Beaver Wellbeing Survey Findings 2024
By Dr. Courtney Flint and Team

Contact Information
Dr. Courtney Flint
courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
Summary
Beaver is one of 51 cities participating in the Utah Wellbeing Survey Project in 2024. This project is designed to assess the wellbeing and local perspectives of city residents and to provide information to city leaders to inform general planning processes. Additional analysis is underway and this report may be updated over time.
We are grateful to all those who took the survey and to our city partners who helped to make this possible. We are grateful to a number of entities for funding: the Utah League of Cities and Towns, USU Extension, USU’s Institute for Land Water and Air, the Wasatch Front Regional Council, Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, and the cities of Alpine, Cedar Hills, Draper, Millcreek, Nephi, North Salt Lake, Ogden, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Providence, Springdale, Tremonton, West Bountiful, and West Valley City.
This report describes findings from the 2024 Beaver survey and comparative information with other project cities. In March and April 2024, Beaver City advertised the survey for residents largely through social media and newsletters. All city residents age 18+ were encouraged to take the online Qualtrics survey.
How many people responded?
- 153 viable surveys were recorded in this 2024 survey effort.
- The Beaver 2022 survey had 131 responses.
- The adult population of Beaver was estimated at 2,609, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 153 survey responses in 2024 represent 5.9% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 7.69%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Beaver | 99.3% |
| Part Time Residents of Beaver | 0.7% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0.8-75 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 24.5 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 21.5 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 16.4% |
Demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were compared below with U.S. Census information from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey. In the graph below, gray bars indicate differences between the American Community Survey estimates and the Utah Wellbeing Project surveys. The wider the gray bars, the larger the differences. Also note that estimates for religious affiliation, adult non-conforming or non-binary gender, disability, and chronic conditions are unavailable from the census data. There can also be a variable margin of error in the American Community Survey estimates, and caution should be used when comparing estimates. Not all respondents provided demographic information. As the graph shows, 2024 survey respondents were not fully representative of Beaver. People who are adult females, have at least a 4-year college degree, have children under 18 in their household, and are employed were overrepresented while those who are adult males, do not have a college degree, and are not employed for various reasons were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Beaver
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Beaver. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Beaver was 3.95 with 80% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Beaver was 3.59 with 54% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


When comparing survey data from Beaver over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average personal wellbeing score declined between 2022 and 2024. The average community wellbeing score also declined between 2022 and 2024. Note that the number of respondents differed between years, there is no tracking of individuals from one year to the next, and the low end of the scale was "Poor" in 2024 but "Very Poor" in prior years which may account for differences in scores over time.

Comparing Wellbeing Across Utah Cities
The Utah League of Cities and Towns clusters cities and towns into five different categories based on size and growth rates. We utilize these clusters in our analysis. Beaver is classified as a Rural Hub/Resort Community (and we have combined these with the Traditional Rural Communities). Some cities may fit within more than one cluster.
Within the Rural city cluster, Beaver was close to the average overall personal wellbeing score and slightly above the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Beaver
According to national and international entities that track wellbeing, there are a number of common dimensions or domains of wellbeing. Survey respondents rated twelve domains on a 5-point scale from poor to excellent. 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 highest rated wellbeing domains for respondents in Beaver were Family Life (79%), Safety and Security (79%), and Connection with Nature (72%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (96%), Mental Health (95%), and Family Life (94%).

Wellbeing Matrix for Beaver
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Beaver. Family Life, Mental Health, and Safety and Security were highly important and rated above average among the domains. Education, Leisure Time, Living Standards, and Physical Health fell in the “red zone” of higher importance and lower ratings.

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Beaver
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Beaver residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Note that the two domains Family Life and Transportation were new categories in the 2024 survey and were not measured in previous years. Most domain ratings decreased from 2022 to 2024.

Community Connection in Beaver
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Beaver on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.46.

When comparing survey data from Beaver over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average community connection score declined between 2022 and 2024.

A positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing as well as mental health.


The graph below shows how Wellbeing Project cities and towns compare on feelings of community connection based on the percentage of respondents who answered 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale from “not at all” to “a great deal” connected to their city or town. Beaver ranked 4 out of the 51 cities that participated.

Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate whether or not they participated in various activities in the last 12 months. The most popular activities were walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (95%), community events (88%), and using trails in or near your city (86%).

Motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah was significantly related to higher ratings of personal wellbeing.
None of the recreation activities above were significantly related to higher ratings of community wellbeing or community connection.
Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Beaver indicated that they felt the population growth was just right (53%). For the pace of economic development, the majority of respondents indicated that it was too slow (54%).


The graphs below show how perceptions of population growth and economic development in Beaver have varied across recent years of Wellbeing Surveys. Perception that population growth was too fast decreased between 2022 and 2024 while perception that it was just right increased. Perception that the pace of economic development was too slow saw a large increase from 2022 to 2024.


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Beaver compared to other participating cities and towns in the Rural cluster.


The graph below illustrates how many respondents perceived the pace of economic development as too slow, just right, too fast, or had no opinion, with additional breakdowns for the number of respondents who provided comments.

The 54% of respondents who rated the pace of economic growth as “too slow” were further asked what aspects of the local economy they would like to see more of in Beaver. The majority of the comments centered around a desire for more job opportunities within Beaver, particularly ones with higher pay. Many people expressed that they wanted these jobs to benefit the young people living in Beaver or trying to live in Beaver. Respondents also commented on the need for more retail, recreation, and things to do.
Additionally, the 7% of respondents who rated the pace of economic growth as “too fast” were further asked what aspects of the local economy they feel are growing too quickly in Beaver. Some raised concerns about affordability. There was also an expressed desire to invest in technological and scientific development.
Transportation in Beaver
Respondents were asked to indicate all of their primary modes of transportation on a regular basis in Beaver. The most popular modes of transportation were personal car (99%) and walking (37%).

Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Beaver. The most problematic barriers were Cost (50%) and Travel time (37%).

Respondents were asked to indicate the importance of a set of possible transportation developments in Beaver. The most important development to respondents were Improving road surfaces (74%), Enhancing safety (61%), and Improving walkability (51%).

Respondents were asked to indicate how frequently various activities take them out of Beaver to another city or town. The most commonly indicated reasons for traveling to another city or town at least sometimes or once a month were Groceries (89%), Eating Out (82%), and Friends and Family (79%).

Concerns in Beaver
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Beaver. Affordable Housing (79%), Employment Opportunities (76%), and Opportunities for Youth (74%) were the top concerns. Since 2022, moderate or major concern about water supply (-29%), substance misuse (-16%), and climate change (-13%) notably decreased.

Open Comments
All open comments collected in the survey were shared with city leaders. Only general observations and themes are shared here.
What Respondents Value Most in Beaver
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Beaver. The most common words and phrases from all city comments are included in the word cloud below. It is possible that negative or unrelated words may appear since these words have been taken out of context, and they may not indicate the respondent’s intended meaning. Respondents valued the family-oriented culture and small town feel that can be found in Beaver. Peace and quiet was also mentioned as being of value. The current level of safety was also a theme that arose in many of these comments and often related to the previous highlighted themes.

Local Environmental Quality in Beaver
The 30% of respondents who rated the Local Environmental Quality domain as 1, 2, or 3 (Poor, Fair, or Moderate) were further asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel are problematic. Overall, for the few indicating lower ratings of local environmental quality in Beaver, concerns largely focused on trash and the cleanliness of the town. Recycling (or the lack thereof) was also mentioned. Other general comments focused on the impacts of growth on wellbeing and cost of living.
Improving Wellbeing in Beaver
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Beaver. Comments about improving wellbeing in Beaver heavily focused on improving transportation, specifically road quality and condition. Comments also mentioned concerns about the state of the local environment, but were rarely specific. Growth and development received mixed perspectives. Some mentioned they want growth and development to slow down, while others mentioned they feel Beaver could benefit from more growth and the city should try to encourage growth.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Beaver. Comments for this question had a wide range of themes. Some comments mentioned their love for their town and valuing their safety, while others brought up wanting more local opportunities. There were general comments about the local government.