December 9, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org
2024 Community
Survey Study Session
Lupita Alamos,
Assistant to the City Manager
Results for
Palo Alto, CA
Community Survey
2024
● 20th time conducting the Palo Alto Community Survey
● Survey conducted from August 19 to October 21, 2024
● Probability-based sample of 3,600 households
● All households received 3 mailings
● Online survey available in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese ● Results grouped by 6 areas.
● 585 total responses received; 17% overall response rate ● 3 surveys completed in Simplified Chinese
● 2023: 603 responses, 17% response rate
● Results statistically weighted to reflect Palo Alto overall ● 95% confidence interval with a +/- 4% margin of error ● Non-probability, open-participation sample: 727 responses ● 2023: 93 responses
Survey Methodology
Response Rate and Margin of Error Over Time
29% 27% 25% 26%
21% 21% 22%
12%
17% 17%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
5%
3% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% 5% 4% 4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024
Response Rate Margin of Error
Polco’s Benchmarking Database
More than 500
comparison communities
across the nation.
Representing the opinions
of more than 50 million
residents.
Overview of
Survey Results
Comparisons to National Benchmarks
65 received similar
ratings
3 received
lower
ratings
23 received
higher
ratings
Comparisons to Previous Survey Year
120
received similar
ratings
19 received
more
negative
ratings
3 received
more
positive
ratings
Key Findings
Palo Alto residents
continue to rate
their quality of life
highly.
Quality of Life in Palo Alto
Quality of Life Measures
74%
78%
75%
84%
77%
77%
78%
79%
Recommend living in Palo Alto to
someone who asks
Remain in Palo Alto for the next five
years
2024
2023
2022
2021
Excellent
, 41%
Good,
48%
Fair,
10% Poor, 1%
Percent excellent or good
Quality of Life
Other Aspects of Quality of Life
46%
69%
87%
79%
88%
88%
53%
73%
83%
85%
90%
92%
54%
70%
84%
84%
91%
93%
Palo Alto as a place to retire
Palo Alto as a place to visit
Palo Alto as a place to raise children
Palo Alto as a place to work
Palo Alto as a place to live
Your neighborhood as a place to live
2024
2023
2022
Percent excellent or good
Higher than national
benchmarks
Aspects if Quality of Life by Area
While residents were
very satisfied with
many City services,
there are areas
for improvement.
Top-rated City Services
Higher than national
benchmarks
Percent excellent or good
90%
93%
93%
90%
93%
93%
93%
89%
89%
90%
91%
92%
92%
93%
Variety of library materials
Palo Alto open space
City parks
Ambulance or EMS
Fire emergency services
Public library services
Library facilities
2024 2023
83%
77%
85%
83%
84%
85%
78%
87%
87%
83%
86%
80%
80%
80%
81%
81%
81%
82%
83%
83%
84%
84%
Recreation programs or classes
Fire prevention and education
Utility payment options
Preservation of natural areas
Police services
Recreation centers or facilities
Animal Control
Sewer services
Refuse collection
Art programs and theater
Drinking water
2024 2023
Percent excellent or good
City Services by Area
Lower-rated City Services
Aspects of Utility Services
38%
40%
53%
45%
29%
41%
44%
44%
Building and planning application
processing services
Land use, planning and zoning
Code enforcement
Affordable high-speed internet
access
2024
2023
Lower-rated City Services by Area
Service Ratings Changes Over Time
Increased since 2023:
• Street repair
Decreased since 2023:
• Building and planning application processing services • Code enforcement
• Traffic enforcement
• Traffic signal timing
• Sidewalk maintenance
• Electric utility
Issues related to
affordable housing and
cost of living remain a
concern for residents.
Housing and Cost of Living
Cost of Living
Excellent, 1% Good, 4%
Fair, 22%
Poor, 73%
Availability of Affordable
Quality Housing
Excellent, 4% Good, 5%
Fair, 14%
Poor, 78%
Top of Mind – Changes to the city
2%
9%
4%
4%
4%
5%
5%
6%
7%
7%
8%
15%
23%
Don't know
Other
Homelessness and Social Services
Economic Development
Walking and Biking trails
Public Safety and Policing
Make the city more affordable
Noise and Urban Environment
City Governance and Administration
Community Amenities and Services
Develop Infrastructure
Transportation and Traffic
Housing and Construction
Top Community Characteristics
Community Characteristics
78%
80%
72%
76%
76%
77%
79%
76%
85%
72%
74%
73%
73%
76%
76%
77%
77%
80%
70%
71%
72%
73%
78%
78%
79%
81%
82%
Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities
Overall quality of business and service
establishments
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto
Availability of paths and walking trails
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto
Fitness opportunities
Recreational opportunities
Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto
Ease of walking in Palo Alto
2024
2023
2022
Percent excellent or goodHigher than national
benchmarks
Community Characteristics by Area
Parks, open space,
and natural
environment
topped the rank of
things that the
City does well.
Top of Mind – Thing the city does well
4%
4%
1%
2%
3%
3%
4%
5%
5%
7%
11%
12%
13%
25%
Don't know
Other
Sustainability
Culture, diversity
Government/leadership; government communication
Quality of life, reputation
Schools and education, programs for the youth
Infrastructure, streets, transportation
Ease of bicycle travel/walking
Cleanliness of community; upkeep
Utilities and city services
Safety services
Activities and Recreation (arts, libraries, museums)
Parks, open space, and natural environment
Ratings for Palo
Alto government
performance
remain strong.
Government Performance
51%
53%
50%
68%
61%
62%
62%
71%
58%
61%
66%
74%
Informing residents about issues
facing the community
Being honest
Treating all residents fairly
Treating residents with respect
2024
2023
2022
Treating Residents with Respect
Excellent, 24%
Good,
50%
Fair, 19%
Poor, 6%
Aspects of Government Performance
Percent excellent or good
Government Performance
Aspects of Government Performance
42%
47%
52%
53%
46%
51%
54%
52%
55%
57%
55%
57%
47%
49%
53%
53%
54%
56%
The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government
Generally acting in the best interest of the community
Being open and transparent to the public
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming
resident involvement
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto
2024
2023
2022
Percent excellent or good
Summary of
Key Findings
1. Palo Alto residents continue to rate their quality of life highly.
2. While residents were very satisfied with many City
services, there are areas for improvement with
planning, zoning and enforcement.
3. Issues related to affordable housing and cost of
living remain a concern for residents.
4. Parks, open space, and natural environment topped
the rank of things that City does well.
5. Ratings for Palo Alto government performance
remain strong.
Questions?
Thank you!