Pleasant Grove Wellbeing Survey Findings 2024
By Dr. Courtney Flint and Team

Contact Information
Dr. Courtney Flint
courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
Summary
Pleasant Grove 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 Pleasant Grove survey and comparative information with other project cities. In April 2024, Pleasant Grove 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?
- 317 viable surveys were recorded in this 2024 survey effort.
- The adult population of Pleasant Grove was estimated at 25,682, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 317 survey responses in 2024 represent 1.2% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 5.47%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Pleasant Grove | 99.1% |
| Part Time Residents of Pleasant Grove | 0.9% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-78 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 19.7 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 17 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 18.4% |
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 Pleasant Grove. People who have at least a 4-year college degree, are married, and own their homes were overrepresented while those who are age 18-29, do not have a college degree, and are renters were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Pleasant Grove
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Pleasant Grove. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Pleasant Grove was 4.07 with 81% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Pleasant Grove was 3.61 with 59% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


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. Pleasant Grove is classified as an Established/Mid-sized City. Some cities may fit within more than one cluster.
Within the more Urban city cluster, Pleasant Grove was close to the average overall personal wellbeing score and slightly below the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Pleasant Grove
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 Pleasant Grove were Family Life (87%), Safety and Security (77%), and Mental Health (75%). The most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (97%), Safety and Security (97%), Physical Health (96%), and Family Life (96%).

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

Community Connection in Pleasant Grove
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Pleasant Grove on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.04.

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. Pleasant Grove ranked 29 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 (93%), gardening at home (85%), and recreating in parks in your city (81%).

Participating in community events, non-motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah, and using trails in or near your city were significantly related to higher ratings of personal wellbeing.
Buying food from a farmer's market, participating in community events, and recreating in parks in your city were significantly related to higher ratings of community wellbeing.
Buying food from a farmer's market, participating in city recreation programs, participating in community events, recreating in parks in your city, and using trails in or near your city were significantly related to higher ratings of community connection.
Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Pleasant Grove indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (65%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was just right (42%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Pleasant Grove compared to other participating cities and towns in the Established/Mid-sized Cities 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 20% 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 Pleasant Grove. Many of the comments requested more retail options. There was a common theme related to too much fast food and housing and not enough options for shopping and real restaurants. Many felt Pleasant Grove has lagged in commercial development and that has in turn affected the tax base and the infrastructure of the city.
Additionally, the 29% 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 Pleasant Grove. Comments suggested that housing, fast food restaurants, and population growth are outpacing the needed infrastructure and other city improvements people would like to see. Respondents also expressed concern about traffic, crowding, and a change of Pleasant Grove’s character.
Transportation in Pleasant Grove
Respondents were asked to indicate all of their primary modes of transportation on a regular basis in Pleasant Grove. The most popular modes of transportation were personal car (100%) and walking (35%).

Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Pleasant Grove. The most problematic barriers were Travel time (41%) and Cost (35%).

Respondents were asked to indicate the importance of a set of possible transportation developments in Pleasant Grove. The most important development to respondents were Improving road surfaces (88%), Enhancing safety (66%), Improving walkability (49%), and Adding road capacity (49%).

Respondents were asked to indicate how frequently various activities take them out of Pleasant Grove 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 Eating Out (94%), Friends and Family (88%), and Groceries (83%).

Concerns in Pleasant Grove
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Pleasant Grove. Water Supply (78%), Traffic (76%), Affordable Housing (74%), and Water Quality (73%) were the top concerns.

Additional Questions for Pleasant Grove
Communication Methods in Pleasant Grove
Respondents in Pleasant Grove were asked to indicate a method of communication they rely on most for information about Pleasant Grove City’s services, news, and events. The two most popular choices were the City Newsletter (41%) and the City Facebook Page (40%). Other methods of communication mentioned by respondents included Google, city council meetings, email, and word of mouth.

Open Comments
All open comments collected in the survey were shared with city leaders. General observations and themes are shared here.
What Respondents Value Most in Pleasant Grove
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Pleasant Grove. 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 indicated that they value Pleasant Grove for its strong sense of community, friendly neighbors, and being close to their family. Many also mentioned they value the small-town feel of the community.

Local Environmental Quality in Pleasant Grove
The 48% 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, the most highly mentioned concern was road condition. Potholes, and cracked and sinking roads make transportation for residents difficult. Other than roads, residents explained how green spaces and parks are rundown and they would appreciate more attention in that regard. Air quality was a concern due to inversions and smog. Water scarcity was also noted.
Improving Wellbeing in Pleasant Grove
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Pleasant Grove. Significant concerns were mentioned regarding transportation infrastructure and local governance. Deteriorating road conditions, frequent potholes, and delayed construction projects were mentioned as major issues, leading to frustration over increased traffic congestion and inadequate public transportation options. There was also a strong call for improved pedestrian safety (including more sidewalks) and more bike-friendly infrastructure. Simultaneously, residents criticized the city council for a lack of transparency, accountability, and effective management, particularly regarding budget allocation and rapid development.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Pleasant Grove. Many comments expressed dissatisfaction with local government, highlighting issues like lack of transparency, mismanagement, and cronyism, particularly mentioning concerns with specific city leaders and a need for a more resident-focused approach. Transportation was another prominent concern, with multiple complaints about the poor condition of roads, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and a general call for improved road conditions and public transportation.