Community Survey


To be filled out by one community member. Outside of the request for general information, the community data is divided up into data referring to four different types of capital. An attached sheet provides a definition for each of the types of capital.
Where necessary or desirable, please feel free to add additional information on the back of this sheet.

General Information

Name of Community: __________________________

Location (City, State/Country): ________________________________

Year Community was Initiated: ___________     Year Occupancy Began: ___________

Built Capital Information

Number of Housing Units: __________    Number of Other Buildings: _________

Estimated Value of Buildings and Infrastructure: _____________
    Referring to final budgets would be just fine. If costs are from the past, please note this (e.g. 1981 dollars).

Estimated Building Space per Person: _________________
    Per Capita Square Footage

Building Energy Use per Person: _____________
    An approximate monthly average would be great.

What percentage of energy used is from renewable resources: __________

What percentage is from on site sources such as wood or solar: __________

What building materials used came from local and/or sustainable sources:



What infrastructure exists within the community to process waste:
    e.g. composting systems, composting toilets, artificial wetlands, septic systems, etc.





Please feel free to comment on any other elements of built capital that may be of interest such as rainwater catchment, central heating systems, etc.




Human Capital Information

Total Community Population - Adults: _________    Children: __________
    If a significant portion is transient, such as interns, volunteers, or visitors, please note on back.

Among "permanent" members, please estimate the average length of residence: _________



Please estimate the percentage of adult members with the following levels of education:

High School Degree: _________    Bachelors Degree: ____________

Graduate Degree: __________    Completed Apprenticeship or equivalent: ____________

Please rank community diversity in each of the following categories:
    Non-existent = complete homogeneity        Low = <10% of population varies from dominant category.
    Medium = 10 - 30% of population varies    High = >30% of population varies
    (Please just make you best estimation.)

Age Diversity:  Non-Existent ___     Low ___     Medium ___    High ___

Income Diversity:  Non-Existent ___     Low ___     Medium ___    High ___

Racial/Ethnic Diversity:  Non-Existent ___     Low ___     Medium ___    High ___

Sexual Orientation Diversity:  Non-Existent ___     Low ___     Medium ___    High ___


Social Capital Information

How many communal meals are held each week: ___________

How are decisions made within the community:


What is the ownership structure:


What percentage of housing units are resident-owned? _________

What percentage are rental units? _________

How many hours a week of labor are expected of community members: ____________

Beyond this, please estimate additional time people give to the community: ____________

Do you have any internal systems to facilitate the exchange of goods and services:
    e.g. internal currencies,  LETS, etc.

What process exists for accepting new members:



Is there a unifying vision that all members ascribe to:
    e.g. sustainability, religion, spiritual practice, etc.



Natural Capital Information

What is the total area of land that your community owns: __________

What percentage is - Developed: _____    Agricultural: ______    Natural: _______

What percentage of your agricultural land is in production: _______

What percentage of your natural land is managed woodlot: _______

What is the estimated market value of the community's land holdings: __________

What percentage of the community's food is produced on site: _________

What percentage of solid waste is treated or recycled on site: _______

Is wastewater treated on site: ______    If yes, how?

What is the estimated water use (gal/person/day): _______

Please describe any community efforts to reduce air emissions:
    catalytic wood stoves, car pooling, electric vehicles, etc.