IPSPR: Electronic Publications

INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND POLICY RESEARCH HOME


	PUBLICATIONS
	LINKS
	PROJECT STAFF
	SCI HOME

Performance Arts

Parks/Historical Sites

Recreational Activities

Libraries

Culture and Recreation Indicators

A state’s cultural and recreational opportunities enhance the quality of life for its citizens. Statistics cannot adequately measure cultural and recreational opportunities. For example, Alaska has more park and recreation acreage than any other state. However, much of that land is covered by glaciers making it unfit for recreational opportunities. Cultural opportunities also are difficult to quantify. One person’s definition of “culture” may vary greatly from someone else’s description of a cultural event.

Another difficulty in reporting cultural and recreation indicators is the availability of reliable data. Much of the data collected on specific cultural and recreational activities is proprietary, owned by industry associations and available only to member organizations. Other data such as participation or attendance at cultural or recreational events are not reported to a central entity and are therefore difficult to track.

The indicators listed below are quality-of-life measures that sample the availability of cultural and recreational opportunities to South Carolina citizens, the level of support for those activities, and the participation level of South Carolinians in culture and recreation. The indicators are broken down by category of cultural or recreational activity.

South Carolina Indicators Project

Culture and Recreation Indicators

At-a-Glance

Categories	Indicators	State Rankings (SC) (1=highest)	Data
Performance Arts	1. Per Capita State Arts Agencies Legislative Appropriations	14	YR FY 2007: $1.24
Performance Arts	2. Number of Professional, Not-for-Profit, Tax Exempt, Theatre Groups	24	YR 2004: 1.2 per one million population
Parks/Historic Sites	1. National and State Park Land in Acres	41	YR 2003: 26.93 (Acres per 1,000 residents)
	1. National and State Park Land in Acres	37	YR 2003: 0.55% (% of total acreage)
	2. Visits to National and State Parks	41	YR 2003: 2.15 (Visits per capita)
	2. Visits to National and State Parks	12	YR 2002: 277.60 (Visits per acre)
	3. Number of National Historic Sites	25	YR 2005: 32.40 (per 100,000)
Recreational Activities	1. Percent of Adults Reporting No Leisure-Time Activity	16	YR 2005: 26.1%
	2. Boat Registrations per 1,000 Persons	3	YR 2006: 100.9 boats per 1,000 persons
	3. Percent of Population 16 and Over Participating in Wildlife-Related Recreation	35	YR 2006: 39.2%
Libraries	1. Libraries per 100,000 Population	40	YR 2005 4.4 per 100,000 population
	2. Library Visits per Capita	42	YR 2005: 3.6
	3. Circulation Transactions per Capita	42	YR 2005: 5.0
	4. Book and Serial Volumes per Capita	38	YR. 2004: 2.1
	5. Total Operating Expenditures per Capita	39	YR 2005: $22.46

Rev. 12.07.07

RETURN TO TOP

USC LINKS: