NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY

Since 2013, the City has partnered with the National Research Center at Polco to conduct the National Community Survey every two years. Over 500 communities across the nation participate in the survey, allowing the City to compare its performance with peer communities.

The community survey is critical to helping the City:

  • Improve service delivery by focusing on areas of need
  • Assist in goal and priority setting
  • Gain key performance measures to continue to enhance our operations
  • Establish benchmarks both internally and externally

2021 Survey

In July 2021, surveys were sent out to 2,700 households within City limits. Approximately three percent of the 2,700 mailed surveys were returned because the housing unit was vacant, or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the remaining 2,612 households that received the survey, 557 completed the survey, providing an overall response rate of 21 percent. In total, 133 of the completed surveys in 2021 were submitted online. The final results were presented to the City Council on October 26, 2021.

2019 Survey

The 2019 City of River Falls survey was conducted in June, July, and August. A representative sample of 1,700 households were randomly selected to participate in the process. Selected households received a mail survey which when completed was mailed back directly to the National Research Center. In order to ensure resident confidentiality and confidence, the City only has access to all raw data of the survey and survey findings reports. All physical surveys completed by residents are retained by the National Research Center.

The final results were presented to the City Council at its September 24, 2019, regular meeting. The following reports were produced:

The three areas identified by residents as most important for River Falls to focus on in the coming two years were (1) Safety; (2) Economy; and (3) Natural Environment.

2017 Survey

The 2017 City of River Falls Citizen Survey was conducted in June and July 2017. A representative sample of 1,500 households were randomly selected to participate in the process. Selected households received a mail survey instrument, which when completed was mailed back directly to the National Research Center. In order to ensure resident confidentiality and confidence, the City only has access to all raw data of the survey and survey findings reports. All physical surveys completed by residents are retained by the National Research Center.

The final results were presented to the City Council at its September 12, 2017, regular meeting. The following reports were produced.

The two areas identified by residents as most important for River Falls to focus on in the coming two years were (1) Safety; and (2) Economy.

2015 Survey

The 2015 City of River Falls Citizen Survey was conducted in June 2015. A representative sample of 1,400 households were randomly selected to participate in the process. Selected households received a mail survey instrument, which when completed was mailed back directly to the National Research Center. In order to ensure resident confidentiality and confidence, the City only had access to all raw data of the survey and survey findings reports. All physical surveys completed by residents are retained by the National Research Center.

The final results were presented to the City Council at its September 8, 2015, regular meeting. The following reports were produced. For a guide on how to read the reports, please see the presentation materials above.

The three areas identified by residents as most important for River Falls to focus on in the coming two years were (1) Safety; (2) Economy; and (3) the Natural Environment.

Check back for more summary materials on the different areas of city services and information on how this data is guiding decision making!

2013 Survey

The 2013 City of River Falls Citizen Survey was conducted over the summer months of July and August. A representative sample of 1,200 households were randomly selected to participate in the process. Selected households received a mail survey instrument, which when completed was mailed back directly to the National Research Center. In order to ensure resident confidentiality and confidence, the City only had access to all raw data of the survey and survey findings reports. All physical surveys completed by residents are retained by the National Research Center.

The following two reports were produced from our survey:

The Key Drivers identified as most important to respondents were:

  • Economic development
  • Preservation of natural areas
  • Public schools