REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
National Citizens Survey Results (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
Sunnyvale participates in the National Citizen Survey (NCS) every two years, in odd-numbered years. The NCS is based on a national template of questions in categories such as safety, mobility, natural and built environments, economy, recreation and community engagement. The standardized assessment tool allows cities to benchmark a community’s characteristics, governance, and resident participation against similar communities. It also allows us to understand our trends over time.
Polco acquired the NRC in 2019. In 2021, the NCS was refreshed. While much of the survey remains the same. Some trend data was impacted due to wording modifications that potentially could have altered the meaning for some respondents.
The NCS was sent to 3,000 randomly selected households in Sunnyvale from July 20 to August 31 of 2023. The survey received an 13% response rate. The sample size was 392 with a margin of error of 5% and a 95% confidence interval. Survey
results were weighted so that the demographic profile of respondents was
representative of the demographic profile of adults in Sunnyvale. Staff received final results in October 2023 (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
Sunnyvale generally received positive marks from residents on the NCS. Overall, the findings suggest that most residents experience a favorable quality of life in Sunnyvale, with 91% of survey respondents rating Sunnyvale as a “good” or “excellent” place to live and 80% rating their overall feeling of safety as “good” or “excellent.” It is important to note that the overall feeling of safety has been trending down from a high of 92% in 2017, with current survey results tracking similarly to benchmark cities.
Most of Sunnyvale’s ratings were similar to the national benchmark and show that Sunnyvale’s residents continue to consider Sunnyvale to be a great place to live. The NCS highlights Sunnyvale’s strong economic health compared to most communities in the US with favorable rankings in employment opportunities, as a place to work, and in economic development efforts. Ratings for the City’s overall economic health and quality of business and service establishments increased in 2023 compared to 2021. Sunnyvale also received praise from residents for inclusivity, ranking higher than benchmark cities in attracting people from diverse backgrounds and valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds (80% and 88% excellent or good, respectively).
Governance ratings improved overall and were similar compared to benchmark cities. The quality of services provided by the City of Sunnyvale was rated positively by three out of four survey respondents. 83% of residents gave positive evaluations to overall customer service by Sunnyvale employees. About 7 in 10 respondents felt that the City treats all residents fairly and with respect, while about 65% gave positive evaluations to the overall direction Sunnyvale is taking. The City’s rating for honesty and being open and transparent with the public improved by 14 and 17 percentage points, respectively.
Similarly, Library and Recreation ratings improved as programs and services have resumed since the height of the pandemic. Public library services received an overall positive rating of 89%. Satisfaction with recreational opportunities, recreation programs or classes, and recreation centers or facilities increased by double digits.
Affordability continues to be a concern for Sunnyvale residents. The NRC noted that the City ranks below the national average on cost of living and affordable housing options.
Residents’ use of alternative modes of transportation is high or much higher than average, compared to similar communities. Of respondents, 77% walked or biked instead of driving in the past year. Participants also used public transportation or carpooled at much higher rates compared to benchmark communities.
The City included in this year’s survey a few custom questions and one open-ended question. Data from the City’s custom questions reveal that 74% of respondents read the Horizon newsletter and 68% visited the City’s website. Strong majorities view these information sources favorably.
The report ranks issues residents would like the City to focus on in the coming two years. The top community issue was the quality of utility infrastructure (91%), closely followed by the “feeling of safety” (90%). Residents felt that overall economic health (85%) and overall quality of the transportation system (84%) were also important focus areas for Sunnyvale in the coming two years.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
Staff
Prepared by: Jaqui Guzmán, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. The NCS Report - Sunnyvale, CA 2023