2024 National Community Survey
The National Community Survey™ (The NCS™) report is about the “livability” of Montgomery County. A livable community is a place that is not simply habitable, but that is desirable. It is not only where people do live, but where they want to live. The survey was developed by the experts from National Research Center at Polco. Great communities are partnerships of the government, private sector, community-based organizations and residents, all geographically connected. The NCS captures residents’ opinions considering ten central facets of a community:
The report provides the opinions of a representative sample of 761 residents of the County of Montgomery County collected from August 19th, 2024 to September 30th, 2024. The margin of error around any reported percentage is 4% for all respondents and the response rate for the 2024 survey was 13%. Survey results were weighted so that the demographic profile of respondents was representative of the demographic profile of adults in Montgomery County.
Summary of Report
Measuring community livability starts with assessing the quality of life of those who live there, and ensuring that the community is attractive, accessible, and welcoming to all.
Strong local governments produce results that meet the needs of residents while making the best use of available resources, and are responsive to the present and future needs of the community as a whole.
Local governments work together with private and nonprofit businesses, and with the community at large, to foster sustainable growth, create jobs, and promote a thriving local economy.
The ease with which residents can move about their communities, whether for commuting, leisure, or recreation, plays a major role in the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in the community.
A well-designed community enhances the quality of life for its residents by encouraging smart land use and zoning, ensuring that affordable housing is accessible to all, and providing access to parks and other green spaces.
Services such as water, gas, electricity, and internet access play a vital role in ensuring the physical and economic health and well-being of the communities they serve.
Public safety is often the most important task facing local governments. All residents should feel safe and secure in their neighborhoods and in the greater community, and providing robust safety-related services is essential to residents' quality of life.
The natural environment plays a vital role in the health and well-being of residents. The natural spaces in which residents live and experience their communities has a direct and profound effect on quality of life.
"There are no communities that pride themselves on their quality of life, promote themselves as a desirable location for businesses to relocate, or maintain that they are environmental stewards of their natural resources, without such communities having a robust, active system of parks and recreation programs for public use and enjoyment." - National Recreation and Park Association
The characteristics of and amenities available in the communities in which people live has a direct impact on the health and wellness of residents, and thus, on their quality of life overall.
Participation in the arts, in educational opportunities, and in cultural activities is linked to increased civic engagement, greater social tolerance, and enhanced enjoyment of the local community.
Inclusivity refers to a cultural and environmental feeling of belonging; residents who feel invited to participate within their communities feel more included, involved, and engaged than those who do not.
Conclusions
Education, Arts, and Culture Receive High Marks from Residents
Montgomery County continues to receive praise for its educational, arts, and cultural opportunities. Nearly nine in ten residents gave positive ratings to public library services. Seventy-seven percent rated the overall opportunities for education, culture, and the arts highly. Support for adult education (65%), community support for the arts (70%), and opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities (71%) also received favorable ratings. These areas have not only maintained strong satisfaction levels but also reflect ongoing community appreciation for the County’s investment in these public resources.
Community Perception of Montgomery County’s Direction and Services
While residents generally express satisfaction with Montgomery County's services, there are areas for improvement. Fifty-five percent of respondents rated the overall direction the County is taking as excellent or good, with no significant change from previous surveys. Additionally, 72% of respondents rated the quality of Montgomery County government services positively, which is notably higher than the 51% rating for federal government services. Despite these positive ratings, there has been a slight decline in the perception of the County’s image and reputation, with 76% of respondents rating it as excellent or good, down from 82% in 2021 and 84% in 2019. This suggests that while Montgomery County continues to provide essential services effectively, there are opportunities for improvement in public perception and community engagement.
Safety is Still a Priority, with Room for Improvement
While safety continues to be a priority, there has been a decline in residents' overall feeling of safety compared to previous years. Despite this decline, a majority of residents still report feeling safe in their neighborhoods during the day (90%) and in downtown/commercial areas (82%). Services related to public safety, such as fire protection (90%), ambulance/EMS (87%) continue to receive high praise from residents. However, satisfaction with police services (69%) and animal control (71%) showed more mixed results.
Montgomery County's Economy Is Strong, Yet Affordability Remains a Challenge
Montgomery County's economy remains a strong feature, with 69% of respondents rating the County’s overall economic health as excellent or good. Additionally, 77% of respondents gave high marks to the overall quality of business and service establishments, and 74% rated shopping opportunities positively. Both of these areas received ratings higher than those of comparable communities nationwide. However, affordability remains a significant concern, with only 16% of respondents rating the cost of living positively. The County also sees a continued challenge with affordable housing, with over half of residents (54%) feeling that affordable housing has gotten somewhat worse or much worse over the past two years.
