average rental rate for a
single family home in Sublette County as of June of 2005 is
nearly $900/month. According to the County Assessor’s
office, the average sales price of a single-family home in
Sublette County was $244,979 in 2005. Over the course of
a typical 30-year mortgage at a 7% APR, in order to afford
the average home in Sublette County and keep monthly
mortgage payments under $1000/month, a down-payment
in excess of $100,000 would be required.
Factor most likely to influence relocation:
When asked which factors would most likely influence their
decision to relocate, about 65% of respondents indicated
that more affordable housing would influence their decision,
while about 50% said more available housing was
important. About 25% of the respondents indicated that
more shopping/entertainment opportunities would influence
their decision, while 20% indicated that better health care in
the area was a factor. Less than 10% indicated that year-
round drilling in Sublette County would influence their
decision.
The Survey by the numbers:
Total Number of Workers Surveyed: 524
Number of "Non-residents" surveyed: 212
Number of "Non-residents" thinking : 136
about or planning on relocating
permanently
Total Number of Workers Surveyed: 524
Number of "Non-residents" surveyed: 212
Number of "Non-residents" thinking : 136
about or planning on relocating
permanently
| Selected Pie Charts (click chart to enlarge) |
Unless otherwise noted,
all contents of this
website are property of
the Sublette County
Socioeconomic Analysis
Advisory Committee.
Please Contact Us for
permission to use.
all contents of this
website are property of
the Sublette County
Socioeconomic Analysis
Advisory Committee.
Please Contact Us for
permission to use.
If you don't live here permanently, are you thinking about or planning
on permanently relocating to the area? (N=212)
on permanently relocating to the area? (N=212)