Bluffdale Wellbeing Survey Findings 2026
By Dr. Courtney Flint, Nicolas Holden, and Team

Contact Information
Dr. Courtney Flint
courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
Summary
Bluffdale is one of 57 cities and towns participating in the Utah Wellbeing Survey Project in 2026. 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 make this possible. A special thank you goes to the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the following cities for funding this project: Cedar City, Delta, Heber, La Verkin, South Weber, Vernal, West Bountiful, and West Valley City. We also acknowledge support from the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP).
This report describes findings from the 2026 Bluffdale survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Bluffdale City advertised the survey for residents. All city residents age 18+ were encouraged to take the online Qualtrics survey. Cities and towns generally advertised the survey through newsletters, social media, emails, or other various efforts.
How many people responded?
- 418 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Bluffdale was estimated at 12,149, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 418 survey responses in 2026 represent 3.4% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 4.71%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Bluffdale | 98.3% |
| Part Time Residents of Bluffdale | 1.7% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0.5-73 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 12.2 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 8 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 31.4% |
Demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were compared below with U.S. Census information from the 2020-2024 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, 2026 survey respondents were not fully representative of Bluffdale. People who have at least a 4-year college degree or are married were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29 or do not have a college degree were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Bluffdale
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Bluffdale. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Bluffdale was 4.16 with 84% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Bluffdale was 3.78 with 67% 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. Bluffdale is classified as a Rapid Growth City. Some cities may fit within more than one cluster. Each cluster average represents the mean of the city and town means within each cluster.
Within the Rapid Growth city cluster, Bluffdale was slightly above the average overall personal wellbeing score and slightly above the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Bluffdale
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 Bluffdale were Safety and Security (87%), Family Life (87%), and Living Standards (84%). The most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (97%), Physical Health (97%), Safety and Security (95%), Living Standards (95%), and Family Life (94%).

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

Community Connection in Bluffdale
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Bluffdale on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.08.

A positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and mental health, and to some extent between community connection and overall personal wellbeing.


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 “1 Not at all” to “5 A great deal” connected to their city or town. Bluffdale ranked 41 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Bluffdale
Survey participants were asked how well Bluffdale included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. The majority of respondents indicated they had no opinion or that the question was not relevant (54%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were quite well (20%) included.

Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate how often they participated in various activities over the past year. The activities in which respondents most commonly participated at least sometimes (about once a month or more frequently) were Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (89%) and Recreating in parks in your city (78%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in all activities except recreation in parks in your city.
Wellbeing and Urban/Rural Settings
Respondents were asked to indicate how important spending time in the different settings were to their wellbeing. The most important setting for Bluffdale respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Bluffdale indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (60%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was just right (42%) and too slow (33%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Bluffdale compared to other participating cities and towns in the Rapid Growth Cities cluster.


Survey respondents were asked if there are any aspects of the local economy they would like to see changed in the next five years. Respondents of Bluffdale expressed a strong desire to see more businesses and services come into their community, with a focus on retail and dining establishments that bring in tax revenue. They also emphasized the need for improved traffic flow and infrastructure to accommodate the growing population. While some respondents noted the importance of preserving the city’s rural feel, many were eager to see new developments to enhance the quality of life and provide more options for shopping, eating, and entertainment.
Cost of Living in Bluffdale
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Bluffdale. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (52%) and Healthcare (39%). Note that a high percentage (63%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Bluffdale
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Bluffdale. The most problematic barriers were Travel time (59%), Cost (52%), and Lack of routes (41%).

Concerns in Bluffdale
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Bluffdale. Traffic (88%), Water Supply (76%), and Air Quality (71%) were the top concerns.

Open Comments
All open comments collected in the survey were shared with city leaders. General observations and themes are shared here. The authors acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including the Llama 3 large language model, accessed locally through Ollama, and a machine learning classifier, in the analysis of open comments. These tools were used for initial topical coding and draft summaries of comments. All comments, codes, and summaries were reviewed and edited by the authors for accuracy and clarity.
What Respondents Value Most in Bluffdale
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Bluffdale. The most common words and phrases from all 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 spoke very highly of their community’s location, highlighting the city’s proximity to freeways, making it easy to access other cities and resources while still maintaining a sense of seclusion from the hustle and bustle of urban life.. Many expressed how important it was for them to have large lots for their homes. They enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, quiet neighborhoods, and accessible trails that allow for outdoor recreation and a sense of connection to nature. Many respondents appreciated the small-town charm, down-to-earth people, and strong sense of community that permeates the area.

Local Environmental Quality in Bluffdale
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Bluffdale. Respondents from Bluffdale expressed several environmental concerns, including air quality issues, particularly during winter inversions and wildfire season, which can affect respiratory health. Water availability and quality were also a concern, as the region’s rapid growth puts perceived pressure on limited water resources. Respondents value their community’s open spaces, farmland, and rural character, but worry that rapid development will threaten these aspects - specifically eliminating 1-acre lots and moving to smaller lot sizes.
Improving Wellbeing in Bluffdale
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Bluffdale. Respondents emphasized the need for improved traffic infrastructure, including better road access and more lanes to alleviate congestion. They also suggested increasing public transportation options and improving bike paths on major roads. Additionally, many highlighted the importance of preserving green spaces and mature trees in the city, as well as providing more convenient shopping and dining options. Other desires included addressing rapid growth and limiting high density housing
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Bluffdale. Respondents expressed their appreciation for Bluffdale’s natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and sense of community. They valued the city’s rural atmosphere, ability to keep livestock on properties, and the availability of green spaces. Some suggested improvements such as more youth sports programs, additional restaurants, and expanded public safety measures. Others noted concerns about traffic congestion, road construction, and the need to protect greenspaces for the community. Despite these challenges, many highlighted their love for Bluffdale’s friendly people, reduced stress levels due to openness and space, and the city’s potential for growth and development.