The Livability Report provides the opinions of a representative sample of 399 Grand Rapids residents. This summarizes all the results and key findings.
NCS Livability Report(PDF, 202KB)
Below are the report's conclusions:
Safety is a priority
Residents identified Safety as an important area for the City to focus on in the next two years. Evaluations for the overall feeling of safety in the city, police and crime prevention were below-average.
Nearly all respondents indicated that the goal of safety is essential or very important.
Economy is a strength
Survey respondents also identified the Economy as a top area of focus in the future. About two-thirds of residents gave positive review of the community's overall economic health.
Respondents identified the following measures as strengths to our economy:
- Employment
- Shopping opportunities
- Downtown vibrancy
- New development in the community
- The city as a place to visit
- The city as a place to work
K-12 Education is an opportunity area
About eight in 10 respondents identified community education and enrichment as a top priority.
Reviews for K-12 education in Grand Rapids lagged behind nationwide levels.
85% of participants indicated that creating opportunities for education and enrichment for all ages is an essential or very important focus.
Mobility alternatives are appreciated
Respondents generally evaluated Mobility-related aspects positively. The following aspects of car travel were identified as challenges:
- Public parking
- Street repair
- Street cleaning
- Snow removal
Four in 10 respondents indicated they had used public transportation. Seven in 10 had walked or biked instead of driving. About two-thirds of respondents reported that they were familiar with public parking and alternative transportation locations.