Utah County Public Opinion Survey Results: A Snapshot of Resident Perceptions

Utah County recently conducted a public opinion survey to gather residents’ perceptions about the county government, the state of the county, and preferences for projects funded by tourism tax dollars. The survey, open from early December 2024 through January 2025, garnered responses from 2,589 residents. Outreach efforts included emails (sent three times), postings on the county website, and social media promotion.

Who Responded?

Residents in the North and central parts of the county participated most strongly (33% each), followed by South County (23%) and the Western part (11%). Long-term residents were more likely to respond, with 38% identifying as lifelong residents and 36% having lived in the county for 10-20 years. Those who have lived in the county for 5-10 years accounted for 26% of responses.

Is Utah County Moving in the Right Direction?

When asked whether Utah County is moving in the right direction:

• 69% indicated they have concerns but believe the county is on the right track.
• 19% said, “Yes, it is moving in the right direction.”
• 12% said the county is not heading in the right direction.

Quality of Life in Utah County

The survey results reflected a largely positive outlook on quality of life. Overall, the quality-of-life rating reached 85% according to Qualtrics analysis:

• 28% rated it as excellent
• 58% rated it as good
• 12% rated it as average 
• 2% Poor

Commissioners’ Approval Rating

• 30% approve of the County Commissioners
• 13% disapprove
• 57% are unsure

Satisfaction with County Services

• 48% are satisfied
• 3% are extremely satisfied
• 33% are neutral
• 13% are dissatisfied

Specific Quality of Life Metrics

• “I feel safe living in Utah County”: 54% strongly agree, 38% agree, 6% other.
• "Utah County Has the Businesses I Need": 37% strongly agree, 44% agree, 9% no opinion, 10% disagree.
• "County Provides the Services I Need": 28% strongly agree, 45% agree, 14% no opinion, 13% disagree.

Ratings of Specific County Services

Priorities for Tourism Tax Revenue

Residents were asked to rank their funding priorities for tourism tax dollars. This fund devotes taxes on hotel rooms, etc., exclusively to specific types of projects. The results were as follows:

• County Parks – 34%
• Provo Airport – 30%
• Arts (music, theater, art museums) – 21%
• Fairgrounds – 9%
• Convention Center – 6%

Parks & Recreation Priorities

We broke out Parks and Recreation specifically to see which areas respondents prioritized:

• River Trails Improvements (Jordan River, Salem Canal, Murdock Canal) – 26%
• Bridal Veil Falls Improvements – 23%
• Dry Creek Reservoir Development – 18%
• Vivian Park Improvements – 15%
• Vineyard Beach Creation and Improvements – 14%
• Equestrian Center Improvements – 4%

Summary

The survey results provide valuable insight into the perceptions of Utah County residents. Overall, the outlook is positive, with residents valuing the quality of life and expressing strong support for preserving natural resources. While there are concerns about growth, cost of living, and congestion, respondents remain optimistic about the county’s trajectory. The results also indicate areas where county leadership can enhance engagement, such as improving awareness of commissioner performance and addressing infrastructure concerns like roads.

As county leaders proceed with planning and policy decisions, these survey findings serve as an essential reference for aligning priorities with resident preferences and maintaining the high quality of life that Utah County residents cherish.

Would you like to participate in future surveys?  Questions?                                       Write: pio@utahcounty.gov

*Picture:  From Explore Utah Valley and @explorewithsimon Instagram