Community Survey
“Community input is at the heart of everything we do in Lacey. We believe we make the best decisions when we listen to and work alongside our community members.”
Mayor Andy Ryder
In 2025, the City conducted a Community Survey, developed by the National Research Center at Polco, to gather valuable feedback from Lacey residents. The survey captured the community’s perspectives on topics such as the economy, mobility, community design, utilities, safety, natural environment, inclusivity, engagement, and other elements of Lacey’s overall livability.
The survey results highlight Lacey’s strengths, identify opportunities for improvement, and reveal what matters most to community members. This data serves as another important tool to guide City budgets, planning, and policy decisions. The City can also compare its performance to similar communities across the country.
We plan to conduct the survey every two years to track the City’s progress. Watch for another opportunity in 2027.
2025 Community Survey Materials
The City conducted its first Community Survey in May/June 2025.
You can also view the:
- Community Survey Results presentation from the September 23, 2025, City Council Worksession.
- Presentation Slides
- 2025 Community Survey Report by Polco
FAQs and Background Information
What is the National Community Survey?
The National Community Survey (NCS) has been used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states, enabling robust benchmark comparisons among communities nationwide. Communities using The NCS have reported that the survey has improved service delivery, strengthened communication with community stakeholders, and helped leaders identify clear priorities for use in strategic planning and budgeting.
How will the City use the information from the survey?
Community feedback plays a crucial role in shaping Council priorities. The survey data will be used to help decide what projects to fund, which services to expand, remove, or improve, and how to best reflect the needs of our community members. The data will also allow the City to track changes in community perceptions over time.
Why is the survey broken down into two parts: a random sample and an open survey?
- The Sampled Survey was designed to be as representative as possible of the population of Lacey. A sampling of community households is randomly selected from a comprehensive list of residential addresses to reduce bias and get feedback from all areas within the community. The sampled group receives a paper invitation in the mail. Their link is unique to their household and should not be shared. This effort is to gather accurate data from the residents who make up the community today.
- The Open Participation Survey is offered to all residents so all voices in the community can be heard. This survey is hosted online. It is identical to the Sampled Survey except that it asks if you are a resident of the community.
Why wasn’t I selected for the random sample?
Polco selects a random sample of 3,000 households across Lacey, with special attention to ensure accurate representation. Random sampling ensures the integrity of the results. All households will be able to participate in the open portion.
