“Looking at these items, again, they are spread out across a number of different facets.”
National Community Survey representative Joe Dell’Olio presented the findings during Grand Rapids City Commission’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
The bi-annual survey was conducted from January 31st to March 31st of this year. 600 out of 4,500 Grand Rapids residents completed the survey, which focused on the livability of the city by categorizing questions into ten main facets that are most impactful to residents’ quality of life.
“The local economy remains strong with many related items exceeding the national averages.”
Along with the economy, the survey shows that inclusivity is also on the rise.
“This included openness and acceptance toward folks of diverse backgrounds, valuing and respecting residents from diverse backgrounds, attracting folks from diverse backgrounds, and making all residents feel welcome.”
The survey also noted areas in need of improvement.
“We did see lower scores for overall bus and transit services as well as the ease of travel by public transportation compared to 2022.”
Other areas needing improvement include crime prevention and law enforcement services, as well as evaluations of K-12 education scoring below national averages and the affordability of childcare.
You can read the complete results of the survey on the city’s website.