Fourth Community-Wide City Survey of Resident Opinions Begins This Week

Bloomington, Ind. –Beginning this week, the City of Bloomington will ask residents to participate in the 2023 Bloomington Community Survey. This fourth community-wide, biennial, scientific survey of Bloomington residents since 2017 is again being administered by National Research Center, Inc. (NRC).

A random and scientific sample of 3,000 households will be mailed invitations to participate in the survey, with the first wave of invitations sent today, March 20. The second wave will be sent March 27. Participants’ responses are confidential and will be weighted, analyzed, and published on the city’s open data portal B-Clear. Residents not selected randomly may still participate in the survey by completing it online. The results of residents who opt-in will be collected, analyzed, and published in a separate data set. 

This online open participation option will begin on April 17. Data collection for the random sample survey and open participation survey closes May 1. A formal presentation of the results will be presented to City Council in late May.

The survey will ask residents for their perceptions about the quality and value of City services and current conditions in the community. This year’s responses will be compared with previous three survey results as well as with a set of peer cities. As previously, the survey will also ask a few new questions soliciting residents’ opinions on new or current City issues. Data gathered will help inform decision-making and identify shifts in public perceptions of City services and conditions. 

“We want as much information and feedback from our community as we can get,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “We launched this scientifically administered survey six years ago, to reach a true cross-section of our community and assure we hear from more diverse residents and from those that may not attend public meetings or speak up. This feedback helps shape city government and city services. So if your household receives a survey, please take the time to share your views!”  

The results of the 2017, 2019, and 2021 surveys are available at bloomington.in.gov/communitysurvey.

The City of Bloomington B-Clear open data portal can be found at data.bloomington.in.gov/.