Those numbers get worse when the pollsters asked African-Americans about Nutter - only 42 percent approved while 41 percent disapproved and 6 percent were undecided.
That contrasts with white residents - 60 percent of whom approved while 24 percent disapproved and 13 percent were undecided.
Those numbers are likely to further encourage former Mayor John Street in his efforts to recruit a candidate to challenge Nutter in the May 17 primary.
Street has said since September that many in the city's African-American community do not see Nutter as a "black mayor."
Nutter yesterday said the economic crisis that started in 2008 hit harder in the African-American community, where concerns about jobs and unemployment were already a major factor before the recession started.
The city had to adapt by eliminating jobs and cutting back on services, which may have been perceived as having a larger impact on the African-American community even if they affect all city residents, Nutter added.
Add to that a general feeling of discontent toward incumbents running for re-election, he said.
"There has been an environment that has been quite toxic for some time," Nutter said. "We're working our way out of it."
Today's poll shows the evolution in concerns among city residents since Nutter was elected in 2007. That year, crime, drugs and violence were by far the biggest concern, ranking at 71 percent.
Those issues are now the top concern for 31 percent of those polled. Meanwhile, 21 percent say their top concern is unemployment and the economy, and 15 percent are concerned about leadership in the local government.
The two Democrats who had been considered most likely to challenge Nutter, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and City Councilman Bill Green, had serious room to grow in the view of voters.
