December 4, 2023 www.cityofpaloalto.org
2023 Community
Survey Study Session
Lupita Alamos, Assistant to
the City Manager
Results for
Palo Alto, CA
Community Survey
2023
● 19th time conducting the Palo Alto Community Survey
● Previous surveys in 2003-2018; 2020, 2022
● Survey conducted from August 11 to September 22, 2023 ● “Hybrid” mailing approach employed:
● Probability-based sample of 3,600 households
● All households received 3 mailings
● Online survey available in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese ● 603 total responses received; 17% overall response rate ● 3 surveys completed in Simplified Chinese
● 2022: 398 responses, 12% response rate
● Non-probability, open-participation sample: 93 responses (all English) ● Results statistically weighted to reflect Palo Alto overall ● 95% confidence interval with a +/- 4% margin of error Survey Methodology
Response Rate and Margin of Error Over Time
29% 27% 25% 26%
21% 21% 22%
12%
17%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023
5%
3% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% 5% 4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023
Response Rate Margin of Error
Polco’s Benchmarking Database
More than 500
comparison communities
across the nation.
Representing the opinions
of more than 50 million
residents.
Overview of
Survey Results
Comparisons to National Benchmarks
76 received similar
ratings
3 received
lower
ratings
20 received
higher
ratings
Comparisons to Previous Survey Year
126
received similar
ratings
19 received
more
negative
ratings
24 received
more
positive
ratings
Key Findings
Palo Alto residents
continue to rate
their quality of life
highly.
Quality of Life in Palo Alto
Quality of Life Measures
74%
78%
75%
84%
77%
77%
Recommend living in Palo Alto
to someone who asks
Remain in Palo Alto for the next
five years
2023
2022
2021
Excellent,
39%
Good,
47%
Fair, 11%
Poor, 3%
Percent excellent or good
Quality of Life
Other Aspects of Quality of Life
46%
69%
87%
79%
88%
88%
53%
73%
83%
85%
90%
92%
Palo Alto as a place to retire
Palo Alto as a place to visit
Palo Alto as a place to raise children
Palo Alto as a place to work
Palo Alto as a place to live
Your neighborhood as a place to live
2023
2022
Percent excellent or good
Higher than national
benchmarks
While residents were
highly satisfied with
many City services,
they indicate there are
areas for
improvement with
utilities.
Top City Services
Higher than national
benchmarks
Percent excellent or good
88%
92%
93%
92%
93%
93%
95%
90%
90%
93%
93%
93%
93%
93%
Ambulance or EMS
Variety of library materials
Fire emergency services
Palo Alto open space
City parks
Public library services
Library facilities
2023 2022
79%
89%
83%
86%
87%
79%
91%
87%
85%
83%
83%
83%
84%
85%
85%
86%
87%
87%
Recreation programs or classes
Art programs and theater
Preservation of natural areas
Police services
Utility payment options
Recreation centers or facilities
Drinking water
Sewer services
Refuse collection
2023 2022
Percent excellent or good
Utilities
Reliability of Utility Services
Excellent, 48%
Good,
44%
Fair, 6%
Poor, 2%
Affordability of Utility Services
64% 59% 58% 60%
51%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2017 2018 2021 2022 2023
Aspects of Utility Services
Percent excellent or good 68%
78%
84%
86%
56%
72%
75%
79%
Working hard to keep utilities
prices competitive
Value of Palo Alto Utilities'
customer communications
Speed of response after
contacting Utilities department
staff
Community value received from
the City owning and operating
its own municipal utilites services
2023
2022
Ratings for Palo
Alto government
performance are
on the rise.
Government Performance
47%
52%
53%
68%
52%
55%
57%
71%
Overall confidence in Palo Alto
government
Generally acting in the best interest
of the community
Being open and transparent to the
public
Treating residents with respect
2023 2022
Treating Residents with Respect
Excellent, 22%
Good,
49%
Fair, 24%
Poor, 6%
Aspects of Government Performance
Percent excellent or good
Government Performance
Aspects of Government Performance
58%
42%
56%
53%
40%
51%
51%
42%
46%
57%
54%
55%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto
The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming resident involvement
2023 2022 2021 2018 Percent excellent or good
Government Performance
Aspects of Government Performance
56%
51%
55%
55%
57%
53%
51%
50%
62%
61%
62%
Being honest
Informing residents about issues facing the community
Treating all residents fairly
2023 2022 2021 2018 Percent excellent or good
Issues related to
affordable housing and
cost of living remain a
concern for residents,
but other community
characteristics are
highly rated.
Housing and Cost of Living
Cost of Living
Excellent, 1%
Good,
7%
Fair,
27%
Poor,
65%
Availability of Affordable Quality
Housing Variety of Housing Options
Excellent, 3% Good,
9%
Fair,
16%
Poor,
73%
Excellent, 5%
Good,
21%
Fair,
32%
Poor,
41%
Top Community Characteristics
Community Characteristics
80%
76%
77%
76%
79%
85%
74%
76%
76%
77%
77%
80%
Overall quality of business
and service establishments
Overall image or reputation
of Palo Alto
Fitness opportunities
Ease of travel by bicycle in
Palo Alto
Recreational opportunities
Ease of walking in Palo Alto
2023 2022
Percent excellent or good
Higher than national
benchmarks
26%
24%
78%
72%
76%
38%
32%
72%
73%
73%
Ease of travel by public
transportation
Availability of affordable
quality mental health care
Opportunities to attend
cultural/arts/music activities
Ease of travel by car in Palo
Alto
Availability of paths and
walking trails
2023 2022
Qualitative
Responses
Summary of Qualitative Responses
Summary of Qualitative Responses
Summary of
Last Year’s
Key Findings
(2022)
1. Residents rate the quality of life in Palo Alto highly.
2. While residents value City services and events, civic participation has decreased.
3. Residents value Palo Alto’s natural environment.
4. Affordability and cost of living continue to be
community concerns.
5. Residents are supportive of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
Summary of
This Year’s
Key Findings
(2023)
1. Palo Alto residents continue to rate their quality of life highly.
2. While residents were highly satisfied with many City services, they indicate there are areas for
improvement with utilities.
3. Ratings for Palo Alto government performance are on
the rise.
4. Issues related to affordable housing and cost of living remain a concern for residents, but other community
characteristics are highly rated.
Questions?
Thank you!
Kim Daane
Survey Research Associate
Polco/National Research Center
[email protected]