The findings of a recent Waikato Regional Council report show the region's doing well when it comes to affordable housing

As well, the report which measures a variety of environmental, social and economic indicators, has identified crime in the area is declining.

But despite this, the report shows people's perception of safety in the region has also dropped significantly.

Just 65-percent of survey respondents feel safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark - that's down from 80-percent in 2006.

Report author, strategic principal advisor, Beat Huser says crime rates remain much higher in Waikato compared with the remainder of the country.