NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY

City fall drone shot

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 of River Falls to compare its performance with peer cities.

The community survey is critical to helping the City:

  • Identify areas for process improvements
  • Set strategic goals and priorities
  • Establish benchmarks to track performance over time

2023 Survey

On May 1, 2023, invitations to participate in the 2023 Community Survey were mailed to a representative sample of River Falls households. On May 30, 2023, the City launched an open participation survey, which River Falls residents not selected in the initial sample are invited to take. The open participation survey will be available through Monday, June 12. Click here to give us your input. Please note that if you were included in the representative sample, you should access the online survey using the unique link you were provided.

2021 Survey

In July 2021, surveys were mailed 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, 557 completed the survey, creating 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 on September 24, 2019. 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 on September 12, 2017. 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 on September 8, 2015. 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) the Natural Environment.

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