Millcreek Wellbeing Survey Findings 2022

By Dr. Courtney Flint and Team


utah wellbeing survey logo

Contact Information

Summary

Millcreek 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 Millcreek 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 March of 2022, Millcreek City advertised the survey via social media and an electronic newsletter. All city residents age 18+ were encouraged to take the online Qualtrics survey.

How many people responded?

  • 274 viable surveys were recorded in this 2022 survey effort with 90.1% complete responses.
  • The adult population of Millcreek was estimated at 47,215, based on the 2016-2020 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 274 survey responses in 2022 represent 0.6% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 5.90%.

Key Findings

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Community Wellbeing in Millcreek were above average among the 33 study cities. Personal Wellbeing, domain ratings, and domain importance varied in Millcreek by demographic variables with age, religion, and household income being particularly influential.

Highest Rated Wellbeing Categories:

  • Living Standards
  • Education
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Health

Most Important Wellbeing Categories:

  • Mental Health
  • Safety and Security
  • Physical Health
  • Living Standards

Red Zone Wellbeing Categories: 
(High Importance, Low Rating)

  • Safety and Security
  • Local Environmental Quality

Many indicated Population Growth Rate is too fast, but that the Pace of Economic Development is just right.

Top concerns for the future of Millcreek were:

  • Air Quality (93% Moderate or Major Concern)
  • Water Supply (91% Moderate or Major Concern)
  • Climate Change (83% Moderate or Major Concern)
  • Affordable Housing (79% Moderate or Major Concern)
  • Roads and Transportation (78% Moderate or Major Concern)

What do people value most about Millcreek?
Surrounding nature, social climate, friendliness.

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 Millcreek City, key wellbeing issues include: Safety and Security, Local Environmental Quality, Air Quality, Water Supply, and Climate Change. 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 1.1

Full Time Residents of Millcreek 97.1%
Part Time Residents of Millcreek 2.9%
Length of Residency — Range 1- 88 years
Length of Residency — Average 23.6 years
Length of Residency — Median 21 years
Length of Residence 5 years or less 18.3%

Table 1.2

Zipcode Percent of Respondents
84106 25.9%
84107 4.4%
84109 52.9%
84124 14.2%
84117 1.8%
Other 0.8

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 Millcreek. People who are female, age 60-69, have at least a 4- year college degree, are married, own their home, and those with incomes $150,000 or over were particularly overrepresented. People age 18-29, who are employed, and those with incomes ranging from under $25,000 to $49,999 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 Millcreek

Demographic Characteristics Millcreek Wellbeing Survey American Community Survey
2016-2020 Estimates
Online 2022
274 Respondents
Age 18-29 4.9% 22.3%
Age 30-39 13.1% 20.8%
Age 40-49 15.1% 15.9%
Age 50-59 18.8% 13.3%
Age 60-69 27.3% 12.4%
Age 70 or over 20.8% 15.3%
Adult Female 66.7% 51.0%
Adult Male 33.3% 49.0%
Adult non-conforming
or non-binary
0.0% NA
No college degree 20.1% 48.1%
College degree (4-year) 79.9% 51.9%
Median household income NA $74,325
Income under $25,000 2.2% 14.7%
Income $25,000 to $49,999 9.0% 19.1%
Income $50,000 to $74,999 13.0% 16.6%
Income $75,000 to $99,999 18.8% 14.0%
Income $100,000 to $149,999 22.0% 17.6%
Income $150,000 or over 35.0% 18.0%
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 33.2% NA
Other religion 22.7% NA
Agnostic/Atheist/No religious preference 44.1% NA
Hispanic/Latino 3.4% 9.5%
White 94.9% 85.8%
Nonwhite 5.1% 14.2%
Married 78.8% 49.0%
Children under 18 in household 26.7% 27.8%
Employed 53.9% 65.9%
Out of work and looking for work 0.8% 2.6%
Other 45.3% 31.5%
Own home/Owner occupied 93.9% 61.8%
Rent home/Renter occupied/Other 6.1% 38.2%

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Millcreek

Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Millcreek. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from very poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Millcreek was 4.25 with 85% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Millcreek was 3.79 with 65% of respondents indicating city wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.

Bar chart. Title: Personal Wellbeing in Millcreek. Subtitle: How would you rate your overall personal wellbeing? Data - 1 Very Poor: 0% of respondents; 2: 1% of respondents; 3: 13% of respondents; 4: 45% of respondents; 5 Excellent: 41% of respondents

Bar Chart. Title: Community Wellbeing in Millcreek. Subtitle: How would you rate overall wellbeing in Millcreek? Data - 1 Very Poor: 1% of respondents; 2: 5% of respondents; 3: 28% of respondents; 4: 46% of respondents; 5 Excellent: 20% of respondents

Overall personal wellbeing was highest for those in zipcode 84117, but this difference was not statistically significant. 

Comparing Wellbeing Across Utah Cities

The Utah League of Cities and Towns classifies Millcreek as a City of the 1st & 2nd Class (and we have combined these with Mid-sized Cities). Some cities may fit within more than one cluster. 

Within the more urban city cluster, Millcreek scored second highest in terms of the average overall personal wellbeing score and above average in terms of the average community wellbeing score. Millcreek was statistically significantly higher than Tooele, Logan, and Midvale in terms of overall personal wellbeing. In terms of community wellbeing, Millcreek was significantly higher than Tooele, Midvale, Logan, and West Jordan. Margins of error are particularly high for Delta, Helper, Midvale, and Santaquin due to low survey response.

Dot Plot. Title: Overall Personal Wellbeing Scores from Participating Utah Cities (2022). Subtitle: (On a scale from 1=Very Poor to 5=Excellent). Group: Established/Mid-Sized Cities. Draper: Average Score 4.27; Millcreek: Average Score 4.24; Cottonwood Heights: Average Score 4.19; Layton: Average Score 4.16; Bountiful: Average Score 4.09; Sandy: Average Score 4.07; South Jordan: Average Score 4.06; West Jordan: Average Score 4.03; Midvale: Average Score 3.94; Logan: Average Score 3.89; Tooele: Average Score 3.76. Group: Rapid Growth Cities. Vineyard: Average Score 4.31; Highland: Average Score 4.28; Hyde Park: Average Score 4.25; Nibley: Average Score 4.20; Spanish Fork: Average Score 4.15; North Logan: Average Score 4.15; Lehi: Average Score 4.10; Saratoga Springs: Average Score 4.02; Santaquin: Average Score 3.98; Herriman: Average Score 3.87. Group: Rural, Rural Hub, & Resort and Traditional Communities. Beaver: Average Score 4.18; Helper: Average Score 4.15; Nephi: Average Score 4.11; Tremonton: Average Score 4.10; Park City: Average Score 4.04; Bluff: Average Score 3.96; Ephraim: Average Score 3.89; Delta: Average Score 3.88; Blanding: Average Score: 3.85; Price: Average Score 3.83; East Carbon: Average Score: 3.73; Moab: Average Score: 3.50. 

Dot Plot. Title: Overall Community Wellbeing Scores from Participating Utah Cities (2022). Subtitle: (On a scale from 1=Very Poor to 5=Excellent). Group: Established/Mid-Sized Cities. Draper: Average Score 4.03; South Jordan: Average Score 4.02; Bountiful: Average Score 3.84; Sandy: Average Score 3.79; Millcreek: Average Score 3.79; Cottonwood Heights: Average Score 3.72; Layton: Average Score 3.71; West Jordan: Average Score 3.55; Logan: Average Score 3.46; Midvale: Average Score 3.24; Tooele: Average Score 3.15. Group: Rapid Growth Cities. Highland: Average Score 4.15; Hyde Park: Average Score 4.05; North Logan: Average Score 3.99; Spanish Fork: Average Score 3.98; Nibley: Average Score 3.87; Vineyard: Average Score 3.84; Santaquin: Average Score 3.72; Lehi: Average Score 3.61; Herriman: Average Score 3.49; Saratoga Springs: Average Score 3.47. Group: Rural, Rural Hub, & Resort and Traditional Communities. Helper: Average Score 4.09; Bluff: Average Score 3.84; Beaver: Average Score 3.82; Ephraim: Average Score 3.75; Nephi: Average Score 3.62; Park City: Average Score 3.50; Delta: Average Score 3.44; Blanding: Average Score 3.44; Tremonton: Average Score: 3.32; Price: Average Score 3.15; East Carbon: Average Score: 2.98; Moab: Average Score: 2.84. 

Wellbeing Domains in Millcreek

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 three highest rated wellbeing domains for respondents in Millcreek were Living Standards (89%), Education (84%), and Mental Health (82%). The four most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (99%), Safety and Security (97%), Physical Health (97%), and Living Standards (95%)

Likert Graph. Title: Wellbeing Domain Ratings in Millcreek. Subtitle: How would you rate your level of personal wellbeing in each of the following categories? Category: Safety and Security - 27% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 73% rated as good or excellent; Category: Connection with Nature - 24% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 76% rated as good or excellent; Category: Local Environmental Quality- 52% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 48% rated as good or excellent; Category: Education - 16% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 84% rated as good or excellent; Category: Living Standards - 11% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 89% rated as good or excellent; Category: Mental Health - 18% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 82% rated as good or excellent; Category: Leisure Time - 25% of respondents rated as poor, fair or moderate while 75% rated as good or excellent; Category: Physical Health - 23% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 77% rated as good or excellent; Category: Social Connections - 36% of respondents rated as poor, fair, or moderate while 64% rated as good or excellent; Category: Cultural Opportunities - 48% of respondents rated as poor, fair or moderate while 52% rated as good or excellent.

Likert Graph. Title: Wellbeing Domain Importance in Millcreek. Subtitle: How important are the following categories to your overall personal wellbeing? Category: Safety and Security - 3% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 97% rated as important or very important; Category: Mental Health - 1% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 99% rated as important or very important; Category: Physical Health - 3% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 97% rated as important or very important; Category: Living Standards - 5% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 95% rated as important or very important; Category: Connection with Nature - 13% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 87% of respondents rated as important or very important; Category: Leisure Time - 12% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 88% rated as important or very important; Category: Local Environmental Quality - 7% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 93% rated as important or very important; Category: Social Connections - 25% rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 75% rated as important or very important; Category: Education - 12% of respondents rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 88% rated as important or very important; Category: Cultural Opportunities - 34% rated as not at all important, slightly important, or moderately important while 66% rated as important or very important.

Wellbeing Matrix for Millcreek

The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Millcreek. Living Standards, Mental Health, and Physical Health were highly important and rated above average among the domains. Safety and Security and Local Environmental Quality fell in the “red zone” of higher importance, but lower ratings.

Scatterplot. Title: Millcreek Wellbeing Matrix. Domains are classified into four quadrants depending on their average rating and average importance as compared to the average of all the average domain ratings and the average of all the average domain importance ratings. High rating, high importance (green quadrant) domains include: Living Standards, Physical Health, and Mental Health. High rating, lower Importance (blue quadrant) domains include: Connection with Nature, Leisure Time, and Education. Lower rating, lower importance (yellow quadrant) domains include: Cultural Opportunities and Social Connections. Lower rating, high importance (red quadrant) domains include: Safety and Security and Local Environmental Quality.

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 Millcreek 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 Millcreek

  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 Other
+
vs Under $75,000 
 
Wellbeing in Millcreek            
Connection with Nature
         
Cultural Opportunities +
         
Education    
     
Leisure Time
vs 40-59
      +
vs $75,000- $99,999 
 
Living Standards
   
vs Other 
   
Local Environmental Quality      
   
Mental Health
   
vs Other
   
Physical Health           +
vs Under
$75,000- $99,999
 
Safety & Security            
Social Connections
vs 40-59
   
vs Other
+
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     +   -
vs Under
$75,000
 
Education
vs 18-39
 
     
Leisure Time            
Living Standards  
       
Local Environmental Quality
vs 18-39
 
-
vs A/A/NP
-
vs
$100,000- $149,999
+
Mental Health
 
       
Physical Health
         
Safety and Security

       
Social Connections             
A/A/NRP = Agnostic/Atheist/No Religious Preference

Community Action and Connection in Millcreek

Survey participants were asked about community actions and community connection in Millcreek. 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 Millcreek, the average score was 3.27. When asked about the degree they feel connected to their community, the average score was 3.31.

Bar chart. Title: Community Action in Millcreek. Subtitle: In Millcreek, to what degree do people take action together in response to local problems or opportunities? Data - 1 Not at All: 2% of respondents; 2: 17% of respondents; 3: 41% of respondents; 4: 29% of respondents; 5 A Great Deal: 12% of respondents

Bar chart. Title: Community Connection in Millcreek. Subtitle: How connected do you feel to Millcreek as a community? Data - 1 Not at All: 6% of respondents; 2: 15% of respondents; 3: 37% of respondents; 4: 31% of respondents; 5 A Great Deal: 11% of respondents

Latter-day Saints reported higher levels of community connection and higher perceptions of local action than those from other religions or 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 Millcreek take action?       +    
Do you feel connected to your community?

   
   

A significant, positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing.

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Overall Wellbeing and Community Connection in Millcreek. Of the 4 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 1 or 2, 75% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 25% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5. Of the 32 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 3, 81% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 19% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5. Of the 115 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 4, 60% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 40% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5. Of the 103 participants that rate their overall wellbeing as a 5, 48% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 52% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5.

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. Millcreek was in the upper 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.

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Community Action Across Cities. Subtitle: In your city to what degree do people take action together in response to local problems or opportunities? 1 being not at all. 5 being a great deal. Data – City: Helper- 23% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 77% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Delta 29% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 71% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Bluff 33% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 67% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Beaver 42% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 58% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Blanding 48% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 52% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Hyde Park 48% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 52% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Highland 50% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 50% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Spanish Fork 51% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 49% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Bountiful 53% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 47% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: North Logan 55% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 45% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Nibley 55% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 45% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Nephi 57% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 43% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: South Jordan 57% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 43% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Vineyard 59% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 41% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Millcreek 60% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 40% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Draper 61% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 39% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Ephraim 65% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 35% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Santaquin 65% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 35% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Moab 66% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 34% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Tremonton 66% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 34% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Layton 66% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 34% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Price 66% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 34% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Sandy 69% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 31% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Tooele 71% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 29% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Logan 71% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 29% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Lehi 72% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 28% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Herriman 72% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 28% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Cottonwood Heights 73% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 27% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Saratoga Springs 74% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 26% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; East Carbon 75% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 25% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; West Jordan 81% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 19% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; Midvale 89% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 11% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5.

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Community Connection Across Cities. Subtitle: How connected do you feel to your city as a community? 1 being not at all. 5 being a great deal. Data – City: Helper 29% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 71% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Bluff 40% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 60% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Beaver 42% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 58% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Spanish Fork 50% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 50% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Delta- 51% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 49% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Highland- 56% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 44% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: North Logan- 56% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 44% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Hyde Park- 56% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 44% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Nephi- 57% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 43% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Millcreek- 58% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 42% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Park City- 58% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 42% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Ephraim- 59% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 41% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: South Jordan- 59% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 41% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Draper- 61% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 39% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Bountiful- 61% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 39% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Blanding- 62% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 38% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Vineyard- 62% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 38% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Logan- 64% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 36% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Nibley- 64% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 36% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Santaquin- 65% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 35% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Moab- 66% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 34% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Layton- 67% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 33% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: East Carbon- 67% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 33% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Sandy- 68% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 32% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Tremonton- 69% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 31% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Cottonwood Heights- 70% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 30% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Price- 70% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 30% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Tooele- 71% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 29% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Lehi- 73% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 27% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Herriman- 78% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 22% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: West Jordan- 79% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 21% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Saratoga Springs- 81% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 19% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5; City: Midvale- 85% of respondents indicate a community action score of 1, 2, or 3 while 15% indicate a community action score of 4 or 5.

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. Enjoying wildlife and birds in your yard or neighborhood (89%) was the most common activity for respondents, followed by gardening (89%) and recreating in parks in the city (80%).

Type: Bar Graph Title: Participation in Recreation and Nature-based Activities in Millcreek. Subtitle: Have you participated in any of the following activities during the past 12 months? Data - 78% of respondents indicated yes to non-motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah. 89% of respondents indicated yes to enjoying wildlife or birds in your yard or neighborhood. 25% of respondents indicated yes to motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah. 80% of respondents indicated yes to recreating in parks in your city. 89% of respondents indicated yes to gardening. 33% of respondents indicated yes to city recreation programs. 74% of respondents indicated yes to watching or reading nature-related programs or publications. 51% of respondents indicated yes to walking with a pet in your city.

For Millcreek respondents, none of the activities above were significantly related to overall personal wellbeing.

Recreating in city parks and enjoying wildlife and birds in yard or neighborhood were positively and significantly related to community wellbeing. 

Participating in city recreation programs, recreating in city parks, and enjoying wildlife and birds in yard or neighborhood 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, trails, rivers and streams, and city parks were found to have an overwhelmingly positive influence on wellbeing. In terms of development and industry in the landscape, respondents were more divided. There was a particularly strong negative perception of extractive industry among Millcreek respondents.

Likert Graph. Title: The Role of Landscape Features in Millcreek Residents' Wellbeing. Subtitle: How does the presence of the following landscape features influence your wellbeing? Feature: Mountains - 0% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 2% indicated neither, 98% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Rivers and Streams - 0% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 5% indicated neither, 95% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Lakes - 1% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 16% indicated neither, 83% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Trails - 0% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 9% indicated neither, 91% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Red Rock - 0% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 26% indicated neither, 74% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: City Parks - 0% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 6% indicated neither, 94% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Farmland - 1% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 38% indicated neither, 61% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Residential Development - 35% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 40% indicated neither, 25% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Commercial Development - 41% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 35% indicated neither, 24% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Extractive Industry - 79% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 16% indicated neither, 5% indicated positively or very positively; Feature: Manufacturing Industry - 59% of respondents indicated very negatively or negatively, 36% indicated neither, 5% indicated positively or very positively.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development

The majority of Millcreek survey respondents indicated they felt population growth was too fast (49%). On the pace of economic development respondents were more evenly distributed, with 47% indicating it was just right, 30% too fast, and 9% too slow.

Type: Bar graph. Title: Population Growth in Millcreek. Subtitle: How would you describe the current rate of population growth in Millcreek? Data – 2% of respondents rated too slow; 36% of respondents rated just right; 49% of respondents rated too fast; 13% of respondents rated no opinion.

Type: Bar graph. Title: Economic Development in Millcreek. Subtitle: How would you describe the current pace of economic development in Millcreek? Data – 9% of respondents rated too slow; 47% of respondents rated just right; 30% of respondents rated too fast; 15% of respondents rated no opinion.

The graphs below show how Millcreek 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.

Graph 23: Population Growth Opinion Type: Likert Graph. Title: Population Growth. Subtitle: How would you describe the current rate of population growth in your city/town?  Subtitle: Established/Mid-Sized Cities and cities of the first and second class. Data – City: Logan – 2% of respondents rated too slow, 69% of respondents rated too fast; City: Draper – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 69% of respondents rated too fast; City: Tooele – 2% of respondents rated too slow, 67% of respondents rated too fast; City: Layton – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 65% of respondents rated too fast; City: West Jordan – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 63% of respondents rated too fast;  City: South Jordan – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 63% of respondents rated too fast; City: Midvale – 2% of respondents rated too slow, 62% of respondents rated too fast; City: Sandy - 2% of respondents rated too slow, 61% of respondents rated too fast; City: Cottonwood Heights - 2% of respondents rated too slow, 56% of respondents rated too fast; City: Bountiful - 2% of respondents rated too slow, 51% of respondents rated too fast; City: Millcreek - 1% of respondents rated too slow, 44% of respondents rated too fast. Subtitle: Rapid Growth Cities. Data – City: Lehi – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 76% of respondents rated too fast; City: Herriman – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 74% of respondents rated too fast; City: Santaquin – 0% of respondents rated too slow, 71% of respondents rated too fast; City: Spanish Fork – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 71% of respondents rated too fast; City: Nibley – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 71% of respondents rated too fast; City: Hyde Park – 0% of respondents rated too slow, 69% of respondents rated too fast; City: North Logan – 0% of respondents rated too slow, 69% of respondents rated too fast; City: Vineyard – 0% of respondents rated too slow, 66% of respondents rated too fast; City: Saratoga Springs – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 65% of respondents rated too fast;City: Highland – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 65% of respondents rated too fast. Subtitle: Rural Hub/Resort and Traditional Rural Communities. Data – City: Park City – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 82% of respondents rated too fast;City: Tremonton – 1% of respondents rated too slow, 67% of respondents rated too fast; City: Nephi – 4% of respondents rated too slow, 63% of respondents rated too fast; City: Moab – 4% of respondents rated too slow, 60% of respondents rated too fast; City: Ephraim – 4% of respondents rated too slow, 50% of respondents rated too fast; City: Beaver – 9% of respondents rated too slow, 40% of respondents rated too fast; City: Price – 21% of respondents rated too slow, 25% of respondents rated too fast; City: Helper – 9% of respondents rated too slow, 23% of respondents rated too fast; City: Blanding – 16% of respondents rated too slow, 15% of respondents rated too fast; City: East Carbon – 20% of respondents rated too slow, 15% of respondents rated too fast; City: Delta – 13% of respondents rated too slow, 14% of respondents rated too fast; City: Bluff – 19% of respondents rated too slow, 10% of respondents rated too fast.   Graph 24: Economic Development Opinion Type: Likert Graph. Title: Economic Development. Subtitle: How would you describe the current pace of economic growth in your city/town?  Subtitle: Established/Mid-Sized Cities and cities of the first and second class. Data – City: Draper – 3% of respondents rated too slow, 50% of respondents rated too fast; City: Logan – 12% of respondents rated too slow, 47% of respondents rated too fast; City: Layton – 9% of respondents rated too slow, 44% of respondents rated too fast; City: Sandy – 7% of respondents rated too slow, 41% of respondents rated too fast; City: Cottonwood Heights – 10% of respondents rated too slow, 38% of respondents rated too fast; City: South Jordan – 6% of respondents rated too slow, 38% of respondents rated too fast; City: Tooele – 34% of respondents rated too slow, 34% of respondents rated too fast; City: Bountiful – 13% of respondents rated too slow, 28% of respondents rated too fast; City: West Jordan – 19% of respondents rated too slow, 28% of respondents rated too fast; City: Millcreek – 8% of respondents rated too slow, 27% of respondents rated too fast; City: Midvale – 24% of respondents rated too slow, 22% of respondents rated too fast. Subtitle: Rapid Growth Cities. Data – City: Lehi – 7% of respondents rated too slow, 59% of respondents rated too fast; City: Spanish Fork – 2% of respondents rated too slow, 49% of respondents rated too fast; City: Nibley – 11% of respondents rated too slow, 42% of respondents rated too fast; City: Saratoga Springs – 8% of respondents rated too slow, 39% of respondents rated too fast; City: North Logan – 9% of respondents rated too slow, 39% of respondents rated too fast; City: Herriman – 21% of respondents rated too slow, 39% of respondents rated too fast; City: Santaquin – 23% of respondents rated too slow, 38% of respondents rated too fast; City: Hyde Park – 12% of respondents rated too slow, 37% of respondents rated too fast; City: Highland – 23% of respondents rated too slow, 30% of respondents rated too fast; City: Vineyard – 29% of respondents rated too slow, 23% of respondents rated too fast. Subtitle: Rural Hub/Resort and Traditional Rural Communities. Data – City: Park City – 3% of respondents rated too slow, 77% of respondents rated too fast; City: Moab – 19% of respondents rated too slow, 59% of respondents rated too fast; City: Tremonton – 13% of respondents rated too slow, 45% of respondents rated too fast; City: Nephi – 27% of respondents rated too slow, 31% of respondents rated too fast; City: Ephraim – 24% of respondents rated too slow, 30% of respondents rated too fast; City: Beaver – 30% of respondents rated too slow, 18% of respondents rated too fast; City: Bluff – 33% of respondents rated too slow, 14% of respondents rated too fast; City: Blanding – 43% of respondents rated too slow, 5% of respondents rated too fast; City: Delta – 43% of respondents rated too slow, 5% of respondents rated too fast; City: Helper – 16% of respondents rated too slow, 2% of respondents rated too fast; City: Price – 61% of respondents rated too slow, 2% of respondents rated too fast; City: East Carbon – 67% of respondents rated too slow, 0% of respondents rated too fast.

Concerns in Millcreek

Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Millcreek. Air Quality, Water Supply, and Climate Change were the top three concerns with at least 83% of respondents indicating these were moderate or major concerns.

Title: Concerns in Millcreek. Subtitle: As you look to the future of Millcreek, how much of a concern are the following issues? Data – Category: Water Supply- 9% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 91% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Opportunities for Youth- 37% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 63% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Affordable Housing- 21% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 79% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Public Land- 26% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 74% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Employment Opportunities- 56% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 44% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Quality Food- 39% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 61% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Shopping Opportunities- 59% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 41% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Recreation Opportunities- 33% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 67% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Substance Abuse- 48% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 52% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Roads and Transportation- 22% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 78% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Social and Emotional Support- 51% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 59% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Health Care- 44% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 56% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Public Safety- 25% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 75% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Mental Health Care - 49% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 51% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Air Quality- 7% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 93% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern. Climate Change- 17% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 83% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern.

Other concerns were raised by 45 respondents who filled in the “other” category. Responses identical to the categories above are not included in the table. 

Table 5

Other Concerns Mentioned

Walkability, bikeability (7) Gun safety Cronyism
High density housing, overdevelopment (6) Homeless population Traffic
Infrastructure (2) Utilities Economy
Taxes (2) Slowing the pace of life Littering
Government (2) Recycling Restaurants
Noise and light pollution (2) Education Cultural Inclusivity
Religion (2) Gravel pit Grand design

Open Comments

Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Millcreek and to provide any additional comments about wellbeing in Millcreek. Comments have been shared with city leaders. In summary, most of the residents of Millcreek valued the nature and beauty, especially the mountains and canyons. Many also valued the social climate, often referring to the friendliness of neighbors and a sense of community. Recreation and location were also valued. Many Millcreek residents valued the parks and trails as well as the “central location” of Millcreek to work/the city/etc. In the additional comments section many Millcreek residents commented on transportation. Many comments were wanting more/improved road conditions for roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, light posts, etc. Many residents also commented on growth and development, especially in favor for no more high-density housing. Recreation and government were also commented on. Residents of Millcreek wanted to see more parks.