Biennial Community Survey

Click here to take the 2024 Community Survey!

Since 2004, the City has conducted a biennial community survey to track customer satisfaction with City services, to identify resident priorities, and to get input on significant community issues. Through 2016, the survey was conducted by telephone (by EMC, Inc) with 300-400 randomly-selected Island residents of all ages. In 2018, the survey was conducted by mail (by ETC Institute). No survey was conducted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ETC Institute is once again conducting the City's 2022 Community Survey. A sampling of Islanders will recieve mailers with information on how to take the survey.

The survey represents the only statistically valid information the staff currently receives on most City services. The survey adds value by creating a feedback loop that is helpful in identifying areas of concern with City services, in determining information gaps with the public that need to be bridged, and in allocating scarce resources during the biennial budget process.

Please click on the links below to view survey results, and related presentations.

Over time, some trends are apparent:

• In 2010, traffic/transportation/parking was the most important problem cited by respondents.
• In 2012, education/school funding emerged as the top concern.
• In 2014, concern over the possible tolling of I-90 emerged as the top concern.
• In 2016, traffic/transportation/parking tied with overdevelopment at the leading concern.

Through recent years, community optimism has remained fairly consistent...

• Between 65% and 75% believe the City is "heading in the right direction."
• In 2014, 66% of residents felt the City was using tax dollars responsibly, compared to 49% in 2012, and only 38% with respect to King County's use of tax dollars.
• In 2014, almost all respondents in 2014 (87%) said they feel safe walking alone in their neighborhood.

While this survey provides consistent feedback on a biennial basis, the City Council and City staff always welcome community comments.