Urbandale Biennial Citizen Survey
The City of Urbandale conducts a biennial (every other year) citizen survey.  The survey asks residents to indicate their level of satisfaction with City services, ranging from Police services to community growth.     

2011 Citizen Survey Results
Urbandale partnered with the National Citizen Survey (NCS) to conduct the 2011 Urbandale Citizen Survey.  The NCS also conducted the City's 2009 survey.  The 2011 survey was mailed in October 2011 to 1,200 random households in Urbandale.  Results were statistically weighted to reflect the proper demographic composition of the entire community.  In total, 399 completed surveys were received, which yielded at response rate of 35%.  The survey was designed to yield a traditional confidence level of 95%, with a margin of error of + or - 5%. 

The overall quality of life in the City was rated as "Excellent" or "Good" by 95% of our residents.  This high rating is identical to the 2009 survey results.  The most favorable rating characteristics of Urbandale were its air quality, overall image of the City or reputation of Urbandale, and the cleanliness of our City.  The three characteristics receiving the least positive ratings were opportunities to attend cultural activities, employment opportunities and the ease of bus travel in Urbandale.  To read the results report, click here. 

Urbandale chose to use NRC's comparative resident opinion database to benchmark Urbandale's responses to other municipalities.  The City's results were noted as "above" the benchmark, "below" the benchmark or "similar" to the benchmark.  Of the 31 characteristics surveyed, 28 characteristics were rated "above" the benchmark, 2 were "similar" to the benchmark, and 1 was rated "below" to the benchmark.  To read the benchmark report, click here.

The City also cross tabulated survey questions 1-22 by demographic characteristics, which included number of years in Urbandale, presence of children 17 or under in the household, age and gender.  To read the demographic subgroup report, click here. 

In addition, the City also used Interstate I-35/80 as a geographic split of Urbandale to compare service delivery opinions across the City.  To read the geographic report, click here.

2009 and other past survey results

Urbandale conducted an in-house survey in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.  To read these past survey result reports, click here.  You will be redirected to the Document Library and please click on the Citizen Survey Tab.