Results for Charlottesville, VA 2022 National Community Survey™ Civic Communication & Advanced Survey Science Analytics Platform & Performance Analytics Smarter, better connected communities. A Data insights to help communities move forward. civic surveying, policy polling, and constituent The premiere provider of professional civic surveys communication tech platform. and performance benchmarking analyses. Questions about our product? Exclusive partners of: Visit www.polco.us to learn more Role of Resident Surveys in Local Governance Monitor trends in Measure government resident opinion performance Inform budget, Benchmarking land use, strategic to other planning decisions communities Facets of Community Livability The National Community Survey™ in Charlottesville The NCS™ for Charlottesville, VA ● Fifth time conducting The NCS (previous surveys in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018) ● Survey conducted from November 9, 2022 – December 21, 2022 ● Mailing approach employed: ● Probability-based sample of 2,800 randomly selected households ● 371 total responses received ● 14% overall response rate ● Non-probability, open-participation survey: 356 responses ● Results statistically weighted to reflect Charlottesville overall ● 95% confidence interval with a +/- 5% 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 PERCENT EXCELLENT or GOOD Overall economic health 62% COMPARISON TO NATIONAL Overall quality of the transportation 36% BENCHMARK: system Overall design or layout of residential 38% Facets of Higher Similar and commercial areas Overall quality of the utility infrastructure 64% Community Lower Overall feeling of safety 55% Livability: Overall quality of natural environment 81% Quality Overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities 76% Overall health and wellness 83% opportunities Overall opportunities for education, 79% culture, and the arts Residents' connection and engagement 52% with their community PERCENT ESSENTIAL OR VERY IMPORTANT Overall economic health 87% COMPARISON TO NATIONAL Overall quality of the transportation 86% BENCHMARK: system Overall design or layout of residential 74% Facets of Higher Similar and commercial areas Overall quality of the utility 81% infrastructure Community Lower Overall feeling of safety 88% Livability: Overall quality of natural environment 81% Importance Overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities 68% Overall health and wellness 67% opportunities Overall opportunities for education, 65% culture, and the arts Residents' connection and 59% engagement with their community Balancing Quality and Importance Comparisons to National Benchmarks 5 received more 87 31 positive received similar received ratings more ratings negative ratings Comparisons from 2018 to 2022 9 received more positive 10 50 received ratings received similar more ratings negative ratings Key Findings Key Finding #1 Residents generally feel safe in Charlottesville but have some concerns about police services. Safety in Charlottesville Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: PERCENT VERY OR SOMEWHAT SAFE COMPARISON TO NATIONAL In your neighborhood 93% BENCHMARK: during the day Higher In Charlottesville's Similar downtown/commercial 79% area during the day Lower From property crime 68% From violent crime 68% From fire, flood, or natural 86% disaster Safety Services in Charlottesville 91% 86% 78% 71% 63% Fire Ambulance/ Fire Animal services Emergency prevention/ Control Emergency medical education Preparedness services Percent excellent or good All similar to national and peer benchmarks Policing in Charlottesville *Lower than benchmark Police Overall quality of police/sheriff services (53%) Services Overall quality of crime prevention (37%) *Percent excellent or good The city should focus on reducing crime and disorder (74%) Resident It is essential or very important for the City to increase service Priority levels for police patrol and investigative services (70%) Key Finding #2 Residents appreciate Charlottesville's natural environment and recreational opportunities. The Natural Environment in Charlottesville Please rate each of the following in the Charlottesville community: PERCENT EXCELLENT COMPARISON TO OR GOOD NATIONAL BENCHMARK: Water resources 62% Higher Air quality 87% Similar Preservation of natural Lower 66% areas Charlottesville open space 67% Recycling 65% Yard waste pick-up 59% Parks and Recreation in Charlottesville 8 in 10 7 in 10 5 in 10 There are sufficient Charlottesville It is essential or very fitness opportunities provides excellent or important to provide and availability of very good quality more and improved paths and walking recreation programs parks and open space. trails. and facilities. Key Finding #3 Charlottesville residents widely use alternative forms of transport and support increasing transportation options. Mobility in Charlottesville 61% Ease of travel by car 60% Ease of walking in Charlottesville 38% Ease of public parking 30% Traffic flow on major streets 27% Ease of travel by bicycle 20% Ease of travel by public transportation Percent excellent or good Key Finding #4 While ratings for utilities are strong overall, Charlottesville residents point to affordable high- speed internet access as an area of opportunity. Utilities in Charlottesville Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Charlottesville: PERCENT EXCELLENT OR GOOD COMPARISON TO NATIONAL Utility billing 72% BENCHMARK: Power (electric and/or gas) Higher 73% utility Similar Storm water management 74% Lower Sewer services 86% Drinking water 83% Garbage collection 75% Affordable high speed internet 56% access Additional Special Topics Charlottesville City Services For each of the following City services, please indicate if you think the current service level should be increased, remain at current levels, or be decreased. Increase Service Level Equal increase/Keep Current Keep Current Service Level -Bicycle and pedestrian -Communicating with residents -Downton parking enforcement infrastructure -Competitive grant funding to -Proactive code enforcement local non-profits -Park maintenance -Traffic System improvements -Street and sidewalk -Police patrol and investigative maintenance and repairs services -Building permit and inspection service • Residents generally feel safe in Charlottesville but have some concerns about police services. • Residents appreciate Charlottesville's natural environment and recreational Summary of opportunities. Conclusions • Charlottesville residents widely use alternative forms of transport and support increasing transportation options. • While ratings for utilities are strong overall, Charlottesville residents point to affordable high-speed internet access as an area of opportunity. Debriefing The Survey Results What findings What findings were did you expect? surprising? Are there areas In what areas where you need to should you dig deeper? focus? Continue Resident Engagement on Polco Polco Performance Dashboards Questions? Joseph Dell’Olio Thank you! Senior Survey Associate Polco/National Research Center joe@polco.us