Survey Shows Opportunity For Dorchester To Retain Its Young People

Forty, thirty, twenty, even ten years ago, small-town kids dreamed of escaping to the big city, where they dreamed of making it big.

But 2020 seems to have changed all that. 

Frequent images of crumbling societal systems, social unrest, violence, burning buildings -- even in nearby Lincoln -- have many of us, including young people, doubting the quality of life in our cities. (That's before factoring in the taxes and exorbitant cost of living.)

Recently, high school students in Nebraska's smaller communities were surveyed by the Nebraska Community Foundation. More than three-quarters (77%) of the students said they’d prefer to live in small or medium-sized town. (And the majority said a small town was best.)

That is an staggering high percentage of students who have no desire to try the big city. A nearly 180-degree turn from two decades ago.

Why the change of heart? Safety, family, good schools, and community involvement were all factors for these students. 

It's important to keep in mind that many of these young Nebraskans -- those who possess real vocational skills (think "shop class"), as well as high-tech skills -- will be able work from anywhere, especially after the changes brought by the pandemic.

The Nebraska Community Foundation says many high school students just need to be introduced to the opportunities around them.

This survey is yet another sign of the opportunity for communities like Dorchester to retain and attract young people.

We hope Dorchester residents -- including school and town leaders -- do their part to encourage our young people to plan to make Dorchester their home as adults.