Community Insight Report
This is the fifth article in a series about church consulting that we are presenting on the Church Encourager platform. In this article we will be exploring the information we retrieved in our demographic study and developing a Community Insight Report. Let’s gather some free, easy access information at City Data Guide. Click here to go to the City Data Guide (it will open in a new window). You should get a screen that looks similar to the one below:
Go ahead and enter in your city or zip code in the Search City-Data box. I will be using the city where the church I pastor is located, Big Pine Key.
Once you have entered your city or zip click on the GO button and you will see a results page. There will be a lot of ads at the top of the page. That is the price we are paying for free information. Just begin to scroll down and we will explore what we find. Answering the questions raised will be the basis of your Community Insight Report.
In the screen shot above, we get information on population, income and housing. How many people live in your community? What is the breakdown of men versus women? What is the median household income?
In the screen above we can learn about the people who are in need of some support that the church might be able to provide. What percentage of people are living in poverty in your community?
In the screen above we are provided with information on the racial breakdown of our community. What are the percentages by racial type in your community? Are these percentages reflected in your congregation? Thinking through this can help make decisions about your efforts to be a more diverse church.
The two screens above gives us information on the most common industries and occupations in our community. What are the top four industries in your community? Are these percentages reflected on your congregation? If people from these industries and occupations are not attending your church, perhaps you might develop some outreach aimed at these groups.
The screen above provides information on relationships in your area. Wat is the percentage of married couples? What is the percentage of widowed people? Divorced? If there are significant numbers of widows and divorcées perhaps ministries directed at them would be a way to reach them. Ministries like Grief Share or Divorce Care might be an option.
In the screen above we get a look at education levels and also school enrollment. What is the percentage of nursery/preschool children? What is the percentage of elementary children? What s the percentage of middle school children? High School? College? This information can help determine outreach possibilities. Children’s Clubs. Junior and Senior High Youth Groups. College ministries, etc.
In the screen above we are given information on the travel time to work for people in your community. What is the average amount of time required for people to get to work? This information is helpful in determining how far people might consider driving to participate in your church.
The screen above is a window into the religious beliefs of people in your community. Please note that the information on my report has widened from just my city to the county I reside in. How many people are numbered in the “none” category of religious adherents? That is a good ballpark number for the people we are trying to reach.
The information on heath in the screen above can provide insight into a number of possible ministries. Perhaps they might suggest a need for recovery groups or fitness classes, or ministries to provide support for people dealing with stress and anxiety.
With the information in hand you can now create a simple Community Insight Report.
Community Insight Report for Big Pine Key
How many people live in your community? 4252
What is the breakdown of men versus women? 52% Male 48% Female
What is the median household income? $57,000.
What percentage of people are living in poverty in your community? 11%
What are the percentages by racial type in your community?
White 79%, Hispanic 17%, Black 2%, Asian 1%
What are the top four industries in your community?
Hotel and Restaurant, Public Administration, Construction, Health Care
Wat is the percentage of married people? 50%
What is the percentage of widowed people? 9%
What is the percentage of divorced people? 15%
What is the percentage of nursery/preschool children? 5% of school aged children
What is the percentage of elementary children? 25% of school aged children
What is the percentage of middle school children? 30% of school aged children
What is the percentage of High School students? 10% of school aged children
What is the percentage of College students? 15% of school aged children
What is the average amount of time required for people to get to work? 23 minutes
How many people are numbered in the “none” category of religious adherents? 48,699
With the information provided in the Community Insight Report you will be able to pray about and implement targeted ministries and outreach events in your community.
Steve Lawes is a Certified Church Consultant and a Church Encourager.
