Palo Alto City Council
December 9, 2024

City of Palo Alto Resident Survey
June 2022

1241 John Q. Hammons Dr, Suite #203
Madison, WI 53717
info.polco.us • 608-709-8683

CITY OF PALO ALTO
COMMUNITY SURVEY 2024

Report of Results

November 2024

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Contents
Survey background ........................................................................................................................... 3 Key Findings ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Detailed Survey Methods ................................................................................................................... 6 Survey Information ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Survey Validity ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Selecting Survey Recipients ......................................................................................................................... 7 Survey Administration and Response ......................................................................................................... 9 Confidence Intervals ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Survey Processing (Data Entry) ................................................................................................................. 10 Survey Data Weighting ........................................................................................................................... 10 Survey Data Analysis and Reporting ......................................................................................................... 12 Trends Over Time ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Geographic and Demographic Comparisons ........................................................................................... 13 National Benchmark Comparisons ........................................................................................................... 13 Comparison Data .................................................................................................................................... 13 Interpreting the Results .......................................................................................................................... 13 Appendix A: Results Tables ............................................................................................................. 15 Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended Questions from Probability Survey ....................... 97 Question 16: If you plan to purchase a car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being one of the following: (Other) ............................................................................................................................. 97 Question 19: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier? ....................................................................................................................................................... 98 Question 20: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain?............................................................................................................................................... 111 Appendix C: Results to Open-Participation Survey ......................................................................... 119 Appendix D: Results to Open-Participation Survey compared to Probability Survey ........................ 144 Appendix E: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended Questions from Open Participation Survey .......... 155 Question 16: If you plan to purchase a car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being one of the following: (Other) ........................................................................................................................... 155 Question 19: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier? ..................................................................................................................................................... 157 Question 20: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain?............................................................................................................................................... 184 Appendix F: Survey Materials ........................................................................................................ 200

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Survey background
Palo Alto contracted with Polco to implement the 2024 iteration of their community survey. For this effort, 3,600 households were randomly selected and mailed postcard invitations and paper surveys inviting participation. A total of 585 residents from this address-based outreach completed the survey for a response rate of 17% and a margin of error of ±4%. The results of this effort are highlighted below, with full results found in Appendix A.

Appendix A includes several comparisons to better understand the random-sample survey results. o Comparisons to past surveys, 11 iterations from 2011 to 2023 and the first iteration in 2003.
o Comparisons to national benchmarks, for questions asked in other jurisdictions. o Comparisons by geographic (six areas) and demographic (race/ethnicity and age) subgroups.

To ensure all community members would have an opportunity to participate, an additional and separate outreach effort was conducted by the City. Through many communication channels the City invited residents to complete an open participation survey. The results from this outreach effort can be found in Appendix D.

Please contact Lupita Alamos, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Palo Alto, at [email protected], if you have any questions about the survey.

Key Findings
Palo Alto residents continue to rate their quality of life highly. • About 9 in 10 residents rated Palo Alto, as well as their neighborhood, as an excellent or good place to live. Similarly, 9 in 10 residents highly rated the overall quality of life in Palo Alto, while about 8 in 10 praised the city as a place to work and to raise children. These ratings were consistent with previous years and aligned with the national benchmark, except for Palo Alto's rating as a place to work, which was higher than the national benchmark. • Additionally, about 7 in 10 residents gave high marks to the city as a place to visit, and more than half rated Palo Alto as an excellent or good place to retire. Both ratings were similar to those from previous years and aligned with the national benchmark. • About 8 in 10 residents indicated that they were likely to remain in Palo Alto for the next five years and would recommend living in the city to someone who asked, which was similar to previous years and the national benchmark. Finally, about 9 in 10 residents would recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends, on par with previous years.

While residents were very satisfied with many City services, there are areas for improvement.
• About 9 in 10 residents gave excellent or good ratings to the library facilities, public library services, and the variety of library materials, as well as to fire emergency services, ambulance or emergency medical services, Palo Alto open space, and city parks. These ratings were similar to City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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those given in previous years. As in 2023, Palo Alto open space was rated much higher than the national benchmark, and city parks were rated above the benchmark. • More than 8 in 10 survey respondents positively rated the preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts), police services, fire prevention and education , recreation centers/facilities and programs/classes, animal control, street cleaning, sewer services, refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e -waste), utility payment options, drinking water, and art programs and theater. These ratings were on par with those given in previous years. • When companions to the nation were available, most of these services rated higher than the national benchmark, including preservation of natural areas, drinking water, utility payment options, animal control, street cleaning, recreation centers /facilities and recreation programs/classes.
• All in all, 28 services received similar ratings to those in 2023, while 6 services received lower ratings (building and planning application processing services, code enforcement, traffic enforcement, traffic signal timing, sidewalk maintenance and electr ic utility) and one service received a higher rating (street repair).
• When compared to the nation, there were 9 services above the benchmark (Palo Alto open space, city parks, preservation of natural areas, drinking water, utility payment options, animal control, street cleaning, recreation centers/facilities and recreation programs/classes and 14 services on par. No service was below the national benchmark.

Issues related to affordable housing and cost of living remain a concern for residents.
• As in previous years, fewer than 1 in 10 residents gave positive ratings to the cost of living in Palo Alto, while about 1 in 10 survey respondents favorably rated the availability of affordable quality housing. Both ratings were lower than the national benchmark. • The survey included an open -ended question where respondents could describe, in their own words, one change the city could make to increase resident satisfaction. The most common response was related to housing and construction issues, followed by transit and transportation issues.
• Among the best rated community characteristics were the overall image or reputation of Palo Alto, the fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.), recreational opportunities, the ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto and t he ease of walking in Palo Alto, all with 75% of more residents giving positive ratings.
• Compared to 2023, all ratings were similar except for the v ibrancy of downtown/ commercial areas, which decreased from 65% in 2023 to the current 59%.

Parks, open space, and natural environment topped the ranked of things that City does well.
• The survey included an open-ended question where respondents could write in their own words one thing they believe the city does well and should maintain. Open space and the natural City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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environment topped the ranking, accounting for 25% of the mentions, followed by activities and recreation (13%), safety services (12%), and utility and city services (11%).

Ratings for Palo Alto government performance are on the rise. • Three-quarters of Palo Alto residents gave the local government high marks for treating residents with respect, while about 6 in 10 praised the government for being honest, treating all residents fairly, and informing residents about issues facing the community. • All other aspects of government were similarly rated as in the previous year except for the overall direction that Palo Alto is taking, which received a lower rating than in 2023 (47% versus 54%). • Where benchmark comparisons were available, Palo Alto ranked similar to the national benchmarks.

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Detailed Survey Methods
Survey Information
The 2024 Palo Alto Community Survey was conducted by Polco/National Research Center, Inc. (NRC).

Results offer insight into residents’ perspectives about the ir community, as well as community needs and resident participation . This information can be used to support budgeting, land use and strategic planning, and communication with residents. The demographic characteristics and geographic location of respondents were collected to permit weighting to the Census and American Community Survey estimates, and comparison of results for different subgroups of residents. The City of Palo Alto funded this research.

Survey Validity
Polco recognizes that the issue of survey validity has two key components: 1) How can a community be confident that the survey results from respondents accurately represent what would have been obtained if the entire population had participated? and 2) To what extent do the perspectives captured in the survey reflect the true beliefs and behaviors of residents?
To answer the first question, the best survey research practices were used for the resources spent to ensure that the results from the survey respondents reflect the opinions of residents in the entire community. These practices include:
• Using mail-based methodology, which typically gets a higher response rate than phone for the same dollars spent. Getting a higher response rate lessens the worry that those who did not respond are different than those who did respond.
• Using a list of households or residents that is as comprehensive as possible (like a USPS list that includes all households) and s electing households at random to ensure they are representative of the larger community.
• Over-sampling multi -family housing units to improve response from respondents who generally respond in lower proportions.
• Contacting selected households multiple times to encourage response from people who may have different opinions or habits than those who would respond with only a single prompt. • Inviting response in a compelling manner (using appropriate letterhead/logos and a signature of a visible leader) to appeal to recipients’ sense of civic responsibility. • Offering the opportunity to complete the survey online or by mail, and p roviding a pre -addressed, postage-paid return envelope for ease and to spare the respondent any expense. • Weighting the results to reflect the demographic characteristics of the population.

The answer to the second question about how closely the perspectives recorded on the survey reflect what residents really believe or do is more complex. Resident responses to surveys are influenced by a variety of factors. For questions about service quali ty, residents’ expectations for service quality play a role as well as the “objective” quality of the service provided, the way the resident perceives the entire community (that is, the context in which the service is provided), the scale on which the resident is asked to record their opinion and, of course, the opinion, itself, that a resident holds about the service. Similarly a resident’s report of certain behaviors is colored by what he or she believes is the socially desirable response (e.g., reporting tolerant behaviors toward “o ppressed groups,” likelihood of voting for a tax increase for services to poor people, use of alternative modes of travel to work besides the single occupancy vehicle), their memory of the actual behavior (if it is not a questi on speculating about future City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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actions, like a vote), their confidence that they can be honest without suffering any negative consequences (thus the need for anonymity) as well as the actual behavior itself.

How closely survey results come to recording the way a person really feels or behaves often is measured by the coincidence of reported behavior with observed current behavior (e.g., driving habits), reported intentions to behave with observed future behavior (e.g., voting choices) or reported opinions about current community quality with objective characteristics of the community (e.g., feelings of saf ety correlated with rates of crime). There is a body of scientific literature that has investigated the relationship between reported behaviors and actual behaviors. Well-conducted surveys, by and large, do capture true respondent behaviors or intentions t o act with great accuracy. Predictions of voting outcomes tend to be quite accurate using survey research, as do reported behaviors that are not about highly sensitive issues (e.g., family abuse or other illegal or morally sanctioned activities). For self-reports about highly sensitive issues, statistical adjustments can be made to correct for the respondents’ tendency to report what they think the “correct” response should be.

Research on the correlation of resident opinion about service quality and “objective” ratings of service quality vary, with some showing stronger relationships than others. Polco’s own research has demonstrated that residents who report the lowest ratings of street repair live in communities with objectively worse street conditions than those who report high ratings of street repair (based on road quality, delay in street repair, number of road repair employees). Similarly, the lowest rated fire services appear to be “objectively” worse than the highest rated fire services (expenditures per capita, response time, “professional” status of firefighters, breadth of services and training provided). Resident opinion commonly reflects objective performance data but is an important measure on its own. Polco principals have written, “If you collect trash three times a day but residents think that your trash haul is lousy, you still have a problem.”
Selecting Survey Recipients
“Sampling” refers to the method by which households were chosen to receive the survey. All households within the City of Palo Alto were eligible to participate in the survey. A list of all households within the zip codes serving Palo Alto was purchased fro m Go-Dog Direct based on updated listings from the United States Postal Service. Since some of the zip codes that serve Palo Alto households may also serve addresses that lie outside of the community, the exact geographic location of each housing unit was compared to community boundaries using the most current municipal boundary file (updated on a quarterly basis) and addresses located outside of Palo Alto boundaries were removed from consideration. Each address identified as being within City boundaries wa s further identified as being within one of six areas.

To choose the 3,600 survey recipients, a systematic sampling method was applied to the list of households previously screened for geographic location. Systematic sampling is a procedure whereby a complete list of all possible households is culled, selecting every Nth one, giving each eligible household a known probability of selection, until the appropriate number of households is selected. Multi -family housing units were selected at a higher rate as residents of this type of housing typically respond at lower rates to surveys than do those in single -family housing units. Figure 1 displays a map of the randomly selected households to receive the survey. In general, because of the random sampling techniques used, the displayed sampling density will closely mirror the overall housing unit density (which may be different from the population density). While the theory of probability assumes no bias in selection, there may be some minor variations in practice (meaning, an area with only 15% of the housing units might be selected at an actual rate that is slightly above or below that).

In addition to the scientific, random selection of households, a link to an online open participation survey was publicized and posted to the City of Palo Alto website. This open participation survey was identical City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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to the scientific survey and open to all City residents. Results from the open participation survey can be found in Appendix C: Results to Open Participation Survey.

Figure 1: Location of the random selected households by Area

█ Area 1 █ Area 2 █ Area 3 █ Area 4 █ Area 5 █ Area 6

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Survey Administration and Response
Selected households received mailings beginning on August 19, 2024. All 3,600 households received three notifications in the mail. The first mailing was a postcard announcing the upcoming survey with a link and QR code to complete the survey online. The next mailing contained a letter from the City Manager inviting the household to participate, along with a paper questionnaire and a postage -paid return envelope. The third and final mailing was a reminder postcard. The second and third mailings also asked respondents not to complete the survey a second time.

The online survey was available in English , Spanish, and Simplified Chinese . The paper survey was available in English only. All mailings included a URL through which the residents could choose to respond online, along with instructions on how to access the survey in Spanish or Simplified Chinese.

Completed surveys were collected over nine weeks. The online open participation survey was available to residents beginning September 16, 2024, and remained open through October 21, 2024.

About 3% of the 3,600 surveys mailed were returned because the housing unit was vacant, or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the remaining 3,509 households that received the survey, 585 completed the survey, providing an overall response rate of 17%. Of the 585 completed surveys, 292 were completed online. Three surveys were completed in Simplified Chinese. Additionally, responses were tracked by geographic subarea; response rates by area ranged from 1 4% to 22%. The response rates were calculated using AAPOR’s response rate #2 1 for mailed surveys of unnamed persons. Additionally, 727 residents completed the online open participation survey.

Confidence Intervals
It is customary to describe the precision of estimates made from surveys by a “level of confidence” and accompanying “confidence interval” (or margin of error). A traditional level of confidence, and the one used here, is 95 percent. The 95 percent level of confidence can be any size and quantifies the sampling error or imprecision of the survey results because some residents’ opinions are relied on to estimate all residents’ opinions.2
The margin of error or confidence interval for the City of Palo Alto survey is no greater than plus or minus four percentage points around any given percent reported for the entire sample (585 completed surveys).

For subgroups of responses, the margin of error increases because the number of responses for the subgroup is smaller. For subgroups the margin of error is larger as there are fewer respondents in each.

The margin of error for the six areas within Palo Alto are shown in the following table, it ranges from ±8% in Area 6 to ±14% in Area 5.

1 See AAPOR’s Standard Definitions for more information: https://aapor.org/standards-and-ethics/standard-definitions/ 2 A 95 percent level of confidence indicates that for every 100 random samples of this many residents, 95 of the confidence intervals created will include the “true” population response. This theory is applied in practice to mean that the “true” perspective of the target population lies within the confidence interval created for a single survey. For example, if 75 percent of residents rate a service as “excellent” or “good,” then the 4 percent margin of error (for the 95 percent level of confidence) indicates that the range of likely responses for the entire community is between 71 percent and 79 percent. This source of uncertainty is called sampling error. In addition to sampling error, other sources of error may affect any survey, including the nonresponse of residents with opinion s different from survey responders. Differences in question wording, order, translation and data entry, as examples, can lead to somewhat varying results.

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Table 1: Survey Response Rates

Number
mailed Undeliverable Eligible Returned
Response
rate
Margin of
error
Area 1 401 7 394 85 22% 11%
Area 2 625 13 612 100 16% 10%
Area 3 445 12 433 82 19% 11%
Area 4 763 18 745 128 17% 9%
Area 5 356 13 343 52 15% 14%
Area 6 1,010 28 982 138 14% 8%
Overall 3,600 91 3,509 585 17% 4%

Survey Processing (Data Entry)
Upon receipt, completed paper surveys were assigned a unique identification number. Additionally, each survey was reviewed and “cleaned” as necessary. For example, a question may have asked a respondent to pick two items out of a list of five, but the respondent checked three; in this case, Polco would use protocols to randomly choose two of the three selected items for inclusion in the dataset.

All paper surveys then were entered twice into an electronic dataset; any discrepancies were resolved in comparison to the original survey form. Range checks as well as other forms of quality control were also performed.

Online surveys were conducted through the Polco platform. The Polco platform includes many features of online survey tools, but also includes elements tailored to the civic environment. For example, like Polco’s mailed surveys, surveys on Polco are presented with the City name, logo (or other image) and a description, so residents understand who is asking for input and why. Optionally, Polco can also verify respondents with local public data to ensure responden ts are residents or voters. More generally, an advantage of online programming and data gathering is that it allows for more rigid control of the data format, making extensive data cleaning unnecessary.

Survey Data Weighting
Upon completion of data collection for both the address-based and open participation surveys, the demographics of each dataset were separately compared to those found in the 20 20 Census and 2022 American Community Survey estimates for adults in the City of Palo Alto. The primary objective of weighting survey data is to make the survey respondents are reflective of the larger population of the community. Both survey datasets were weighted independently to best match the Census. The characteristics used for weighting were housing tenure (rent or own), housing unit type (attached or detached), sex, age and area. The highlights are based on the results from the address-based mail survey and full results for that outreach effort can be found in Appendix A: Results Tables. Results for the open participation survey can be found in Appendix C: Results from Open Participation Survey.

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Table 2: Palo Alto, CA 2024 Weighting Table
Characteristic Population Norm Unweighted Data Weighted Data Housing
Rent home 44% 25% 43%
Own home 56% 75% 57%
Detached unit* 59% 62% 59%
Attached unit* 41% 38% 41%
Race and Ethnicity
White 55% 58% 59%
Not white 45% 42% 41%
Not Hispanic 94% 93% 93%
Hispanic 6% 7% 7%
Sex and Age
Female 52% 51% 52%
Male 48% 49% 48%
18-34 years of age 23% 9% 22%
35-54 years of age 35% 28% 35%
55+ years of age 42% 62% 43%
Females 18-34 11% 4% 11%
Females 35-54 18% 15% 18%
Females 55+ 23% 33% 23%
Males 18-34 12% 5% 11%
Males 35-54 17% 14% 17%
Males 55+ 19% 30% 20%
Area
Area 1 13% 15% 12%
Area 2 19% 17% 19%
Area 3 13% 14% 13%
Area 4 20% 22% 20%
Area 5 9% 9% 9%
Area 6 26% 24% 26%
* U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2022 5-year estimates

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Survey Data Analysis and Reporting
The survey dataset was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). When results are compared by demographic and geographic subgroups , and in the highlights section, the percentages presented represent the “percent positive.” The percent positive is the combination of the top two most positive response options (i.e., “excellent” and “good,” “very safe” and “somewhat safe,” “essential” and “very important,” etc.), or, in the case of resident behaviors/participation, t he percent positive represents the proportion of respondents indicating “yes” or participating in an activity at least once a month.

On many of the questions in the survey respondents may answer “don’t know.” In Appendix A, for each question there are two tables that show all scale points, one including and one excluding the respondents who chose don’t know. For ease of comparison, “don’t know” responses are excluded from the tables which show comparisons by subgroups and also from the results discussed in the Highlights. In other words, the Highlights and comparison tables only show the responses from respondents who had an opinion about a specific item.

When a table for a question that only permitted a single response does not total to exactly 100%, it is due to the common practice of percentages being rounded to the nearest whole number.

Trends Over Time
Trend tables display trends over time, comparing the 202 4 ratings for the City of Palo Alto to the 1 1 previous iterations of survey results (going back to 20 11) and displaying 2003 data, the year when surveying started, when available.

Trend data for Palo Alto represent important comparison data and should be examined for improvements or declines. Deviations from stable trends over time, especially, represent opportunities for understanding how local policies, programs or public information may have affected residents’ opinions.

Meaningful differences between survey years have been noted within the following tables as being “higher” or “lower” if the differences are greater than approximately six percentage points3 between the 2024 and 2023 surveys; otherwise, the comparisons between 2024 and 2023 are noted as being “similar.” When comparing results over time, small differences (those with less than a 6 percent difference) are more likely to be due to random variation (attributable to chance over real change), while larger differences (those greater than 6 percent) may be due to a real shift in resident perspective. However, it is often wise to continue to monitor results over a longer period of time to rule out random variation due to chance in the sampling process. Sometimes small changes in question wording can explain changes in results as well.

3 While the percentages are reported as rounded whole numbers, meaningful differences are identified based on unrounded percentages with decimals in place.

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Geographic and Demographic Comparisons
The subgroup comparison tables in Appendix A display differences in opinion of survey respondents by the six geographic subareas and by race/ethnicity and age groups.

Chi-square or ANOVA tests of significance were applied to these breakdowns of survey questions. A “p- value” of 0.05 or less indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that differences observed between groups are due to chance; or in other words, a greater than 95% probability that the differences observed in the selected categories of the sample represent “real” differences among those populations. As subgroups vary in size and each group (and each comparison to another group) has a unique margin of error, statistical testing is used to determine whether differences between subgroups are statistically significant.

Each column in the subgroup comparison tables is labeled with a letter for each group being compared.

The “Overall” column, which shows the ratings for all respondents, also has a column designation of “(A)”, but no statistical tests were done for the overall rating.

For each pair of subgroup ratings within a row (a single question item) that has a statistically significant difference, an uppercase letter denoting significance is shown in the cell with the larger column proportion. The letter denotes the subgroup with the smaller column proportion from which it is statistically different. Subgroups that have no uppercase letter denotation in their column and that are also not referred to in any other column were not statistically different.

National Benchmark Comparisons
Comparison Data
Polco’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in surveys from over 500 communities whose residents evaluated the same kinds of topics as on the Palo Alto Community Survey. The surveys gathered for Polco’s database include data from communities that have been conducted by Polco, as well as citizen surveys unaffiliated with Polco. The comparison evaluations are from the most recent survey completed in each community; most communities conduct surveys every year or in alternating years. Polco adds the latest results quickly upon survey completion, keeping the benchmark data fre sh and relevant, and the comparisons are to jurisdictions that have conducted a survey within the last five years. The communities in the database represent a wide geographic and population range. The City of Palo Alto chose to have comparisons made to the entire database.

Interpreting the Results
Ratings are compared for items in questions 1 through 12 when there are at least five communities in which a similar question was asked. Where comparisons are available, four columns are provided in the table. The first column is Palo Alto’s average rating, converted to a 100-point scale. The second column is the rank assigned to Palo Alto’s rating among communities where a similar question was asked. The third column is the number of communities that asked a similar question. The final column shows the comparison of Palo Alto’s rating to the benchmark.

Although responses to many of the evaluative questions were made on a four -point scale with 1 representing the best rating and 4 the worst, the benchmarks are calculated on a common scale where 0 is the worst possible rating and 100 is the best possible rating.

In that final column, Palo Alto’s results are noted as being “higher” than the benchmark, “lower” than the benchmark, or “similar” to the benchmark, meaning that the average rating given by Palo Alto residents is statistically similar to or different (grea ter or lesser) than the benchmark. More extreme differences City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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are noted as “much higher” or “much lower.” A rating is considered “similar” if it is within the standard range of 10 points; “higher” or “lower” if the difference between Palo Alto’s rating and the benchmark is greater than the standard range but less tha n twice the standard range; and “much higher” or “much lower” if the difference between Palo Alto’s rating and the benchmark is higher or lower by more than twice the standard range. Where benchmark ratings were not available, “NA” indicates that this information is not applicable (these were questions specific to Palo Alto and not asked in other communities).

The 100-point scale is not a percent. It is a conversion of responses to an average rating. Each response option is assigned a value that is used in calculating the average score. For example, “very good”= 100, “good”= 75, “neither good nor bad”= 50, “bad” = 25, and “very bad”= 0. If everyone reported “very good,” then the average rating would be 100 on the 100 -point scale. Likewise, if all respondents gave a “very bad” rating, the result would be 0 on the 100 -point scale. If half the respondents gave a scor e of “very good” and half gave a score of “very bad,” the average would be 50, in the middle of the scale (like the center post of a teeter totter) or “neither good nor bad.” An example of how to convert survey frequencies into an average rating appears below.

Table 3: Example of Converting Responses to the 100-point Scale How do you rate the community as a place to live?
Response
option
Total
with
“don’t
know”
Step1: Remove
“don’t know”
responses
Total
without
“don’t
know”
Step 2:

Assign
scale
values
Step 3: Multiply
% by scale
value
Step 4: Sum
to calculate
average rating
Very good 15% =15÷(100-2)= 15.3% 100 =15.3% x 100 = 15.3 Good 53% =53÷(100-2)= 54.1% 75 =54.1% x 75 = 40.6
Neither good
nor bad
26% =26÷(100-2)= 26.5% 50 =26.5% x 50 = 13.3
Bad 3% =3÷(100-2)= 3.1% 25 =3.1% x 25 = 0.8
Very bad 0% =0÷(100-2)= 0% 0 =0% x 0 = 0
Don’t know 2% --
Total 100% 100% 70

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Appendix A: Results Tables
The following pages contain results for each question on the survey, the first set of results includes the “don’t know” responses, followed by results excluding the “don’t know” responses (where “don’t know” was an option), trends over time and geographic comparisons. For the questions in the survey where respondents could answer “don’t know,” the proportion of respondents giving this reply were not included for the comparisons over time and by geography. In other words, these tables display the responses from respondents who had an opinion about a specific item.

For the basic frequencies, the percent of respondents giving a particular response is shown followed by the number of respondents (denoted with “N=”); the number of respondents is specific to each item, based on the actual number of responses received for the question or question item and based on the weighted data (weighted responses are rounded to the nearest whole number and may n ot exactly add up to the total number of responses). Generally, a small portion of respondents select “don’t know” for most su rvey items and, inevitably, some items have a larger “don’t know” percentage. Comparing responses to a set of items on the same scale can be misleading when the “don’t know” responses have been included. If two items have disparate “don’t know” percentages (2 percent versus 17 percent, for example), any apparent similarities or differences across the remaining response options may disappear once the “don’t know” responses are removed.

Tables displaying trend data appear only for the years in which the questions were asked. Meaningful differences between survey years have been noted within the following tables as being “higher” or “lower” if the differences are greater than approximately six percentage points between the 202 4 and 20 23 surveys; otherwise, the comparison between 2024 and 2023 are noted as being “similar.” Geographic and demographic comparisons have been provided for questions 1 through 1 8 (some questions having multiple, non -scaled responses are not included). Chi -square or ANOVA tests of significance were applied to these breakdowns of survey questions. A “p-value” of 0.05 or less indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that di fferences observed between groups are due to chance; or in other words, a greater than 95% probability that the differences observed in the selected categories of the sample represent “real” differences among those populations. As subgroups vary in size and each group (and each comparison to another group) has a unique margin of error, statistical testing is used to determine whether differences between subgroups are statistically significant.

Each column in the following tables is labeled with a letter for each subgroup being compared. The “Overall” column, which shows the ratings for all respondents, also has a column designation of “(A)”, but no statistical tests were done for the overall rating.

For each pair of subgroup ratings within a row (a single question item) that has a statistically significant difference, an upper-case letter denoting significance is shown in the cell with the larger column proportion. The letter denotes the subgroup with the smaller column proportion from which it is statistically different. Subgroups that have no upper-case letter denotation in their column and that are also not referred to in any other column were not statistically different.

For example, in Table 8 on page 18, respondents in Area 4 (D) gave significantly higher ratings to Palo Alto as a place to work than respondents in Area 3 (C), as denoted by the “C” listed in the cell of the ratings for Area 4.

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Report of Results

Question 1

Table 4: Question 1 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Palo Alto as a place to live 50% N=291 41% N=240 7% N=40 2% N=11 0% N=1 100% N=583 Your neighborhood as a place to live 53% N=310 39% N=230 7% N=41 0% N=3 0% N=0 100% N=584 Palo Alto as a place to raise children 44% N=254 29% N=167 12% N=67 3% N=16 13% N=78 100% N=582 Palo Alto as a place to work 35% N=203 32% N=186 10% N=59 3% N=16 19% N=111 100% N=575 Palo Alto as a place to visit 27% N=156 39% N=225 21% N=123 7% N=39 6% N=34 100% N=577 Palo Alto as a place to retire 22% N=125 23% N=132 21% N=124 16% N=93 18% N=104 100% N=577 The overall quality of life in Palo Alto 41% N=237 48% N=278 10% N=59 1% N=7 0% N=0 100% N=581

Table 5: Question 1 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Palo Alto as a place to live 50% N=291 41% N=240 7% N=40 2% N=11 100% N=582 Your neighborhood as a place to live 53% N=310 39% N=230 7% N=41 0% N=3 100% N=583 Palo Alto as a place to raise children 50% N=254 33% N=167 13% N=67 3% N=16 100% N=504 Palo Alto as a place to work 44% N=203 40% N=186 13% N=59 3% N=16 100% N=463 Palo Alto as a place to visit 29% N=156 41% N=225 23% N=123 7% N=39 100% N=542 Palo Alto as a place to retire 26% N=125 28% N=132 26% N=124 20% N=93 100% N=473 The overall quality of life in Palo Alto 41% N=237 48% N=278 10% N=59 1% N=7 100% N=581

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 6: Question 1 - Historical Results
Please rate each of the
following aspects of quality of
life in Palo Alto:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Palo Alto as a place to live 95% 94% 95% 92% 95% 92% 91% 91% 89% 88% 88% 90% 91% Similar Your neighborhood as a place
to live
88% 90% 90% 91% 92% 90% 91% 91% 90% 89% 88% 92% 93% Similar Palo Alto as a place to raise
children
90% 93% 92% 90% 93% 87% 84% 84% 82% 82% 87% 83% 84% Similar Palo Alto as a place to work NA 89% 88% 89% 86% 87% 82% 82% 80% 82% 79% 85% 84% Similar Palo Alto as a place to visit NA NA NA NA 75% 74% 72% 71% 68% 70% 69% 73% 70% Similar Palo Alto as a place to retire 62% 68% 68% 56% 60% 52% 50% 51% 40% 52% 46% 53% 54% Similar The overall quality of life in
Palo Alto
92% 94% 92% 94% 91% 91% 88% 85% 89% 84% 88% 86% 89% Similar

Table 7: Question 1 - Benchmark Comparisons
City of Palo Alto rating Rank
Number of jurisdictions
for comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Palo Alto as a place to live 80 95 349 Similar
Your neighborhood as a place to live 82 55 329 Similar
Palo Alto as a place to raise children 77 119 354 Similar Palo Alto as a place to work 75 20 346 Higher
Palo Alto as a place to visit 64 122 318 Similar
Palo Alto as a place to retire 54 246 350 Similar
The overall quality of life in Palo Alto 76 95 368 Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 8: Question 1 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Palo Alto as a place to live

91% 91% 86% 94% 94% 91% 91%
Your neighborhood as a place to live 90% 92% 89% 96%
C
89% 95% 93%
Palo Alto as a place to raise children

87% 82% 86% 86% 76% 82% 84%
Palo Alto as a place to work 79% 81% 76% 89%
C
83% 89%
C
84%
Palo Alto as a place to visit 62% 68% 76% 78%
A
65% 68% 70%
Palo Alto as a place to retire 52% 38% 59%
B
59%
B
63%
B
59%
B
54%
The overall quality of life in Palo Alto

85% 87% 83% 92% 91% 91% 89%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 9: Question 1 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial 18-34 35-54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Palo Alto as a place to live 91% 91% 94% 83% 92%
A
95%
A
91%
Your neighborhood as a place to live 93% 90% 97%
B
92% 90% 95% 93%
Palo Alto as a place to raise children 83% 86% 88% 72% 89% A
84%
A
84%
Palo Alto as a place to work 87%
B
77% 81% 86% 82% 84% 84%
Palo Alto as a place to visit 69% 78%
C
63% 46% 73%
A
81%
A
70%
Palo Alto as a place to retire 56% 53% 59% 61% 47% 58%
B
54%
The overall quality of life in Palo Alto

89% 88% 93% 87% 90% 89% 89%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 2

Table 10: Question 2 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't
know Total
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
25% N=146 50% N=291 21% N=122 4% N=21 0% N=1 100% N=581 Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 42% N=242 46% N=269 10% N=57 2% N=12 0% N=0 100% N=580 Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 43% N=251 43% N=252 12% N=70 0% N=1 1% N=5 100% N=580 Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 41% N=241 39% N=225 12% N=70 2% N=11 6% N=34 100% N=580 Residents' connection and engagement with their
community
17% N=97 40% N=234 26% N=153 10% N=56 7% N=40 100% N=580

Table 11: Question 2 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
25% N=146 50% N=291 21% N=122 4% N=21 100% N=580
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 42% N=242 46% N=269 10% N=57 2% N=12 100% N=580 Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 44% N=251 44% N=252 12% N=70 0% N=1 100% N=575 Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 44% N=241 41% N=225 13% N=70 2% N=11 100% N=546 Residents' connection and engagement with their community 18% N=97 43% N=234 28% N=153 10% N=56 100% N=541

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 12: Question 2 - Historical Results
Please rate each of the following
characteristics as they relate to Palo
Alto as a whole:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Overall "built environment" of Palo
Alto (including overall design,
buildings, parks and transportation
systems)
NA NA NA 67% 63% 59% 65% 62% 76% 72% 72% 75% Similar
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto NA NA NA 92% 91% 94% 94% 91% 87% 84% 84% 88% Similar Overall quality of natural environment
in Palo Alto
84% 88% 83% 88% 86% 84% 89% 87% 90% 88% 90% 87% Similar Health and wellness opportunities in
Palo Alto
NA NA NA 88% 88% 85% 88% 84% 88% 90% 84% 85% Similar
Residents' connection and
engagement with their community
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 62% 63% 61% 61% Similar

Table 13: Question 2 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark

Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
66 33 309 Higher
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 76 87 337 Similar Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 77 62 320 Similar Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 76 25 312 Higher Residents’ connection and engagement with their community 56 94 288 Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 14: Question 2 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
70% 77% 76% 88%
A E F
70% 69% 75%
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 88% 87% 82% 89% 93% 89% 88% Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 85% 84% 88% 93% B
88% 87% 87%
Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 88% 88% F
81% 91%
F
89% 79% 85%
Residents' connection and engagement with their community 61% 47% 69% B
74%
B F
63% 58% 61%

Table 15: Question 2 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial 18-34 35-54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
74% 79% 77% 64% 81%
A
77%
A
75%
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 91%
B
83% 88% 94%
C
88% 85% 88%
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 88% 86% 90% 82% 90% A
89% 87%
Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 87% 83% 85% 79% 85% 88% A
85%
Residents' connection and engagement with their community 62% 67% C
51% 58% 61% 62% 61%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 3

Table 16: Question 3 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do
each of the following: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very
unlikely Don't know Total
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who
asks 42% N=242 36% N=210 14% N=81 8% N=46 1% N=5 100% N=583 Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 56% N=325 21% N=124 11% N=63 9% N=54 3% N=17 100% N=582 Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends 62% N=360 20% N=115 4% N=22 3% N=16 12% N=67 100% N=580

Table 17: Question 3 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do
each of the following: Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely Total Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who asks 42% N=242 36% N=210 14% N=81 8% N=46 100% N=579 Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 57% N=325 22% N=124 11% N=63 10% N=54 100% N=566 Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends 70% N=360 22% N=115 4% N=22 3% N=16 100% N=513

Table 18: Question 3 - Historical Results
Please indicate how likely or unlikely
you are to do each of the following:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to 2023 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Recommend living in Palo Alto to
someone who asks
91% 92% 89% 86% 80% 72% 75% 73% 74% 75% 77% 78% Similar Remain in Palo Alto for the next five
years
87% 87% 87% 83% 80% 75% 76% 78% 78% 84% 77% 79% Similar Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to
friends
NA NA NA NA NA NA 91% 92% 91% 92% 90% 92% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 19: Question 3 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who asks 78 220 316 Similar Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 79 234 320 Similar

Table 20: Question 3 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very likely" or "somewhat likely"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who asks 85%
B
71% 81% 85%
B
74% 76% 78%
Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 84% 74% 86% B
78% 77% 79% 79%
Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends 98%
F
95%
F
93%
F
94%
F
98%
F
85% 92%

Table 21: Question 3 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very likely" or "somewhat
likely"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian,
or Pacific Islander
Other race or Multi-
racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone
who asks
76% 83% 80% 73% 80% 78% 78%
Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 77% 87%
A C
70% 43% 83%
A
93%
A B
79%
Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends 91% 95% 94% 93% 92% 92% 92%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 4
Table 22: Question 4 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the job you feel the Palo Alto community
does at each of the following. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Making all residents feel welcome 20% N=115 41% N=242 20% N=119 9% N=50 10% N=58 100% N=584 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 22% N=129 33% N=193 21% N=120 17% N=100 7% N=42 100% N=584 Valuing/respecting residents from diverse
backgrounds 28% N=163 36% N=211 18% N=107 8% N=45 10% N=57 100% N=583 Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) 15% N=89 25% N=145 24% N=138 13% N=77 23% N=132 100% N=581

Table 23: Question 4 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the job you feel the Palo Alto community does at each of the following. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Making all residents feel welcome 22% N=115 46% N=242 23% N=119 10% N=50 100% N=526 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 24% N=129 36% N=193 22% N=120 18% N=100 100% N=542 Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds 31% N=163 40% N=211 20% N=107 9% N=45 100% N=526 Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) 20% N=89 32% N=145 31% N=138 17% N=77 100% N=449

Table 24: Question 4 - Historical Results
Please rate the job you feel the Palo Alto community does at each of the following.

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to 2023 2021 2022 2023 2024
Making all residents feel welcome 59% 62% 66% 68% Similar Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 52% 51% 57% 59% Similar Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds 65% 65% 68% 71% Similar Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) 47% 45% 50% 52% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 25: Question 4 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Making all residents feel welcome 60 158 291 Similar
Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 55 138 288 Similar Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds 65 66 289 Similar Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.)
52 138 285 Similar

Table 26: Question 4 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Making all residents feel welcome 73% 58% 67% 75%
B F
79%
B F
63% 68%
Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 54% 61% 56% 62% 69% 58% 59% Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds 69% 67% 72% 74% 73% 72% 71% Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) 56% 53% 49% 54% 53% 50% 52%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 27: Question 4 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or Pacific
Islander
Other race or Multi-
racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Making all residents feel welcome 65%
80%
A C 64% 60%
73%
A 69% 68%
Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 58%
68%
A C 51% 43%
65%
A
63%
A 59%
Valuing/respecting residents from diverse
backgrounds 71%
79%
C 63% 57%
76%
A
74%
A 71%
Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly,
disabled, homeless, etc.) 49%
66%
A C 47% 42%
61%
A 51% 52%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 5
Table 28: Question 5 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as
they relate to Palo Alto as a whole:

Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total
Overall quality of business and service
establishments in Palo Alto
21% N=121 49% N=285 25% N=147 3% N=18 2% N=11 100% N=582 Variety of business and service establishments in
Palo Alto
16% N=90 38% N=222 34% N=197 11% N=64 2% N=10 100% N=583 Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 16% N=94 41% N=241 28% N=162 12% N=71 2% N=14 100% N=582 Employment opportunities 19% N=107 25% N=143 18% N=103 7% N=38 32% N=184 100% N=575 Shopping opportunities 26% N=150 39% N=226 26% N=150 8% N=47 1% N=7 100% N=581 Cost of living in Palo Alto 2% N=11 6% N=32 23% N=132 68% N=395 2% N=11 100% N=581 Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 37% N=216 40% N=228 19% N=107 3% N=17 2% N=9 100% N=576 Traffic flow on major streets 9% N=53 38% N=221 37% N=214 15% N=87 1% N=3 100% N=578 Ease of public parking 20% N=116 44% N=254 23% N=132 7% N=43 5% N=31 100% N=577 Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 24% N=138 45% N=261 22% N=127 5% N=31 3% N=19 100% N=577 Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 6% N=37 16% N=92 25% N=145 25% N=147 27% N=158 100% N=578 Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 30% N=173 39% N=222 14% N=81 2% N=14 15% N=87 100% N=577 Ease of walking in Palo Alto 43% N=248 38% N=222 15% N=84 3% N=17 1% N=7 100% N=578 Variety of housing options 4% N=20 18% N=102 30% N=173 37% N=214 12% N=69 100% N=579 Availability of affordable quality housing 3% N=16 6% N=35 13% N=78 59% N=342 19% N=108 100% N=579 Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto 8% N=47 20% N=117 23% N=131 18% N=104 31% N=176 100% N=575 Availability of paths and walking trails 28% N=161 43% N=249 21% N=122 5% N=31 3% N=17 100% N=580 Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and
paths or trails, etc.)
29% N=169 41% N=241 16% N=92 4% N=21 10% N=59 100% N=582 Recreational opportunities 27% N=159 46% N=266 15% N=86 4% N=24 8% N=43 100% N=579 Availability of affordable quality mental health care 3% N=19 10% N=59 10% N=60 15% N=89 61% N=349 100% N=576 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 29% N=167 37% N=216 22% N=127 6% N=35 6% N=37 100% N=582

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 29: Question 5 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole:

Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 21% N=121 50% N=285 26% N=147 3% N=18 100% N=571 Variety of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 16% N=90 39% N=222 34% N=197 11% N=64 100% N=573 Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 17% N=94 42% N=241 28% N=162 12% N=71 100% N=568 Employment opportunities 27% N=107 37% N=143 26% N=103 10% N=38 100% N=391 Shopping opportunities 26% N=150 39% N=226 26% N=150 8% N=47 100% N=573 Cost of living in Palo Alto 2% N=11 6% N=32 23% N=132 69% N=395 100% N=570 Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 38% N=216 40% N=228 19% N=107 3% N=17 100% N=567 Traffic flow on major streets 9% N=53 38% N=221 37% N=214 15% N=87 100% N=575 Ease of public parking 21% N=116 47% N=254 24% N=132 8% N=43 100% N=546 Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 25% N=138 47% N=261 23% N=127 6% N=31 100% N=558 Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 9% N=37 22% N=92 34% N=145 35% N=147 100% N=421 Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 35% N=173 45% N=222 16% N=81 3% N=14 100% N=490 Ease of walking in Palo Alto 43% N=248 39% N=222 15% N=84 3% N=17 100% N=571 Variety of housing options 4% N=20 20% N=102 34% N=173 42% N=214 100% N=510 Availability of affordable quality housing 3% N=16 7% N=35 17% N=78 73% N=342 100% N=471 Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto 12% N=47 29% N=117 33% N=131 26% N=104 100% N=399 Availability of paths and walking trails 29% N=161 44% N=249 22% N=122 5% N=31 100% N=562 Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.)
32% N=169 46% N=241 18% N=92 4% N=21 100% N=523
Recreational opportunities 30% N=159 50% N=266 16% N=86 4% N=24 100% N=535 Availability of affordable quality mental health care 8% N=19 26% N=59 27% N=60 39% N=89 100% N=227 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 31% N=167 40% N=216 23% N=127 6% N=35 100% N=545

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 30: Question 5 - Historical Results
Please rate each of the following
characteristics as they relate to
Palo Alto as a whole:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared
to 2023
2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Overall quality of business and
service establishments in Palo
Alto
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 85% 80% 74% 71% Similar
Variety of business and service
establishments in Palo Alto
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 66% 58% 58% 54% Similar
Vibrancy of downtown/
commercial areas
NA NA NA NA 77% 76% 73% 73% 71% 72% 62% 65% 59% Lower
Employment opportunities 33% 56% 68% 68% 69% 66% 70% 74% 73% 68% 73% 62% 64% Similar Shopping opportunities NA 71% 69% 73% 82% 79% 80% 82% 79% 78% 73% 69% 66% Similar Cost of living in Palo Alto NA NA NA NA 11% 8% 7% 8% 8% 6% 5% 8% 8% Similar Overall image or reputation of Palo
Alto
NA 92% 92% 90% 92% 88% 86% 86% 83% 78% 76% 76% 78% Similar Traffic flow on major streets 36% 47% 40% 36% 34% 35% 31% 30% 33% 49% 47% 51% 48% Similar Ease of public parking NA NA NA NA NA 38% 36% 33% 32% 59% 67% 68% 68% Similar Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 55% 66% 62% 51% 55% 52% 44% 44% 42% 70% 72% 73% 72% Similar Ease of travel by public
transportation in Palo Alto
NA 62% 64% 71% 65% 36% 26% 28% 29% 30% 24% 32% 31% Similar Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo
Alto
84% 77% 81% 78% 78% 77% 74% 78% 74% 79% 76% 77% 81% Similar Ease of walking in Palo Alto NA 83% 82% 84% 84% 83% 80% 86% 83% 86% 85% 80% 82% Similar Variety of housing options NA 37% 29% 26% 27% 20% 17% 18% 13% 27% 21% 26% 24% Similar Availability of affordable quality
housing
6% 14% 12% 13% 11% 8% 6% 6% 5% 9% 6% 11% 11% Similar
Overall quality of new
development in Palo Alto
NA 53% 57% 56% 44% 51% 49% 42% 50% 38% 36% 40% 41% Similar Availability of paths and walking
trails
NA 75% 75% 77% 71% 74% 73% 76% 77% 76% 76% 73% 73% Similar City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please rate each of the following
characteristics as they relate to
Palo Alto as a whole:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared
to 2023
2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Fitness opportunities (including
exercise classes and paths or
trails, etc.)
NA NA NA NA NA 78% 78% 79% 78% 79% 77% 76% 78% Similar
Recreational opportunities NA 81% 81% 81% 77% 80% 77% 81% 75% 77% 79% 77% 79% Similar Availability of affordable quality
mental health care
NA NA NA NA 63% 53% 46% 52% 38% 44% 26% 38% 34% Similar Opportunities to attend
cultural/arts/music activities
NA 73% 77% 69% 81% 79% 77% 81% 74% 71% 78% 72% 70% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 31: Question 5 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark

Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto
63 130 318 Similar
Variety of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 53 152 287 Similar Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 54 127 303 Similar Employment opportunities 61 28 327 Higher
Shopping opportunities 61 64 320 Higher
Cost of living in Palo Alto 13 298 309 Much Lower
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 71 91 344 Similar Traffic flow on major streets 47 174 332 Similar
Ease of public parking 60 94 304 Similar
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 64 156 324 Similar
Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 35 154 307 Similar Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 71 13 322 Much Higher Ease of walking in Palo Alto 74 26 326 Higher
Variety of housing options 29 279 315 Lower
Availability of affordable quality housing 14 308 333 Lower Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto 42 233 323 Similar Availability of paths and walking trails 65 157 327 Similar Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.)
69 100 307 Similar
Recreational opportunities 68 90 323 Similar
Availability of affordable quality mental health care 35 198 305 Similar Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 65 62 326 Higher

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 32: Question 5 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 68% 67% 71% 77% 82% B F
68% 71%
Variety of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 59% 48% 51% 63% B
52% 53% 54%
Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 60% 46% 53% 65%
B
76%
B C F
60%
B
59%
Employment opportunities 62% 62% 58% 61% 73% 69% 64%
Shopping opportunities 65% 63% 70% 67% 71% 62% 66%
Cost of living in Palo Alto 7% 6% 7% 13% 5% 7% 8%
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 80% 70% 81% 84% B
84%
B
76% 78%
Traffic flow on major streets 48% 41% 40% 53% 56% 49% 48% Ease of public parking 73% 75% 65% 66% 61% 65% 68%
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 74% 68% 65% 76% 70% 74% 72% Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 23% 22% 23% 45%

A B C E
28% 34% 31%
Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 77% 85% 77% 85% 83% 77% 81% Ease of walking in Palo Alto 74% 84% 75% 88%
A C
77% 86%
A C
82%
Variety of housing options 12% 31%
A
24% 28%
A
20% 23% 24%
Availability of affordable quality housing 7% 14% 10% 11% 13% 9% 11% Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto 33% 41% 37% 47% 45% 42% 41% Availability of paths and walking trails 71% 73% 70% 78% 67% 74% 73% Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) 78% 73% 78% 80% 78% 82% 78% Recreational opportunities 79% 79% 78% 80% 82% 80% 79%
Availability of affordable quality mental health care 27% 42% 28% 41% 30% 34% 34% City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 71% 64% 62% 77% B C
77% 71% 70%

Table 33: Question 5 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto
72% 71% 72% 73% 65% 75%
B
71%
Variety of business and service establishments in Palo
Alto
56% 52% 57% 58% 51% 55% 54%
Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 58% 66% 55% 61% 63% 55% 59% Employment opportunities 69%
B
54% 62% 83%
B C
57% 59% 64%
Shopping opportunities 67% 63% 66% 70% 60% 66% 66%
Cost of living in Palo Alto 7% 10% 7% 7% 7% 9% 8%
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 80%
C
80%
C
69% 65% 80%
A
84%
A
78%
Traffic flow on major streets 48% 53% 44% 41% 57%
A C
45% 48%
Ease of public parking 68% 73% 68% 74%
C
78%
C
58% 68%
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 75% 73% 67% 70% 79%
C
69% 72%
Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 31% 35% 24% 33% 32% 28% 31% Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 82% 81% 72% 83% 82% 78% 81% City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Ease of walking in Palo Alto 86%
B
77% 79% 79% 80% 86% 82%
Variety of housing options 23% 26% 25% 10% 30%
A
28%
A
24%
Availability of affordable quality housing 6% 20%
A
11% 4% 17%
A C
10% 11%
Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto 39% 47% 47% 39% 52% C
35% 41%
Availability of paths and walking trails 71% 80%
A
73% 64% 78%
A
74%
A
73%
Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and
paths or trails, etc.)
82% 75% 79% 80% 80% 77% 78%
Recreational opportunities 83%
B
75% 78% 77% 80% 80% 79%
Availability of affordable quality mental health care 38% C
35% 13% 24% 40% 33% 34%
Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 75% C
72%
C
48% 62% 68% 76%
A B
70%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 6

Table 34: Question 6 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as
they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool 5% N=30 11% N=61 16% N=92 15% N=85 54% N=308 100% N=575 K-12 education 37% N=215 24% N=139 7% N=39 1% N=6 31% N=177 100% N=576 Adult educational opportunities 18% N=103 37% N=211 10% N=56 2% N=10 34% N=196 100% N=575 Opportunities to participate in social events and
activities
13% N=75 41% N=236 23% N=131 6% N=35 17% N=99 100% N=576 Openness and acceptance of the community toward
people of diverse backgrounds
21% N=122 37% N=215 18% N=105 6% N=35 17% N=99 100% N=575 Opportunities to learn about City services via City
website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook,
Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn)
19% N=112 36% N=209 16% N=92 4% N=25 24% N=137 100% N=576

Table 35: Question 6 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool 11% N=30 23% N=61 34% N=92 32% N=85 100% N=267 K-12 education 54% N=215 35% N=139 10% N=39 2% N=6 100% N=399 Adult educational opportunities 27% N=103 56% N=211 15% N=56 3% N=10 100% N=379 Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 16% N=75 49% N=236 27% N=131 7% N=35 100% N=477 Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
26% N=122 45% N=215 22% N=105 7% N=35 100% N=477
Opportunities to learn about City services via City website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn) 26% N=112 48% N=209 21% N=92 6% N=25 100% N=439

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 36: Question 6 - Historical Results*
Please rate each of the
following characteristics as
they relate to Palo Alto as a
whole:

Percent positive
2024 rating
compared to
2023 2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Availability of affordable quality
child care/preschool
25% 35% 27% 31% 49% 49% 39% 47% 37% 44% 34% 43% 34% Lower K-12 education NA 92% 92% 94% 95% 92% 90% 91% 91% 90% 88% 87% 89% Similar Adult educational opportunities NA NA NA NA 89% 83% 78% 82% 77% 83% 81% 78% 83% Similar Opportunities to participate in
social events and activities
NA 76% 74% 74% 71% 74% 70% 72% 65% 62% 65% 65% 65% Similar Openness and acceptance of
the community toward people
of diverse backgrounds
73% 78% 80% 76% 76% 68% 72% 72% 72% 59% 60% 64% 71% Higher Opportunities to learn about
City services through social
media such as Twitter,
Facebook, and Nextdoor
NA 63% 63% 71% 73% 75% 68% 76% 67% 71% 58% 70% 73% Similar *Prior to 2023, “Opportunities to learn about City services through social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and Nextdoor” was “Opportunities to learn about City services through social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook”.

Table 37: Question 6 - Benchmark Comparisons*

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Availability of affordable quality child care/preschool 38 204 315 Similar K-12 education 80 17 322 Much Higher
Adult educational opportunities 69 12 308 Higher
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 58 139 312 Similar Opportunities to participate in community matters 61 81 311 Similar Openness and acceptance of the community towards people of diverse backgrounds
63 45 324 Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 38: Question 6 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area
1 Area
2 Area
3 Area
4 Area
5 Area
6 (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool 31% 38% 43% E F
41%
E
19% 24% 34%
K-12 education 88% 80% 96%
B
93%
B
83% 90%
B
89%
Adult educational opportunities

79% 84% 77% 86% 76% 87% 83%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 72% 58% 68% 77% B F
61% 59% 65%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds

67% 69% 74% 72% 76% 68% 71%
Opportunities to learn about City services via City website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn)
67% 68% 77% 85%
A B F
78% 68% 73%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 39: Question 6 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool 28% 48% A C
24% 0% 40%
A
37%
A
34%
K-12 education 93%
B
82% 91% 84% 87% 91% 89%
Adult educational opportunities 90%
B C
72% 70% 78% 81% 86% 83%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 69% C
65%
C
49% 53% 65% 70%
A
65%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
73%
C
79%
C
58% 68% 70% 74% 71%
Opportunities to learn about City services via City website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn) 78% 71% 66% 68% 77% 75% 73%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 7

Table 40: Question 7 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months. No Yes Total Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services 50% N=286 50% N=291 100% N=576 Visited a neighborhood park or City park 5% N=26 95% N=554 100% N=580 Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services 25% N=144 75% N=434 100% N=578 Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto 76% N=437 24% N=138 100% N=575 Attended a City-sponsored event 45% N=262 55% N=317 100% N=579 Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors 16% N=90 84% N=487 100% N=577 Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills 40% N=232 60% N=344 100% N=576 Used the Utilities webpage to conduct business or pay bills 28% N=164 72% N=414 100% N=579 Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information 43% N=246 57% N=331 100% N=577 Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion 83% N=479 17% N=98 100% N=577 Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.) 83% N=479 17% N=99 100% N=578
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting 84% N=484 16% N=94 100% N=578 Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto 60% N=345 40% N=234 100% N=579 Voted in your most recent local election 27% N=156 73% N=423 100% N=579 Used bus, rail, subway, or other public transportation instead of driving 57% N=331 43% N=249 100% N=580 Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone 41% N=238 59% N=343 100% N=581 Walked or biked instead of driving 14% N=82 86% N=496 100% N=578 Observed a code violation or other hazard in Palo Alto (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 54% N=311 46% N=265 100% N=576 Household member was a victim of a crime in Palo Alto 87% N=504 13% N=73 100% N=577 Reported a crime to the police in Palo Alto 83% N=481 17% N=97 100% N=578 This question did not have a “don’t know” response option.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 41: Question 7 - Historical Results*
Please indicate whether or not you have
done each of the following in the last 12
months (percent “yes”).

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their
services
60% 65% 58% 63% 65% 63% 63% 65% 39% 47% 53% 50% Similar Visited a neighborhood park or City park 91% 95% 94% 91% 94% 93% 91% 94% 94% 94% 94% 95% Similar Used Palo Alto public libraries or their
services
74% 77% 77% 68% 76% 73% 75% 78% 62% 72% 70% 75% Similar Participated in religious or spiritual
activities in Palo Alto
NA 40% NA 30% 30% 31% 30% 30% 24% 24% 24% 24% Similar
Attended a City-sponsored event NA NA NA 50% 57% 51% 55% 52% 30% 45% 51% 55% Similar Talked to or visited with your immediate
neighbors
NA NA NA 91% 89% 88% 92% 90% 88% 88% 89% 84% Similar
Used the City’s website to conduct
business or pay bills
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 53% 60% 63% 60% Similar
Used the Utilities webpage to conduct
business or pay bills
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 69% 69% 73% 72% Similar
Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person,
phone, email or web) for help or
information
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 55% 58% 54% 57% Similar
Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-
person, phone, email or web) to express
your opinion
NA NA NA 17% 15% 17% 20% 21% 25% 21% 17% 17% Similar
Attended a local public meeting (of local
elected officials like City Council or
County Commissioners, advisory boards,
town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch,
etc.)
27% 25% 28% 22% 22% 21% 24% 25% 26% 21% 20% 17% Similar Watched (online or on television) a local
public meeting
27% 21% 24% 16% 18% 14% 16% 12% 29% 23% 18% 16% Similar Volunteered your time to some
group/activity in Palo Alto
45% 54% 50% 40% 46% 45% 47% 47% 37% 45% 39% 40% Similar Voted in your most recent local election NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 83% 77% 70% 73% Similar City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please indicate whether or not you have
done each of the following in the last 12
months (percent “yes”).

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Used bus, rail, subway, or other public
transportation instead of driving
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 34% 43% 44% 43% Similar
Carpooled with other adults or children
instead of driving alone
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 41% 60% 59% 59% Similar
Walked or biked instead of driving NA NA NA 85% 87% 87% 84% 88% 86% 88% 84% 86% Similar Did NOT observe a code violation or other
hazard in Palo Alto
NA NA NA 70% 67% 67% 62% 63% 60% 60% 58% 54% Similar
Household member was NOT the victim
of a crime in Palo Alto
91% 91% 94% 92% 93% 91% 90% 93% 86% 88% 87% 87% Similar Did NOT report a crime to the police in
Palo Alto
NA NA NA 87% 87% 86% 85% 87% 79% 85% 84% 83% Similar
*Some questions were re-worded in the Historical Results table to reflect the positive rating of 'yes.' Prior to 2023, “Used the Utilities webpage to conduct business or pay bills” was “Used the Utilities website to conduct business or pay bills”.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 42: Question 7 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo
Alto rating Rank
Number of jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark

Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information
57 42 329 Higher
Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion
17 113 305 Similar
Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards,
17 193 308 Similar
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting 16 243 300 Similar Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto 40 75 310 Similar Voted in your most recent local election 73 167 286 Similar Used bus, rail or other public transportation instead of driving 43 40 295 Much Higher Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone 59 30 303 Higher Walked or biked instead of driving 86 14 304 Much Higher

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 43: Question 7 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent "yes"
Area Overall
Area
1 Area
2 Area
3 Area
4 Area
5 Area
6 (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services 46% 52% 51% 49% 55% 51% 50% Visited a neighborhood park or City park 98% 94% 96% 94% 98% 95% 95% Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services 77% 83% F
77% 74% 73% 69% 75%
Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto 26% 25% 30% 22% 15% 24% 24% Attended a City-sponsored event 58% 51% 53% 57% 54% 56% 55% Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors 90%
E
83% 89% 83% 77% 84% 84%
Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills 60% 67% 54% 61% 61% 56% 60% Used the Utilities webpage to conduct business or pay bills 76% 79% F
67% 72% 66% 68% 72%
Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information 59% 55% 60% 48% 62% 62% D
57%
Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion
13% 16% 16% 19% 21% 17% 17%
Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.) 16% 14% 12% 16% 30%
B C D
20% 17%
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting 17% 15% 12% 16% 17% 19% 16% Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto 40% 42% 48% 38% 32% 41% 40% Voted in your most recent local election 62% 78%
A D
80%
A D
66% 77% 75%
A
73%
Used bus, rail, subway, or other public transportation instead of driving 37% 42% 42% 51% E
32% 44% 43%
Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone 60% 59% 62% 62% 53% 57% 59% Walked or biked instead of driving 91% 84% 81% 86% 89% 87% 86% Observed a code violation or other hazard in Palo Alto (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 38% 55% A D F
56%
A F
41% 47% 42% 46%
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent "yes"
Area Overall
Area
1 Area
2 Area
3 Area
4 Area
5 Area
6 (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Household member was a victim of a crime in Palo Alto 11% 18% D
11% 7% 8% 15% 13%
Reported a crime to the police in Palo Alto 14% 20% 19% 13% 10% 21% 17%

Table 44: Question 7 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent "yes"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian,
or Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services 52% 48% 47% 33% 62% A C
51%
A
50%
Visited a neighborhood park or City park 97%
B
92% 99%
B
100%
C
96% 93% 95%
Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services 74% 75% 77% 66% 82% A
74% 75%
Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto 27% B
13% 32%
B
19% 19% 29%
A B
24%
Attended a City-sponsored event 56% 49% 64%
B
56% 65%
C
47% 55%
Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors 86% 82% 84% 65% 87% A
93%
A
84%
Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills 59% 62% 59% 59% 66% C
56% 60%
Used the Utilities webpage to conduct business or pay bills 68% 75% 81% A
77%
C
78%
C
64% 72%
Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information
62%
C
52% 47% 48% 58% 62%
A
57%
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent "yes"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian,
or Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion
19%
B
10% 14% 6% 19%
A
21%
A
17%
Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.)
20%
B
11% 13% 4% 16%
A
24%
A B
17%
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting 19% B
8% 19%
B
14% 15% 18% 16%
Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto 43% 34% 36% 23% 47% A
44%
A
40%
Voted in your most recent local election 81%
B C
58% 68% 56% 64% 89%
A B
73%
Used bus, rail, subway, or other public transportation instead of driving 42% 43% 50% 58% C
49%
C
31% 43%
Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone 57% 66% 59% 71% C
66%
C
49% 59%
Walked or biked instead of driving 85% 87% 91% 91%
C
93%
C
79% 86%
Observed a code violation or other hazard in Palo Alto (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.)
50%
B
34% 46% 38% 43% 51%
A
46%
Household member was a victim of a crime in Palo Alto 13% 9% 17% 21% B C
10% 11% 13%
Reported a crime to the police in Palo Alto 15% 15% 23% 25% B
12% 17% 17%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 8

Table 45: Question 8 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Please rate the following categories of Palo Alto
government performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto 12% N=69 39% N=221 28% N=160 12% N=67 10% N=55 100% N=573 The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 9% N=52 32% N=184 33% N=190 13% N=77 13% N=74 100% N=577 The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming
resident involvement
12% N=68 26% N=151 21% N=119 12% N=66 30% N=172 100% N=577 Overall confidence in Palo Alto government 8% N=49 34% N=195 29% N=169 14% N=82 14% N=83 100% N=578 Generally acting in the best interest of the community 11% N=65 35% N=199 28% N=162 13% N=73 13% N=76 100% N=575 Being honest 12% N=68 31% N=180 19% N=111 8% N=46 30% N=170 100% N=576 Being open and transparent to the public 12% N=67 29% N=166 25% N=144 11% N=61 24% N=139 100% N=578 Informing residents about issues facing the community 14% N=80 34% N=195 26% N=150 9% N=52 17% N=99 100% N=575 Treating all residents fairly 14% N=79 34% N=196 15% N=88 9% N=51 28% N=160 100% N=574 Treating residents with respect 19% N=108 39% N=224 15% N=86 5% N=29 23% N=132 100% N=578

Table 46: Question 8 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the following categories of Palo Alto government performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto 13% N=69 43% N=221 31% N=160 13% N=67 100% N=518 The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 10% N=52 37% N=184 38% N=190 15% N=77 100% N=503 The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming resident involvement 17% N=68 37% N=151 29% N=119 16% N=66 100% N=405 Overall confidence in Palo Alto government 10% N=49 40% N=195 34% N=169 17% N=82 100% N=494 Generally acting in the best interest of the community 13% N=65 40% N=199 32% N=162 15% N=73 100% N=499 Being honest 17% N=68 45% N=180 27% N=111 11% N=46 100% N=405 Being open and transparent to the public 15% N=67 38% N=166 33% N=144 14% N=61 100% N=438 Informing residents about issues facing the community 17% N=80 41% N=195 31% N=150 11% N=52 100% N=476 Treating all residents fairly 19% N=79 47% N=196 21% N=88 12% N=51 100% N=414 Treating residents with respect 24% N=108 50% N=224 19% N=86 6% N=29 100% N=446 City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 47: Question 8 - Historical Results
Please rate the following
categories of Palo Alto
government performance:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023
2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 The value of services for the
taxes paid to Palo Alto
NA 66% 67% 66% 66% 65% 58% 61% 58% 53% 51% 57% 56% Similar The overall direction that Palo
Alto is taking
54% 55% 59% 54% 50% 48% 40% 45% 42% 40% 42% 54% 47% Lower The job Palo Alto government
does at welcoming resident
involvement
65% 57% 58% 55% 54% 61% 50% 56% 56% 51% 46% 55% 54% Similar Overall confidence in Palo Alto
government
NA NA NA NA 52% 53% 44% 49% 46% 49% 47% 52% 49% Similar Generally acting in the best
interest of the community
NA NA NA NA 54% 53% 44% 51% 45% 50% 52% 55% 53% Similar Being honest NA NA NA NA 58% 62% 55% 61% 56% 55% 53% 62% 61% Similar Being open and transparent to
the public
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 50% 53% 57% 53% Similar
Informing residents about
issues facing the community
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 55% 51% 61% 58% Similar
Treating all residents fairly NA NA NA NA 57% 53% 47% 56% 51% 57% 50% 62% 66% Similar Treating residents with respect NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 67% 68% 71% 74% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 48: Question 8 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto 52 134 359 Similar The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 47 213 334 Similar The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming citizen
involvement
52 143 334 Similar
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government 48 176 312 Similar Generally acting in the best interest of the community 50 175 317 Similar Being honest 56 122 308 Similar
Being open and transparent to the public 52 129 292 Similar Informing residents about issues facing the community 55 74 295 Similar Treating all residents fairly 58 109 314 Similar
Treating residents with respect 64 88 289 Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 49: Question 8 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent "excellent" or "good".

Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto

57% 54% 51% 59% 54% 58% 56%
The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 46% 42% 43% 57% B F
57% 42% 47%
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming resident involvement 49% 54% 44% 66% C
55% 53% 54%
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government

45% 46% 45% 57% 51% 49% 49%
Generally acting in the best interest of the community 52% 43% 53% 62% B
63%
B
51% 53%
Being honest

61% 58% 55% 63% 66% 63% 61%
Being open and transparent to the public

53% 52% 50% 59% 48% 54% 53%
Informing residents about issues facing the community 49% 55% 59% 66% A E
47% 61% 58%
Treating all residents fairly

62% 72% 60% 68% 58% 69% 66%
Treating residents with respect

71% 71% 78% 73% 75% 78% 74%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 50: Question 8 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent "excellent" or "good".

Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto

59% 53% 59% 60% 53% 58% 56%
The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 48% 55%
C
34% 44% 52% 47% 47%
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming
resident involvement
56% 57% 53% 60% 56% 52% 54%
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government

50% 54% 51% 56% 51% 48% 49%
Generally acting in the best interest of the community 52% 62% A
53% 61% 53% 53% 53%
Being honest 61% 70% 55% 80%
B C
61% 58% 61%
Being open and transparent to the public 53% 62% 46% 69% C
55% 49% 53%
Informing residents about issues facing the
community
62%
C
60%
C
44% 67% 55% 58% 58%
Treating all residents fairly

69% 70% 61% 76% 67% 65% 66%
Treating residents with respect 76% 82%
C
65% 90%
B C
75% 72% 74%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 9
Table 51: Question 9 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't
know Total
The City of Palo Alto 22% N=128 49% N=281 19% N=110 5% N=30 5% N=28 100% N=577 The State Government 8% N=46 36% N=204 31% N=177 18% N=101 8% N=46 100% N=574 The Federal Government 6% N=33 31% N=180 34% N=197 19% N=112 9% N=51 100% N=574

Table 52: Question 9 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following? Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
The City of Palo Alto 23% N=128 51% N=281 20% N=110 6% N=30 100% N=550 The State Government 9% N=46 39% N=204 34% N=177 19% N=101 100% N=528 The Federal Government 6% N=33 34% N=180 38% N=197 21% N=112 100% N=522

Table 53: Question 9 - Historical Results
Overall, how would you rate the
quality of the services provided
by each of the following?
Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 The City of Palo Alto 87% 83% 88% 84% 83% 85% 81% 86% 82% 73% 72% 74% 74% Similar State Government 38% 26% 41% 33% NA 47% 46% 54% 46% 52% 57% 50% 47% Similar The Federal Government 32% 41% 50% 37% 48% 46% 46% 36% 33% 27% 47% 45% 41% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 54: Question 9 - Benchmark Comparisons
City of Palo Alto rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
The City of Palo Alto 64 130 349 Similar
The Federal Government 42 82 301 Similar

Table 55: Question 9 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
The City of Palo Alto 73% 74% 73% 76% 73% 76% 74%
The State Government 32% 46% 53%
A
52%

57%
A
45% 47%
The Federal Government 24% 42%
A
39% 42%
A
45%
A
46%
A
41%

Table 56: Question 9 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or Multi-
racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
The City of Palo Alto 76% 73% 82% 89%
B C
72% 73% 74%
The State Government 50% 41% 51% 45% 47% 50% 47%
The Federal Government 44%
B
33% 43% 25% 42%
A
49%
A
41%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 10
Table 57: Question 10 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the quality of each of the following
services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Traffic enforcement 13% N=75 38% N=215 24% N=139 15% N=87 10% N=56 100% N=573 Traffic signal timing 13% N=78 42% N=240 29% N=166 13% N=73 4% N=21 100% N=578 Street repair 13% N=72 39% N=223 28% N=163 19% N=108 1% N=8 100% N=574 Street cleaning 29% N=168 50% N=290 15% N=85 5% N=30 0% N=2 100% N=575 Street tree maintenance 25% N=146 45% N=258 18% N=103 9% N=52 3% N=15 100% N=574 Sidewalk maintenance 15% N=86 41% N=233 32% N=182 10% N=59 2% N=12 100% N=573 Land use, planning, and zoning 7% N=38 25% N=145 25% N=140 21% N=120 22% N=128 100% N=570 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 7% N=41 22% N=126 25% N=143 12% N=67 34% N=193 100% N=570 Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands,
and greenbelts)
31% N=177 41% N=237 14% N=78 4% N=21 10% N=59 100% N=572 Building and planning application processing services 4% N=25 10% N=59 16% N=92 21% N=119 49% N=279 100% N=574 Affordable high-speed internet access 11% N=63 24% N=137 22% N=127 22% N=125 21% N=120 100% N=572 Electric utility 26% N=151 39% N=223 23% N=133 9% N=53 2% N=14 100% N=575 Gas utility 26% N=147 40% N=232 20% N=117 6% N=37 7% N=42 100% N=574 Utility payment options 38% N=222 36% N=207 14% N=82 4% N=22 8% N=44 100% N=576 Drinking water 47% N=274 36% N=206 12% N=72 3% N=19 1% N=6 100% N=576 Sewer services 32% N=183 45% N=257 13% N=75 2% N=12 8% N=48 100% N=576 Storm water management (storm drainage, dams,
levees, etc.)
25% N=144 42% N=241 16% N=91 4% N=23 13% N=73 100% N=573 Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and
e-waste)
44% N=256 36% N=210 13% N=75 4% N=24 2% N=11 100% N=576 Police services 27% N=158 27% N=155 10% N=58 2% N=14 33% N=190 100% N=574 Crime prevention 19% N=106 34% N=196 17% N=95 7% N=40 23% N=133 100% N=570 Animal control 21% N=123 31% N=180 10% N=58 1% N=7 36% N=206 100% N=573 Ambulance or emergency medical services 27% N=155 20% N=115 4% N=25 0% N=2 48% N=272 100% N=569 Fire emergency services 29% N=167 21% N=121 4% N=22 1% N=4 45% N=256 100% N=570 City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please rate the quality of each of the following
services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Fire prevention and education 20% N=114 22% N=127 8% N=48 2% N=10 47% N=269 100% N=569 Palo Alto open space (e.g., Foothills, Baylands) 54% N=312 30% N=173 9% N=53 1% N=6 5% N=29 100% N=573 City parks 52% N=296 38% N=216 8% N=47 2% N=10 1% N=6 100% N=575 Recreation programs or classes 26% N=150 31% N=175 12% N=68 2% N=13 29% N=169 100% N=574 Recreation centers or facilities 27% N=153 35% N=198 12% N=66 2% N=14 25% N=140 100% N=570 Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs)
51% N=293 23% N=129 5% N=29 1% N=8 20% N=114 100% N=573 Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment,
accessibility)
52% N=296 25% N=146 5% N=28 1% N=4 17% N=100 100% N=573 Variety of library materials (books, e-books,
streaming, databases, audiobooks)
49% N=278 24% N=136 8% N=43 1% N=7 19% N=108 100% N=572 Art programs and theater 27% N=151 32% N=180 8% N=44 3% N=17 31% N=174 100% N=566 City-sponsored special events 19% N=107 33% N=185 14% N=78 3% N=16 32% N=183 100% N=569 City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 19% N=107 43% N=244 19% N=110 4% N=25 15% N=84 100% N=570 Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees
(police, receptionists, planners, etc.)
23% N=132 43% N=240 14% N=78 3% N=19 17% N=93 100% N=561

Table 58: Question 10 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Traffic enforcement 15% N=75 42% N=215 27% N=139 17% N=87 100% N=517 Traffic signal timing 14% N=78 43% N=240 30% N=166 13% N=73 100% N=557 Street repair 13% N=72 39% N=223 29% N=163 19% N=108 100% N=566 Street cleaning 29% N=168 51% N=290 15% N=85 5% N=30 100% N=572 Street tree maintenance 26% N=146 46% N=258 18% N=103 9% N=52 100% N=558 Sidewalk maintenance 15% N=86 42% N=233 33% N=182 11% N=59 100% N=560 Land use, planning, and zoning 9% N=38 33% N=145 32% N=140 27% N=120 100% N=442 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 11% N=41 33% N=126 38% N=143 18% N=67 100% N=377 Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts) 35% N=177 46% N=237 15% N=78 4% N=21 100% N=513 Building and planning application processing services 8% N=25 20% N=59 31% N=92 40% N=119 100% N=295 City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Affordable high-speed internet access 14% N=63 30% N=137 28% N=127 28% N=125 100% N=453 Electric utility 27% N=151 40% N=223 24% N=133 9% N=53 100% N=561 Gas utility 28% N=147 44% N=232 22% N=117 7% N=37 100% N=532 Utility payment options 42% N=222 39% N=207 15% N=82 4% N=22 100% N=532 Drinking water 48% N=274 36% N=206 13% N=72 3% N=19 100% N=571 Sewer services 35% N=183 49% N=257 14% N=75 2% N=12 100% N=528 Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees, etc.) 29% N=144 48% N=241 18% N=91 5% N=23 100% N=500 Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e-waste) 45% N=256 37% N=210 13% N=75 4% N=24 100% N=565 Police services 41% N=158 40% N=155 15% N=58 4% N=14 100% N=384 Crime prevention 24% N=106 45% N=196 22% N=95 9% N=40 100% N=437 Animal control 33% N=123 49% N=180 16% N=58 2% N=7 100% N=367 Ambulance or emergency medical services 52% N=155 39% N=115 8% N=25 1% N=2 100% N=297 Fire emergency services 53% N=167 39% N=121 7% N=22 1% N=4 100% N=314 Fire prevention and education 38% N=114 42% N=127 16% N=48 3% N=10 100% N=300 Palo Alto open space (e.g., Foothills, Baylands) 57% N=312 32% N=173 10% N=53 1% N=6 100% N=544 City parks 52% N=296 38% N=216 8% N=47 2% N=10 100% N=569 Recreation programs or classes 37% N=150 43% N=175 17% N=68 3% N=13 100% N=406 Recreation centers or facilities 35% N=153 46% N=198 15% N=66 3% N=14 100% N=430 Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs)
64% N=293 28% N=129 6% N=29 2% N=8 100% N=459
Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment, accessibility) 63% N=296 31% N=146 6% N=28 1% N=4 100% N=473 Variety of library materials (books, e-books, streaming, databases, audiobooks)
60% N=278 29% N=136 9% N=43 2% N=7 100% N=464
Art programs and theater 39% N=151 46% N=180 11% N=44 4% N=17 100% N=392 City-sponsored special events 28% N=107 48% N=185 20% N=78 4% N=16 100% N=386 City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 22% N=107 50% N=244 23% N=110 5% N=25 100% N=486 Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.)
28% N=132 51% N=240 17% N=78 4% N=19 100% N=468

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 59: Question 10 - Historical Results*
Please rate the quality of each of
the following services in Palo
Alto:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Traffic enforcement 64% 61% 66% 64% 62% 60% 60% 60% 53% 65% 55% 65% 56% Lower Traffic signal timing NA 52% 47% 53% 53% 47% 50% 49% 45% 59% 50% 63% 57% Lower Street repair 50% 40% 42% 47% 55% 51% 57% 55% 46% 56% 46% 42% 52% Higher Street cleaning 75% 79% 80% 76% 80% 75% 77% 78% 72% 83% 82% 79% 80% Similar Street tree maintenance 62% 70% 71% 66% 80% 73% 71% 75% 72% 75% 76% 67% 72% Similar Sidewalk maintenance 50% 51% 53% 56% 62% 62% 61% 65% 61% 63% 61% 63% 57% Lower Land use, planning and zoning 41% 45% 51% 36% 43% 40% 37% 40% 39% 40% 38% 40% 41% Similar Code enforcement (weeds,
abandoned buildings, etc.)
55% 56% 61% 57% 62% 59% 52% 56% 55% 52% 51% 53% 44% Lower Preservation of natural areas
(open space, farmlands, and
greenbelts)
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 83% 83% 83% 81% Similar
Building and planning application
processing services
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 44% 43% 35% 38% 29% Lower
Affordable high-speed internet
access
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 39% 41% 45% 44% Similar
Electric utility NA 85% 84% 80% 72% 87% 86% 87% 83% 77% 80% 73% 67% Lower Gas utility NA 82% 86% 81% 88% 88% 87% 89% 84% 78% 81% 70% 71% Similar Utility payment options NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 85% 86% 87% 85% 80% Similar Drinking water 82% 86% 83% 88% 89% 88% 87% 88% 87% 88% 91% 86% 84% Similar Sewer services 84% 84% 82% 84% 89% 88% 88% 88% 85% 87% 87% 87% 83% Similar Storm water management (storm
drainage, dams, levees, etc.)
65% 74% 75% 69% 80% 71% 75% 81% 71% 83% 78% 73% 77% Similar Refuse collection (garbage,
recycling, yard waste, and e-
waste)
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 85% 87% 85% 87% 83% Similar
Police services 89% 88% 86% 86% 87% 88% 88% 93% 89% 78% 86% 84% 81% Similar Crime prevention NA 81% 74% 75% 80% 79% 80% 81% 78% 67% 64% 68% 69% Similar City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please rate the quality of each of
the following services in Palo
Alto:

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2003 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Animal control 79% 72% 78% 76% 80% 80% 77% 80% 75% 82% 81% 78% 82% Similar Ambulance or emergency
medical services
95% 93% 96% 93% 97% 95% 96% 96% 93% 93% 88% 90% 91% Similar Fire emergency services 96% 92% 96% 93% 95% 97% 97% 97% 94% 94% 93% 93% 92% Similar Fire prevention and education NA 76% 80% 82% 85% 85% 85% 87% 84% 82% 81% 77% 80% Similar Palo Alto open space NA NA NA NA 82% 84% 81% 86% 83% 86% 92% 93% 89% Similar City parks 90% 94% 91% 93% 92% 93% 91% 94% 91% 91% 93% 93% 90% Similar Recreation programs or classes 83% 81% 87% 87% 87% 84% 84% 87% 81% 83% 79% 83% 80% Similar Recreation centers or facilities 77% 75% 85% 80% 84% 86% 81% 86% 82% 82% 79% 85% 81% Similar Public library services (e.g., hold
requests, storytimes, teen events,
bookclubs)
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 92% 93% 93% 92% Similar
Library facilities (buildings,
computer equipment,
accessibility)
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 92% 94% 95% 93% 93% Similar
Variety of library materials
(books, e-books, streaming,
databases, audiobooks)
60% 72% 88% 81% 88% 83% 82% 86% 88% 86% 92% 90% 89% Similar Art programs and theater NA 81% 82% 82% 69% 80% 78% 82% 76% 82% 89% 83% 84% Similar City-sponsored special events NA NA NA NA 75% 75% 73% 75% 77% 72% 74% 75% 76% Similar City website (cityofpaloalto.org) NA 67% 70% 69% 88% 69% 66% 72% 65% 69% 70% 73% 72% Similar Overall customer service by Palo
Alto employees (police,
receptionists, planners, etc.)
78% 76% 81% 79% 81% 74% 77% 84% 77% 79% 80% 78% 79% Similar *Prior to 2023, “Public information (Police/public safety)” was “Public information services (Police/public safety)” and “Public information (non-Police/public safety)” was “Public information services (non-Police/public safety)”.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 60: Question 10 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Traffic enforcement 51 211 341 Similar
Traffic signal timing 53 116 308 Similar
Street repair 49 135 354 Similar
Street cleaning 68 61 318 Higher
Sidewalk maintenance 54 140 318 Similar
Land use, planning and zoning 41 187 322 Similar
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 46 152 335 Similar Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands and greenbelts)
70 32 305 Higher
Affordable high-speed internet access 44 224 284 Similar Utility payment options 73 5 297 Higher
Drinking water 76 34 320 Higher
Sewer services 72 110 313 Similar
Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees,
etc.)
67 106 326 Similar
Police emergency services 73 118 360 Similar
Crime prevention 61 187 337 Similar
Animal control 71 27 319 Higher
Ambulance or emergency medical services 81 49 325 Similar Fire emergency services 81 97 340 Similar
Fire prevention and education 72 96 314 Similar
Palo Alto open space (e.g. Foothills, Baylands) 82 3 303 Much higher City parks 80 28 337 Higher
Recreation programs or classes 71 43 320 Higher
Recreation centers or facilities 71 48 312 Higher

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 61: Question 10 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Traffic enforcement 53% 59% 52% 60% 58% 55% 56%
Traffic signal timing 63% 57% 49% 64%
C
50% 56% 57%
Street repair 47% 52% 53% 54% 52% 53% 52%
Street cleaning 66% 85%
A E
85%
A E
80%
A
68% 85%
A E
80%
Street tree maintenance 72% 69% 60% 71% 81%
C
79%

72%
Sidewalk maintenance 60% 59% 50% 59% 58% 55% 57%
Land use, planning, and zoning 32% 43% 30% 48%
C
58%
A C F
39% 41%
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 34% 46% 35% 44% 55% 48% 44% Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts) 77% 87% 82% 80% 84% 77% 81% Building and planning application processing services 13% 30% 23% 41% A E
21% 35%
A
29%
Affordable high-speed internet access 36% 45% 47% 50% 49% 40% 44% Electric utility 60% 70% 64% 68% 64% 69% 67%
Gas utility 64% 75% 67% 71% 77% 72% 71%
Utility payment options 68% 81%
A
74% 78% 94%
A C D
87%
A C
80%
Drinking water 85% 82% 88% 86% 88% 80% 84%
Sewer services 82% 83% 82% 82% 88% 84% 83%
Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees, etc.) 75% 73% 77% 74% 78% 83% 77% Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e-waste) 80% 80% 87% 88% 84% 79% 83% Police services 81% 73% 77% 85% 90%
B
85%
B
81%
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Crime prevention 56% 64% 63% 77%
A
79%
A
73%
A
69%
Animal control 75% 88% 84% 77% 85% 83% 82%
Ambulance or emergency medical services 85% 90% 98% 87% 93% 93% 91% Fire emergency services 84% 92% 98%
A
89% 96% 93% 92%
Fire prevention and education 76% 78% 87% 83% 77% 80% 80% Palo Alto open space (e.g., Foothills, Baylands) 83% 88% 89% 90% 86% 94% A
89%
City parks 88% 89% 89% 91% 87% 92% 90%
Recreation programs or classes 85% 79% 86% 79% 80% 76% 80% Recreation centers or facilities 81% 84% 74% 82% 86% 82% 81% Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs) 90% 92% 93% 98% F
95% 86% 92%
Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment, accessibility) 91% 93% 91% 97% 98% 91% 93% Variety of library materials (books, e-books, streaming, databases, audiobooks) 88% 84% 93% 91% 89% 90% 89% Art programs and theater 85% 75% 85% 87%
B
87% 89%
B
84%
City-sponsored special events 76% 68% 75% 81% 87%
B
74% 76%
City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 68% 69% 79% 76% 73% 71% 72% Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.) 80% 79% 78% 81% 79% 79% 79%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 62: Question 10 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Traffic enforcement 52% 65%
A
67%
A
54% 60% 55% 56%
Traffic signal timing 54% 71%
A C
49% 56% 65%
C
53% 57%
Street repair 52% 52% 56% 58%
C
57%
C
47% 52%
Street cleaning 80% 80% 82% 82% 82% 78% 80%
Street tree maintenance 75% 74% 68% 77% 76%
C
67% 72%
Sidewalk maintenance 55% 60% 64% 59% 64%
C
51% 57%
Land use, planning, and zoning 40% 40% 52% 41% 51%
C
34% 41%
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 41% 54% A
41% 50% 47% 41% 44%
Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts)
79% 85% 82% 80% 83% 80% 81%
Building and planning application processing services 23% 39% A
32% 26% 40%
C
21% 29%
Affordable high-speed internet access 44% 45% 48% 58%
B C
37% 45% 44%
Electric utility 68% 65% 71% 73%
B
59% 71%
B
67%
Gas utility 73% 69% 73% 76%
B
63% 76%
B
71%
Utility payment options 82% 78% 82% 83%
B
72% 88%
B
80%
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Drinking water 86% 82% 79% 81% 80% 88%
B
84%
Sewer services 86%
B
79% 85% 88%
B
76% 88%
B
83%
Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees,
etc.)
80% 72% 81% 77% 74% 80% 77%
Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e- waste)
84% 81% 84% 84% 78% 87%
B
83%
Police services

83% 81% 80% 78% 80% 85% 81%
Crime prevention 77%
B C
64% 59% 74% 69% 69% 69%
Animal control 86% 82% 77% 90% 83% 80% 82%
Ambulance or emergency medical services 95%
B
84% 90% 100
%
B
88% 92% 91%
Fire emergency services 95%
B
84% 94% 98% 90% 93% 92%
Fire prevention and education 90%
B C
75% 61% 82% 80% 81% 80%
Palo Alto open space (e.g., Foothills, Baylands) 93%
C
87% 83% 90% 88% 90% 89%
City parks 92% 88% 86% 91% 89% 91% 90%
Recreation programs or classes 84% 78% 73% 73% 80% 83% 80% Recreation centers or facilities 83% 82% 79% 83% 81% 82% 81% Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs)
96%
B C
89% 86% 94% 90% 93% 92%
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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Report of Results

Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Library facilities
(buildings, computer equipment, accessibility)
97%
B
90% 91% 97% 93% 92% 93%
Variety of library materials
(books, e-books, streaming, databases, audiobooks)
94%
B C
85% 80% 91% 87% 90% 89%
Art programs and theater 89%
B
78% 84% 90% 81% 86% 84%
City-sponsored special events 81%
B
70% 78% 82% 77% 75% 76%
City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 72% 76% 72% 84%
C
74% 67% 72%
Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees
(police, receptionists, planners, etc.)
81% 81% 82% 85%
C
82% 75% 79%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 11

Table 63: Question 11 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the following as they relate to Palo Alto
Utilities’ services: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Reliability of utility services 42% N=240 44% N=251 9% N=51 3% N=15 2% N=12 100% N=569 Affordability of utility services 13% N=76 31% N=178 29% N=165 23% N=131 3% N=19 100% N=569 Community value received from the City owning and
operating its own municipal utility services
34% N=193 32% N=185 13% N=76 5% N=29 16% N=89 100% N=572 Utilities online customer self-service features 25% N=144 33% N=185 13% N=77 4% N=21 25% N=140 100% N=567 Providing opportunities for energy and water
efficiency at home or business
22% N=127 30% N=173 17% N=94 6% N=37 24% N=138 100% N=569 Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 15% N=87 24% N=136 18% N=103 16% N=93 26% N=148 100% N=567 Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay
19% N=106 34% N=191 27% N=151 12% N=66 10% N=54 100% N=569 Ease of obtaining information or performing a
transaction through the City’s website
20% N=113 32% N=182 18% N=103 6% N=32 24% N=138 100% N=567 Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 20% N=114 36% N=206 19% N=110 3% N=16 22% N=124 100% N=570 Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 21% N=119 24% N=140 15% N=89 4% N=21 36% N=205 100% N=573 Speed of response after contacting Utilities
department staff
21% N=123 23% N=134 14% N=82 2% N=14 38% N=220 100% N=573

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 64: Question 11 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the following as they relate to Palo Alto Utilities’ services: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Reliability of utility services 43% N=240 45% N=251 9% N=51 3% N=15 100% N=557 Affordability of utility services 14% N=76 32% N=178 30% N=165 24% N=131 100% N=550 Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services
40% N=193 38% N=185 16% N=76 6% N=29 100% N=482
Utilities online customer self-service features 34% N=144 43% N=185 18% N=77 5% N=21 100% N=427 Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business
29% N=127 40% N=173 22% N=94 8% N=37 100% N=431
Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 21% N=87 32% N=136 25% N=103 22% N=93 100% N=420 Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay
21% N=106 37% N=191 29% N=151 13% N=66 100% N=514
Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website
26% N=113 42% N=182 24% N=103 7% N=32 100% N=429
Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 25% N=114 46% N=206 25% N=110 4% N=16 100% N=446 Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 32% N=119 38% N=140 24% N=89 6% N=21 100% N=368 Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff 35% N=123 38% N=134 23% N=82 4% N=14 100% N=353

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 65: Question 11 - Historical Results
Please rate the following as they relate to Palo Alto Utilities' services:

Percent positive 2024 rating compared to
2023 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Reliability of utility services 96% 94% 93% 88% 91% 88% Similar Affordability of utility services 64% 59% 58% 60% 51% 46% Similar Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services
81% 79% 84% 86% 79% 78% Similar
Utilities online customer self-service features NA 78% 86% 82% 83% 77% Lower Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business 83% 75% 80% 76% 77% 70% Lower Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 63% 59% 62% 68% 56% 53% Similar Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay 68% 62% 66% 68% 64% 58% Lower Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website
65% 61% 72% 75% 71% 69% Similar
Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 76% 70% 80% 78% 72% 72% Similar Ease of contacting Utilities department staff NA 75% 84% 81% 76% 70% Lower Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff NA 76% 83% 84% 75% 73% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 66: Question 11 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area
1 Area
2 Area
3 Area
4 Area
5 Area
6 (A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Reliability of utility services

83% 90% 85% 91% 83% 90% 88%
Affordability of utility services 33% 47% 43% 51%
A
58%
A
46% 46%
Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services
80% 84%
C E
70% 78% 69% 82% 78%
Utilities online customer self-service features 70% 74% 67% 84% C
72% 86%
A B C
77%
Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business 59% 63% 71% 73% 70% 79% A B
70%
Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive

54% 54% 51% 54% 56% 52% 53%
Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay

59% 50% 55% 61% 59% 61% 58%
Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website

62% 65% 68% 74% 75% 68% 69%
Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications

71% 68% 74% 72% 83% 69% 72%
Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 72% 62% 80% B
71% 78% 66% 70%
Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff

74% 69% 80% 78% 76% 66% 73%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 67: Question 11 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Reliability of utility services 93%
B
82% 86% 94%
B
85% 88% 88%
Affordability of utility services 45% 47% 46% 45% 39% 52% B
46%
Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services
78% 77% 85% 86%
B
66% 84%
B
78%
Utilities online customer self-service features 76% 77% 90% A B
78% 77% 78% 77%
Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business
73% 66% 60% 61% 65% 77%
A B
70%
Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 52% 57% 52% 58% B
42% 60%
B
53%
Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay
57% 60% 58% 62%
B
49% 63%
B
58%
Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website
67% 71% 77% 84%
B C
70% 60% 69%
Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 73% 73% 74% 91% B C
66% 69% 72%
Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 72% 68% 76% 75% 70% 69% 70% Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff

74% 70% 78% 73% 73% 73% 73%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 12

Table 68: Question 12 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the Palo Alto community to focus on each of the following in the coming two years. Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
42% N=238 37% N=209 19% N=108 2% N=13 100% N=568
Overall economic health of Palo Alto 41% N=234 37% N=214 18% N=103 4% N=21 100% N=571 Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 57% N=325 26% N=147 16% N=94 1% N=8 100% N=574 Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 39% N=220 41% N=233 18% N=100 3% N=18 100% N=571 Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 23% N=133 38% N=217 33% N=187 6% N=37 100% N=574 Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 28% N=161 41% N=231 28% N=161 3% N=17 100% N=569 Residents' connection and engagement with their community 19% N=109 41% N=232 34% N=195 6% N=33 100% N=569 Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions 28% N=159 32% N=182 29% N=164 11% N=65 100% N=569 Increasing local solar generation capacity within city boundaries 24% N=136 31% N=176 33% N=189 12% N=69 100% N=571 Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information
19% N=110 27% N=157 41% N=233 12% N=71 100% N=572
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues
32% N=180 29% N=168 31% N=179 7% N=42 100% N=570
This question did not have a “don’t know” response option.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 69: Question 12 - Historical Results
Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the Palo Alto community to focus on each of the following in the coming two years.

Percent positive 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
80% 82% 75% 78% 81% 84% 81% 79% Similar
Overall economic health of Palo Alto 78% 82% 76% NA 85% 81% 87% 78% Lower Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 82% 80% 80% 81% 83% 87% 87% 82% Similar Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 81% 84% 79% 78% 85% 83% 84% 79% Similar Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 61% 65% 62% NA 66% 66% 71% 61% Lower Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 67% 70% 67% NA 70% 74% 72% 69% Similar Residents’ connection and engagement with their community 71% 73% 70% NA 66% 68% 61% 60% Similar Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions NA NA 58% 64% 67% 70% 68% 60% Lower Increasing local solar generation capacity within city boundaries NA NA 57% 55% 62% 63% 67% 55% Lower Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information
NA NA NA 45% 46% 53% 57% 47% Lower
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues
NA NA NA 63% 64% 68% 74% 61% Lower

Table 70: Question 12 - Benchmark Comparisons

City of Palo Alto
rating Rank
Number of
jurisdictions for
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 73 76 297 Similar Overall economic health of Palo Alto. 72 285 297 Lower
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 79 209 297 Similar Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 72 189 297 Similar Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 59 288 297 Lower Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 65 190 297 Similar Residents’ connection and engagement with their community 58 280 297 Lower

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 71: Question 12 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
80% 79% 83% 73% 78% 80% 79%
Overall economic health of Palo Alto 82% 80% 74% 78% 78% 78% 78% Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 89%
F
83% 84% 83% 85% 76% 82%
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 80% 84% 78% 77% 80% 77% 79% Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 66% 62% 66% 65% 50% 56% 61% Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 66% 74% 64% 68% 79% 67% 69% Residents' connection and engagement with their community 58% 59% 56% 66% 66% 56% 60% Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions 60% 64% 58% 61% 53% 59% 60% Increasing local solar generation capacity within city boundaries 52% 59% F
57% 58% 61% 47% 55%
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information
46% 46% 51% 51% 48% 42% 47%
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues 57% 60% 66% 67% 55% 59% 61%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 72: Question 12 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
80% 78% 77% 72% 79% 82%
A
79%
Overall economic health of Palo Alto 78% 80% 75% 59% 80% A
87%
A
78%
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 77% 90%
A
85% 60% 89%
A
88%
A
82%
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 79% 75% 86% B
67% 80%
A
84%
A
79%
Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 57% 62% 71% A
42% 59%
A
71%
A B
61%
Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 65% 73% 75% 60% 70% A
72%
A
69%
Residents' connection and engagement with their community 60% 59% 62% 52% 59% 64% A
60%
Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions 61% 59% 59% 61% 53% 64% B
60%
Increasing local solar generation capacity within city boundaries 54% 55% 58% 45% 53% 61% A
55%
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information
41% 60%
A
47% 21% 48%
A
60%
A B
47%
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues
56% 74%
A C
57% 33% 61%
A
76%
A B
61%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 13

Table 73: Question 13 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Including "Don't Know" Responses In a typical week, how likely are you to: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely
Don't
know Total
Participate in organized group activities (such as
clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend
church/temple)
30% N=173 21% N=120 19% N=108 28% N=162 2% N=11 100% N=574 Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or
neighbors
56% N=320 28% N=158 11% N=62 6% N=33 0% N=0 100% N=573

Table 74: Question 13 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Without "Don't Know" Responses In a typical week, how likely are you to: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
Participate in organized group activities (such as clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend church/temple)
31% N=173 21% N=120 19% N=108 29% N=162 100% N=562
Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors

56% N=320 28% N=158 11% N=62 6% N=33 100% N=573

Table 75: Question 13 - Historical Results
In a typical week, how likely are you to:

Percent positive (e.g., very/somewhat likely) 2024
rating
compared
to 2023 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Participate in organized group activities (such as clubs, sports teams volunteer your time, attend church/temple)
52% 56% 47% 55% 53% 52% Similar
Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors

85% 88% 82% 86% 86% 83% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 76: Question 13 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very likely" or "somewhat likely"
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Participate in organized group activities
(such as clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend church/temple) 60%
F
56% 51% 57% 46% 44% 52%
Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors 94% D E F
88%
E
85%
E
80% 69% 82%
E
83%

Table 77: Question 13 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very likely" or "somewhat likely"
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Participate in organized group activities (such as clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend church/temple)
52% 48% 58% 37% 57%
A
55%
A
52%
Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors

82% 84% 85% 78% 84% 85% 83%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 14

Table 78: Question 14 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What mode of transportation do you use most for your typical daily needs for getting around town? Percent Number Driving 68% N=389
Walking 18% N=104
Biking 12% N=70
Bus 0% N=1
Train 1% N=6
Scootering 1% N=3
Palo Alto Link 0% N=0
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 0% N=2
Carpooling 0% N=0
Total 100% N=574

Table 79: Question 14 - Historical Results
What mode of transportation do you use most for your
typical daily needs for getting around town?
Percent selecting each response 2024 rating
compared to
2023 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Driving 77% 73% 76% 71% 67% 77% 68% Lower
Walking 13% 13% 11% 14% 16% 12% 18% Higher
Biking 8% 11% 10% 13% 15% 8% 12% Similar
Bus 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% Similar
Train 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% Similar
Scootering NA NA NA NA NA NA 1% NA
Palo Alto Link NA NA NA NA NA NA 0% NA
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% Similar Carpooling 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% Similar

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 15

Table 80: Question 15 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents If you did not have access to a car for your usual daily transportation around town, how convenient
(based on time and proximity) would you consider each
of the following methods of getting around?
Very
convenient
Somewhat
convenient
Somewhat
inconvenient
Very
inconvenient Total
Walking 35% N=194 39% N=216 17% N=96 9% N=51 100% N=557 Biking 47% N=257 35% N=194 7% N=41 10% N=58 100% N=550
Bus 5% N=29 24% N=130 37% N=200 34% N=181 100% N=540
Train 10% N=51 32% N=174 28% N=150 30% N=161 100% N=536 Scootering 13% N=68 28% N=141 22% N=109 37% N=184 100% N=503 Palo Alto Link 12% N=61 42% N=202 25% N=123 21% N=101 100% N=487 Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 38% N=200 39% N=206 19% N=100 5% N=25 100% N=532 Carpooling 9% N=45 32% N=166 32% N=167 27% N=143 100% N=521

Table 81: Question 15 - Historical Results
If you did not have access to a car for
your usual daily transportation around
town, how convenient (based on time and
proximity) would you consider each of the
following methods of getting around?
Percent positive (e.g., very/somewhat convenient)
2024 rating
compared to 2023 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 Walking 92% 94% 92% 69% 76% 66% 70% 74% Similar
Biking 76% 75% 75% 77% 83% 80% 78% 81% Similar
Bus 53% 50% 52% 33% 33% 33% 31% 30% Similar
Train 68% 66% 60% 41% 39% 43% 39% 42% Higher
Scootering NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 42% -
Palo Alto Link NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 54% -
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 52% 62% 66% 83% 77% 74% 78% 76% Similar Carpooling 52% 45% 49% 33% 26% 41% 36% 41% Similar
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 82: Question 15 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Walking 69% 67% 72% 84%
A B E
68% 76% 74%
Biking

90% 81% 78% 82% 81% 81% 82%
Bus 23% 32% 22% 40%
A C F
29% 28% 30%
Train 35% 40% 26% 57%

A B C E
39% 45%
C
42%
Scootering 40% 34% 42% 42% 37% 49%
B
42%
Palo Alto Link

63% 48% 56% 55% 55% 52% 54%
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service

83% 74% 78% 78% 71% 74% 76%
Carpooling 45% 39% 40% 48%
E
30% 39% 41%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 83: Question 15 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat"
likely
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or Multi-
racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Walking

73% 72% 77% 74% 74% 72% 74%
Biking 79% 87%
A
84% 98%
B C
85%
C
71% 82%
Bus

31% 28% 30% 28% 32% 29% 30%
Train 46%
B
36% 42% 47%
C
46%
C
35% 42%
Scootering 38% 48% 44% 55%
C
55%
C
23% 42%
Palo Alto Link

52% 56% 60% 47% 58% 54% 54%
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 73% 79% 87%
A
70% 79% 77% 76%
Carpooling 38% 45% 42% 48%
C
45%
C
33% 41%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 16

Table 84: Question 16 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents with "Don't Know" Responses If you plan to purchase a new car within the next
two years, what is the likelihood of it being: Very likely Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Don't know Total
All-electric 36% N=182 21% N=106 10% N=49 21% N=107 12% N=61 100% N=505 Plug-in hybrid 29% N=144 28% N=144 12% N=59 19% N=96 12% N=62 100% N=504 Hydrogen fuel cell 4% N=19 7% N=34 9% N=45 55% N=270 25% N=120 100% N=488 Other 13% N=43 8% N=25 3% N=10 12% N=39 65% N=214 100% N=331 Respondents were able to write a response in their own words. These verbatim responses are shown in Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended Questions from Probability Survey.

Table 85: Question 16 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses If you plan to purchase a new car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
All-electric 41% N=182 24% N=106 11% N=49 24% N=107 100% N=445 Plug-in hybrid 33% N=144 32% N=144 13% N=59 22% N=96 100% N=442 Hydrogen fuel cell 5% N=19 9% N=34 12% N=45 73% N=270 100% N=368 Other 37% N=43 21% N=25 8% N=10 33% N=39 100% N=117
Respondents were able to write a response in their own words. These verbatim responses are shown in Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended Questions from Probability Survey.

Table 86: Question 16 - Historical Results
If you plan to purchase a new car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being:

Percent rating positively (e.g., very/somewhat likely) 2024 rating compared to
2023 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Plug-in hybrid 59% 62% 62% 61% 65% 69% 65% Similar
All-electric 65% 71% 67% 76% 68% 71% 65% Similar
Hydrogen fuel cell 10% 14% 11% 14% 12% 17% 14% Similar
Other NA NA NA NA 48% 46% 59% Higher

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 87: Question 16 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
All-electric 52% 63% 62% 68% 78%
A
67%
A
65%
Plug-in hybrid 56% 69% 67% 75%
A F
71% 56% 65%
Hydrogen fuel cell 2% 25%
A E F
16%
A
22%
A E F
6% 11% 14%
Other 71%
E
61% 66%
E
59% 27% 60%
E
59%

Table 88: Question 16 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat"
likely
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or Multi-
racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
All-electric 62% 70% 66% 66% 71%
C
60% 65%
Plug-in hybrid 62% 70% 74% 52% 72%
A
66%
A
65%
Hydrogen fuel cell 10% 21%
A
19% 20% 16% 11% 14%
Other

58% 54% 80% 63% 64% 53% 59%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 17

Table 89: Question 17 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents How familiar are you with Palo Alto’s Sustainability
and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its goal to
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by
2030?
Extremely
familiar
Very
familiar
Moderately
familiar
Slightly
familiar Not familiar Total
How familiar are you with Palo Alto’s Sustainability
and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its goal to
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by
2030?
1% N=8 4% N=23 18% N=106 18% N=103 58% N=336 100% N=577

Table 90: Question 17 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "extremely" familiar
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
How familiar are you with Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2030? 6% 13% 8% 18% 17% 16% 13%

Table 91: Question 17 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "extremely" familiar
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
How familiar are you with Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2030?
14% 13% 10% 0% 16%
A
13% 13%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 18

Table 92: Question 18 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents with "Don't Know" Responses How likely are you to do the following to support
strategies that reduce GHG emissions? Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Don't know Total
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump
water heater
19% N=105 20% N=110 14% N=77 25% N=135 22% N=123 100% N=551 Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump
HVAC system
17% N=93 17% N=92 14% N=76 26% N=143 26% N=141 100% N=545 Considering whole home electrification 13% N=71 15% N=82 16% N=90 33% N=180 23% N=124 100% N=547 Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an
induction cook top
18% N=96 14% N=75 12% N=66 36% N=197 20% N=110 100% N=543

Table 93: Question 18 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses How likely are you to do the following to support strategies that reduce GHG emissions? Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater 24% N=105 26% N=110 18% N=77 32% N=135 100% N=428 Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump HVAC system 23% N=93 23% N=92 19% N=76 35% N=143 100% N=404 Considering whole home electrification 17% N=71 19% N=82 21% N=90 43% N=180 100% N=423 Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an induction cook top
22% N=96 17% N=75 15% N=66 45% N=197 100% N=433

Table 94: Question 18 - Geographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater 54% 48% 52% 45% 50% 53% 50% Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump HVAC system 42% 47% 46% 42% 37% 53% 46% Considering whole home electrification 38% 37% 31% 38% 33% 36% 36% Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an induction cook top 43% 43% 34% 41% 38% 38% 39%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 95: Question 18 - Demographic Subgroup Results
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or Pacific
Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial
18-
34 35-
54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump
water heater
51% 52% 49% 42% 50% 54% 50%
Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump HVAC
system
44% 50% 48% 45% 48% 44% 46%
Considering whole home electrification 29% 45%
A
50%
A
48%
C
40% 30% 36%
Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an
induction cook top
38% 39% 46% 38% 39% 39% 39%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 19
Table 96: Question 19 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier? Percent Number Housing and Construction 23% N=103
Public Safety and Policing 5% N=22
Transportation and Traffic 15% N=68
Homelessness and Social Services 4% N=18
City Governance and Administration 7% N=31
Community Amenities and Services 7% N=29
Economic Development 4% N=20
Noise and Urban Environment 6% N=28
Develop Infrastructure 8% N=35
Walking and Biking trails 4% N=20
Code Enforcement 1% N=5
Make the city more affordable 5% N=23
Other 8% N=37
Don't know 2% N=8
Total 100% N=448

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 97: Question 19 - Geographic Subgroup Results
As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier?
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Housing and Construction 28% 19% 21% 25% 16% 26% 23%
Public Safety and Policing 9% 6% 10% 2% 2% 3% 5%
Transportation and Traffic 8% 19% 20% 12% 19% 14% 15%
Homelessness and Social Services 3% 7% 3% 2% 0% 6% 4%
City Governance and Administration 8% 6% 4% 4% 10% 10% 7% Community Amenities and Services 5% 4% 5% 8% 0% 10% 7%
Economic Development 4% 7% 1% 7% 7% 2% 4%
Noise and Urban Environment 9% 5% 9% 6% 13% 3% 6%
Develop Infrastructure 3% 11% 11% 9% 13% 4% 8%
Walking and Biking trails 11% 1% 0% 1% 6% 8% 4%
Code Enforcement 0% 0% 0% 2% 2% 2% 1%
Make the city more affordable 5% 5% 7% 11%
F
1% 1% 5%
Other 5% 9% 7% 9% 6% 9% 8%
Don't know 1% 1% 2% 1% 6% 1% 2%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 98: Question 19 - Geographic Subgroup Results
As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier?
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial 18-34 35-54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Housing and Construction 24% 25% 13% 40%
B C
20% 16% 23%
Public Safety and Policing 4% 9% 5% 0% 4% 9% 5%
Transportation and Traffic 18% 10% 10% 12% 15% 18% 15%
Homelessness and Social Services 2% 4% 13%
A
9%
B C
2% 2% 4%
Utilities and Costs 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Environmental Improvements 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
City Governance and Administration 7% 3% 10% 0% 7% 10% 7% Community Amenities and Services 4% 8% 6% 8% 5% 6% 7%
Economic Development 4% 6% 8% 2% 9%
C
2% 4%
Noise and Urban Environment 4% 6% 16%
A
4% 10% 4% 6%
Develop Infrastructure 8% 9% 5% 7% 8% 8% 8%
Walking and Biking trails 7%
B
2% 0% 6% 5% 3% 4%
Code Enforcement 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 2% 1%
Make the city more affordable 3% 10%
A
7% 7% 5% 5% 5%
Other 10% 7% 4% 5% 8% 11% 8%
Don't know 2% 0% 3% 0% 1% 3% 2%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Question 20
Table 99: Question 20 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain? Percent Number Parks, open space, and natural environment 25% N=83
Utilities and city services 11% N=36
Safety services 12% N=40
Activities and Recreation (arts, libraries, museums, theaters, etc.) 13% N=43 Government/leadership; government communication 3% N=11 Schools and education, programs for the youth 4% N=15
Cleanliness of community; upkeep 7% N=24
Quality of life, reputation 3% N=10
Infrastructure, streets, transportation 5% N=17
Ease of bicycle travel/walking 5% N=17
Sustainability 1% N=4
Culture, diversity 2% N=6
Other 4% N=15
Nothing / Don’t know 4% N=15
Total 100% N=336

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 100: Question 20 - Geographic Subgroup Results
As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain?
Area Overall
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6
(A) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)
Parks, open space, and natural environment 25% 24% 23% 12% 23% 35% D
25%
Utilities and city services 13% 6% 18% 5% 6% 15% 11%
Safety services 9% 18% 8% 20% 5% 8% 12%
Activities and Recreation (arts, libraries, museums, theaters, etc.) 19% 17% 14% 10% 6% 11% 13% Government/leadership; government communication 4% 2% 3% 5% 3% 3% 3% Schools and education, programs for the youth 10% 11% 2% 3% 1% 1% 4% Cleanliness of community; upkeep 8% 3% 7% 8% 0% 12% 7%
Quality of life, reputation 1% 2% 0% 10% 0% 1% 3%
Infrastructure, streets, transportation 5% 6% 11% 5% 2% 2% 5% Ease of bicycle travel/walking 2% 6% 4% 11% 12% 0% 5%
Sustainability 1% 3% 1% 2% 0% 0% 1%
Culture, diversity 0% 0% 6% 2% 5% 0% 2%
Other 1% 1% 0% 3% 18%
B
7% 4%
Nothing / Don’t know 2% 1% 3% 5% 17%
B
4% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 101: Question 20 - Geographic Subgroup Results
As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain?
Race Age Overall
White
Asian, Asian
Indian, or
Pacific Islander
Other race or
Multi-racial 18-34 35-54 55+
(A) (A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)
Parks, open space, and natural environment 26% 27% 14% 26% 29% 19% 25% Utilities and city services 9% 9% 12% 4% 8% 16%
A
11%
Safety services 12% 14% 10% 9% 12% 14% 12%
Activities and Recreation (arts, libraries, museums, theaters, etc.)
12% 16% 17% 18% 14% 10% 13%
Government/leadership; government communication 3% 4% 3% 0% 0% 7% B
3%
Schools and education, programs for the youth 5% 3% 5% 5% 2% 6% 4% Cleanliness of community; upkeep 8% 5% 6% 11% 4% 8% 7%
Quality of life, reputation 3% 3% 1% 6% 2% 2% 3%
Infrastructure, streets, transportation 3% 4% 19%
A B
8% 3% 6% 5%
Ease of bicycle travel/walking 5% 7% 5% 8% 7% 2% 5%
Sustainability 1% 2% 0% 0% 0% 3% 1%
Culture, diversity 2% 3% 0% 0% 4% 1% 2%
Other 4% 1% 9% 0% 8% 4% 4%
Nothing / Don’t know 7% 2% 1% 5% 5% 4% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Demographic Questions

Table 102: Question D1 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: Percent Number
Very positive 4% N=26
Somewhat positive 19% N=111
Neutral 54% N=313
Somewhat negative 18% N=102
Very negative 4% N=24
Total 100% N=577

Table 103: Question D2 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your employment status? Percent Number
Working full time for pay 58% N=336
Working part time for pay 9% N=53
Unemployed, looking for paid work 4% N=21
Unemployed, not looking for paid work 3% N=18
Fully retired 24% N=137
College student, unemployed 2% N=13
Total 100% N=578

Table 104: Question D3 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Do you work inside the boundaries of Palo Alto? Percent Number Yes, outside the home 28% N=155
Yes, from home 22% N=119
No 50% N=277
Total 100% N=551

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 105: Question D4 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents How many years have you lived in Palo Alto? Percent Number Less than 2 years 16% N=93
2 to 5 years 15% N=88
6 to 10 years 9% N=51
11 to 20 years 19% N=108
More than 20 years 41% N=240
Total 100% N=580

Table 106: Question D5 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Which best describes the building you live in? Percent Number One family house detached from any other houses 59% N=344 Building with two or more homes (duplex, townhome, apartment or condominium) 40% N=231 Mobile home 0% N=0
Other 1% N=5
Total 100% N=580

Table 107: Question D6 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Do you rent or own your home? Percent Number
Rent 43% N=251
Own 57% N=329
Total 100% N=580

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 108: Question D7 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents About how much is your monthly housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance and homeowners' association (HOA) fees)? Percent Number Less than $500 per month 3% N=16
$500 to $999 per month 3% N=18
$1,000 to $1,499 per month 4% N=23
$1,500 to $1,999 per month 5% N=28
$2,000 to $2,499 per month 12% N=66
$2,500 to $2,999 per month 13% N=70
$3,000 to $3,499 per month 8% N=41
$3,500 to $3,999 per month 5% N=27
$4,000 to $4,499 per month 7% N=36
$4,500 to $4,999 per month 7% N=37
$4,500 to $4,999 per month 5% N=29
$5,500 to $5,999 per month 4% N=19
$6,000 to $6,499 per month 5% N=26
$6,500 to $6,999 per month 2% N=9
$7,000 to $7,499 per month 3% N=14
$7,500 to $7,999 per month 1% N=7
$8,000 to $8,499 per month 1% N=7
$8,500 to $8,999 per month 0% N=2
$9,000 to $9,499 per month 1% N=4
$9,500 to $9,999 per month 1% N=3
$10,000 or more per month 10% N=52
Total 100% N=535

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 109: Question D8 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Do any children 17 or under live in your household? Percent Number No 68% N=391
Yes 32% N=183
Total 100% N=574

Table 110: Question D9 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older? Percent Number No 64% N=367
Yes 36% N=209
Total 100% N=576

Table 111: Question D10 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents How much do you anticipate your household's total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include in your total income money from all sources for all persons living in your household.) Percent Number Less than $25,000 2% N=11
$25,000 to $49,999 3% N=17
$50,000 to $74,999 15% N=75
$75,000 to $99,999 14% N=71
$100,000 to $149,999 10% N=52
$150,000 to $199,999 11% N=54
$200,000 to $249,999 10% N=50
$250,000 to $299,999 4% N=18
$300,000 to $349,999 6% N=32
$350,000 to $399,999 5% N=25
$400,000 to $449,999 2% N=9
$450,000 to $499,999 19% N=97
$500,000 or more 0% N=0
Total 100% N=511

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 112: Question D11 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino? Percent Number
No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino 93% N=527
Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic or Latino 7% N=40

Table 113: Question D12 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your race? (Mark one or more races to indicate what race(s) you consider yourself to be.) Percent Number American Indian or Alaskan Native 2% N=8
Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 32% N=174
Black or African American 2% N=9
Middle Eastern or North African 3% N=17
White 66% N=362
Other 5% N=25
Total 100% N=547

Table 114: Question D13 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents In which category is your age? Percent Number
18 to 24 years 4% N=24
25 to 34 years 18% N=102
35 to 44 years 16% N=93
45 to 54 years 18% N=104
55 to 64 years 13% N=74
65 to 74 years 14% N=80
75 years or older 16% N=91
Total 100% N=567

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 115: Question D14 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your gender? Percent Number
Female 51% N=288
Male 48% N=268
Identify in another way 1% N=5
Total 100% N=561

Table 116: Question D14 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your sexual orientation? Percent Number
Heterosexual 89% N=459
Lesbian 1% N=3
Gay 2% N=11
Bisexual 7% N=34
Identify another way 2% N=9
Total 100% N=516

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Appendix B: Verbatim Responses to Open -ended
Questions from Probability Survey
Following are responses to questions 16, 19 and 20. Responses are presented here in verbatim form, including any typographical, grammatical or other mistakes. Responses are in alphabetical order within the category in which the response was categorized.

Question 16: If you plan to purchase a car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being one of the following: (Other) • (DO NOT PLAN ABOVE).
• Conventional gas
• DO NOT PLAN TO.
• gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas car
• Gas Car
• Gas engine.
• Gas hybrid.
• Gas only. No electric hookup at my location
• Gas powered
• Gas powered car or truck
• Gas.
• Gas.
• Gas.
• GAS.
• GAS.
• Gas/diesel (very unlikely, aka not happening)
• Gasoline
• GASOLINE DRIVEN AUTOMOBILE (8/30/24).
• gasoline powered
• Gasoline.
• Gasoline.
• Have a hybrid car that is fuel efficient
• Have regular gas car. til its dead.
• Hybid.
• hybrid
• hybrid
• hybrid
• hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• hybrid (non plug-in)
• Hybrid (not plug-in)
• hybrid but not plugged in
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Hybrid fuel/electric.
• Hybrid.
• Hybrid.
• Hybrid.
• Hybrid.
• I will not buy a car in the next two years. I have a 2022 Hybrid. • Ice
• ICE
• ICE
• ICE car
• ice internal combustion engine
• ICE vehicle
• If we buy a truck of van, most useful vans and trucks are not yet offered as PEHV or fully electric. • internal combustion
• Internal combustion engine only (i.e. not hybrid and not all electric) • Just got 2024 car - not electric.
• logical flaw in the survey
• N.A.
• n/a.
• N/A.
• N/A.
• No plan.
• No plans to buy a car, but it would be all electric if for some reason I had to • Non plug in hybrid.
• Non plug in hybrid.
• None (usually impaired, can't drive).
• normal car
• Not plug in hybrid.
• Old fashioned gasoline powered UCE
• Pure hybrid.
• Regular hybrid.
• standard gas/electric hybrid
• standard gasoline powered
• TOO COSTLY.
• Very unlikely that we'd purchase a non-plug-in hybrid, gasoline, or diesel vehicle. • Won't buy or lease car.

Question 19: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier?
Housing and Construction
• Affordability of buying a home.
• Affordability of condos/1st time homes.
• Affordability of housing and utilities.
• Affordable housing
• Affordable housing approval quickly. YIMBY.
• Affordable housing for median incomes. This makes our city unwelcoming for many who work here.

Economic diversity is a form of diversity.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOW
• Affordable housing, community/social activities for diverse people - especially lower income, & elderly or co. Via multi- generational/socio-economic groups.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• affordable housing; environmental education
• Affordable housing.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
• Affordable housing...
• Approve more housing for all income groups. Your survey stinks as you had no questions on housing.

Worthless survey.
• Build affordable housing - not everyone is a millionaire. • Build affordable housing near shopping & transportation for young people, elders, and employees of local businesses.
• Build more affordable housing for teachers, palimer nurses, firemen. • Build more apartments and fewer single family homes. I don't like the sprawl of south Palo Alto, it is not walkable. I live near downtown University Avenue myself. I would like higher density. • Build more housing for "low - moderate income" seniors. All the current "affordable" places have waiting lists that are several years long! All the market-rate senior housing is prohibitably expensive. • Build more market-rate housing! We need to build more housing to revitalize our business districts, broaden the tax base, and welcome new neighbors!
• Build more townhomes do we can afford to stay here. Remove barriers to construction and remodeling. • Build significantly more housing now. Stop using the excuse that building more will "ruin the character" of the city. Without this kind of investment, the city is headed in the wrong direction over the coming decades and will decline. I enjoy living here, but the cost far outweighs the benefits. We'll likely move back to Berkeley in the next few years because it's both more affordable and offers more activities. You could change this by constructing multiple multi-storey complexes close to each other, accommodating around 500 three-person families over the next five years. This would make Palo Alto a more livable place for the long term without needing to be extremely wealthy.
• Change build code to make house more affordable
• Change the leadership of Gambe Garden's. Not polite/yes racist. • Change zoning to dramatically increase housing near transit and allow groundfloor services wherever housing is dense.
• Cheaper housing.
• Check on additions, small bldgs, business and schools at home starting schools in their home!! • Control the quality of new monster apartments being planned and built in Midtown on Sutter. • COST OF HOME OWNERSHIP.
• Denser apartments near public transit
• DENSER, MIXED-USE ZONING IN DOWNTOWN AREAS.
• Do our part in bringing housing prices down, so the next generation doesn't have to move away to afford a house.
• Easy access to low housing
• Enable more high density housing.
• Encourage builders to build independent living 1&2 bedroom affordable apartment houses. We don't need 4 bdrm houses but have few affordable options.
• Get rid of zoning. Allow 10X development. All housing is very expensive. • Housing more affordable so there's a chance my kids could afford to live here • I wish multifamily housing was legal in Palo Alto. The zoning laws make new housing construction effectively illegal and it has created a housing crisis in this city. • Increasing density and building more multifamily housing. • Invest in building out more higher-density housing
• Low income senior housing especially to long term residents who would be very misplaced moving out of (born & raised) town at the end yrs. of their lives.
• Lower real estate prices + values.
• Lower rent costs
• Lower rent.
• Lower rents.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Lower the cost of housing, less congestion.
• Make more affordable housing -> easy to apply too.
• Make more affordable housing or more affordable for rennovations for people living in the homes. • More affordable housing
• More affordable housing
• More affordable housing
• More affordable housing, especially for veterans
• More affordable housing. High vacancy rates in office space in downtown. Can't something be done to use these empty buildings and storefronts?
• More affordable multihome housing.
• More affordable, large scale housing.
• More housing (high rise apartments)
• More housing /denser zoning and quicker approvals to increase affordability and lower prices. However, this will of course be shot down by the single family homeowners. • More housing and less capitulation to NIMBYs
• More housing for young people and people working for Palo Alto. • More housing in transport hubs (downtown, Cal Ave).
• More housing of all kinds will make all housing cheaper Please no trash trucks before 6amBathrooms in public parks
• More permissive development of higher density
• More quality affordable housing for workers and young families. • More small single-family homes (2 bed,1000 sq. feet). • More taller housing.
• More things (apartments, shops) for people with low to moderate incomes • No monster homes
• One change could be build fewer houses, especially near the public park. • Open up zoning laws to allow developers to build high density housing everywhere. This would reduce the cost of housing, and allow more people to move here, including my extended family. • promote & build affordable housing & multi-family housing • Reduce emphasis on affordable housing which has made streets very clogged. • reduce the cost of housing
• Reduced housing costs to make Palo Alto accessible to more modest income groups • Somehow Reduce the Cost of Housing
• Stop adding more high density housing to our already built out neighborhoods. • Stop allowing so much hi rise building
• Stop building new office buildings and build more housing. • Stop delaying affordable housing. Just do it. We need more medium/high rises near public transit centers (like Cal Ave). So many delays in delivering zoning for an urgent need. • Stop obstructing new construction of housing. It takes years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to get anything built in palo alto. And then the bloated city, planting staff wonders why we have a housing crisis • Streamline increasing local housing stock so the crunch on renters gets better. • Strong rent control!
• Take bold *steps to increase the supply of affordable multi-family housing. *Even more bold than at present.
• Taller residential building
• The only issue in Palo Alto is expensive house. If there is affordable house, this place is good place for living.!
Public Safety and Policing
• Putting a fire engine in Mitchell park. (2) Stop overbuilding on Fabian [?] Charleston Rd. • Community safety program & speed up fiber optics project expand to whole PA.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Crack down on crimes.
• Enforce the law.
• Feeling safer less bike theft and robberies
• FOCUS ON CRIME PREVENTION.
• Fully fund and popular fire & police depts.
• Fully staff police and fire departments. The lack of either - especially the missing fire trucks and staff from Mitchell Park is sadly appalling.
• Get the police out of their cars and walking or biking - makes them known and approachable • Greater safety by far because I have children. Also, more community events and activities like Mountain View & Redwood City
• heard several cases of home invasion and robbery & burglary in Palo Alto, not sure how to minimize such cases
• I would like to see "more" police cars patrolling our neighborhood. Downtown seems to have plenty patrolling compared to what we don't have (especially at night) the Cubberly area. • Improvement on safety. Reduce risks of bugllary.
• Let the cops do their jobs once again!!!
• Make us feel safer
• more crime prevention
• More police enforce.
• More police services so that the city feels safer.
• More policing in neighborhoods
• More safety: crime rate, bike theft, petty theft are not news control anymore. • Reduce crime (home burglary/robberies). Improve overall feeling of safety. • Reduce crime rate.
• Reduce crime, get rid of homeless.
• Reduce crimes
• Reduce petty street theft (items out of cars, from front yard, catalytic converters, etc.) so we feel safe in our neighborhood.
• safety.

Transportation and Traffic
• (1)Add a tram from Stanford Oval/shopping center to East P.A. 2) Add a bike lane against traffic direction on Homer Ave from the Homer tunnel to Middlefield Ave.
• As a resident of Palo Alto, one change that would make me happier is improved traffic safety near school zones. The construction at 4025 Orme has caused contractor vehicles to block the street, creating a one - way situation that affects traffic flow and safety, especially for families driving their children to school • At every bus stop, post a map and complete timetable for every bus that stops there physicals. • Ban bicycles and scooters from sidewalks.
• Better public transit!!! Less big ugly roads, more green space. • Better traffic enforcement on streets like Middlefield, Embarcadero and Alma. • Better traffic flow design.
• Better transportation for limited/disabled people.
• Bring back shuttle busses
• Catching red-light runners in cars.
• Close University Ave between Cowper and High streets to traffic • Close University Ave for car traffic, like it was during pandemic • Convenient public transportation and improvement of walkability • Coordinated traffic lights in accordance with traffic density. • Crack down on red light runners.
• Eliminate roundabouts at intersections that are too small for it like ross & east meadow, and don't convert any existing intersections to roundabouts
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Enforce traffic laws
• Enforce traffic laws on residential streets
• ENFORCE TRAFFIC LAWS, TO KEEP PEDS SAFE IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE (E.G. X -WALK LIGHTS). • Fix the traffic signal algorithms and timing, especially inclusion of late arrivers to the intersection. • fix the train crossing problem in a way which doesn't destroy neighborhoods or take properties • From Oregon Expressway to downtown make Alma St 25 mph, make 2 lanes, one in each direction, add left turn & merge lanes!
• Get rid of auto traffic barriers. Stop emphasis on biking. • Get rid of round abouts. Confusing for many drivers
• Get rid of the traffic circles
• Get rid of those RVs parked on the streets!!!!
• getting PARKED cars into driveways and off streets and sidewalks. • Getting rid of those roundabouts at Louis + Ross.
• Go back to 4 lanes on Charleston/Arastradero, takes way too long to go across town • Improve the traffic flow on Embarcadero at the PALY light. The traffic there is really awful. • Improve traffic enforcement. Fix the enjoy website.
• Improve traffic flow and parking enforcement/availability particularly around the JLS/Mitchell Park areas during events (soccer games, swim meets, school activities) • Improve traffic light tuning!
• IMPROVE TRAFFIC. CONGESION.
• Increase traffic speeds and light timings
• Less traffic
• Make Palo Alto link useable by kids under 12.
• More parking for residents Univ. South/stop transferring funds from utilities to the general fund. • More public transportation.
• More walking streets closed to cars downtown (and more shade trees on Cal Ave!) • Need to enforce red light driving and speeding - Endangers all kids riding bikes to school • Open Calif. Avenue to autos.
• Open the half block of Ramona Street-it is utter nonsense it's still closed and open Cal Ave except for events like the Farmers' Market & Third Thursdays. These streets are not being used 90% of the time as you all think they are and it is hurting business. Plus it's ugly. • People non stop signs in Midtown residential streets. More police enforcement! • Planning and actually following through with plans. Why are we still discussing Cubberly & train underpass/crossing 5-10 years later. Despite paying millions for surveys/evaluations/plans we are still no where towards adapting plans and moving forward.
• Please fix the light in front of JLS; It always stops cars & bikes. • Put the Caltrain under/above ground & make the rail corridor a bike road. • Raise the Caltrain tracks for grade separation.
• RE-EVALUATE & PROPERLY TIME THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AT INTERSECTIONS (RESPOND TO ACTUAL TRAFFIC).
• Reduce traffic
• Reduce traffic speed on downtown streets, e.g., Channing Avenue and Homer Avenue • Removing the troublesome roundabout at the intersection of Ross and E. Meadows. • Resolve rail crossing plans in an economical and rational way for autos, cyclists and pedestrians (close Churchill Ave crossing to automobiles, improve existing crossings at Embarcadero and Oregon Expressway, add pedestrian/bike crossing at Seal and Loma Verde, finalize plans for Meadow and Charleston, and move on to planning for the crossing at Palo Alto Ave). • Resolve the Caltrain crossing construction issues and track configuration for the future more effectively and expeditiously.
• Road repair and resolve traffic.
• Smart traffic signal timings too many times a green light with no cars.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Stop the trash trucks from waking me up EVERY Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m.!!! Other contractors in PA have to wait until 8 a.m. Waste Management claims they have to start early before traffic is heavy, but they do our quiet street at 6:30, and on Thursdays I get stuck behind a trash truck at 8 a.m. on Alma Street between E. Meadow and Oregon. Why???
• Stop cars from running red lights and stop signs.
• STOP USING ROUNABOUTS & OTHER TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES - I BIKE AND [?] ESE HAVE MADE ME LESS SAFE.
• Support transportation, housing and employment/recreation for people with disabilities. • The color temperature of street lights could be warmer (yellower). • Traffic enforcement of speed limits - makes me feel unsafe to bike with my kids. • Traffic enforcement!!!
• Traffic enforcement. Citations for running stop signs and installation of traffic circles and speed bumps • TRAFFIC LIGHT TIMING FOR ACTUAL TRAFFIC FLOW (and please pave/fix potholes...). • Traffic lights in sync.
• work with the County to make the lights at Churchill/Alma intersection be more responsive and change more frequently, so that we can leave Churchill intersection open. That would make traffic flow much more smoothly. And invest in quad gates there.

Homelessness and Social Services
• Address homeless and RV dwelling issues effectively.
• Address the downtown (University Ave) vacancy/safety/homeless issue with the utmost urgency. It keeps getting worse and it seems like all the city does is start committees and talk about it without taking any real action. Many residents, especially young families, cannot afford homes in the more "residential" areas so we live downtown, and the safety situation in the area frankly has us considering leaving Palo Alto entirely. I don't want to be dodging erratic drug addicts every time I try to take my toddle r to the store. • better control of homelessness in downtown area
• DEAL WITH HOMELESS CAMPERS AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
• Discourage presence of homeless people, especially downtown and at caltrain station. • Don't push out people experiencing homelessness. Provide human centered services. • Find a solution to the problem of un-housed people living in vehicles, especially RVs, for extended periods. I am aware of some of the same people living in vehicles parked one the street for over 4 years • Focus on getting the homeless people on Univ. Ave + Caltrain help and a place to be that isn't on the street.
• Giving unhoused people opportunities for convenient, appropriate housing and welcome. • Help the homeless
• Make downtown library safer/ less homeless people in it • Manage homeless camps, mobile house parking near E. Meadow Circle and Fabian Way. • Please get rid of many camping car on Fabian way. They smell bad and unsafe!! • Problem with Homeless (RV). Appearance and cleanliness issues. • Removal of homeless from downtown neighborhoods
• RV dwellers.
• Solve locally the issues of homelessness and insecurity in the retail arena. .

City Governance and Administration
• A City Council that will make decisions and act on them. Their inaction on things like grade level crossings, approving solutions to the housing crisis, is inexcusable • All libraries open 7 days/week especially downtown.
• ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE WHEN I CALL. ALSO, FIX THE ROADS! • Codify NEPOTISM ordinance.
• Commit to no new taxes.
• CONTROL STANFORD GROWTH.
• Creek maintenance, clearing overgrowth in creeks before rains set in.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Cut salaries & city manager & admin by 50% / cut taxes. • Dedicated fund to buy public land, esp parkland.
• Even more library funding.
• Extended hours for Palo Alto Link
• faster and less complicated building permit process
• Faster city inspections on permit work
• Get a new superintendent. Fire Don Austin.
• Improve Solar approvals process
• Improve the library : long hours; mange the book shelves; more diversity languages. • INCREASE INCENTIVES FOR ELECTRIFICATION TO OFFSET RIDUCULOUS CONSTRUCTION COSTS. • Maintain budget and not overspent on unnecessary project • Make hard decisions in a timely way. Ie train crossing housing. • More [?] for downtown library.
• More books at library to reduce months long hold times. • More connectivity with residents. When I have work from home days the fumes from air blowers (non - electric) make me unwell.
• No rent control. Less expensive utilities. Spending less money. Lower property taxes. • Own up to electrical issues, H2O quality issues, do not use contractors -> we need committed, loyal employees.
• Planning department should work better with citizens and contractors. Don't be so hard to work with. • Process for permits rainer & speedier. Decide big issues (like rail) in less than year Cubberl [?] resolve use.
• Reduce costs
• Replace the City Manager
• Replace the city manager, utilities director, and attorney with individuals qualified to do those important jobs.
• Spend less money on consultants and just making decisions • Spend less time thinking about how to regulate the lives of your residents and more time thinking about how to provide value in city services. Focus on local quality of life issues. Don't spend time on global issues where Palo Alto as a small suburban city can only have negligible impact. Instead of "there ought to be a law", we should have "there ought to not be a law." • stop hiring consultants to evaluate how the city operates. city staff are paid well and should be competent to figure out how to manage operations. allow staff to generate ideas and encourage them to propose new way of doing things. it's OK to step out of the bureaucratic process. • Stop raising taxes to cover unnecessary costs such as sculptures along Charleston Road. Seems like the city has money that it does not know how to spend. At the same time, the public school look run down, and improvements seem like lost opportunities (e.g. putting single story new buildings at Gunn High School for admin office instead of a two story building to replace horrible classrooms on part of the campus. There is also no police presence on the streets. I would like police patrolling on a regular b asis and not just when they are called. We are seeing people speeding, going through traffic lights, and seems to be lot of crime (e.g. shoplifting, burglaries, mail theft, people held up at gun point at the Cal Strain and at the Stanford Mall, bike theft, etc.). Also, why is the city of Palo Alto having, renovating a Zoo instead of putting more money into improving the school infrastructure. • Stop wasting city resources, I've seen 12 city vehicles on my street for 2 guys to change a water meter. • Stop wasting so many resources and personnel to do simple jobs. • Streamline and make transparent permitting process.

Community Amenities and Services
• More public free swimming pools or gym centers I live alone and have to pay high utilities fees. (2) To change the or affordable utilities on base & head count instead of a fixed rate housing.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• At Mitchell park: (1) Pickle ball place is out of control now - too much crowd, yelling & stout. (2) Trashes all over the place, Graffiti on the wall & road, human waste on the wall & road: The Mitchell park becomes very unsafe, dangerous place.
• Build more pickleball courts.
• Build more pickleball courts/capacity. There is an obvious demand for more courts and the sport provides opportunities for residents to engage in a great community! • HAVE A 9-HOLE RESIDENT'S RATE AT THE GOLF COURSE.
• Have more sponsored community events to invite people to meet city officials. Reduce the cost of utilities would be great.
• Improve youth mental wellness through active programs and support that provide direct mental wellness services to young people.
• Improve/enlarge dog parks/off leash combined w/increasing tree canopy at parks, especially where trees have fallen.
• Install more equipment to collect recyclable CRV bottles; explore ways to make more residents feel daily consumptions/ activities more affordable; more resources and opportunities to help talented kids unleash their potentials
• Larger community events.
• Make neighborhood parks beautiful and fun for everyone. • Make tennis courts more available to play tennis i.e. build up the lights etc. • More areas for dogs to run in Parks without leash
• More city gardens
• More community arts programs for adults and a city subsidized sports complex with swimming and pickleball
• More community/neighborhood events.
• more dog parks
• More dog parks with grass, not astroturf
• More open spaces, parks and hiking trails- keep building density low • More pickleball courts!
• More recreational events and affordable restaurants.
• No more chicken permits. Ok to have chickens: No fee! • Not allowing city employees access to property without owner's explicit permission at that time. • places where teens could exist out in the world that doesn't involve having to pay for things that isn't a park where they could possibly annoy kids/families
• Reduce time of peermits.
• REDUCE WASTEFUL SPENDING - CITY LINK, FIBER INTERNET - UNUSED PROGRAMS. • Set aside dedicated funds each year in order to buy and add to the amount of park space in the city. • Teen ages children's center or kind.
• Tell us people what's available where, contact info, and cost.

Economic Development
• (1) increase variety of business around midtown Palo Alto (2) improve efficiency and consistency of Palo Alto building approvals, so it will be easier to get building permits, and neighborhoods will look more homogenic
• Better grocery shopping options like milk pail. Fresh fruits have became so expensive after the pandemic.

Can we make it easier to groceries retailers to lower prices somehow? • Focus on downtown vibrancy the downtown is sad and overrun with high end restaurants and boba shops. No places to hang out, particularly for kids. When I think of downtown when I moved here in 2008, there was much more diversity of shopping and experience. Sure, macro trends impact the retail environment, but how do Mountain View, Burlingame and Los Altos do it so much better? • Focus on the importance of economic development/smart growth over outdated/impractical regulations. • Improve the health of downtown by increasing parking. There are a lot of empty commercial lots - do a deal with those buildings to use the parky space.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Make it easier for businesses to get started in Palo Alto so that there are less closed business fronts downtown and a larger variety and more options for shopping/dining in the city. • Make small businesses easier and affordable
• More diverse restaurants (cheaper).
• More economic development of our downtown (fill the vacancies!!) • More job opportunities for Palo Alto residence/affordable house for long only term Palo Alto residence. • More local shopping mall
• More small businesses
• More variety of retail and shops in downtown Palo Alto. Currently over indexes on boba shops, ice cream shops, and rug stores.
• Revitalize downtown Palo Alto.
• Revitalize the midtown shopping area (especially Middlefield between Charleston & Oregon). • Revive downtown - make it car free and put parking underneath University ave so it becomes a destination for the area and attracts more shops and restaurants. Lytton and Hamilton would each become one way streets to accommodate traffic.
• The retail scene (Cal Ave, Midtown) is disgraceful. Hardly in keeping with the affluence in this town. Stop policies that destroy the viability of small businesses and the deterioration of the appearance of retail establishments at Cal Ave and Midtown.
• There has to be more effort to revitalize our business districts. Make it desirable to do business here -- cut out the bureaucratic tape (streamline permits, simplify taxes, increase safety and security). Even small steps would signal to the public that you are at least trying. Frustrating to see what has happened in the past few years.
• Work to improve the Midtown shopping area.

Noise and Urban Environment
• Airplane noises.
• Better landscaping, like Gamble Garden, at public parks. • Better management of city trees: removal, re-planting, responsible ownership by city • Cleaner and Safer downtown
• Dedicated/assigned Clean Up Day for condos rather than having to schedule separately with the city • Do a better job of taking care of city trees; remove the scary branches & treat them for disease more often; show up as noted on the signs.
• Don't make the trains noises for heavens sake. Use common sense. Not political appearance to guide you.
• Fix the grading at the Alma and Camina train crossing so the train would no longer need to sound its horn • Greatly reduce aircraft noise.
• Have more green spaces, plant more trees. Have a more reliable public transit. • Improve our downtowns
• Improve University Ave. environment
• Keep Palo Alto living environment same as has been.
• Keep the streets quieter, especially in the early hours of the morning. Loud trucks are a nuisance. • Less development, City is becoming too dense.
• More shade trees in south Palo Alto.
• MORE TREES IN YARDS AT HOMES.
• Nicer landscaping -- more like T&C or Stanford Mall flowers in public places; make Cal Ave beautiful as a place. The restaurants there are great.; approve projects like Castilleja and big new investments quicker.

It is good for peope o invest millions in Palo Alto.
• noise control along major street
• Not plant more sycamore trees, instead plant ginkos
• Paint & decorate areas like Midtown & Califar in colors & flowers like in Columbia. Look on Google or YouTube in towns like Sadento, Guatape: Palo Alto look drab & colorless.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Pick up trash of apartment complexes more often.
• Pull the weeds at the Oregon Avenue exit from 101!!!!! No one has cared for this entrance to the city for years!
• Reduce rain noise and trim trees on Everett Avenue (I'm afraid a branch will fall & take down out electric lines) burying electric lines in downtown North would be awesome! • Reducing sound from Shoreline Amphitheater (especially past 10PM) either through building sound wall or stricter enforcement of curfew sound levels. Removing need to maintain current Eichler homes (i.e. allow homeowners to rebuild).
• SFO noise abetment, if Palo Alto could do its job and ensure that there was flight path of at least 7500 feet above the City for all flights not ending in Palo Alto. Terrible job overall with fixing this issue. • Use the funds wisely to help residents live in a safe environment. Make it a safe place to live again. Not afraid of burglary or crime at any time. Kids can bike or hike home without fear of attack from the homeless.

Develop Infrastructure
• Becoming more modern and high tech! After all it is the heart of Silicon Valley. So things like free high speed internet, self driving cars, better movie and entertainment complexes, buzzier downtown etc • Better cellular signal throughout the city / better access to fast internet service • Better roads & side walks!
• Better roads for bike riders.
• Better roads!
• Better street lighting for residential areas
• Better/more off leash dog parks! Also improved bike safety, especially for our kids! • City wide internet access.
• Continue to upgrade the electric system and make it easier & faster to upgrade capacity at your house. • fiber cabling throughout the city providing WiFi sooner than current efforts • Fiber optic to the home.
• Fiber please! Good internet access from CPAU.
• Fiber to my house
• Finalize the fiber to the home plan, and deploy fiber widely • Fix or remove the roundabout that was added to East Meadow and Ross. Terrible decision at the time and still is.
• Fix potholes on El Camino Real and Alma.
• Fix ross road, the bike path is a disaster there.
• Fix sidewalks and roads.
• FIX THE DAMN POTHOLES & ROADS C DIRECT ELECTION OF THE MAYOR -REAL ACCOUNTABILITY. • Fix the roads!! Especially EI Camino.
• Fix the streets so they're smoother for cyclists.
• Fix the streets. Remove the roundabouts.
• Focus on practical & cost effective road/transportation/zoning improvements instead of unrealistic ideals.
• Here are potholes; street maintenance.
• High speed internet
• Installing fiber, more housing, more common sense have to tried for do it rest 15 years not enough power available (live in condo).
• Keep California Ave. No cars repave El Camino.
• Less frequent power outages would be really appreciated. • More street lights.
• Move quicker with grade separating the road from Caltrain. People are dying. • Put power lines and cables to underground
• Put power lines underground
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Residential fiber internet.
• Safer residential street lighting = Cauper Street.
• SIDEWALK REPAIRS IMPROVEMENT (DOWNSIZE AIRPORT).
• To not become over-built remembering water, energy & traffic limitations. • To see California Avenue finished. A wandering spot with walking and biking as the way to go up and down it.
• Underground power/wires and municipal fiber internet availability • Utilities - improve electrical reliability, expand FTTH broadband coverage area • Vibrant downtown? Faster internet..

Walking and Biking trails
• Allow E bikes around the baylands
• As an avid cyclist - - Enforce poor driving practices: not using blinkers & tinted front windows. These are the two most dangerous practices I encounter daily.
• Better integration between University Ave and Stanford's campus, especially for bikes. Reduced road traffic on University/generally more of a neighborhood feel on university like on Cal Ave • Expanded bike lanes with lights for safety.
• Improve bike infrastructure.
• Improve bike paths and safety downtown and into campus • Improve bike safety.
• Improve cycling infrastructure & advocate with Santa Clara & San Mateo counties to fix it & sweep. and change lights so that pressing inchestrian buttons actually [?] gers night. • Make downtown + California Ave walking only, and replace curbs/etc to incorporate walking only • Make the major arteries (El Camino, Alma) and their crossings safer for bicycles • Make the sidewalks on University Ave consist material instead of greasy hodgepodge. Implement vacancy tax. Boring stores. Put locks on parking garages. • Make the street I live on (Louis Road) into a bike boulevard with street furniture to reduce traffic speed and redirect traffic volume to arterial streets.
• Manage bicyclists in downtown areas. They ride on sidewalks, don't stop at stop lights, go the wrong way on one-way streets, and in general act like they are invincible, making them a hazard to walkers and drivers.
• more bike friendly
• network of at least 8 feet wide separated bike lanes through the city • Stop adding bike lanes in residential neighborhoods.
• Too many campers park along streets. Much better separation between cars & bicycles. This should be a better bike city.

Code Enforcement
• Enforce auto muffler law/regulations. In our area, drivers set up their autos to make a huge amount of noise.
• Enforce code violations like weeds, dead lawns, abandoned cars in driveways in South Palo Alto the way it's enforced in the North. It's embarrassing how terrible many homes look. I've had neighbors w/weeds 4 feet higher. There seems to be no enforcement of the appearance of rental homes. • Enforce on people having dogs on leash in the parks.
• Enforce parked vehicle laws in my neighborhood. Why do I have to live with one thousand motorhomes parked on my street and other neighborhoods don't? Also, revise Fabian Way to be safer. • Enforce the ban on gasoline powered leaf blowers!
• Less people, less dense housing. Patrol the blue disability spots so that those of us who need them can use them. Quit trying to get rid of cars. We can't all walk or ride bikes. • Remove all RV vehicles parking in the neighborhood in a clusters & painted school bus. It is scaried to walk near them.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Stricter enforcement of loitering by homeless people. Including parked vehicles, sleeping on benches/ sidewalks/ in parks..

Make the city more affordable
• (1) Cost of utilities is outrageous. (2) Make permits faster/easier. (3) Make south Palo Alto greener. Wide streets/concrete everywhere -> plant more city plants like on Midd. [?]. • (1) Lower property taxes - more businesses -> & business taxes (2) Affordable child care plz (3) Let smart kids flourish - give them resources to excel, not "equality at all costs". • All utilities are too high tree trimming not efficient on entire tree on street (the side of tree that grows on property not trimmed.)
• Cut down the cost of utility bill.
• Decrease utility charging rate
• I'd love to retire in Palo Alto, but the high cost of living here and property values/property taxes will make that financially impossible. Not sure how the City can impact that reality, but I will sorely miss not living here someday. I believe this same issue is why Palo Alto is not accessible to young people and more diverse populations with less financial means. It is just too expensive here. My children, even if successful post-university, will likely not be able to reside here, where they grew up. Whic h is sad.

Younger residents and more diversity would enliven our "elite, rich, white, hi -tech" persona that really just isn't very attractive. No one wants to be viewed as snobby, but Palo alto does look and feel that way sometimes.
• IMHO, GHG reduction should be shelved unless the cost is lower, here cost includes taxes and utilities • Lower my electric bill in winter. I'm in an all electric building • LOWER PRICES ON EVERYTHING. I HAVE TO MOVE SOON.
• Lower utilities bill!
• Lower utility bills! Electric.
• Make services more affordable.
• Make the city resiliant to emergencies
• Make the place more affordable to average people
• More affordable
• Reduce the cost of utilities
• Reduce utilities cost.
• Reduce utility bill amount
• Reduce utility costs.
• Regulate rent prices.
• Rent control (no more than 3%) rent increases are way too high. Families live here! • Very reliable electricity, affordable/reasonable fiber.

Other
• (1) Help Ada's cafe find a commercial kitchen close by. (2) Allow more generators rules for adding ADUS. • a) Supporting local electricity production & link to the grid flexible. b) Setting wires underground @ internet.
• Addressing antisemitism in schools & public spaces
• All this greenhouse stuff is a hoax
• ALLOW DOCS IN OPEN SPACES (DALE).
• Better support for apartments
• Book in Spanish - houses for retired people.
• Continue to support cow-free streets like California Ave to allow outdoor dining. • do away with daylight saving time
• Don't focus on national issues. Focus on local issues. Stop paying staff as though they run a huge city; you don't. We are tiny
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Don't let Whole Foods park a refrigerated truck across from my bedroom all Fall. Downtown businesses frequently violate city codes by creating light and noise pollution. • Encouraging kindness
• Extend PA [?] to include my [?] area.
• FILL ALL THE CONSUMER COMMERCIAL SPACES IN OUR CENTRAL ZONES - UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA ANE, MIDTOWN - TAX LANDLORDS WHO KEEP THEIR SPACES VACANT. • Hire more resident.
• I miss Old Palo Alto. 20-30 yrs ago. [?] are great. Streets will lean, many stores that are [?]. • I wish I could work closer to home, so that I could ride my bike again to work and be teaching in my community.
• Increase area safty, spend more on education.
• Institute a Tenant Board to address landlord issues asap. 47% of PA are renters!!! • Join other cities who are suing the state about the state taking away zoning and land use rights. • Limits on the number of properties someone can own - we keep getting out bid & then these properties become rentals.
• Local Fireworks for NYE and 4th
• Local printed newspaper.
• Make the city more diversified to include different levels of residents. • More focused resources in midtown and south Palo Alto as opposed to downtown and Old Palo Alto. • More like the city of 30 years ago
• More places to work as hannahouse
• permit parking in front of my condo
• Preserve duck pond
• Pricing and replacing downtown parking with other uses to make the downtown more vibrant • Provide better access to handicapped parking and enforce ticketing of those that park in these designated spots without permits
• Provide easily accessible specific information on Palo Alto renters rights. There seems to be rental rights information available for Santa Clara County in general but it's difficult to find out rental rights information specific to Palo Alto.
• Regardless of the fact that Oregon Expressway is a county road, make improvements to Oregon Expressway for health and aesthetic reasons by removing the dead trees & shrubbery and fill in with new trees and shrubbery, that will shield nearby homes, reduce noise and improve air quality. Also fill in the empty spaces (esp. those caused by trees that fell in the winter storms). • Require closed shopping units to reopen or refocus their use to end the look of blight. • Rezoning, allowing businesses in residential areas.
• Seniors need more services at a low cost.
• Stop forcing people to use only electricity. Palo Alto electric grid is not stable. Multiple black -outs per year. Energy diversity is important, especially in winter. Stop forcing people to use only electricity. • Strongly fight ABAG requirements for densification of housing in Palo Alto. • the city pay close attention to employee resident ratio (pensions are so costly) we are the highest in CA but spearte ultilties to have fair comparison. pay close attention to adhoc financing - consultants, downtone vacancy tax, the bridge at newell -- please make decisions as opposed to kicking the can down the road.
• They shouldn't permit to build the house with the new units and have no back yard. You don't have any privacy anymore
• use a better survey product. what a boring set of questions and poor respondent experience. • Utility department and planning department process unfair charges for multifamily properties. Gas bill lumped in with business even though we use little gas.
• Welcome conservative points of view..

Nothing/Don't know
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• DON'T KNOW.
• I am pretty happy as it is!
• I honestly don't know!
• None
• None.
• nothing
• This is an [?] community but the cost of living very very high utility cost [?]. • Too many changes that I'd like to see to list.
• Unknown.
• WHO KNOWS.

Question 20: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one thing do you believe the City does well and would want to maintain?
Parks, open space, and natural environment
• Abundance of parks and valuing safe biking routes.
• Care for trees. Also Website is efficient
• City parks are beautiful.
• Downtown Walkability
• Ensuring that we preserve our canopy -- trees, green spaces, etc. • Environment, public library.
• environmental protection
• EXCEPTIONAL PARKS & SCHOOLS.
• Foothills, Baylands, libraries, farmers markets are OUTSTANDING • Free outdoor exercise parks(s) - strength, agility, stamina. • good park
• Great parks and green spaces
• Great parks and outdoor spaces, great BMR program
• Great parks and schools, but maybe water the redwoods there more often • I like the value we place on nature preserves like Foothills and Baylands. Do we have farmlands? Would be cool to have public farmlands/gardens...
• I love the parks and libraries
• Keep the many trees and large canopies.
• Landscape, parks, safety.
• Maintain green space and libraries
• Maintain parks
• Maintaining natural environment, but should improve across the city • Maintains our parks and open spaces
• MAINTANCE OF PARKS AND GREEN AREAS.
• Maintenance of green space.
• Maintenance of public green and recreation spaces
• Make sure trees are watered when it's dry
• Make the public park well maintained.
• Manage open spaces and preseves
• Many things, including parks & natural spaces maintenance, community engagement, and the city utility grid.
• Mitchell Park Library
• Most of the parks are clean open and inviting.
• Neighborhood parks with dog parks.
• Open space
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Open space and parks--thanks for finally putting in bathrooms at the smaller parks. • Our city parks and recreation are excellent. Winterlodge as a public partnership is a magical place! • Our public parks are great.
• Palo Alto provides very good open space and park facilities. • Parks
• Parks
• Parks
• Parks + open space.
• Parks and libraries
• Parks and libraries
• Parks and open space
• Parks and Open Space
• Parks and Rec
• Parks and Recreation
• Parks and recreation facilities.
• PARKS AND RECREATION.
• Parks and water
• Parks are excellent.
• Parks are lovely and well maintained
• Parks, libraries, public safety
• Parks, locations and number of parks and open space.
• Parks.
• PARKS.
• PARKS/LIBRARIES.
• plant trees!
• Pleasant leafy greenness and cleanliness.
• Protection of those beautiful trees.
• Public parks
• Street gardening, I came from spain to Palo Alto for many reasons, but most important to be fair was Henry M Gunn High Scool and Street gardening, the amount of trees gives me an extra day by day of life. • Taking good care of street trees, parks and othe recreational facilities. • taking good care of the street trees.
• The City's parks are very nice and we get a lot of enjoyment out of them. • The parks are beautiful.
• The trees
• There is lot of trees and bike lane to make community "green". • Tree lined streets
• Tree planting and maintenance
• trees
• Trees.
• Values the environment & education.
• Vibrant park and recreation facilities.

Utilities and city services
• Annual utility party in Baylands utility buildings area • City owned utilities
• Consolidated utilities.
• Continue to provide excellent utilities (electric, water, gas), trash pick up, street cleaning and street repair.

All of which make this a nice place to live.
• Efficient utilities.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Excellent services
• Fix power outages very quickly & earthquake awareness. • General utility provision
• Keep running our own utilities
• Keeping cost of city owned utilities in check.
• Lowest cost utility rates
• Maintenance and utilities are good!!
• Municipal utility services
• Overall utilities, including maintenance of parks, Baylands, etc • Own utilities
• Owning our own utilities
• Owning our utilities/also year round swimming pool.
• Provide all utilities independently and be prompt for the needs of residents. • Public facilities maintenance
• Quality of Palo Alto water.
• Running our own utility services
• The utility service
• the utility services except the prices are still too high. • Utilities
• Utilities
• Utilities and city events.
• Utilities and library.
• Utilities department and services are excellent.
• Utilities is great. Good public services
• Utilities management to keep the rate competitive.
• Utilities work well - Great service and no interruptions • Utilities, Greenwaste, park maintenance
• Utilities.
• UTILITIES.
• Utility management.
• Utility program
• utility service people are great!
• Utility services.

Safety services
• Beautiful and safe
• Emerency services
• Emergency response (services.
• Emergency services
• Fast response from the police.
• Fire department
• Fire, ambulance and police
• Great police force, a main reason we live in Palo Alto (i.e, safety). • I feel safe in Palo Alto.
• I have never felt safer in my life. This takes a huge emotional weight off my family's shoulders, it frees our minds and bodies to accomplish more, learn more, and live more at peace. We also love this community value of nature and wellness made clear by how the city invests in and uplifts these elements of our environment.
• Keep Palo Alto being safe
• Keeping our streets safe for car and bike traffic.
• Maintain safety for residents.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• maintain safety of neighborhoods
• Maintain safety of the city.
• Maintaining safety.
• Maintains good emergency response.
• Making people feel safe, family town!
• Our emergency services, police, fire and ambulance
• Police and Fire protection
• POLICE FORCE - I FEEL VERY SAFE LIVING HERE.
• Police officers are helpful and respectful
• Police services
• Police, Fire and Emergency Services
• Police, firefighters, and library.
• police, utilities
• Police.
• Public safety
• Public safety
• Public safety
• Public safety services (police, fire, emergency medical). • Public safety we had our car broken into in our driveway and someone tried to steal a neighbor's catalytic converter over the past couple of years. Police response was good. Strong policing is critical to maintain a safe living environment.
• safety and emergency response
• SAFETY FROM CRIME.
• Safety of Palo Alto residents and their communities.
• SAFETY OF RESIDENTS AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.
• Safety.
• Safety.
• Safety.
• Safety.
• Security of neighborhoods and their [?] people.
• The safety of our neighborhoods.

Activities and Recreation (arts, libraries, museums, theaters, etc.) • amazing libraries and parks
• Arts center
• awesome libraries!
• Children Theater
• Classes on Enjoy Catalog
• Cleanliness of "built environment", more but affordable dining options needed. • Community opportunities
• Continue to offer (and expand) community events and first-class parks, libraries, and open spaces. • cultural venue/events
• Excellent libraries.
• Excellent libraries.
• Free events
• Great libraries, parks and recreation.
• Great public library and parks. Great family oriented community and services. • Libraries and parks
• LIBRARIES ARE GREAT!
• Libraries, parks
• Libraries, paying utilities online.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Libraries! Open spaces, parks, preserves!
• Library and all the services at Mitchell Park like Pickle Ball, concerts, magical bridge park • Library and park.
• library services
• Library system
• Maintaining Public Library access (in person, physical book collections) • New book selection at Rinconada Library is pretty good. • Promote cultural activities and events
• Provides. Good parks & rec options.
• Providing many opportunities for socialization among residents • Public Library Services
• quality of library services
• Recreation options are great. Very diverse and affordable • Response time of fire and police.
• safety and overall attractiveness
• The Libraries
• The libraries are awesome!
• The libraries.
• The library system is the single best thing about Palo Alto. • The pool at Rinconada.
• You do a good job at the art and wine festival.

Government/leadership; government communication
• Allowing residents to participate in different commissions and committees is nice and annoying (the "Palo Alto way" often add double or triple time to the outcome). It's good that residents participate but bad if it complicates things and drags out the outcome. • City does well on sharing information with citizen and maintain a good service. • City respects & regards every individual equally. That needs to stay. • Communicating with the citizens and community.
• Communication
• communication with residents
• Communication with residents.
• Comprehensive plan.
• Employees are generally very kind and understanding, including utilities and police. • Encourage volunteers to participate.
• I believe the City is very well-intentioned. I appreciate the open communications, the transparency, the public city council meetings, the manager's regular reporting out, and the sincere wish to care for its residents.
• INFORM RESIDENTS OF CITY DECISIONS.
• Letting the people know how & who voted one way or another. It helps a person know who to vote for. • official website
• Planning and anticipation of things like flood control and stuff that might go wrong. • Respects the intelligence of its residents and provide the services accordingly • Response to complaints
• Taking input from residents on possible projects.

Schools and education, programs for youth
• Attention to schools.
• Childrens activities from libraries & playgrounds to theatre $ 300. • Classes for residents, parks + rec, library.
• education for kids
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Focus on schools
• Good high schools
• Good public school system.
• Good schools
• Great schools
• K-12 education.
• Maintain good schools.
• Maintain the quality of schools K-12
• PUBLIC EDUCATION.
• Public school system.
• Public schools
• Quality of education
• School system.
• Schools, Process.

Cleanliness of community; upkeep
• Clean sidewalks
• Clean street, sidewalk.
• Clean streets, safe community/beautiful parks, friendly neighbors, good quality education for our kiddos • Cleanliness
• General city maintenance.
• I love the cleanup days.
• I saw city of Palo Alto removed the graffiti & human faces on the wall very quickly. • It's very clean!!
• keep city clean and safe
• Keep the city clean!!, safety, welcoming, option to apply for utilities discounts. • keeping the public areas clean
• Keeps city clean, keeps park rules [?].
• Maintain the cleanliness and overall natural beauty of the city • Make the street clean and pretty.
• Street cleaning
• Street sweeping
• Sweeping the streets so the water can easily drain down to the sewer. • The city's upkeep of its parks is excellent.
• Trash pick-up & recycling & composting.
• Waste management.

Quality of life, reputation
• I like university ave/ the downtown area.
• I love the library system
• Keep the brand awareness of Palo Alto. Every city has challenges but PA is doing great!! • Maintain a vibrant quality of living (safe and clean neighborhoods, thriving commercial centers, ease of transportation)
• Sense of community.
• Status Quo.
• The Overall Quality of Life Is Very Good
• The precious neighborhood quality and density.
• Water quality , opportunity to apply for household discount on utility bills.

Infrastructure, streets, transportation
• alternative transportation
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• beautiful, functional, safe "built environment"
• Beauty & fashion of natural & built environment(s).
• community services and infrastrucure: libraries, parks, open space • Experiment of new public transportation like PA Link
• FIX CRACKS IN STREETS & SIDEWALKS.
• General street maintenance.
• I think that Traffic Department does a really good job at balancing the many interests and promotes safe streets for walking and biking. We don't have cars racing through our neighborhoods trying to get out of the city faster.
• Improving infrastructure, especially streets, for walking, running, cycling, etc., i.e. reducing the dominance and necessity of motor vehicles and their negative impacts. • Its infrastructure is very conducive to walking!
• maintenance
• Palo Alto Link
• Palo Alto Link - But should be extended to adjacent cities for drop-off. • Road maintenance is done well - too much, actually! The cost must be very high. • Street and sidewalk maintenance
• strict building codes
Ease of bicycle travel/walking
• Bike friendly, great feeling of community, lot of great areas and outdoors, responsive city council, • Bike trail.
• Bike trails.
• Biking and pedestrian infrastructure
• Biking safety
• car-free zones on university ave and california ave
• KEEPS & ENHANCE CAL & U..AVE PEDESTRIAN MALLS.
• No cars on cal ave
• One of its strong points is being bike-friendly.
• Safe biking and Foothills and Baylands are wonderful. • The availability of biking and walking paths around the city. • The bike infrastructure & green spaces are great.
• The bike programs go in the right direction
• Very bike friendly.
• Walkability.

Sustainability
• Garbage management
• Giving extensive thought to the environment and climate change • low greenhouse emission
• Maintaining environment, utilities management.
• Recycling bins. Hazardous Waste needs to be reinstated as part of weekly pickup. • Toxic waste collection.

Culture, diversity
• diversity
• Friendly, responsive police and fire responders.
• Good diversity, business
• Peace
• People are all nice, educated, smart, and educated
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• The city portrays the image of being a friendly and inclusive place to live and shop. It needs to clean the streets and maintain the flora to keep up that image..

Other
• Animal control
• Animal Control personnel are prompt and helpful.
• CHG planning & communities to residents.
• Electronic communication methods
• Everything
• high housing cost
• hmmmm!
• Integrating green spaces throughout the urban and suburban landscape. • Keep free public parking
• Keep maintaining and fostering healthy lifestyle environment • Minimize Utilities Cost
• Public services response in general.
• Sponsoring programs to help residents with HPWH, electric cars, solar etc • Take unwarranted credit for its proximity to Stanford • The Stanford shopping center and Gamble gardens are lovely places to walk around. More like that (but not commercialized like the shopping center
Nothing/don’t know/something negative
• Can't think of one.
• I do not think Palo Alto has maintained the charming wonderful diversity of yrs past. They cater to the rich well and I don't want to encourager them to maintain.
• N/A
• No idea
• None of this time.
• Not sure. Don't take credit for things you don't control. • Nothing! Especially with such a large head count.
• To be honest, nothing, no need for bill lane!!
• unsure
• You do well raising utilities bill and giving terrible service you don't think in PA residents only in your pockets.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Appendix C: Results to Open -Participation Survey
After the data collection period for the probability, address-based survey was underway, the City made available a web -based survey to its residents through a link on the City’s website and on social media. Visitors to the site were able to complete the survey from September 16 – October 21, 202 4 and 727 surveys were received. This section contains the results of this open participation web-based survey. These data were not collected through a random sample and it is unknown who in the community was aware of the survey; therefore, a level of confidence in the representativeness of the sample cannot be estimated. However, to reduce bias where possible, these data were weighted to match the demographic characteristics of the 20 20 Census and 2022 American Community Survey estimates for adults in the City of Palo Alto. The results of the weighting scheme for the open participation survey are presented in the following table.

Table 117: Palo Alto, CA 2024 Weighting Table
Characteristic Population Norm Unweighted Data Weighted Data Housing
Rent home 44% 14% 34%
Own home 56% 86% 66%
Detached unit* 59% 86% 68%
Attached unit* 41% 14% 32%
Race and Ethnicity
White 55% 73% 58%
Not white 45% 27% 42%
Not Hispanic 94% 97% 93%
Hispanic 6% 3% 7%
Sex and Age
Female 52% 60% 55%
Male 48% 40% 45%
18-34 years of age 23% 2% 12%
35-54 years of age 35% 26% 37%
55+ years of age 42% 71% 51%
Females 18-34 11% 2% 8%
Females 35-54 18% 16% 20%
Females 55+ 23% 42% 27%
Males 18-34 12% 1% 4%
Males 35-54 17% 10% 18%
Males 55+ 19% 29% 23%
Area
Area 1 13% 26% 17%
Area 2 19% 23% 20%
Area 3 13% 13% 13%
Area 4 20% 13% 20%
Area 5 9% 11% 11%
Area 6 26% 14% 19%
* U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 5-year estimates
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Results Tables

Table 118: Question 1 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following aspects of quality
of life in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Palo Alto as a place to live 39% N=285 45% N=326 15% N=105 1% N=9 0% N=0 100% N=726 Your neighborhood as a place to live 44% N=316 44% N=316 11% N=80 1% N=9 0% N=0 100% N=721 Palo Alto as a place to raise children 36% N=258 37% N=264 16% N=115 3% N=19 9% N=63 100% N=719 Palo Alto as a place to work 23% N=166 38% N=274 12% N=90 3% N=22 24% N=170 100% N=721 Palo Alto as a place to visit 20% N=145 36% N=254 29% N=205 10% N=73 5% N=38 100% N=713 Palo Alto as a place to retire 15% N=107 25% N=177 19% N=140 27% N=192 14% N=103 100% N=720 The overall quality of life in Palo Alto 30% N=219 49% N=358 20% N=142 1% N=8 0% N=0 100% N=727

Table 119: Question 1 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Palo Alto as a place to live 39% N=285 45% N=326 15% N=105 1% N=9 100% N=726 Your neighborhood as a place to live 44% N=316 44% N=316 11% N=80 1% N=9 100% N=721 Palo Alto as a place to raise children 39% N=258 40% N=264 18% N=115 3% N=19 100% N=656 Palo Alto as a place to work 30% N=166 50% N=274 16% N=90 4% N=22 100% N=551 Palo Alto as a place to visit 21% N=145 38% N=254 30% N=205 11% N=73 100% N=676 Palo Alto as a place to retire 17% N=107 29% N=177 23% N=140 31% N=192 100% N=617 The overall quality of life in Palo Alto 30% N=219 49% N=358 20% N=142 1% N=8 100% N=727

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 120: Question 2 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't
know Total
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 15% N=112 50% N=365 25% N=181 10% N=70 0% N=2 100% N=730 Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 38% N=280 44% N=318 14% N=103 4% N=27 0% N=0 100% N=729 Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 38% N=274 48% N=344 13% N=92 1% N=8 0% N=2 100% N=719 Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 36% N=262 43% N=310 17% N=119 2% N=12 2% N=16 100% N=719 Residents' connection and engagement with their
community 15% N=108 42% N=306 29% N=208 10% N=75 4% N=29 100% N=726

Table 121: Question 2 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 15% N=112 50% N=365 25% N=181 10% N=70 100% N=728 Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 38% N=280 44% N=318 14% N=103 4% N=27 100% N=729 Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 38% N=274 48% N=344 13% N=92 1% N=8 100% N=718 Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 37% N=262 44% N=310 17% N=119 2% N=12 100% N=703 Residents' connection and engagement with their community 16% N=108 44% N=306 30% N=208 11% N=75 100% N=697

Table 122: Question 3 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do
each of the following: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very
unlikely
Don't
know Total
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who
asks 29% N=210 40% N=290 18% N=134 11% N=79 2% N=12 100% N=725 Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 55% N=395 25% N=184 8% N=61 8% N=54 4% N=30 100% N=724 Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends 65% N=472 19% N=138 5% N=33 4% N=28 7% N=53 100% N=723

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 123: Question 3 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very
unlikely Total
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who asks 29% N=210 41% N=290 19% N=134 11% N=79 100% N=713 Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years 57% N=395 26% N=184 9% N=61 8% N=54 100% N=694 Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends 70% N=472 21% N=138 5% N=33 4% N=28 100% N=670

Table 124: Question 4 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the job you feel the Palo Alto community
does at each of the following. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Making all residents feel welcome 16% N=120 38% N=274 26% N=189 14% N=100 6% N=47 100% N=730 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 20% N=147 28% N=207 23% N=168 22% N=158 7% N=48 100% N=728 Valuing/respecting residents from diverse
backgrounds 24% N=170 39% N=282 21% N=149 9% N=68 8% N=55 100% N=724 Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) 10% N=71 21% N=154 28% N=203 22% N=157 19% N=140 100% N=725

Table 125: Question 4 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the job you feel the Palo Alto community does at each of the following. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Making all residents feel welcome 18% N=120 40% N=274 28% N=189 15% N=100 100% N=683 Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 22% N=147 30% N=207 25% N=168 23% N=158 100% N=680 Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds 25% N=170 42% N=282 22% N=149 10% N=68 100% N=669 Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) 12% N=71 26% N=154 35% N=203 27% N=157 100% N=586

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 126: Question 5 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as
they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Overall quality of business and service
establishments in Palo Alto 14% N=103 51% N=373 26% N=192 7% N=52 1% N=6 100% N=725 Variety of business and service establishments in
Palo Alto 11% N=82 34% N=248 39% N=280 15% N=108 1% N=6 100% N=725 Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 13% N=90 32% N=231 37% N=265 17% N=121 2% N=12 100% N=719 Employment opportunities 11% N=78 27% N=192 19% N=139 9% N=62 35% N=252 100% N=724 Shopping opportunities 20% N=143 42% N=300 27% N=197 10% N=69 1% N=8 100% N=718 Cost of living in Palo Alto 1% N=7 4% N=26 22% N=156 73% N=525 1% N=9 100% N=723 Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 29% N=206 44% N=320 22% N=160 4% N=30 0% N=3 100% N=720 Traffic flow on major streets 4% N=25 35% N=250 37% N=265 25% N=177 1% N=5 100% N=722 Ease of public parking 14% N=104 43% N=308 29% N=211 11% N=82 2% N=16 100% N=721 Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 16% N=115 47% N=334 28% N=203 8% N=58 1% N=9 100% N=719 Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 3% N=20 13% N=95 23% N=168 36% N=263 24% N=176 100% N=721 Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 22% N=160 40% N=285 19% N=135 6% N=45 13% N=96 100% N=721 Ease of walking in Palo Alto 34% N=246 42% N=301 17% N=121 7% N=52 0% N=3 100% N=723 Variety of housing options 4% N=31 16% N=112 33% N=239 38% N=275 9% N=68 100% N=725 Availability of affordable quality housing 3% N=22 4% N=30 12% N=86 67% N=484 14% N=100 100% N=722 Recreational opportunities 26% N=188 49% N=353 16% N=118 5% N=39 3% N=25 100% N=723 Availability of affordable quality mental health care 4% N=30 9% N=65 12% N=90 18% N=130 57% N=411 100% N=726 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 26% N=188 44% N=313 20% N=144 7% N=47 3% N=24 100% N=715

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 127: Question 5 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 14% N=103 52% N=373 27% N=192 7% N=52 100% N=719 Variety of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 11% N=82 34% N=248 39% N=280 15% N=108 100% N=718 Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 13% N=90 33% N=231 37% N=265 17% N=121 100% N=707 Employment opportunities 17% N=78 41% N=192 30% N=139 13% N=62 100% N=473 Shopping opportunities 20% N=143 42% N=300 28% N=197 10% N=69 100% N=710 Cost of living in Palo Alto 1% N=7 4% N=26 22% N=156 73% N=525 100% N=714 Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto 29% N=206 45% N=320 22% N=160 4% N=30 100% N=717 Traffic flow on major streets 4% N=25 35% N=250 37% N=265 25% N=177 100% N=718 Ease of public parking 15% N=104 44% N=308 30% N=211 12% N=82 100% N=706 Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 16% N=115 47% N=334 29% N=203 8% N=58 100% N=710 Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 4% N=20 17% N=95 31% N=168 48% N=263 100% N=545 Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 26% N=160 46% N=285 22% N=135 7% N=45 100% N=625 Ease of walking in Palo Alto 34% N=246 42% N=301 17% N=121 7% N=52 100% N=720 Variety of housing options 5% N=31 17% N=112 36% N=239 42% N=275 100% N=658 Availability of affordable quality housing 4% N=22 5% N=30 14% N=86 78% N=484 100% N=622 Recreational opportunities 27% N=188 51% N=353 17% N=118 6% N=39 100% N=698 Availability of affordable quality mental health care 9% N=30 21% N=65 29% N=90 41% N=130 100% N=315 Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 27% N=188 45% N=313 21% N=144 7% N=47 100% N=692

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 128: Question 6 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as
they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool 4% N=30 11% N=82 16% N=116 24% N=171 45% N=322 100% N=721 K-12 education 41% N=294 29% N=205 10% N=74 3% N=21 17% N=124 100% N=718 Adult educational opportunities 23% N=165 38% N=274 14% N=97 2% N=16 23% N=166 100% N=719 Opportunities to participate in social events and
activities 15% N=109 48% N=347 22% N=159 4% N=28 10% N=74 100% N=718 Openness and acceptance of the community toward
people of diverse backgrounds 20% N=144 39% N=277 23% N=166 9% N=66 9% N=64 100% N=718 Opportunities to learn about City services via City
website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook,
Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn) 17% N=122 43% N=312 23% N=167 5% N=33 12% N=83 100% N=716

Table 129: Question 6 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Palo Alto as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool 7% N=30 20% N=82 29% N=116 43% N=171 100% N=399 K-12 education 50% N=294 35% N=205 12% N=74 3% N=21 100% N=594 Adult educational opportunities 30% N=165 50% N=274 18% N=97 3% N=16 100% N=553 Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 17% N=109 54% N=347 25% N=159 4% N=28 100% N=643 Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds 22% N=144 42% N=277 25% N=166 10% N=66 100% N=654 Opportunities to learn about City services via City website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn) 19% N=122 49% N=312 26% N=167 5% N=33 100% N=633

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 130: Question 7 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months. No Yes Total Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services 42% N=304 58% N=418 100% N=722 Visited a neighborhood park or City park 3% N=21 97% N=702 100% N=723 Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services 24% N=170 76% N=553 100% N=723 Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto 73% N=525 27% N=196 100% N=720 Attended a City-sponsored event 36% N=257 64% N=466 100% N=723 Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors 9% N=62 91% N=661 100% N=723 Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills 41% N=299 59% N=421 100% N=720 Used the Utilities webpage to conduct business or pay bills 33% N=240 67% N=483 100% N=724 Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information 42% N=304 58% N=417 100% N=721 Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion 66% N=474 34% N=246 100% N=720 Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.) 63% N=458 37% N=265 100% N=722 Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting 68% N=494 32% N=228 100% N=721 Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto 47% N=344 53% N=381 100% N=725 Voted in your most recent local election 11% N=80 89% N=644 100% N=723 Used bus, rail, subway, or other public transportation instead of driving 53% N=381 47% N=342 100% N=723 Household member was a victim of a crime in Palo Alto 86% N=621 14% N=101 100% N=721 Reported a crime to the police in Palo Alto 81% N=587 19% N=134 100% N=720 * This question did not have a “don’t know” option.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 131: Question 8 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Please rate the following categories of Palo Alto
government performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto 11% N=78 36% N=259 28% N=197 16% N=116 9% N=65 100% N=715 The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 6% N=45 33% N=240 32% N=233 22% N=157 6% N=46 100% N=721 The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming
resident involvement 11% N=77 36% N=256 24% N=175 12% N=87 17% N=121 100% N=716 Overall confidence in Palo Alto government 6% N=45 36% N=259 34% N=246 19% N=135 5% N=33 100% N=718 Generally acting in the best interest of the community 7% N=52 39% N=282 30% N=215 17% N=125 7% N=48 100% N=721 Being honest 9% N=64 34% N=244 24% N=175 13% N=93 20% N=142 100% N=717 Being open and transparent to the public 7% N=48 31% N=225 30% N=212 16% N=115 16% N=116 100% N=717 Informing residents about issues facing the community 8% N=55 38% N=272 29% N=206 17% N=118 9% N=65 100% N=716 Treating all residents fairly 7% N=52 31% N=225 21% N=153 17% N=121 24% N=171 100% N=722 Treating residents with respect 12% N=89 39% N=282 21% N=153 9% N=66 18% N=126 100% N=716

Table 132: Question 8 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the following categories of Palo Alto government performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto 12% N=78 40% N=259 30% N=197 18% N=116 100% N=650 The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking 7% N=45 36% N=240 35% N=233 23% N=157 100% N=675 The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming resident involvement 13% N=77 43% N=256 29% N=175 15% N=87 100% N=595 Overall confidence in Palo Alto government 7% N=45 38% N=259 36% N=246 20% N=135 100% N=685 Generally acting in the best interest of the community 8% N=52 42% N=282 32% N=215 19% N=125 100% N=674 Being honest 11% N=64 42% N=244 30% N=175 16% N=93 100% N=575 Being open and transparent to the public 8% N=48 37% N=225 35% N=212 19% N=115 100% N=601 Informing residents about issues facing the community 8% N=55 42% N=272 32% N=206 18% N=118 100% N=651 Treating all residents fairly 9% N=52 41% N=225 28% N=153 22% N=121 100% N=551 Treating residents with respect 15% N=89 48% N=282 26% N=153 11% N=66 100% N=590

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 133: Question 9 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't
know Total
The City of Palo Alto 15% N=109 52% N=372 23% N=164 8% N=54 2% N=18 100% N=717 The State Government 5% N=34 41% N=290 33% N=235 14% N=99 8% N=54 100% N=712 The Federal Government 5% N=32 36% N=259 40% N=283 13% N=94 6% N=41 100% N=710

Table 134: Question 9 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following? Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
The City of Palo Alto 16% N=109 53% N=372 23% N=164 8% N=54 100% N=699 The State Government 5% N=34 44% N=290 36% N=235 15% N=99 100% N=658 The Federal Government 5% N=32 39% N=259 42% N=283 14% N=94 100% N=669

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 135: Question 10 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the quality of each of the following
services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Traffic enforcement 7% N=51 34% N=242 24% N=172 23% N=160 12% N=84 100% N=708 Traffic signal timing 7% N=46 39% N=275 31% N=222 21% N=150 3% N=18 100% N=711 Street repair 7% N=49 32% N=228 35% N=248 24% N=172 2% N=14 100% N=712 Street cleaning 21% N=150 54% N=385 16% N=114 6% N=45 2% N=17 100% N=710 Street tree maintenance 16% N=116 46% N=328 23% N=167 8% N=54 7% N=47 100% N=711 Sidewalk maintenance 10% N=73 41% N=288 32% N=228 12% N=83 5% N=37 100% N=709 Land use, planning, and zoning 3% N=21 18% N=126 29% N=206 30% N=213 20% N=138 100% N=704 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 3% N=24 25% N=175 21% N=146 17% N=120 34% N=238 100% N=703 Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands,
and greenbelts) 28% N=198 48% N=340 14% N=96 3% N=20 7% N=49 100% N=703 Building and planning application processing services 3% N=20 11% N=81 16% N=114 23% N=164 46% N=328 100% N=707 Affordable high-speed internet access 9% N=63 21% N=149 25% N=174 22% N=153 23% N=165 100% N=704 Electric utility 27% N=195 41% N=291 18% N=132 8% N=57 5% N=38 100% N=713 Gas utility 25% N=179 42% N=296 15% N=106 8% N=59 10% N=72 100% N=712 Utility payment options 30% N=209 44% N=311 13% N=91 3% N=20 11% N=74 100% N=704 Drinking water 44% N=312 37% N=265 11% N=80 3% N=24 4% N=29 100% N=710 Sewer services 32% N=229 44% N=311 13% N=95 1% N=10 9% N=66 100% N=711 Storm water management (storm drainage, dams,
levees, etc.) 22% N=156 43% N=304 18% N=126 5% N=37 12% N=87 100% N=709 Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and
e-waste) 40% N=287 44% N=315 10% N=72 3% N=23 2% N=14 100% N=710 Police services 24% N=170 31% N=219 8% N=58 3% N=22 34% N=244 100% N=712 Crime prevention 12% N=88 41% N=292 16% N=115 8% N=56 23% N=160 100% N=711 Animal control 19% N=131 32% N=224 9% N=64 1% N=9 39% N=278 100% N=705 Ambulance or emergency medical services 26% N=183 22% N=153 4% N=28 1% N=10 47% N=329 100% N=703 Fire emergency services 30% N=208 22% N=156 3% N=22 1% N=8 43% N=303 100% N=697 Fire prevention and education 15% N=109 28% N=199 7% N=48 2% N=13 48% N=336 100% N=705 City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please rate the quality of each of the following
services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Palo Alto open space (e.g. Foothills, Baylands) 51% N=357 38% N=267 8% N=55 2% N=11 2% N=11 100% N=701 City parks 47% N=330 42% N=296 9% N=61 3% N=19 0% N=1 100% N=707 Recreation programs or classes 21% N=151 39% N=279 12% N=87 3% N=20 25% N=176 100% N=712 Recreation centers or facilities 23% N=161 39% N=277 12% N=83 3% N=20 23% N=163 100% N=704 Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs) 49% N=346 30% N=216 5% N=33 1% N=5 16% N=112 100% N=713 Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment,
accessibility) 52% N=370 30% N=214 5% N=36 0% N=1 12% N=87 100% N=708 Variety of library materials (books, e-books,
streaming, databases, audiobooks) 44% N=313 33% N=238 8% N=59 1% N=6 14% N=98 100% N=715 Art programs and theater 31% N=224 34% N=245 8% N=58 1% N=10 25% N=175 100% N=713 City-sponsored special events 15% N=108 42% N=299 14% N=98 3% N=22 25% N=179 100% N=706 City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 12% N=87 48% N=341 21% N=146 8% N=57 10% N=72 100% N=703 Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees
(police, receptionists, planners, etc.) 19% N=130 45% N=319 14% N=96 6% N=41 16% N=114 100% N=700

Table 136: Question 10 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Traffic enforcement 8% N=51 39% N=242 28% N=172 26% N=160 100% N=625 Traffic signal timing 7% N=46 40% N=275 32% N=222 22% N=150 100% N=693 Street repair 7% N=49 33% N=228 36% N=248 25% N=172 100% N=697 Street cleaning 22% N=150 56% N=385 16% N=114 6% N=45 100% N=694 Street tree maintenance 17% N=116 49% N=328 25% N=167 8% N=54 100% N=664 Sidewalk maintenance 11% N=73 43% N=288 34% N=228 12% N=83 100% N=672 Land use, planning, and zoning 4% N=21 22% N=126 36% N=206 38% N=213 100% N=567 Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 5% N=24 38% N=175 31% N=146 26% N=120 100% N=465 Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts) 30% N=198 52% N=340 15% N=96 3% N=20 100% N=654 Building and planning application processing services 5% N=20 21% N=81 30% N=114 43% N=164 100% N=379 Affordable high-speed internet access 12% N=63 28% N=149 32% N=174 28% N=153 100% N=539 City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Palo Alto: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total Electric utility 29% N=195 43% N=291 20% N=132 8% N=57 100% N=674 Gas utility 28% N=179 46% N=296 17% N=106 9% N=59 100% N=640 Utility payment options 33% N=209 49% N=311 14% N=91 3% N=20 100% N=630 Drinking water 46% N=312 39% N=265 12% N=80 4% N=24 100% N=682 Sewer services 36% N=229 48% N=311 15% N=95 1% N=10 100% N=645 Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees, etc.) 25% N=156 49% N=304 20% N=126 6% N=37 100% N=623 Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e-waste) 41% N=287 45% N=315 10% N=72 3% N=23 100% N=697 Police services 36% N=170 47% N=219 12% N=58 5% N=22 100% N=469 Crime prevention 16% N=88 53% N=292 21% N=115 10% N=56 100% N=550 Animal control 31% N=131 52% N=224 15% N=64 2% N=9 100% N=427 Ambulance or emergency medical services 49% N=183 41% N=153 7% N=28 3% N=10 100% N=374 Fire emergency services 53% N=208 40% N=156 6% N=22 2% N=8 100% N=394 Fire prevention and education 30% N=109 54% N=199 13% N=48 3% N=13 100% N=368 Palo Alto open space (e.g., Foothills, Baylands) 52% N=357 39% N=267 8% N=55 2% N=11 100% N=690 City parks 47% N=330 42% N=296 9% N=61 3% N=19 100% N=706 Recreation programs or classes 28% N=151 52% N=279 16% N=87 4% N=20 100% N=537 Recreation centers or facilities 30% N=161 51% N=277 15% N=83 4% N=20 100% N=541 Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs) 58% N=346 36% N=216 6% N=33 1% N=5 100% N=601 Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment, accessibility) 60% N=370 34% N=214 6% N=36 0% N=1 100% N=621 Variety of library materials (books, e-books, streaming, databases, audiobooks) 51% N=313 39% N=238 10% N=59 1% N=6 100% N=617 Art programs and theater 42% N=224 46% N=245 11% N=58 2% N=10 100% N=538 City-sponsored special events 21% N=108 57% N=299 18% N=98 4% N=22 100% N=527 City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 14% N=87 54% N=341 23% N=146 9% N=57 100% N=631 Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.) 22% N=130 54% N=319 16% N=96 7% N=41 100% N=586

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 137: Question 11 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents including "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the following as they relate to Palo Alto
Utilities’ services: Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Total Reliability of utility services 45% N=314 40% N=275 9% N=60 3% N=19 4% N=27 100% N=694 Affordability of utility services 16% N=108 33% N=227 31% N=217 16% N=110 5% N=33 100% N=695 Community value received from the City owning and
operating its own municipal utility services 40% N=278 27% N=188 11% N=74 6% N=41 16% N=113 100% N=693 Utilities online customer self-service features 25% N=170 35% N=240 9% N=64 4% N=25 28% N=189 100% N=687 Providing opportunities for energy and water
efficiency at home or business 22% N=147 36% N=244 16% N=111 4% N=26 22% N=153 100% N=682 Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 17% N=118 26% N=182 21% N=146 13% N=90 22% N=152 100% N=687 Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay 20% N=136 37% N=251 24% N=165 11% N=78 8% N=56 100% N=687 Ease of obtaining information or performing a
transaction through the City’s website 18% N=123 33% N=229 19% N=132 7% N=49 22% N=154 100% N=686 Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 20% N=135 39% N=262 17% N=114 5% N=34 19% N=131 100% N=676 Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 20% N=132 28% N=188 11% N=78 6% N=41 35% N=240 100% N=679 Speed of response after contacting Utilities
department staff 19% N=128 28% N=187 11% N=72 5% N=37 37% N=251 100% N=675

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 138: Question 11 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses Please rate the following as they relate to Palo Alto Utilities’ services: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Reliability of utility services 47% N=314 41% N=275 9% N=60 3% N=19 100% N=667 Affordability of utility services 16% N=108 34% N=227 33% N=217 17% N=110 100% N=662 Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services 48% N=278 32% N=188 13% N=74 7% N=41 100% N=580 Utilities online customer self-service features 34% N=170 48% N=240 13% N=64 5% N=25 100% N=498 Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business 28% N=147 46% N=244 21% N=111 5% N=26 100% N=529 Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 22% N=118 34% N=182 27% N=146 17% N=90 100% N=535 Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay 22% N=136 40% N=251 26% N=165 12% N=78 100% N=631
Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website 23% N=123 43% N=229 25% N=132 9% N=49 100% N=533 Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 25% N=135 48% N=262 21% N=114 6% N=34 100% N=545 Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 30% N=132 43% N=188 18% N=78 9% N=41 100% N=439 Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff 30% N=128 44% N=187 17% N=72 9% N=37 100% N=424

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 139: Question 12 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the Palo Alto community to focus on each of the following in the coming two years. Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems) 44% N=300 38% N=259 16% N=109 2% N=16 100% N=683 Overall economic health of Palo Alto 37% N=252 46% N=320 15% N=107 2% N=11 100% N=690 Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 48% N=335 33% N=230 15% N=102 4% N=26 100% N=694 Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 40% N=279 40% N=281 17% N=120 2% N=17 100% N=696 Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 18% N=127 42% N=294 33% N=229 7% N=47 100% N=697 Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 26% N=179 41% N=281 29% N=203 4% N=28 100% N=690 Residents' connection and engagement with their community 20% N=140 42% N=291 33% N=231 4% N=31 100% N=693 Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions 25% N=174 34% N=236 27% N=190 14% N=94 100% N=694 Increasing local solar generation capacity within city
boundaries 24% N=167 32% N=220 29% N=200 15% N=107 100% N=695 Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information 14% N=100 31% N=215 40% N=278 15% N=102 100% N=695 Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues 29% N=200 35% N=243 28% N=190 8% N=53 100% N=686 * This question did not have a “don’t know” option.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 140: Question 13 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Including "Don't Know" Responses In a typical week, how likely are you to: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely
Don't
know Total
Participate in organized group activities (such as
clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend
church/temple) 41% N=285 19% N=134 17% N=117 23% N=162 0% N=3 100% N=701 Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or
neighbors 64% N=449 24% N=164 6% N=44 6% N=39 0% N=1 100% N=697

Table 141: Question 13 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Without "Don't Know" Responses In a typical week, how likely are you to: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
Participate in organized group activities (such as clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend church/temple) 41% N=285 19% N=134 17% N=117 23% N=162 100% N=698 Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors 65% N=449 24% N=164 6% N=44 6% N=39 100% N=696

Table 142: Question 14 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What mode of transportation do you use most for your typical daily needs for getting around town? Percent Number Driving 66% N=465
Walking 13% N=91
Biking 18% N=126
Bus 1% N=6
Train 0% N=0
Scootering 0% N=0
Palo Alto Link 1% N=4
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 0% N=2
Carpooling 1% N=8
Total 100% N=702
* This question did not have a “don’t know” option.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 143: Question 15 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents In a typical week, how likely are you to: Very convenient Somewhat convenient Somewhat inconvenient Very inconvenient Total Walking 29% N=195 34% N=224 23% N=149 14% N=94 100% N=663 Biking 38% N=254 31% N=207 15% N=97 16% N=103 100% N=661 Bus 3% N=21 22% N=144 37% N=239 38% N=250 100% N=653
Train 8% N=54 30% N=192 29% N=184 33% N=209 100% N=638
Scootering 12% N=74 23% N=147 20% N=127 44% N=279 100% N=627 Palo Alto Link 15% N=91 38% N=228 27% N=164 19% N=113 100% N=596 Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 40% N=263 39% N=253 11% N=72 9% N=62 100% N=650 Carpooling 8% N=55 25% N=164 30% N=195 36% N=231 100% N=645 * This question did not have a “don’t know” option.

Table 144: Question 16 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents with "Don't Know" Responses If you plan to purchase a new car within the next
two years, what is the likelihood of it being: Very likely Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Don't know Total
All-electric 36% N=228 23% N=146 8% N=52 23% N=142 9% N=58 100% N=626 Plug-in hybrid 23% N=141 36% N=222 7% N=45 23% N=142 10% N=59 100% N=609 Hydrogen fuel cell 1% N=7 6% N=35 8% N=49 67% N=406 18% N=106 100% N=604 Other 13% N=60 7% N=30 2% N=9 12% N=53 67% N=301 100% N=452

Table 145: Question 16 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses If you plan to purchase a new car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
All-electric 40% N=228 26% N=146 9% N=52 25% N=142 100% N=568 Plug-in hybrid 26% N=141 40% N=222 8% N=45 26% N=142 100% N=550 Hydrogen fuel cell 1% N=7 7% N=35 10% N=49 82% N=406 100% N=498 Other 40% N=60 20% N=30 6% N=9 35% N=53 100% N=151

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 146: Question 17 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents How familiar are you with Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2030? Percent Number
Extremely familiar 3% N=23
Very familiar 10% N=69
Moderately familiar 21% N=146
Slightly familiar 22% N=153
Not familiar 44% N=306
Total 100% N=697
* This question did not have a “don’t know” option.

Table 147: Question 18 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents with "Don't Know" Responses How likely are you to do the following to support
strategies that reduce GHG emissions? Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Don't know Total
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump
water heater 26% N=182 19% N=133 9% N=64 25% N=169 21% N=142 100% N=690 Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump
HVAC system 26% N=176 16% N=107 11% N=72 26% N=175 22% N=150 100% N=679 Considering whole home electrification 17% N=117 16% N=106 13% N=90 35% N=233 19% N=125 100% N=672 Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an
induction cook top 22% N=150 15% N=101 13% N=87 34% N=226 16% N=110 100% N=674

Table 148: Question 18 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents without "Don't Know" Responses How likely are you to do the following to support strategies that reduce GHG emissions? Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater 33% N=182 24% N=133 12% N=64 31% N=169 100% N=548 Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump HVAC system 33% N=176 20% N=107 14% N=72 33% N=175 100% N=530 Considering whole home electrification 21% N=117 19% N=106 17% N=90 43% N=233 100% N=547 Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an induction cook top 27% N=150 18% N=101 15% N=87 40% N=226 100% N=564

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Demographic Questions

Table 149: Question D1 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: Percent Number
Very positive 5% N=36
Somewhat positive 24% N=168
Neutral 53% N=371
Somewhat negative 15% N=101
Very negative 3% N=20
Total 100% N=695

Table 150: Question D2 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your employment status? Percent Number
Working full time for pay 46% N=325
Working part time for pay 13% N=94
Unemployed, looking for paid work 3% N=24
Unemployed, not looking for paid work 5% N=35
Fully retired 31% N=214
College student, unemployed 1% N=9
Total 100% N=702

Table 151: Question D3 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Do you work inside the boundaries of Palo Alto? Percent Number Yes, outside the home 21% N=144
Yes, from home 27% N=183
No 52% N=357
Total 100% N=684

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 152: Question D4 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents How many years have you lived in Palo Alto? Percent Number Less than 2 years 4% N=28
2 to 5 years 11% N=78
6 to 10 years 13% N=89
11 to 20 years 19% N=136
More than 20 years 54% N=382
Total 100% N=714

Table 153: Question D5 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Which best describes the building you live in? Percent Number One family house detached from any other houses 68% N=484 Building with two or more homes (duplex, townhome, apartment or condominium) 30% N=215 Mobile home 0% N=1
Other 1% N=10
Total 100% N=710

Table 154: Question D6 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Do you rent or own your home? Percent Number
Rent 34% N=240
Own 66% N=468
Total 100% N=708

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 155: Question D7 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents About how much is your monthly housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance and homeowners' association (HOA) fees)? Percent Number Less than $500 per month 4% N=23
$500 to $999 per month 5% N=31
$1,000 to $1,499 per month 7% N=46
$1,500 to $1,999 per month 7% N=45
$2,000 to $2,499 per month 7% N=43
$2,500 to $2,999 per month 10% N=60
$3,000 to $3,499 per month 8% N=51
$3,500 to $3,999 per month 6% N=34
$4,000 to $4,499 per month 8% N=48
$4,500 to $4,999 per month 4% N=23
$4,500 to $4,999 per month 5% N=31
$5,500 to $5,999 per month 4% N=24
$6,000 to $6,499 per month 3% N=19
$6,500 to $6,999 per month 2% N=14
$7,000 to $7,499 per month 1% N=9
$7,500 to $7,999 per month 4% N=25
$8,000 to $8,499 per month 2% N=14
$8,500 to $8,999 per month 2% N=11
$9,000 to $9,499 per month 1% N=6
$9,500 to $9,999 per month 0% N=3
$10,000 or more per month 9% N=54
Total 100% N=613

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 156: Question D8 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Do any children 17 or under live in your household? Percent Number No 64% N=448
Yes 36% N=253
Total 100% N=701

Table 157: Question D9 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older? Percent Number No 57% N=402
Yes 43% N=299
Total 100% N=701

Table 158: Question D10 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents How much do you anticipate your household's total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include in your total income money from all sources for all persons living in your household.) Percent Number Less than $25,000 3% N=17
$25,000 to $49,999 4% N=25
$50,000 to $74,999 13% N=72
$75,000 to $99,999 11% N=62
$100,000 to $149,999 13% N=71
$150,000 to $199,999 10% N=59
$200,000 to $249,999 6% N=35
$250,000 to $299,999 8% N=47
$300,000 to $349,999 5% N=28
$350,000 to $399,999 5% N=26
$400,000 to $449,999 4% N=22
$450,000 to $499,999 18% N=100
$500,000 or more 0% N=0
Total 100% N=565

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 159: Question D11 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents Are you Spanish, Hispanic or Latino? Percent Number
No, not Spanish, Hispanic or Latino 93% N=619
Yes, I consider myself to be Spanish, Hispanic or Latino 7% N=47 Total 100% N=666

Table 160: Question D12 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your race? (Mark one or more races to indicate what race(s) you consider yourself to be.) Percent Number American Indian or Alaskan Native 2% N=13
Asian, Asian Indian or Pacific Islander 26% N=170
Black or African American 3% N=19
Middle Eastern or North African 5% N=29
White 65% N=421
Other 8% N=51
Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one option.

Table 161: Question D13 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents In which category is your age? Percent Number
18 to 24 years 0% N=3
25 to 34 years 11% N=78
35 to 44 years 15% N=101
45 to 54 years 22% N=153
55 to 64 years 16% N=109
65 to 74 years 21% N=143
75 years or older 14% N=94
Total 100% N=681

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 162: Question D14 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your gender? Percent Number
Female 55% N=368
Male 44% N=296
Identify in another way 1% N=8
Total 100% N=672

Table 163: Question D14 - Response Percentages and Number of Respondents What is your sexual orientation? Percent Number
Heterosexual 89% N=560
Lesbian 1% N=6
Gay 1% N=7
Bisexual 6% N=38
Identify another way 3% N=20
Total 100% N=631

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Appendix D: Results to Open -Participation Survey
compared to Probability Survey

Table 164: Question 1 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based Sample Open participation Sample
(A) (B)
Palo Alto as a place to live 91%
B
84%
Your neighborhood as a place to live 93%
B
88%
Palo Alto as a place to raise children

84% 80%
Palo Alto as a place to work

84% 80%
Palo Alto as a place to visit 70%
B
59%
Palo Alto as a place to retire 54%
B
46%
The overall quality of life in Palo Alto 89%
B
79%

Table 165: Question 2 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Overall "built environment" of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
75%
B
66%
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 88%
B
82%
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto

87% 86%
Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto

85% 81%
Residents' connection and engagement with their community

61% 59%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 166: Question 3 - by Sample
Percent rating "very likely" or "somewhat likely"
Sample Type
Address-based Sample Open participation Sample
(A) (B)
Recommend living in Palo Alto to someone who asks 78%
B
70%
Remain in Palo Alto for the next five years

79% 83%
Recommend Palo Alto’s libraries to friends

92% 91%

Table 167: Question 4 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Making all residents feel welcome 68%
B
58%
Attracting people from diverse backgrounds 59%
B
52%
Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds

71% 68%
Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.)
52%
B
38%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 168: Question 5 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Palo Alto
71% 66%
Variety of business and service establishments in Palo Alto 54% B
46%
Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area 59%
B
45%
Employment opportunities 64%
B
57%
Shopping opportunities

66% 62%
Cost of living in Palo Alto 8%
B
5%
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto

78% 73%
Traffic flow on major streets 48%
B
38%
Ease of public parking 68%
B
58%
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto 72%
B
63%
Ease of travel by public transportation in Palo Alto 31% B
21%
Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto 81%
B
71%
Ease of walking in Palo Alto 82%
B
76%
Variety of housing options

24% 22%
Availability of affordable quality housing

11% 8%
Overall quality of new development in Palo Alto 41%
B
30%
Availability of paths and walking trails

73% 71%
Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.)
78%
B
71%
Recreational opportunities 79% 77%
Availability of affordable quality mental health care 34% 30% Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities 70% 72%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 169: Question 6 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool

34% 28%
K-12 education 89%
B
84%
Adult educational opportunities

83% 80%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 65% 71% A
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
71%
B
64%
Opportunities to learn about City services via City website, social media (Twitter/X, Nextdoor, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, LinkedIn) 73% 68%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 170: Question 7 - by Sample
Percent "yes"
Sample Type
Address-
based Sample
Open
participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services 50% 58% A
Visited a neighborhood park or City park 95% 97%
Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services 75% 76% Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto 24% 27% Attended a City-sponsored event 55% 64%
A
Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors 84% 91% A
Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills 60% 59% Used the Utilities webpage to conduct business or pay bills 72% 67% Contacted the City of Palo Alto (in-person, phone, email or web) for help or information
57% 58%
Contacted Palo Alto elected officials (in-person, phone, email or web) to express your opinion
17% 34%
A
Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.)
17% 37%
A
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting 16% 32% A
Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Palo Alto 40% 53% A
Voted in your most recent local election 73% 89%
A
Used bus, rail, subway, or other public transportation instead of driving 43% 47% Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone 59% 58% Walked or biked instead of driving 86% 83%
Observed a code violation or other hazard in Palo Alto (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.)
46% 53%
A
Household member was a victim of a crime in Palo Alto 13% 14% Reported a crime to the police in Palo Alto 17% 19%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 171: Question 8 - by Sample
Percent "excellent" or "good".

Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto

56% 52%
The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking

47% 42%
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming resident involvement
54% 56%
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government

49% 44%
Generally acting in the best interest of the community

53% 50%
Being honest 61%
B
53%
Being open and transparent to the public 53%
B
46%
Informing residents about issues facing the community 58% B
50%
Treating all residents fairly 66%
B
50%
Treating residents with respect 74%
B
63%

Table 172: Question 9 - by Sample
Percent "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
The City of Palo Alto 74%
B
69%
The State Government

47% 49%
The Federal Government

41% 44%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 173: Question 10 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Traffic enforcement 56%
B
47%
Traffic signal timing 57%
B
46%
Street repair 52%
B
40%
Street cleaning 80% 77%
Street tree maintenance 72%
B
67%
Sidewalk maintenance 57% 54%
Land use, planning, and zoning 41%
B
26%
Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) 44% 43% Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts)
81% 82%
Building and planning application processing services 29% 27% Affordable high-speed internet access 44% 39%
Electric utility 67% 72%
A
Gas utility 71% 74%
Utility payment options 80% 82%
Drinking water 84% 85%
Sewer services 83% 84%
Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees,
etc.)
77% 74%
Refuse collection (garbage, recycling, yard waste, and e- waste)
83% 86%
Police services 81% 83%
Crime prevention 69% 69%
Animal control 82% 83%
Ambulance or emergency medical services 91% 90%
Fire emergency services 92% 92%
Fire prevention and education 80% 83%
Palo Alto open space (e.g Foothills, Baylands) 89% 90%
City parks 90% 89%
Recreation programs or classes 80% 80%
Recreation centers or facilities 81% 81%
Public library services (e.g., hold requests, storytimes, teen events, bookclubs)
92% 94%
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Library facilities (buildings, computer equipment,
accessibility)
93% 94%
Variety of library materials (books, e-books, streaming, databases, audiobooks)
89% 89%
Art programs and theater 84% 87%
City-sponsored special events 76% 77%
City website (cityofpaloalto.org) 72% 68%
Overall customer service by Palo Alto employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.)
79% 77%

Table 174: Question 11 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Reliability of utility services 88% 88%
Affordability of utility services 46% 51%
Community value received from the City owning and operating its own municipal utility services
78% 80%
Utilities online customer self-service features 77% 82% Providing opportunities for energy and water efficiency at home or business
70% 74%
Working hard to keep utilities prices competitive 53% 56% Value of all the services Palo Alto Utilities provides for the price you pay
58% 61%
Ease of obtaining information or performing a transaction through the City’s website
69% 66%
Value of Palo Alto Utilities’ customer communications 72% 73% Ease of contacting Utilities department staff 70% 73%
Speed of response after contacting Utilities department staff 73% 74%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 175: Question 12 - by Sample
Percent rating "excellent" or "good"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Overall “built environment” of Palo Alto (including overall design, buildings, parks and transportation systems)
79% 82%
Overall economic health of Palo Alto 78% 83%
A
Overall feeling of safety in Palo Alto 82% 81%
Overall quality of natural environment in Palo Alto 79% 80% Overall health and wellness opportunities in Palo Alto 61% 60% Overall opportunities for education, culture and the arts 69% 67% Residents' connection and engagement with their community 60% 62% Reducing community greenhouse gas emissions 60% 59%
Increasing local solar generation capacity within city boundaries 55% 56% Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for Utilities billing issues, efficiency tips, outage information
47% 45%
Faster notification systems (online, mobile or email) for public safety issues
61% 65%

Table 176: Question 13 - by Sample
Percent rating "very likely" or "somewhat likely"
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Participate in organized group activities (such as clubs, sports teams, volunteer your time, attend church/temple)
52% 60%
A
Spend quality time with local friends, family, and/or neighbors 83% 88% A

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 177: Question 15 - by Sample
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Sample Type
Address-based Sample Open participation Sample
(A) (B)
Walking 74%
B
63%
Biking 82%
B
70%
Bus 30% 25%
Train 42% 39%
Scootering 42%
B
35%
Palo Alto Link 54% 54%
Uber/Lyft or similar rideshare service 76% 79%
Carpooling 41%
B
34%

Table 178: Question 16 - by Sample
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Sample Type
Address-based Sample Open participation Sample
(A) (B)
All-electric 65% 66%
Plug-in hybrid 65% 66%
Hydrogen fuel cell 14%
B
9%
Other 59% 59%

Table 179: Question 17 - by Sample
Percent rating "very" or "extremely" familiar
Sample Type
Address-
based Sample
Open
participation
Sample
(A) (B)
How familiar are you with Palo Alto’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% by 2030?
13% 13%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Table 180: Question 18 - by Sample
Percent rating "very" or "somewhat" likely
Sample Type
Address-based
Sample
Open participation
Sample
(A) (B)
Replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump water
heater 50%
57%
A
Replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump HVAC system 46% 53%
A
Considering whole home electrification 36% 41%
Replace gas appliances with electric, such as an induction cook top 39% 44%

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

Appendix E: Verbatim Responses to Open -ended
Questions from Open Participation Survey
Following are responses to questions 16, 19 and 20. Responses are presented here in verbatim form, including any typographical, grammatical or other mistakes. Responses are in alphabetical order.

Question 16: If you plan to purchase a car within the next two years, what is the likelihood of it being one of the following: (Other) • 100% gasoline powered
• 100% Gasoline powered
• Affordable
• All-electric with range extender (small engine, small gas tank, to recharge battery) • Already own an EV
• Anything not EV
• BEV
• BMW gas car
• Car
• Conventional ICE
• don't know probably another gas car so I can go to rural areas and long road trips • Fossil fuel car
• gas
• gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas
• Gas for me. I like to go on long road trips. Imagine looking for a Tesla charger in the Arizona or New Mexico desert.
• Gas hybrid
• gas powered
• Gas powered
• Gas powered
• Gas powered
• Gas you morons
• Gas-powered
• Gas. Palo Alto's grid is unable to sustain more electric demand, as well documented in the local press. • gasoline
• gasoline
• Gasoline
• Gasoline
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

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• Gasoline or Diesel Powered
• Gasoline powered car
• Gasoline powered engine
• Gasoline powered fully
• Gasoline powered vehicle
• hybrid
• hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• Hybrid
• hybrid ( electric & gas)
• Hybrid but not plug-in
• hybrid electric
• Hybrid or gas
• hybrid or gas engine
• Hybrid sedan
• hybrid that isn't plug-in
• Hybrid/gas
• I am not likely to get any 'other' aside from all-electric or hybrid. • I am shopping for a car that is 100% gasoline
• I haven't done enough research yet to decide what type of energy efficient vehicle we would get • I may consider all gas
• I may purchase a gas-powered car.
• I selected a response to "Other" because it is a survey question. I assume it means gas or diesel powered car, or motorcycle?
• I will be buying a fully gas powered car -
• I will not purchase a gasoline car
• I won' buy an all gas car again
• I would only buy a BEV for any future car purchase
• I've worked @ Stanford, lived nearby, and shopped/eaten/attended fun things in Palo Alto for 40 years. I'm getting ready to retire & looking forward to attending nearby events in the surrounding communities. I tried to buy a plug-in hybrid during COVID but couldn't find one. Decided to keep my gas-sipping Honda till it dies, then replace with a little electric vehicle, while looking for a hybrid that can tow a travel trailer for adventuring or bugging out in case of fire, flood, or earthquake. In a year or two. The older I get, the more important safety and accessibility become. Global warming is an existential threat, and if the ocean rises more than 3 feet I will lose my house. Rise is happening MUCH faster than expected or planned for! • IC
• ICE
• ICE
• ICE hybrid Turbo
• if we don't get a plug in hybrid it will a gasoline car • Just purchased a hybrid
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
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Report of Results

• just purchased a new to me hybrid, almost got plug in hybrid due to ability to charge at city hall but plug in was too expensive
• Likelihood of it being some other category of car (e.g. gas-powered) is very low • Manual transmission car of any type.
• My next car purchase will be EV
• n/a, would only buy all-electric
• No longer drive a vehicle.
• non-plugin hybrid
• Not enough high speed free plug options to depend on plug in and guests can't visit and park locally, nor can we rent or borrow a car on occasion
• Not interested in driving
• Not planning on buying a new car
• Old beat up 40's Jeep or other.
• Only gas
• petrol car
• Possible I would. get an internal combustion engine vehicle • powered
• Probably gas because I don't have the capability to charge at home • Rebuilding engine of older diesel car and run biodiesel. • Regular gas powered
• regular hybrid
• Regular hybrid (not plug-in)
• Runs on gasoline exclusively
• Second-hand gasoline-powered car with wheelchair ramp • shopping for a new SUV - 100% gasoline - not an EV or a hybrid • The ROI on an EV does not pan out for me. Very little usage. PAUD is still 62 percent gas powered. • There was no "other".
• Toyota Dry Cell Hydrogen 3 cylinder engine in the Corolla. Hydrogen on -demand, no compressed storage tanks.
• Traditional car, as there are not long term parking options with plug in available • Traditional gas car
• Traditional gas car
• Truck-extended backwoods travel
• Unlikely to buy a car within the next two years
• Used or something affordable
• Very unlikely to purchase gas car
• We are in our 80's and don't plan on buying a new car after our present 25 + year old car dies. • We rent and the resources to plug in a vehicle to charge are not sufficient • would get the traditional gas powered car... would not want anything else. • Would love to walk only! More car-free spaces! Fully protected (physical barrier) bike lanes!.

Question 19: As a resident of Palo Alto, what one change could the City make that would make you happier?

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• #1 build more housing#2 build a quality community center with gym facilities, fitness classes, etc#3 work to minimize jet noise (from SFO and others) - it continues to be disruptive • 1. City Uber: Do not waste taxpayer money on silly services like Tesla's owned by city to drive around residents. 2. Utilities price gouging: Reduce corruption in our utilities. The price gouging by the city owned utility is unacceptable. 3. Poor stewards of taxpayer $$: Ed Shikada is not a good steward of our taxes. Please replace Ed Shikada and hire someone who will use our money efficiently. 4. City recreational service out of reach for families: The JMZ is too expensive. I can't believe you took a free or by donation entity and turned it into a money generating machine for the city. 5. Overbuilding housing: I do not support overbuilding in Palo Alto and I have noticed that the city is pushing it all to South Palo Alto because the richer residents push back in North Palo Alto. The pattern is clear and needs to stop. 6. Contain the airport: Palo Alto loves to overbuild and extend - that airport serves very few families in Palo Alto. It needs to be contained. We don't need the noise pollution. 7. Contain Castelleja: We do not need the crowding and traffic from a private school that serves very few local families. It's in the middle of a residential neighborhood and needs to be contained. They should find a campus to expand somewhere else just like all other private schools do like Keys. • 1) Streamline the building planning/permit/inspection process to make residential construction more efficient and less costly 2) Raise then maintain a 6 to 7 story limit on residential and commercial buildings (like Paris, France)
• A downtown with more retail and fewer restaurants. Also opening op California Ave. to cars. • A greater focus on building community: requiring gathering spaces in new developments, providing more social events--some targeted at specific age groups (eg, high school students, those in their 20s/30s, and then for older adults)--and some city-wide events, possibly supporting neighborhood associations if needed. Better communication/promotion of the "What's happening in Palo Alto?" and "Hot Topics" part of the web site. • A lot of neighbors are remodeling their homes. The city planers need to review fast and approve projects instead of sitting and dragging. I heard it's a night mare over the past year. Can you check if this is true. Some of us are planning to remodel in the coming 1-2 years. Your department cannot be dragging. What is going on. Can the city government look into this???Thank you
• A toss-up: Reduce the amount of high density housing. Enforce strict rent control for retail business and housing.Use 'tough love" to provide shelter and medical service to our homeless • Abandon the pointless S/CAP. End the City recycling programs. • abolish R-1 zoning
• Active, engaged senior activities at Cubberley
• Actively lobby the State to moderate demands for growth. • Add *only* affordable housing, improve traffic plan
• add housing and allow for increased density esp in areas with large lots that are likely to be redeveloped when they next turnover
• Add more pickleball courts!!!
• Add more public trash bins and add more dog parks
• Add public restrooms and budget every year to the Palo Alto Parks where there is no access to public facilities within .5 miles. Upgrade the bathrooms at Lucie Stern. • Add retail including large affordable grocery stores so we don't have to shop outside of Palo Alto
• Address vacancy rate downtown
• affordable housing
City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results

• Affordable housing
• Affordable housing
• Affordable Housing
• Affordable Housing
• Affordable housing for local service providers
• Affordable housing for young families. My children work in Palo Alto/Menlo Park but cannot afford to buy a home.
• Affordable housing in reasonable locations (transit, groceries, health, with support as needed. • Affordable housing, finding housing for all
• affordable housing, reduce homelessness
• Affordable housing. Doing everything we can to house more neighbors and ensure we are getting young families to thrive here.
• Affordable services! Where can we shop without spending outside of the city? How can we access the city using shared bikes, or for those that can't bike- use public transportation??? Link is so limited- great concept but not applicable to most all users as the boundaries of range are too restricted, and age of users does not include children, and the hours of operation are incapable with Life needs. Try calling a city service- no one ever answers the phone. Even the police don't have hours accessible to public. Library is great, but hours are so restricted and services are minimal outside of books circulating. Rec classes all look good, but everyone gives up as enrollment is always full and hours are not conducive to working families. Worst is requiring tickets and reservations on PA website- so embarrassing when guests visit and can not visit our establishments. If guests come to the park, for example, they have to drive because there is no public transportation from the train, but then they can not park for more than 2 hours! We can't even get tree limbs cleared or water fountains fixed or fields leveled at our parks. Seeing how other communities excersise their funds so much more efficiently is disheartening. Having consistent power does help PA stand above other cities. • Aggressively work with local, state, and federal agencies to reduce the flooding threat of San Francisquito Creek.
• Airplane noise is CONSTANT and ruins any outdoor enjoyment of our home. Get your over-paid city attorney to make the FAA stop funneling all air traffic over PA. • All internet access
• Allow dogs off leash in parks
• Allow e-bikes on Baylands trails
• Allow for the building of du, tri and quad plebes on SFR lots. • Allow mixed-use multifamily developments everywhere
• Allow more more construction of multi family homes
• Allow much more residential building. Current zoning is a massive class+income-based act of discrimination - a disgrace.
• Allow multi-story residential buildings and rezone commercial areas to residential to improve housing options. Builder's remedy has been a very good thing to force progress in this area.

Also, give teenagers a place to study in the evenings (til 9 or 10 pm) in addition to Mitchell Park Library, which is a long drive for us.
• Allow neighborhood camping in the neighborhood parks; group camping spaces at Foothill park.

Community pool in Evergreen Park area.
• Allow outdoor hemp plants
• Allow parking passes for employees of local businesses. • Allow residents to choose (or sign-up for) clean-up days.

City of Palo Alto Community Survey
November 2024

Report of Results