Prince George's Voters Face Economic Strain Amid High Confidence in Local Change

Prince George's County residents face the highest levels of economic anxiety in the capital region, yet they retain the strongest belief in their ability to influence local government, according to a survey released last month. The data comes from the Greater Washington Community Foundation and Gallup, which surveyed 2,801 people across the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.

The report, known as VoicesDMV, measures economic well-being across several indicators. In Prince George's County, only 47% of the 435 respondents said they were thriving. That figure is the lowest among the jurisdictions surveyed, which include Montgomery, Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties. Conversely, 54% of residents in Prince George's County reported that they are struggling or suffering, the highest total percentage in the region.

Specific financial pressures stand out in the data. Forty-five percent of Prince George's respondents said they feared they would not be able to pay their rent or mortgage. This is the highest rate in the region and the only jurisdiction where this anxiety has not decreased since 2023. Additionally, 28% of residents reported they could not afford food this year, which is 11 percentage points above the regional average. The rate of food insecurity in the county reached 56% in a September report from the Capital Area Food Bank.

Tonia Wellons, the CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, attributed the strain to federal policies and related job losses. She noted that the region has historically been protected from economic shocks by the strength of the federal sector. That buffer is no longer present, she said, marking a shift in recent economic history.

Despite these pressures, residents in Prince George's County are the most confident in their local political influence. Only 28% of respondents said they have no influence over local government decision-making, the lowest rate in the region. In contrast, 17% said they have moderate or great influence. Wellons, a resident of Upper Marlboro for nearly 30 years, said this belief stems from the county's proximity to the seat of power.

Survey respondents identified specific goals for local leaders, including increased investment in youth programs, healthcare, and job training. However, Wellons acknowledged that confidence in county leadership has dipped since the survey was released. This decline coincides with increased scrutiny on the Prince George's County Council's grant-funding process, including calls for audits and investigations.

Voters will decide on several issues in the upcoming election, including Question B, which proposes eliminating the two at-large council seats. Council members Sydney Harrison and Jolene Ivey are likely to win these seats. Both have been vocal critics of Council Chair Krystal Oriadha and Edward Burroughs, who represents District 8. The two critics have faced scrutiny for directing millions in grant funds to organizations of their choosing.