Lehi Wellbeing Survey Findings 2022
By Dr. Courtney Flint and Team

courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
Summary
Lehi City is one of 33 cities participating in the Utah Wellbeing Survey Project in 2022. This 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 process.
We are grateful to all participants who took the survey and to our city partners who helped to make this possible. Additionally, we are grateful to the Utah League of Cities and Towns and USU Extension for their financial support.
What is in this report?
This report describes findings from the 2022 Lehi survey and some comparative information with other project cities. Feedback from city leaders, planners, and residents is welcome.
How was the survey conducted?
Starting in February of 2022, Lehi City advertised the survey via a city newsletter sent with utility bills and social media. All city residents age 18+ were encouraged to take the online Qualtrics survey.
How many people responded?
- 245 viable surveys were recorded in this 2022 survey effort with 84.5% complete responses.
- The 2021 Lehi survey had 243 responses and the 2020 Lehi survey had 295 responses. Past reports are available on the Utah Wellbeing Project website.
- The adult population of Lehi was estimated at 40,484, based on the 2016-2020 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 245 survey responses in 2022 represent 0.61% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 6.24%.
Key Findings
Overall Personal Wellbeing in Lehi was above average among the 33 study cities and Community Wellbeing was below average. Overall Personal Wellbeing declined in Lehi between 2020 and 2021, but increased between 2021 and 2022. Community Wellbeing remained nearly the same between the three study years.
Wellbeing, domain ratings, and domain importance varied by demographic characteristics in Lehi, with religion and household income being particularly influential factors.
Highest Rated Wellbeing Domains:
- Safety and Security
- Education
- Living Standards
- Mental Health
Most Important Wellbeing Domains:
- Safety and Security
- Mental Health
- Living Standards
- Physical Health
Perceptions that residents take action and feelings of community connection were lower in Lehi than in most other study communities (and Latter-day Saints were higher than those who indicated Agnostic/Atheist/No Religious Preference).
Manufacturing and Extractive Industry and Residential Development were seen to have negative influences on wellbeing for the majority of respondents, though Natural Landscapes were highly positive.
The majority of respondents felt Population Growth and the Pace of Economic Development in Lehi was too fast.
Top concerns for the future of Lehi were:
- Water Supply (93% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Air Quality (90% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Roads and Transportation (90% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Affordable Housing (86% Moderate or Major Concern)
What do people value most about Lehi?
The location of the city and its many amenities and things to do.
Key Wellbeing Issues and Resource Areas
In addition to providing partner cities with the opportunity to take part in surveys, the Utah Wellbeing Project has worked to provide curated resources for community leaders and citizens that aim to improve specific aspects of wellbeing. These Wellbeing Resources can be found on the Utah Wellbeing Project Website, along with other useful tools and information.
Based on results of the 2022 Utah Wellbeing Project Surveys in Lehi City, key wellbeing issues include: Air Quality, Water Supply, Affordable Housing, and Roads and Transportation. Below you will find links to specific wellbeing resource areas we believe may be used to target some of these issues.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
Table 1
| Full Time Residents of Lehi | 99.2% |
| Part Time Residents of Lehi | 0.8% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0- 79 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 12.7 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 9 years |
| Length of Residence 5 years or less | 36.7% |
Demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were compared below with U.S. Census information from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey. As the table shows, 2022 survey respondents were not fully representative of Lehi. People age 40-49, those who are female, have at least a 4-year college degree, are married, and own their home were particularly overrepresented. People age 18-29 were particularly underrepresented. Not all respondents provided demographic information. Weighting was not used in any of the analysis for the findings presented below.
Table 2
Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents and U.S. Census Data for Lehi
| Demographic Characteristics | Lehi Wellbeing Survey | American Community Survey 2016-2020 Estimates |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online 2020 295 Respondents |
Online 2021 243 Respondents |
Online 2022 245 Respondents |
||
| Age 18-29 | 10.5% | 13.8% | 10.2% | 26.1% |
| Age 30-39 | 33.5% | 34.4% | 32.5% | 27.4% |
| Age 40-49 | 31.5% | 32.3% | 33.5% | 20.9% |
| Age 50-59 | 11.3% | 10.8% | 9.7% | 12.4% |
| Age 60-69 | 10.1% | 5.1% | 8.7% | 6.9% |
| Age 70 or over | 3.2% | 3.6% | 5.3% | 6.3% |
| Adult Female | 65.5% | 70.8% | 71.8% | 50.0% |
| Adult Male | 34.5% | 29.2% | 28.2% | 50.0% |
| Adult non-conforming or non-binary |
NA | NA | 0.0% | NA |
| No college degree | 41.9% | 33.3% | 33.5% | 54.7% |
| College degree (4-year) | 58.1% | 66.7% | 66.5% | 45.3% |
| Median household income | NA | NA | NA | $101,429 |
| Income under $25,000 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0.5% | 6.1% |
| Income $25,000 to $49,999 | 7.1% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 9.8% |
| Income $50,000 to $74,999 | 15.1% | 17.8% | 10.9% | 16.0% |
| Income $75,000 to $99,999 | 23.1% | 18.8% | 17.8% | 17.4% |
| Income $100,000 to $149,999 | 30.7% | 34.6% | 37.6% | 28.7% |
| Income $150,000 or over | 22.7% | 22.0% | 26.7% | 22.0% |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
74.3% | 74.1% | 83.0% | NA |
| Other religion | 10.2% | 11.4% | 3.0% | NA |
| Agnostic/Atheist/No religious preference | 15.5% | 14.5% | 14.0% | NA |
| Hispanic/Latino | NA | 4.6% | 4.9% | 8.6% |
| White | 92.3% | 93.2% | 95.5% | 91.6% |
| Nonwhite | 7.7% (includes Hispanic/Latino) |
6.8% | 4.5% | 8.4% |
| Married | 89.5% | 89.7% | 86.9% | 66.9% |
| Children under 18 in household | 63.6% | 67.2% | 60.5% | 57.8% |
| Employed | 67.1% | 66.5% | 67.3% | 69.9% |
| Out of work and looking for work | 1.2% | 0.5% | 0.0% | 2.9% |
| Other | 31.7% | 33.0% | 32.7% | 27.2% |
| Own home/Owner occupied | NA | 93.3% | 91.3% | 78.9% |
| Rent home/Renter occupied/Other | NA | 6.6% | 8.7% | 21.1% |
Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Lehi
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Lehi. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from very poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Lehi was 4.10 with 81% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Lehi was 3.61 with 57% of respondents indicating city wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


Comparing survey data from Lehi over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average personal wellbeing score declined between 2020 and 2021, but increased between 2021 and 2022. The average community wellbeing score remained nearly the same between 2020 and 2022. Note that the number of respondents differed between years and there is no tracking of individuals from one year to the next.

Comparing Wellbeing Across Utah Cities
The Utah League of Cities and Towns classifies Lehi as a Rapid Growth City. Some cities may fit within more than one cluster.
Within the Rapid Growth cluster, Lehi fell above the cluster average in terms of the average overall personal wellbeing score and below average in terms of the community wellbeing score. Lehi was only statistically significantly higher than Herriman in terms of overall personal wellbeing. In terms of overall community wellbeing, Lehi was only significantly lower than all other cities in the cluster except Saratoga Springs, Herriman, Santaquin, and Vineyard. Margins of error are particularly high for Delta, Helper, Midvale, and Santaquin due to low survey response.


Wellbeing Domains in Lehi
According to national and international entities that track wellbeing, there are a number of common dimensions or domains of wellbeing. In this survey, respondents rated ten domains on a 5-point scale from poor to excellent, suggesting how their wellbeing was doing in each area. They were also asked to indicate the importance of each domain to their overall personal wellbeing on a 5-point scale from not at all important to very important. The top four highest rated wellbeing domains for respondents in Lehi were Safety and Security (77%), Education (76%), Living Standards (75%), and Mental Health (68%). The four most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (98%), Mental Health (97%), Living Standards (94%), and Physical Health (93%).


Wellbeing Matrix for Lehi
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Lehi. Safety and Security, Education, Living Standards, Physical Health, and Mental Health were highly important and rated above average among the domains. No domains fell in the “red zone” of higher importance and lower ratings.

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Lehi
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Lehi residents. The number of respondents changed over time. There were substantial rebounds in most domains in the last year.

How are Demographic Characteristics Related to Wellbeing?
The demographic variables for age, gender, college degree, religion, income, and length of residence were found to have varying relationships among Lehi respondents as shown in the table below based on a generalized linear model with unweighted data. The +/- sign indicates whether the wellbeing score in the specific demographic group was significantly higher or lower than the reference group in each demographic variable (p<.05).
Table 3
Relationship Between Demographic Characteristics and Wellbeing Domains in Lehi
| Domains Rated | Demographic Variables | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 60+ | Female | College Degree | Latter-day Saint | Highest Income ($150,000+) |
Resident 5 Years or Less | |
| Wellbeing Ratings | ||||||
| Overall Personal Wellbeing | + vs 40-59 |
+ vs A/A/NP |
+ vs Under $75,000- $99,999 |
|||
| Wellbeing in Lehi | - vs Other |
|||||
| Connection with Nature | + vs 18-39 |
|||||
| Cultural Opportunities | + vs 18-39 |
+ vs A/A/NP |
||||
| Education | + |
+ vs $75,000- $99,999 |
||||
| Leisure Time | + vs $75,000- $99,999 |
|||||
| Living Standards | + | |||||
| Local Environmental Quality | + vs $75,000- $99,999 |
|||||
| Mental Health | + vs A/A/NP |
+ vs $75,000- $99,999 |
||||
| Physical Health | ||||||
| Safety & Security | + vs $75,000- $99,999 |
|||||
| Social Connections | + |
+ vs Under $75,000- $99,999 |
||||
| Age 60+ | Female | College Degree | Latter-day Saint | Highest Income ($150,000+) |
Resident 5 Years or Less | |
| Domains | Domain Importance | |||||
| Connection with Nature | + vs A/A/NP |
|||||
| Cultural Opportunities | + | |||||
| Education | + | |||||
| Leisure Time | ||||||
| Living Standards | ||||||
| Local Environmental Quality | - | + vs Under $75,000 |
||||
| Mental Health | |
|||||
| Physical Health | ||||||
| Safety and Security | + vs $75,000- $99,999 |
|||||
| Social Connections | + | + | ||||
Community Action and Connection in Lehi
Survey participants were asked about community actions and community connection in Lehi. Both questions were scored on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5). When asked about the degree to which people take action together in response to local problems or opportunities in Lehi, the average score was 2.93. When asked about the degree they feel connected to their community, the average score was 2.86.


Latter-day Saints reported higher levels of community connection and higher perceptions of local action than those who indicated Agnostic/Atheist/No Religious Preference. This was based on a generalized linear model with unweighted data (p < 0.05).
Table 4
Demographic Characteristics and Community Questions
| Community Questions | Age 60+ | Female | College Degree | Latter-day Saint | Highest Income ($150,000+) |
Resident 5 Years or Less |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do people in Lehi take action? | + vs A/A/NP |
|||||
| Do you feel connected to your community? | + vs A/A/NP |
A significant, positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing.

Comparing Community Action and Connection Across Cities
The graphs below show how Wellbeing Project cities compare on the degree to which people take action in response to local problems and opportunities and how connected people feel to their city as a community. Lehi was in the lower half on perceived community action and community connection based on the number of people indicating a 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. Margins of error are particularly high for Delta, Helper, Midvale, and Santaquin due to low survey response.


Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate whether or not they participated in eight different recreation or nature-based activities in the past 12 months. Recreating in parks in the city (84%) was the most common activity for respondents, followed by non-motorized recreation on public lands or waters (75%) and gardening (72%).

For Lehi respondents, none of the recreation activities above were significantly related to overall personal wellbeing or community wellbeing.
Participating in non-motorized recreation on Utah public lands and waters, city recreation programs, recreating in city parks, and gardening were positively and significantly related to community connection.
Influence of Landscape on Wellbeing
Survey participants were asked about the influence of landscape features on their wellbeing. Natural landscapes including mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, and trails were found to have an overwhelmingly positive influence on wellbeing. There was a particularly strong negative perception of extractive industry among Lehi respondents.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of Lehi survey respondents indicated they felt population growth was too fast (89%). On the pace of economic development, 69% indicated it was too fast, 22% just right, and 8% too slow.


The graphs below show that perceptions on the current rate of population growth and pace of economic development in Lehi did not change substantially over the last few years. Most respondents continue to indicate they see the rate of population growth as too fast (up to 89% in 2022). The most notable difference was the increase in respondents indicating that the current pace of economic development is too fast from 61% to 69%.
The graphs below show how Lehi compares to other participating cities in the Wellbeing Project on these perceptions of population growth and economic development in 2022. Margins of error are particularly high for Delta, Helper, Midvale, and Santaquin due to low survey response.

Concerns in Lehi
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Lehi. Water Supply, Air Quality, Roads and Transportation, and Affordable Housing were the top three concerns with at least 90% of respondents indicating these were moderate or major concerns.

Other concerns were raised by 54 respondents who filled in the “other” category. Responses identical to the categories above are not included in the table.
Table 5
Other Concerns Mentioned |
||
|---|---|---|
| Traffic (6) | More splash pads, larger parks | Enforcing speed limits |
| Overdevelopment (5) | Taxes | Theft |
| Overpopulation (4) | Better synchronized traffic lights | Government |
| Crowding in schools (4) | Diversity | Zoning |
| Green space and open space (4) | Senior care | Lack of cultural activities |
| Utilities (3) | Infrastructure | Library services |
| High density housing (3) | Red light running | Quality of life |
| Smell of local farms (2) | Protecting Jordan River ecosystem | Town division |
| Services for people with disabilities | Backyard space for housing | Affordability |
Open Comments
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Lehi and to provide any additional comments about wellbeing in Lehi. Comments have been shared with city leaders. In summary, many residents of Lehi valued the location of the city and its amenities, with it being central between Salt Lake City and Provo, and having valuable shopping centers, recreation, education, and entertainment. Many valued the social climate of Lehi, valuing its safety, cleanliness, and the community. There was a strong sense of place with some comments. The additional comments section included concerns mainly targeted growth and development and its consequences. Many residents were concerned with residential and business development, and what this means for transportation. Traffic was a big concern, and safety with children and busy roads. A few comments felt there was a divide between the city due to I-15.

