By Lauren Stauffer

Thank you to our readers who took the time to respond to the Newspaper Project Survey. The survey was available in both print and our website, www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/survey, from July-September 2021.

What we learned from our readers and how newspaper audiences’ access and consume news today:

21% of respondents mailed their survey answers in physical form by postal mail.

Frequent news sources survey responders utilize

66% listed newspapers as a primary source and of that % of newspaper users, 60% listed some form of digital communication as a primary source.

59% use TV as a primary source, 42% use news websites as a primary source, 41% use social media as a primary source, and 36% use radio as a primary source.

Local news sources frequently mentioned: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Tribune Review, City Paper, WESA, Public Source, KDKA, WPXI, WQED.

Communication platforms frequently mentioned as sources: PATCH, NextDoor, and Facebook neighborhood groups/communities, other local officials/departments social media feeds (Twitter).

Demographics of survey responders

38% grew up and continue to live/returned to the Northside, 29% moved from another part of city/county to the Northside, 14% moved from another part of the state to the Northside, 11% moved from another part of the country to the Northside, while 7% grew up on the Northside and moved elsewhere.

63% identified as she, 30% he, 4% they, and 3% non-response.

46% of survey takers are 65+ years old, 30% are 44-64 years old, and 23% are 22-43 years old.

Residents from these neighborhoods responded: Allegheny City Central, Allegheny West, Brighton Heights, California-Kirkbride, Chateau, East Allegheny, Historic Deutschtown, Fineview, Manchester, Marshall-Shadeland, Mexican War Streets, North Shore, Observatory Hill, Perry Hilltop, Ross, Spring Garden, Spring Hill, Troy Hill.

80% owned a home and car, and of these respondents, 80% transported themselves only by their cars while others had a mix of alternatives in order of popularity: manually biking/walking, riding public transportation, and ordering private transportation services. 12% rent their housing with only half of these respondents owning a car.

14% preferred not to share their household income, 23% earn $100,000 or more, 26% household income was between $50,000-$99,999, while 33% of households take home $45,000 or less per year.

Thoughts from survey responders

“I look forward every month to the Chronicle. It’s a very good (excellent) paper! To read and follow all that is going on around the area. I also send two copies to former friends that lived on the Northside. They love the paper also. Keep up the good work.”

“With proper editing skills you might be able to rely on residents for local coverage.”

“I enjoy your monthly paper. I wish it was available in more locations. Any chance it can be semi-monthly? You have in-depth reporting on every article you publish- great job!”

“I am very grateful that we have a free Northside paper. Thank you!”

“I think you do a great job with the resources you have.”

“I enjoy having a publication that is special to my neighborhood.”

“I think newspapers can cut down on printing, but print newspapers should never go away entirely.”

“Please continue the local paper.”

“The days of one comprehensive newspaper are gone forever it seems. Now we are forced to get our info from multiple sources, each covering one area: arts, hard news, opinion, etc. And not everyone wants the hassle of Facebook (which is not all that reliable). Too bad there aren’t enough resources to grow the Northside Chronicle!“

Do you have thoughts you’d like to share about this publication and the future of news? Take the survey online: www.thenorthsidechronicle.com/survey