Bloomington, Minnesota

Key Findings2017

The NCS is presented by NRC in collaboration with ICMA

Over 20 years conducting survey research for local government

Wrote the books on citizen surveying

Industry pioneers Long-term partnership with ICMA Charter members of

AAPOR Transparency Initiative

About National Research Center

About The National Citizen Survey™ (The NCS)

Community Livability Community

Characteristics Governance Participation

Communitiesare partnerships

among...

Residents

Community-based

organizations

Govern-ment

Private sector

Facets of Community Livability

Safety MobilityRecreation

and WellnessEconomy

Quality of Community

Overall

Natural Environment

Built Environment

Community Engagement

Education and

Enrichment

The NCS & Bloomington

Annual participant in The NCS since 2012 Scientific sample of 3,000 households 960 returned surveys; 33% response rate ±3% margin of error

Expanded sample

Additional contact Online option Spanish

Geographic comparisons

Demographic comparisons

Custom benchmarks

National Benchmark Comparisons

2017 National Benchmark Comparisons

96received similar

ratings

30received higher ratings

3received lowerratings

2017 Custom Benchmark Comparisons

121received similar

ratings

5received higher ratings

3received lowerratings

2017 Ratings Compared to 2016

85received similar

ratings

39received higher ratings

5received lowerratings

Education and

Enrichment

Community EngagementMobility

Natural Environment

Recreation and Wellness

Built EnvironmentSafety

Economy

LegendHigher than national benchmarkSimilar to national benchmarkLower than national benchmark

Most important

Key Focus Areas

Bloomington has a long history of

high quality of life

Key Finding

#1

Overall Quality of Life90% 2012

90%

91% 2015

85% 2016

92% 2017excellent or good

Overall Quality of Life

Excellent35%

Good57%

Fair 8%

Poor 1%

Overall Quality of Life in Bloomington

Excellent42%

Good52%

Fair 5%

Poor 1%

Bloomington as a Place to Live

Aspects of Community Quality

Overall Image Neighborhoods Place to raise children

Overall Appearance

in

excellent or good

Quality of Life

Recommend Bloomington

(95%)

Remain in Bloomington

(89%)

Percent very or somewhat likely

Economy and Safety remain priorities and

assets

Key Finding

#2

Economy Safety

Aspects of Economy

64%

70%

76%

78%

79%

84%

86%

87%

Cost of living

Vibrant shopping area

Employment opportunities

Business and services

Place to visit

Overall economic health

Shopping opportunities

Place to work

Comparison to national benchmark:Higher Similar Lower

Percent excellent or good

Personal Economic Outlook25% 2012

27%

39% 2015

28% 2016

37% 2017Very or somewhat positive

Overall Feeling of Safety

Excellent30%

Good 56%

Fair 12%

Poor 2%

Feelings of Safety

20

in neighborhoods

in shopping areas9 in 10

very or somewhat safe:

At least 4 in 5excellent or good

Safety Services

Police

Crime prevention

Fire prevention

EMS

Fire

Community Livability ratings

on the rise

Key Finding

#3

2017 General Community Characteristics compared to 2016

Overall appearance Overall quality of lifePlace to raise childrenPlace to liveOverall imageIn

crea

sed

from

201

6 to

201

7

2017 General Governance compared to 2016

Overall directionValue of services for taxes paidWelcoming citizen involvementActing in the best interest of BloomingtonBeing honestCustomer service

Incr

ease

d fr

om 2

016

to 2

017

Special Topics

City Priorities

20%

23%

23%

24%

25%

27%

27%

29%

30%

30%

31%

32%

34%

34%

38%

39%

45%

57%

59%

42%

43%

39%

47%

40%

43%

46%

44%

43%

45%

50%

47%

40%

44%

46%

49%

45%

34%

33%

33%

31%

31%

27%

27%

25%

25%

24%

24%

23%

17%

18%

20%

20%

15%

10%

9%

7%

7%

5%

4%

8%

3%

8%

5%

2%

4%

3%

2%

3%

3%

6%

2%

1%

1%

1%

2%

1%

Foreclosures and vacant properties

Neighborhood commercial centers

Public transit

Housing maintenance

Racial and ethnic diversity

Poverty and social service needs

Sense of community/neighborhood vitality

Aging population

Housing and services for seniors

Property taxes

House values

Jobs and unemployment

Affordable housing

Traffic congestion

Attracting and retaining small businesses

Maintaining City services

Aging infrastructure

Maintaining competitive schools

Crime

Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important

Information Sources

9%

9%

8%

25%

32%

33%

28%

29%

52%

18%

20%

27%

26%

32%

34%

44%

54%

34%

73%

71%

65%

48%

36%

33%

28%

17%

14%

Bloomington Sun Current (online version)

E-Subscribe (email subscription service)

BTV City Cable Channel (City Council meetings,Bloomington Today, etc.)

Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Instagram, Nextdoor)

Bloomington Sun Current (paper version)

Star Tribune

City of Bloomington website(www.bloomingtonmn.gov)

Word of mouth

City of Bloomington newsletter (Briefing)

Major source Minor source Not a source

Participation in Arts and Culture Activities

3%

6%

9%

8%

26%

29%

16%

16%

25%

27%

29%

28%

81%

78%

66%

66%

45%

43%

Attended other performances orconcerts at the Bloomington Center

for the Arts

Attended a theater performance at theBloomington Center for the Arts

Visited a gallery exhibit at theBloomington Center for the Arts

Attended a concert, live theater orother performance elsewhere in

Bloomington

Attended a concert, live theater orother performance outside of

Bloomington

Attended the Farmers Market at theBloomington Center for the Arts

3 times or more 1-2 times Not at all

Conclusions

Bloomington has a long history of high quality of life

Economy and Safety remain top priorities and community strengths

Community Livability ratings are on the rise

Questions?

Bloomington, Minnesota

Key Findings2017

The NCS is presented by NRC in collaboration with ICMA