Bear River Region Wellbeing Survey Report
By Dr. Courtney Flint and Team
courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
Summary
The Utah Wellbeing Survey project is designed to assess the wellbeing and local perspectives of city residents, and to provide information to city leaders to inform their general planning processes. Questions include rating and importance of ten different domains or categories of wellbeing, participation in recreation and nature-related activities, perspectives on local population growth and economic development, the influence of landscape features on wellbeing, concerns for the future, and an array of demographic characteristic questions. Some cities added additional questions to their survey, particularly regarding housing and city amenities.
What is in this report?
This report summarizes findings from the 2022 survey from four cities in Cache County (Logan, Hyde Park, Nibley, and North Logan) and one city in Box Elder County (Tremonton). Please see the individual city reports on the Utah Wellbeing Project website for more details.
How was the survey conducted?
In early 2022, cities in the Bear River Region advertised the survey via social media, email lists, newsletters, and other ways of reaching out to local residents. All city residents age 18+ were encouraged to take the online Qualtrics survey.
Who Responded?
- 2,017 viable surveys were recorded in this 2022 survey effort from the Bear River Region.
- Logan had 476 responses, Hyde Park had 448 responses, Nibley had 457 responses, North Logan had 299 responses, and Tremonton had 337 responses
Additional Information
Reports summarizing city-specific results from the survey may be found on the Utah Wellbeing Project Website. This information may help cities refine their messaging with residents on key issues, affirm existing plans, support future planning, and have practical implications for spending and providing services.
This project benefits from the partnership with the Utah League of Cities and Towns, which is helping cities envision ways to use the findings from the wellbeing survey to inform their general planning processes. Logan falls into the category of Established/Mid-Sized Cities and Tremonton falls into the category of Rural Hub/Resort Communities. Hyde Park, Nibley, and North Logan are all categorized in the Rapid Growth cluster of cities according to the Utah League of Cities and Towns.
Key Findings in the Bear River Region
Overall Personal Wellbeing and Community Wellbeing scores were above average for Hyde Park, Nibley, Tremonton, and North Logan, but below average for Logan compared to other study cities.
Highest Rated Wellbeing Categories:
- Safety and Security
Most Important Wellbeing Categories:
- Safety and Security
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
- Living Standards
Red Zone Wellbeing Categories:
(High Importance, Lower Quality)
- Logan - None (Mental Health, Living Standards, Leisure Time, and Local Environmental Quality approached this zone)
- Tremonton - None (Education and Leisure Time approached this zone)
- North Logan - Mental and Physical Health
- Hyde Park and Nibley - Physical Health
Top concerns for the future of cities in the Bear River Region:
- Air Quality
- Affordable Housing
- Water Supply
- Roads and Transportation
What do people value most about their city in the Bear River Region?
Small-town feel, positive social climate, and feelings of safety.
Overall Personal Wellbeing and Community Wellbeing in the Bear River Region Study Cities
Overall Personal Wellbeing and Community Wellbeing scores were above average for Hyde Park, Nibley, Tremonton, and North Logan, but below average for Logan compared to other study cities.
Wellbeing Domains
The highest rated wellbeing domains for the five Bear River Region study cities were:
- Safety & Security (all 5 cities)
- Mental Health (Nibley, North Logan, Tremonton, and Hyde Park)
- Living Standards (Nibley, North Logan, Tremonton, and Hyde Park)
- Education (Nibley, North Logan, Logan, and Hyde Park)
- Physical Health (Tremonton and Logan)
- Connection with Nature (Logan only)
The most important wellbeing domains for the five Bear River Region study cities were:
- Living Standards (all 5 cities)
- Safety and Security (all 5 cities)
- Mental Health (all 5 cities)
- Physical Health (all 5 cities)
- Education (North Logan only)
The Red Zone Domains (higher importance, lower quality) for the 5 the Bear River Region study cities were:
- Logan – None (Mental Health, Living Standards, Leisure Time, and Local Environmental Quality approached this zone)
- Tremonton – None (Education and Leisure Time approached this zone)
- Hyde Park and Nibley – Physical Health
- North Logan – Mental Health and Physical Health
Community Connectedness and Action
In terms of Community Connection, Hyde Park and North Logan scored higher than the other Bear River Region study cities. Perceived Community Action was highest for Hyde Park, followed by North Logan and Nibley in the middle range.
Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents in each Bear River Region city were asked to indicate whether or not they participated in eight different recreation or nature-based activities in the past 12 months. Enjoying wildlife and birds in your yard or neighborhood (85%) and recreating in parks in the city (79%) were the most common activities for all Bear River Region respondents, followed by gardening (78%) and non-motorized recreation on public lands or waters (77%).
Landscapes and Wellbeing in the Bear River Region Study Cities
The survey asked respondents to rate the influence of various landscape features on their wellbeing. Natural landscapes such as mountains, rivers, trails, city parks, lakes and farmland were all found to have highly positive impacts on wellbeing. Developed landscapes were mixed in their influence on wellbeing.
Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents felt the Rate of Population Growth in their city was too fast. Perceptions of the Pace of Economic Development were mixed with the largest group in each city indicating it's too fast and a moderately sized group saying it's just right.
Concerns for the Future of the Bear River Region Study Cities
Top concerns varied across the study cities in the Bear River Region as follows:
Moderate to Major Concerns by Over Two-Thirds of Respondents
- Logan
- Affordable Housing 89%
- Air Quality 86%
- Water Supply 86%
- Roads and Transportation 74%
- Climate Change 70%
- Hyde Park
- Water Supply 95%
- Air Quality 77%
- Roads and Transportation 70%
- Affordable Housing 68%
- Nibley
- Water Supply 83%
- Affordable Housing 77%
- Air Quality 76%
- Roads and Transportation 73%
- North Logan
- Water Supply 87%
- Affordable Housing 79%
- Air Quality 79%
- Roads and Transportation 70%
- Tremonton
- Water Supply 91%
- Roads and Transportation 84%
- Affordable Housing 79%
- Public Safety 77%
- Opportunities for Youth 74%
- Access to Public Land 71%
- Access to Quality Food 69%
- Suicide 69%
- Recreation Opportunities 68%
Other concerns were raised by respondents who filled in the “other” category. The most frequently mentioned topics specific to each city included:
- Traffic and parking and government in Logan
- Overdevelopment and development related water issues in Hyde Park
- Traffic and road safety and overpopulation in Nibley
- Preserving rural-feel and open space and overdevelopment in North Logan
- Education and overcrowded schools in Tremonton
Open Comments Relating to Value
Respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about their cities at the end of each survey. All responses have been read, compiled, and then shared with city leaders. The main themes in the Bear River Region in the responses to this question were valuing the small town feel and overall social climate. Many people also valued the feelings of safety they have in their cities.