January 20, 2026 www.paloalto.gov
2025 Community
Survey Study Session
1 Results for
Palo Alto, CA
Community Survey
2025
2 ● 21th time conducting the Palo Alto Community Survey ● Survey conducted from August 1st to October 3, 2025
● 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.
● 574 total responses received; 16% overall response rate ● 2 surveys completed in Simplified Chinese. 2 in Spanish ● 2024: 585 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: 216 responses Survey Methodology
3 Response Rate and Margin of Error Over Time
29%27%25%26%
21%21%22%
12%
17%17%16%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
5%
3% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% 5% 4% 4% 4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Response Rate Margin of Error
4 Polco’s Benchmarking Database
More than 400
comparison communities
across the nation.
Representing the opinions
of more than 50 million
residents.
5 Overview of
Survey Results
6 Comparisons to National Benchmarks
61 received similar
ratings
5 received
lower
ratings
22 received
higher
ratings
7 Comparisons to Previous Survey Year
124
received similar
ratings
1 received
more
negative
ratings
14 received
more
positive
ratings
8 Key Findings
9 Palo Alto residents
continue to
express strong
satisfaction with
quality of life.
10 Quality of Life in Palo Alto
Quality of Life Measures
74%
78%
75%
84%
77%
77%
78%
79%
82%
81%
Recommend living in Palo Alto to
someone who asks
Remain in Palo Alto for the next five
years
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Excellent,
41%
Good,
47%
Fair,
11% Poor, 1%
Percent excellent or good
Quality of Life
11 Other Aspects of Quality of Life
53%
73%
83%
85%
90%
92%
54%
70%
84%
84%
91%
93%
55%
71%
83%
80%
90%
92%
Palo Alto as a place to retire
Palo Alto as a place to visit
Palo Alto as a place to raise children
Palo Alto as a place to work
Palo Alto as a place to live
Your neighborhood as a place to live
2025
2024
2023
Percent excellent or good
Higher than national
benchmarks
12 While residents report
high satisfaction with
city services, some
areas show room for
improvement.
13 Top-rated City Services
Higher than national
benchmarks
Percent excellent or good
83%
89%
92%
84%
91%
89%
93%
90%
92%
87%
88%
90%
90%
91%
93%
93%
94%
94%
Sewer services
Variety of library materials
Fire emergency services
Drinking water
Ambulance or EMS
Palo Alto open space
Library facilities
City parks
Public library services
2025 2024
80%
82%
81%
81%
84%
80%
80%
81%
83%
78%
81%
83%
84%
85%
86%
86%
86%
86%
Fire prevention and education
Animal Control
Preservation of natural areas
Recreation centers or facilities
Art programs and theater
Recreation programs or classes
Utility payment options
Police services
Refuse collection
2025 2024
Percent excellent or good
14 Lower-rated City Services
29%
41%
44%
44%
32%
43%
47%
54%
Building and planning application
processing services
Land use, planning and zoning
Code enforcement
Affordable high-speed internet
access
2025
2024
Percent excellent or good
15 Service Ratings Changes Over Time
Increased since 2024:
• Affordable high-speed internet access
• Electric utility services
Higher than the National Benchmark:
• Palo Alto open space
• City parks
• Preservation of natural areas
• Drinking water
• Utility payment options
• Street cleaning
• Recreation centers/facilities
• Recreation programs/classes
16 Business Quality Joins
Palo Alto’s Reputation,
Walkability, Bikeability,
and Fitness Among
Top-Rated Community
Features
17 Top Community Characteristics
66%
72%
70%
73%
79%
71%
78%
81%
78%
82%
67%
70%
72%
74%
77%
78%
79%
80%
81%
83%
Shopping opportunities
Ease of travel by car in Palo Alto
Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities
Availability of paths and walking trails
Recreational opportunities
Overall quality of business and service
establishments
Fitness opportunities
Ease of travel by bicycle in Palo Alto
Overall image or reputation of Palo Alto
Ease of walking in Palo Alto
2025
2024
Percent excellent or goodHigher than national
benchmarks
18 Affordable housing
and cost of living
continue to be key
concerns.
19 Housing and Cost of Living
Cost of Living
Excellent, 2% Good, 7%
Fair, 24%
Poor, 67%
Availability of Affordable
Quality Housing
Excellent, 3% Good, 7%
Fair, 18%
Poor, 72%
Variety of Housing
Options
Excellent, 6%
Good,
20%
Fair, 35%
Poor, 39%
20 Top of Mind – Changes to the city
1%
10%
2%
2%
3%
3%
4%
4%
4%
6%
7%
8%
10%
13%
21%
Don't know
Other
Code Enforcement
Develop Infrastructure
Walking and Biking trails
Noise and Urban Environment
Cleanliness of community; upkeep
Homelessness and RVs
Economic Development
Community Amenities and Services
City Governance and Administration
Public Safety and Policing
Make the city more affordable
Transportation and Traffic
Housing and Construction
21 Parks, open space,
and the natural
environment stand
out as Palo Alto’s
greatest strengths.
22 Top of Mind – Thing the city does well
1%
7%
1%
1%
2%
3%
4%
6%
7%
7%
9%
11%
14%
28%
Don't know
Other
Culture, diversity
Infrastructure, streets, transportation
Sustainability
Ease of bicycle travel/walking
Quality of life, reputation
Government/leadership; government communication
Schools and education, programs for the youth
Safety services
Cleanliness of community; upkeep
Utilities and city services
Activities and Recreation (arts, libraries, museums)
Parks, open space, and natural environment
23 Participation in Community Activities
18%
22%
24%
25%
41%
51%
52%
53%
56%
57%
69%
74%
78%
88%
95%
Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting Contacted Palo Alto elected officials to express opinions Participated in religious or spiritual activities in Palo Alto Attended a local public meeting
Volunteered your time to some group/activity
Contacted the City of Palo Alto for help or information Used Palo Alto recreation centers or their services
Used bus, rail, subway, or other public transportation
Attended a City-sponsored event
Used the City’s website to conduct business or pay bills Used the Utilities webpage
Used Palo Alto public libraries or their services
Voted in your most recent local election
Talked to or visited with your immediate neighbors
Visited a neighborhood park or City park
24 Residents report
limited awareness
of sustainability
programs.
25 Sustainability Programs Knowledge
Palo Alto’s Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) and its
goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions 80% by 2030
Extremely
familiar, 1%
Very
familiar,
5%
Moderately
familiar,
18%
Slightly
familiar,
18%
Not
familiar,
58%
Palo Alto’s programs to
advance our community
goals such as home
electrification
Extremely
familiar, 3%
Very
familiar,
12%
Moderately
familiar,
21%
Slightly
familiar,
18%
Not
familiar,
45%
26 Motivations for Switching to Electric Appliances
29%
30%
35%
37%
59%
I am not going to upgrade to electric
Save time with helpful installation
Affect climate change
Improve health and safety
Save money through rebates
Which of the following considerations would most motivate you to replace your major gas appliances with an electric model? (Select up to three) 27 Ratings for Palo
Alto government
performance
remain strong, with
gains in key areas.
28 Government Performance
53%
53%
61%
66%
74%
60%
60%
62%
62%
73%
Being open and transparent to the
public
Generally acting in the best interest
of the community
Being honest
Treating all residents fairly
Treating residents with respect
2025
2024
Treating Residents with Respect
Excellent,
21%
Good,
52%
Fair, 22%
Poor, 5%
Aspects of Government Performance
Percent excellent or good
29 Government Performance
Aspects of Government Performance
47%
49%
58%
56%
54%
53%
55%
57%
59%
59%
The overall direction that Palo Alto is taking
Overall confidence in Palo Alto government
Informing residents about issues facing the community
The value of services for the taxes paid to Palo Alto
The job Palo Alto government does at welcoming
resident involvement
2025
2024
Percent excellent or good
30 Quality of the services provided by City, Estate and Federal Government
Percent excellent or good
88% 84% 83% 85% 81%
86% 82%
73% 72% 74% 74% 78%
41%
33%
40%
47% 46%
54%
46%
52%
57%
50% 47%
52%50%
37%
48%
46% 46%
36% 33%
27%
47% 45% 41%
19%
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 The City of Palo Alto State Government The Federal Government 31 Summary of
Key Findings
1. Palo Alto residents continue to express strong satisfaction with quality of life.
2. While residents report high satisfaction with city services, some areas show room for improvement.
3. Business Quality Joins Palo Alto’s Reputation, Walkability, Bikeability, and Fitness Among Top-Rated Community
Features
4. Affordable housing and cost of living continue to be key concerns.
5. Parks, open space, and the natural environment stand out as Palo Alto’s greatest strengths.
6. Residents report limited awareness of sustainability programs.
7. Ratings for Palo Alto government performance remain
strong, with gains in key areas.
32 Thank you!
33