Marquette & Alger County Youth Survey

There’s some evidence that over time, Marquette and Alger Counties are becoming a better place for young people.

Every other year, the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development surveys 8th, 10th and 12th-graders in the two counties.

It’s their Youth Asset Survey, and they’ve just released the results for 2010.

The agency says more youth are showing high levels of those assets than ever.

25 of the 40 assets they measure have increased by 5 percentage points or more since 1997.

The 3 assets that were most common in youth?

Optimism about their own personal futures — the sense that they behave with integrity in daily life — and the sense that their families provide a high level of love and support.

The 3 assets that were least common?

Spending 3 hours or more a week on music, theater or other arts — reading for pleasure 3 hours or more per week — and the perception among young people that adults in the community value them.