Poll: Cost of living tops area residents' concerns

While county residents think Anne Arundel's economy is in great shape, an increasing number are worried about the day-to-day expenses of housing, gasoline and utilities, according to a poll released yesterday.

The number of people surveyed who rated the economy as the most important problem facing the county rose from 7 to 15 percent in the poll conducted by the Center for the Study of Local Issues at Anne Arundel Community College.

Growth and overpopulation still topped the list of concerns at 16 percent; that's down 6 percent from when the poll was conducted last fall.

Nearly three-quarters of the 401 adults polled...