Despite  economic challenges in 2009, the Detroit area saw an increase in community attachment, which trended just a little lower this year.  Optimism, which was significantly up in 2009 decreased in 2010.

In the Detroit area, openness (how welcoming a place is), social offerings (entertainment infrastructure, places to meet people, community events) and the education system are the most important factors emotionally connecting residents to where they live.

The education system, particularly the local colleges and universities, are perceived as community strengths. However, ratings of education, including K-12 public schools and colleges and universities are significantly lower this year after increasing in 2009.

Openness and social offerings need improvement to increase resident attachment. Specifically, while residents see the Detroit area as most welcoming to racial and ethnic minorities, it is perceived as least welcoming to college graduates. Seniors are perceived to be significantly more welcome in 2010.  And while residents rate the area's availability of social community events highly, perception of residents' care for each other lags far behind.

Residents who feel a strong emotional connection to the area are most likely older, have a high school education or less and are African-American. Those who are least likely to have an emotional connection are 35-54, white, college educated residents and residents living in the community for 20 or more years.

Although not key drivers of attachment, perceptions of the local economy is significantly higher and safety is perceived to be lower in 2010.