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Home My WebLink AboutWS5 - National Community Survey ResultsItem #WS5 STAFF PRESENTATION TO FOLLOW: 14 1 � 44 CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 Fast Washington Street Iona City, lova 52240-1826 (319) 3S6-SOOO (319) 356-SO09 FAX wMv. icgov.org Iowa City Community Survey Results JAN UARY 7, 2025 Background "Prioritize data -informed decision -making throughout all City operations and improve the use of metrics in reporting service delivery outcomes to the public" FY23-FY28 Strategic Plon Wanted to quantitatively assess: How residents view Iowa City's services and livability; How these views have changed over time; and How the City compares to other communities. National Community Survey (NCS) by the National Research Center Statistically valid, community -wide assessment Conducted by Polco and endorsed by the National League of Cities Survey tool used by 500+ communities across the country Similar survey tool as used in 2013 and 2017, which allows longitudinal comparison POIC0 National Research Center POWERED BY POLCD Safety Mobility Education, Community Arts, & Resign Culture # Natural � olrulusivit3- Envirownent Livability& Engagement Parks & KCCPCBtIoO N` EM / Health \ & %Yclincss Methodology 2 component surveys provide a snapshot of 10 facets of livability Statistically Valid Survey Selected random addresses from USPS listings and mailed 3,500 households in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Mandarin Collected responses from Sept. 19 to Nov. 8, 2024 277 responses received (8% response rate, 5.9% margin of error) Open Survey Invited public to participate with multiple languages available Collected responses from Oct. 11 to Nov. 8, 2024 Utilities Economy 1 196 responses received All responses weighted by Iowa City's demographic profile Compared against national and college town benchmarks, and against Iowa City's 2017 survey Quality of Life & Governance Overall quality of life: 84% • Most recommend living in Iowa City • Its overall image/reputation is higher than other college towns Overall Quality of Life in Iowa City Excellent 30% Good . 54% Fair 15% Overall confidence in governance: 56% • Quality of City services is well -regarded, though saw decrease from 2017 • Welcomes resident involvement more than benchmarks Overall Confidence in Iowa City Government Excellent 13% Good = M Fair Poor 1% Poor 13% 31% 42% Quality % excellent or good 80% 79% 74% 73% 72% 70% 69% 66% 60% Facet of .. Education, Arts, and Culture Health and Wellness Parks and Recreation Utilities Natural Environment Safety Inclusivity and Engagement Mobility Economy Community Design Importance % essential or very important vs. national benchmark vs. national benchmark ❑ Higher ❑ Much higher ❑ Similar ❑ Similar 77% 71% 74% Yo 67% 83% 181% 65% Economy Overall economic health: 66% Outlook on future improvement is not positive (23% positive) Lowest rating is for cost of living (31% positive) Detailed Comparisons Similar ratings to other college towns Higher ratings for vibrancy of downtown and shopping opportunities than national benchmarks Changes Since 2017 • Decrease in overall economic health reflects general pessimism • Likely related to decreases in Iowa City as a place to work and employment opportunities Overall Economic Health of Iowa City Excellent 0 11% Good 54% Fair 29% Poor 1 6% Mobility Overall Quality of transportation system: 69% Overall Quality of the Transportation in - Relatively high ratings overall Iowa City Ease of public parking (38%) and street repair (38%) rated lowest Excellent 30% Detailed Comparisons • Transit has notably higher ratings for quality of service, ease of travel, and usage than benchmarks Good • Active transportation options also compare favorably o Ease of public parking is lower than national benchmarks but similar to college towns; street repair is similar to benchmarks Fair 22% Changes Since 2017 Increases in transit ease of travel, usage, and quality Poor _ 9% o Increases in ease of travel by bicycle and number of people walking and biking (though ease of travel by walking decreased) 8% Community Design Overall design of residential/commercial areas: 60% Lowest score is affordable, quality housing (18% positive) Detailed Comparisons Similar to all national and college town benchmarks Changes Since 2017 Decreased views of overall appearance and code enforcement Also has a decrease in public places where people wont to spend time and in perceived quality of new development Overall design or layout of Iowa City's residential and commercial areas Excellent 18% Good 43% Fair Poor 12% 28% Utilities Overall quality of utility infrastructure: 74% Residents generally seem satisfied; most scores in the 70-90% range Lowest rating is affordable high speed internet access but still 60% positive Detailed Comparisons Similar to all national and college town benchmarks Changes Since 2017 Increase in ratings for stormwater management Otherwise, perceptions are stable Overall Quality of Utility Infrastructure in Iowa City Excellent 27°% Good 46% Fair 24% Poor 3% Safety Overall feeling of safety: 72% High marks for feelings of safety, animal control, emergency medical services, and fire services Lowest rating is for crime prevention, but it is still 59% positive Detailed Comparisons Similar to all national and college town benchmarks Changes Since 2017 Decrease in police/sheriff services rating but still 67% positive Otherwise, perceptions are stable Overall Feeling of Safety in Iowa City Excellent ,..a Fair Poor 1 7% 21% 21% 51% Natural Environment Overall quality of natural environment: 73% Most scores are in the mid-60s to mid-70s Lowest rating is for water resources (42% positive) Detailed Comparisons Higher satisfaction with quality of yard waste pick-up Lower ratings for water resources compared to both national and college benchmarks (only category that is lower for both) Changes Since 2017 Positive views relating to preservation of natural areas has increased Otherwise, perceptions are stable (or has no past comparison) Overall Quality of Natural Environment in Iowa City Excellent Fair Poor 4% 24% 24% 48 % Parks & Recreation Overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities: 79% Relatively high ratings overall (mid-70 to mid-80% positive) Detailed Comparisons Similar to all national and college town benchmarks Changes Since 2017 Decrease in views relating to the quality of recreation centers/facilities Overall Quality of Parks and Recreation Opportunities Excellent 36% GoodMOM-0 42% Otherwise, perceptions are stable Fair 18% Poor 4% Health & Wellness Overall health and wellness opportunities: 80% Positive overall, but availability and affordability is less positive Lowest rating is for affordable quality mental health care (47%) Detailed Comparisons Similar to all national and college town benchmarks Changes Since 2017 • Across-the-board decreases in the availability of affordable quality food, affordable quality health care, preventative health services, and affordable quality mental health care • Decrease in the quality of health services, though it is still rated at 77% positive Overall Health and Wellness Opportunities in Iowa City Excellent Fair Poor 4% 16% 32% 49% Education, Arts, & Culture Overall opportunities for education, culture, and arts: 92% Overall Opportunities for Education, Very high ratings (only main category that had no rating of poor) Culture, and the Arts Lowest rating is availability of affordable quality childcare/pre- school (40%) Detailed Comparisons Most scores are high or much higher than national benchmarks, and half are higher than other college towns as well Public library has near unanimous positive ratings (96%) The lowest scores are similar to other benchmarks Changes Since 2017 Decreased views for availability of affordable quality childcare K-12 education and adult educational opportunities also had lower views, though they're still over 70% positive Excellent Good Fair Poor 0% 39% -a 8% 52% Indusivity & Engagement Connection and engagement with their community: 70% Residents' Connection and Engagement Viewed as welcoming with good opportunities for connection With their Community Lowest ratings are for taking care of vulnerable residents (47% Excellent 19% positive), and campaigning/advocating local issues or causes (24%) Detailed Comparisons Good 51% Compares well at attracting people from diverse backgrounds and opportunities to participate in social events and activities, to volunteer, and to participate in community matters Fair 20% Other categories are similar to benchmarks Changes Since 2017 Poor 10% Perceptions on the neighborliness of residents and campaigning or advocating for local issues, causes, or candidates decreased Support for local 1% sales tax by potential public purpose Investment in streets, bridges, and sidewalks (repair and new _ construction) Investment in affordable housing Provision of new and modernized parks, trails, and natural areas Investment in nonprofit social services Modernization and expansion of recreation centers and athletic fields Public facility construction and modernization (police, fire, and general government) Property tax relief 0% 20 % 40 % 60% 80% 100% *Margin of Error: 5.9% ■Support Neither ■Oppose Averaged over a year, how many times per week do you travel by: Driving a vehicle alone 4 Driving or riding in a vehicle with others 21 35 *Margin of Error: 5.9% WalkingAffin�� 32 Bike 16 70 Bus 19 C:V 20 10 33 12 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% ■ 5+ times/week ■ 3-4 times/week ■ 1-2 times/week 0 times/week Ta ke-Aways The impacts of Council policies are apparent Views of public transit have increased since fare -free transit Continued investment in core services yields results (75% overall rating for quality of services provided by the City of Iowa City), though views of street repair could be improved Embracing arts and culture has positive outcomes as well (the library, public art, etc.) Affordability and availability of services are an issue, though are in line with benchmarks Perceptions of affordability and availably often decreased since 2017 even if most still viewed favorably Housing affordability has one of the least positive views, but perceptions have not statistically changed since 2017 and are in line with benchmarks Iowa City compares very favorably to other communities Many categories higher than benchmarks, especially as it relates to our transportation system, education, culture, and the arts, and community involvement Only ease of public parking and water resources are lower than national benchmarks, and only water resources is lower than college town benchmarks STAFF PRESENTATION CONCLUDED CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street lowa Cite, lowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX WwIV. icgov, srg