City of Santa Clara
Community Survey
February 2024
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About EMC and Community Priorities Project
` EMC Research is a national full-service opinion research firm serving an extensive and diverse range of public and private sector clients since 1989. We have performed research for the City of Santa Clara dating back to 2018.
` Our clients include public agencies across the Bay Area and beyond, who rely on us to:
• Craft insightful research tools,
• Collect highly accurate data, and
• Provide analysis that answers their key strategic questions and informs decision-making. ` The City of Santa Clara engaged EMC Research to perform research to aid in understanding resident satisfaction with the City’s efforts around the current Council Priority Areas, and to gauge resident priorities to inform the setting of new Priority Areas. ` Project lead by Firm Principal Jessica Polsky-Sanchez and Vice President Brendan Kara. ~M~
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Methodology
` Survey of Residents aged 18 and older in the City of Santa Clara ` Total of 600 completed surveys; Margin of Error ±4.0 percentage points ` Conducted February 20 – 27, 2024
` Mixed-mode (telephone, text- and email-to-web) methodology • Phone interviews conducted by trained, professional interviewers; landlines and mobile phones included
• Residents were sent an invitation via email and text to complete the survey online • Survey was conducted in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%. ~M~
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Key Findings
` Residents are generally satisfied with life in the City of Santa Clara and the City largely receives good ratings for its provision of services. ` Issues around homelessness and the availability/development of affordable housing are top concerns and priorities for Santa Clara residents. ` While public safety is also a top concern, many residents do feel the city is safe. Still, investments in police and first responders are welcome. ` Other top issues of importance to residents include:
• Economic development (downtown businesses and boosting the economy),
• Road and sidewalk maintenance, and
• Utility (water, sewer, and road) emergency response.
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Key City Ratings
A majority of Santa Clara residents rate the City positively on key items.
Negative
17%
Disagree
28%
Dissatisfied
29%
(Don’t Know) 2% (Don’t Know) 1%
Good
54%
Somewhat
Agree
51%
Somewhat
Satisfied
58%
Excellent 28% Strongly Agree 19% Very Satisfied 11%
Favorable Rating Job Rating Favorable Rating
The City of Santa Clara
as a place to live
I am excited about the
future of Santa Clara
The overall job the
City of Santa Clara is doing
Positive
83%
Agree
70%
Satisfied
69%
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Segmentation
Two thirds of residents have a positive outlook on Santa Clara.
Excited and Happy: Rate Santa Clara as an excellent place to live OR are very satisfied with the overall job the City of Santa Clara is doing AND agree that they are excited for the future of Santa Clara Future is Bright: Rate Santa Clara as a good place to live OR are somewhat satisfied with the overall job the City of Santa Clara is doing AND agree that they are excited for the future of Santa Clara Agnostic: Mixed responses or refusal/don’t know
Disillusioned: Rate Santa Clara negatively in a majority of those questions Excited and Happy
28%
Future is Bright
40%
Agnostic
11%
Disillusioned
22%
67%
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28%
31%
32%
28%
23%
26%
27%
26%
29%
30%
29%
25%
38%
22%
17%
26%
29%
33%
40%
40%
37%
28%
47%
39%
32%
36%
36%
38%
50%
36%
35%
44%
41%
45%
42%
31%
11%
11%
8%
15%
11%
8%
15%
11%
12%
12%
7%
16%
9%
10%
10%
9%
13%
14%
22%
18%
23%
29%
19%
27%
25%
27%
22%
20%
14%
23%
17%
23%
32%
20%
16%
21%
Overall
Male:18-49 (33%)
Male:50-64 (11%)
Male:65+ (9%)
Female:18-49 (25%)
Female:50-64 (11%)
Female:65+ (11%)
White (31%)
Hispanic/Latino (18%)
Chinese (12%)
Other AAPI (24%)
Other/Unknown (15%)
City Council District 1 (15%)
City Council District 2 (17%)
City Council District 3 (16%)
City Council District 4 (16%)
City Council District 5 (16%)
City Council District 6 (20%)
Excited and Happy Future Looking Agnostic Disillusioned Segmentation by Subgroups
Both men and women under the age of 65, and those in CCDs 1, 4, and 5 are the happiest with life in Santa Clara. ~M~
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28%
27%
28%
29%
29%
40%
36%
43%
36%
43%
11%
12%
10%
13%
11%
22%
25%
19%
22%
17%
Overall
Homeowner (46%)
Renter/Other (54%)
Household income: <$100k
(26%)
Household income: $100k+
(52%)
Excited and Happy Future Looking Agnostic Disillusioned Segmentation by Subgroups
Renters and those with household incomes above $100k are the happiest with life in Santa Clara. ~M~
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Most Important Issue (Open Ended)
22%
12%
10%
6%
6%
6%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
10%
10%
Affordable Housing
Homelessness
Crime/Drugs
Road Repairs/Infrastructure
Politicians/Government
Cost of living
Growth/Development
Traffic/Congestion
Education
49ers/Levis Stadium
Climate Change/Environment
Public Transportation
Revitalize Downtown
Other
None/Don't know/No opinion
Affordable housing and homelessness are top of mind issues for residents.
What do you feel is the single, most important issue facing the City of Santa Clara? “Maintaining the integrity of the
government outside the 49ers.”
“Overseeing house ownership and
making sure people live in the house and
don't just rent it out or do AirBnB. It's
ruining neighborhoods and rent prices.”
“Poorly controlled development at the expense of
public and private facilities. This leaves few
recreational opportunities in such a large city.”
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City Ratings
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11%
21%
20%
19%
18%
18%
15%
15%
12%
11%
9%
8%
58%
51%
49%
47%
52%
47%
41%
45%
38%
48%
44%
23%
1%
2%
3%
3%
2%
4%
4%
5%
3%
4%
1%
3%
23%
17%
21%
25%
24%
24%
21%
27%
32%
30%
30%
35%
6%
9%
8%
7%
4%
7%
18%
8%
16%
8%
16%
31%
69%
72%
68%
66%
70%
65%
56%
60%
50%
58%
53%
31%
29%
26%
29%
32%
28%
32%
39%
36%
48%
38%
46%
66%
+40
+46
+39
+34
+42
+33
+17
+24
+2
+21
+7
-35
The overall job the City of Santa Clara is doing
Providing responsive and high-quality City services
Providing sports and recreation opportunities
Promoting sustainability and environmental protection
Providing communication and education for the community Promoting opportunities for the community to provide feedback to the City Providing oversight and management of Levi’s Stadium
Enhancing public art installations and events
Planning for transportation and mobility needs
Promoting economic development
Improving City infrastructure
Developing affordable housing
Very
satisfied
Somewhat
satisfied
(Don't
Know)
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Very
dissatisfied
Satisfaction with City Services
And generally speaking, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the job Santa Clara is doing on each of the following? A majority of residents are satisfied with specific services the City provides, except for developing affordable housing. As a reflection of the City’s pillars, responsiveness and communication rank highly, along with recreation and sustainability.
Total
Sat.
Total
Dissat.
Net
Sat.
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Pillar and Question Comparison Ratings
Council Priority Area “Pillars” Total Satisfied Question Text Quality and Efficient City Services and Infrastructure
72% Providing responsive and high-quality City services 53% Improving City infrastructure
Housing, Transportation, and Economic Development
58% Promoting economic development
31% Developing affordable housing
50% Planning for transportation and mobility needs
Community Sports, Recreation, and Arts
68% Providing sports and recreation opportunities
60% Enhancing public art installations and events
Managing Levi’s Stadium to Best Support the Community 56% Providing oversight and management of Levi’s Stadium Community Engagement and Transparency
70% Providing communication and education for the
community
65% Promoting opportunities for the community to provide feedback to the City
Environmental Sustainability and Protection
66% Promoting sustainability and environmental protection ~M~
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60%
38%
19%
6%
25%
50%
51%
44%
1%
2%
6%
9%
9%
23%
27%
5%
3%
5%
17%
85%
88%
70%
50%
15%
12%
28%
44%
+70
+76
+42
+6
I am concerned about friends or family members being
able to find an affordable place to live in Santa Clara Santa Clara is a safe place to live
I am excited about the future of Santa Clara
City government is focusing on the priorities that matter most to community members
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat
Agree
(Don't
Know)
Somewhat
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Various Statements
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the statement? Availability of affordable housing in Santa Clara is a significant issue, with 3-in-5 residents expressing concern with loved one's ability to find an affordable home. Residents are split on whether the City is focusing on priorities that matter to them.
Total
Agree
Total
Disagree
Net
Agree
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City Priorities
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City Priorities
How would you rate that item on a scale of one to seven, where 1 is a very low priority and 7 is a very high priority? Looking forward, resident priorities have a significant focus on homelessness and affordable housing, but road maintenance enhancing of services for utilities, and supporting local businesses are also areas residents broadly agree should be a focus. 44%
42%
41%
38%
37%
37%
33%
31%
27%
33%
29%
45%
33%
46%
33%
47%
44%
49%
11%
12%
9%
15%
11%
13%
13%
16%
17%
8%
11%
4%
10%
5%
11%
6%
8%
5%
4%
5%
1%
4%
1%
6%
1%
1%
1%
77%
72%
86%
71%
83%
69%
80%
75%
76%
Preventing homelessness
Helping to increase the supply of affordable housing
Maintaining roads, sidewalks, bikeways, and pedestrian crossings Enhancing police services and public safety
Enhancing emergency response services for City utilities like water, sewer and roads
Supporting people experiencing homelessness
Supporting local businesses
Enhancing firefighting and first responder services
Focusing on strategies to boost the local economy
7 - Very high priority 5-6 4/(Don't Know) 2-3 1 - Very low priority Total priority ~M~
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City Priorities
How would you rate that item on a scale of one to seven, where 1 is a very low priority and 7 is a very high priority? Priorities around climate change, sports and recreation, and Levi’s Stadium are ranked as lower priority items. 26%
20%
20%
16%
15%
15%
8%
41%
39%
30%
41%
29%
31%
32%
11%
16%
23%
19%
21%
18%
22%
10%
15%
20%
21%
22%
25%
28%
12%
9%
7%
3%
14%
11%
10%
67%
59%
49%
58%
44%
46%
40%
Preparing for the impacts of climate change
Reducing local greenhouse gas emissions
Improving traffic control around Levi’s Stadium during games and events Improving community sports and recreation facilities
Attracting world-renowned events to Levi’s Stadium and the Santa Clara Convention Center
Limiting the impact Levi’s Stadium event attendees have on residents of nearby neighborhoods
Investing in the public arts
7 - Very high priority 5-6 4/(Don't Know) 2-3 1 - Very low priority Total priority ~M~
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“Government Lacks Focus” Resident Priorities
How would you rate that item on a scale of one to seven, where 1 is a very low priority and 7 is a very high priority? Top priorities for those who feel that the government does not focus on priorities that matter the most to the community include infrastructure, utilities, and the local economy. 89%
84%
80%
76%
75%
73%
67%
64%
64%
62%
60%
55%
44%
44%
39%
33%
Maintaining roads, sidewalks, bikeways, and pedestrian crossings Enhancing emergency response services for City utilities like water, sewer and roads Supporting local businesses
Focusing on strategies to boost the local economy
Preventing homelessness
Enhancing firefighting and first responder services
Enhancing police services and public safety
Helping to increase the supply of affordable housing
Supporting people experiencing homelessness
Preparing for the impacts of climate change
Improving community sports and recreation facilities
Reducing local greenhouse gas emissions
Improving traffic control around Levi’s Stadium during games and events Investing in the public arts
% Total Priority
Limiting the impact Levi’s Stadium event attendees have on residents of nearby neighborhoods Attracting world-renowned events to Levi’s Stadium and the Santa Clara Convention Center Among those who disagree that the
government is focusing on priorities
that matter to them, Q5 = 3 or 4; n=273
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Affordability Ratings by Subgroups
Renters are notably more likely than homeowners to value the City’s prioritization of affordable housing and homelessness.
Overall White
(31%)
Hispanic/
Latino
(18%)
Chinese
(12%)
Other AAPI
(24%)
Renter/
Other
(54%)
Homeowner
(46%)
Household
income:
<$100K
(26%)
Household
income:
$100K+
(52%)
I am concerned about
friends or family members
being able to find an
affordable place to live in
Santa Clara.
(Total Agree)
85%
93% 89% 70% 80% 88% 80% 87% 86%
Developing affordable
housing
(Total
Dissatisfied)
66%
70% 77% 55% 54% 77% 53% 69% 66%
Preventing homelessness
(Total
Priority)
77%
78% 79% 62% 82% 82% 72% 77% 80%
Supporting people
experiencing
homelessness
(Total
Priority)
69%
72% 74% 45% 72% 77% 61% 74% 70%
Helping to increase the
supply of affordable
housing
(Total
Priority)
72%
73% 76% 60% 72% 82% 59% 77% 74%
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I
I
I
I
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Other Priorities for City Council (Open Ended)
8%
7%
6%
5%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
7%
24%
Housing/Rent prices, availability and affordability
Safety/Crime reduction/Crime has increased
Community engagement and events/Prioritize residents
Local economic and small business development/Jobs
Better government/Corruption/49ers interfering in politics Education quality and access
Address homelessness
Road maintenance/infrastructure
Expand public transportation/accessibility
Improve parks/Nature preservation/More green areas
Clean energy/Environmental sustainability/Water management Development planning/Controlling growth
Better manage and increase revenue from Levi Stadium
Revamp downtown/Make it a desirable place
Reopen International Swin Center
Support minorities/community diversity
Police reform/more police presence
Garbage management/Cleaner City
Healthcare access/affordability
Reduce traffic/congestion
Other
None/Don't know/No opinion
When asked about other priorities for the City, rent control and affordable housing are top mentions, as is crime reduction and community engagement.
As you may know, the City
Council’s priorities include:
• Quality and Efficient City
Services and Infrastructure
• Managing the City’s Workforce
• Housing, Transportation, and
Economic Development
• Community Sports, Recreation,
and Arts
• Managing Levi’s Stadium to
Best Support the Community
• Community Engagement and
Transparency
• Environmental Sustainability
and Protection
In your own words
, are there any
other issues you would like to see
prioritized by the City of Santa
Clara?
“Plant more trees, please. On medians,
empty lots, etc. They cool the
temperature, beautify the city, clean
the air and soak up floodwaters.”
“Get the housing prices down. I have lived
in this place for 10 years and I can not
afford it despite working in the tech
sector.”
“Attracting a variety of businesses and
restaurants into all the vacant business spaces
that have been built but remain unoccupied
for years.”
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Jessica Polsky-Sanchez
[email protected]
510-550-8933
Brendan Kara
[email protected]
202-686-5902
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