Cottonwood Heights Wellbeing Survey Findings 2026

By Dr. Courtney Flint, Nicolas Holden, and Team

utah wellbeing survey logo

Contact Information

Dr. Courtney Flint

435-797-8635

Summary

Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In March 2026, Cottonwood Heights 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?

  • 240 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
  • The Cottonwood Heights 2024 survey had 347 responses and the Cottonwood Heights 2022 survey had 228 responses.
  • The adult population of Cottonwood Heights was estimated at 25,685, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 240 survey responses in 2026 represent 0.9% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 6.3%.

Survey Respondent Characteristics

Resident Statistics Value
Full Time Residents of Cottonwood Heights 100.0%
Part Time Residents of Cottonwood Heights 0.0%
Length of Residency — Range 1-69 years
Length of Residency — Average 21.4 years
Length of Residency — Median 19 years
Length of Residency 5 Years or less 13.8%

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 Cottonwood Heights. People who have at least a 4-year college degree, have an income $150,000 or over, are married, or own their homes were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29, do not have a college degree, or are renters were underrepresented.

Dot Plot. Title: Cottonwood Heights 2026 Demographics. Subtitle: ACS = American Community Survey Estimate; UWS = Utah Wellbeing Survey Estimate Data — Age 18-29: ACS: 17%, UWS: 2%; Age 30-39: ACS: 19%, UWS: 10%; Age 40-49: ACS: 16%, UWS: 24%; Age 50-59: ACS: 15%, UWS: 19%; Age 60-69: ACS: 15%, UWS: 25%; Age 70 or Over: ACS: 18%, UWS: 20%; Income under $25,000: ACS: 7%, UWS: 2%; Income $25,000 to $49,999: ACS: 10%, UWS: 5%; Income $50,000 to $74,999: ACS: 11%, UWS: 8%; Income $75,000 to $99,999: ACS: 13%, UWS: 9%; Income $100,000 to $149,999: ACS: 21%, UWS: 22%; Income $150,000 or over: ACS: 38%, UWS: 55%; Adult Female: ACS: 49%, UWS: 62%; Adult Male: ACS: 51%, UWS: 38%; Adult non-conforming or non-binary*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 0%; Employed: ACS: 67%, UWS: 57%; Out of work and looking for work: ACS: 2%, UWS: 1%; Other: ACS: 30%, UWS: 42%; No College Degree: ACS: 46%, UWS: 21%; College degree (4-year): ACS: 54%, UWS: 79%; Rent home/Renter occupied/Other: ACS: 28%, UWS: 5%; Own home/Owner occupied: ACS: 72%, UWS: 95%; Married: ACS: 60%, UWS: 82%; Children under 18 in household: ACS: 29%, UWS: 32%; Disability*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 7%; Chronic Condition*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 27%; Hispanic/Latino: ACS: 6%, UWS: 4%; Nonwhite: ACS: 12%, UWS: 8%; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 21%; Other Religion*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 29%; Agnostic/Atheist/No Religious Preference/Spiritual but Not Religious*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 51%

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights

Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Cottonwood Heights was 4.27 with 84% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights was 3.81 with 70% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.

Bar Chart. Title: Personal Wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How would you rate your overall personal wellbeing? Data — 1 Poor: 0% of respondents; 2: 2% of respondents; 3: 13% of respondents; 4: 37% of respondents; 5 Excellent: 47% of respondents

Bar Chart. Title: Community Wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How would you rate overall wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights? Data — 1 Poor: 3% of respondents; 2: 8% of respondents; 3: 20% of respondents; 4: 46% of respondents; 5 Excellent: 24% of respondents

When comparing survey data from Cottonwood Heights over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that from 2024 to 2026, the average personal wellbeing score remained nearly the same, while the average community wellbeing score declined. Note that the number of respondents differed between years, and there is no tracking of individuals from one year to the next.

Dot Plot. Title: Average Rating of Personal and Community Wellbeing Over Time in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: (Wellbeing is rated on a scale from 1=Poor to 5=Excellent) Data — Community Wellbeing 2022: 3.72; Community Wellbeing 2024: 3.90; Community Wellbeing 2026: 3.81; Personal Wellbeing 2022: 4.19; Personal Wellbeing 2024: 4.29; Personal Wellbeing 2026: 4.27

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. Cottonwood Heights is classified as an Established/Mid-sized 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 more Urban city cluster, Cottonwood Heights was above the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.

Dot Plot. Title: Overall Personal Wellbeing Scores from Participating Utah Cities (2026). Subtitle: (On a scale from 1=Poor to 5=Excellent). Data — Group: Cities of the 1st & 2nd Class — West Valley City Average Score 3.73; Ogden Average Score 3.80; West Jordan Average Score 4.00; Millcreek Average Score 4.23; Sandy Average Score 4.23; South Jordan Average Score 4.25; Group: Established/Mid-sized Cities — Tooele Average Score 3.66; Logan Average Score 3.79; Cedar City Average Score 3.80; Woods Cross Average Score 4.03; Murray Average Score 4.07; North Salt Lake Average Score 4.07; South Ogden Average Score 4.16; West Bountiful Average Score 4.20; Bountiful Average Score 4.22; Lindon Average Score 4.23; Cottonwood Heights Average Score 4.27; Alpine Average Score 4.35; Cedar Hills Average Score 4.35; Group: Rapid Growth Cities — Lehi Average Score 3.88; Eagle Mountain Average Score 3.92; Saratoga Springs Average Score 3.95; Grantsville Average Score 3.97; Mapleton Average Score 4.00; Wellsville Average Score 4.04; Enoch Average Score 4.08; Herriman Average Score 4.08; Bluffdale Average Score 4.16; Kamas Average Score 4.19; Kaysville Average Score 4.19; South Weber Average Score 4.20; Providence Average Score 4.26; Uintah City Average Score 4.34; Ivins Average Score 4.45; Group: Rural Hub/Resort Communities — Wendover Average Score 3.67; Tremonton Average Score 3.72; Vernal Average Score 3.75; Blanding Average Score 3.78; Moab Average Score 3.81; Bluff Average Score 3.98; Richfield Average Score 3.99; Nephi Average Score 4.01; Manila Average Score 4.13; Heber Average Score 4.19; Morgan Average Score 4.23; Springdale Average Score 4.27; Midway Average Score 4.38; Alta Average Score 4.44; Group: Traditional Rural Communities — Delta Average Score 3.77; Ferron Average Score 3.89; Stockton Average Score 3.92; Orangeville Average Score 3.96; La Verkin Average Score 3.97; Lake Point Average Score 4.13; Lewiston Average Score 4.22; Toquerville Average Score 4.24; Mayfield Average Score 4.27

Dot Plot. Title: Overall Community Wellbeing Scores from Participating Utah Cities (2026). Subtitle: (On a scale from 1=Poor to 5=Excellent). Data — Group: Cities of the 1st & 2nd Class — Ogden Average Score 3.19; West Valley City Average Score 3.22; West Jordan Average Score 3.53; Millcreek Average Score 3.81; Sandy Average Score 3.91; South Jordan Average Score 4.06; Group: Established/Mid-sized Cities — Tooele Average Score 3.06; Cedar City Average Score 3.23; Logan Average Score 3.42; North Salt Lake Average Score 3.71; Woods Cross Average Score 3.74; Cottonwood Heights Average Score 3.81; Murray Average Score 3.86; Bountiful Average Score 3.93; South Ogden Average Score 3.99; Alpine Average Score 4.04; West Bountiful Average Score 4.06; Cedar Hills Average Score 4.16; Lindon Average Score 4.24; Group: Rapid Growth Cities — Grantsville Average Score 3.08; Eagle Mountain Average Score 3.29; Saratoga Springs Average Score 3.38; Kamas Average Score 3.50; Lehi Average Score 3.56; Herriman Average Score 3.66; Enoch Average Score 3.69; Mapleton Average Score 3.71; South Weber Average Score 3.75; Bluffdale Average Score 3.78; Wellsville Average Score 3.93; Kaysville Average Score 3.95; Ivins Average Score 4.00; Providence Average Score 4.03; Uintah City Average Score 4.13; Group: Rural Hub/Resort Communities — Wendover Average Score 2.92; Tremonton Average Score 2.94; Moab Average Score 3.12; Vernal Average Score 3.21; Blanding Average Score 3.33; Heber Average Score 3.51; Manila Average Score 3.51; Nephi Average Score 3.51; Richfield Average Score 3.57; Springdale Average Score 3.71; Bluff Average Score 3.80; Morgan Average Score 3.89; Alta Average Score 4.15; Midway Average Score 4.24; Group: Traditional Rural Communities — Stockton Average Score 3.30; Delta Average Score 3.35; La Verkin Average Score 3.57; Lake Point Average Score 3.62; Orangeville Average Score 3.72; Ferron Average Score 3.76; Toquerville Average Score 3.83; Lewiston Average Score 3.99; Mayfield Average Score 4.08

Wellbeing Domains in Cottonwood Heights

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 Cottonwood Heights were Mental Health (85%), Safety and Security (83%), and Physical Health (83%). The most important wellbeing domains were Physical Health (98%), Mental Health (98%), Living Standards (93%), Safety and Security (93%), and Local Environmental Quality (92%).

Likert Graph. Title: Wellbeing Domain Ratings in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How would you rate your level of personal wellbeing in each of the following categories? Data — Category: Mental Health - 15% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 85% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Physical Health - 17% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 83% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Safety and Security - 17% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 83% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Living Standards - 19% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 81% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Family Life - 22% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 78% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Leisure Time - 23% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 77% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Connection with Nature - 28% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 72% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Social Connections - 41% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 59% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Transportation - 47% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 53% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Local Environmental Quality - 50% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 50% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Education - 53% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 47% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Cultural Opportunities - 64% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 36% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent Likert Graph. Title: Wellbeing Domain Importance in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How important are the following categories to your overall personal wellbeing? Data — Category: Mental Health - 2% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 98% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Physical Health - 2% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 98% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Living Standards - 7% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 93% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Safety and Security - 7% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 93% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Local Environmental Quality - 8% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 92% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Connection with Nature -11% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 89% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Leisure Time -12% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 88% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Family Life -17% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 83% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Social Connections -24% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 76% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Education -35% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 65% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Transportation -36% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 64% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Cultural Opportunities -41% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 59% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Cottonwood Heights

The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Cottonwood Heights residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2024, Mental Health, Safety and Security, Living Standards, Physical Health, Social Connections, and Transportation improved, while Family Life, Connection with Nature, Education, and Local Environmental Quality decreased, and Leisure Time and Cultural Opportunities remained nearly the same.

Dot Plot. Title: Wellbeing Domain Ratings Over Time in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: (Wellbeing is rated on a scale from 1=Poor to 5=Excellent) Data — Connection with Nature 2022: 4.07; Connection with Nature 2024: 4.17; Connection with Nature 2026: 3.98; Cultural Opportunities 2022: 3.06; Cultural Opportunities 2024: 3.21; Cultural Opportunities 2026: 3.27; Education 2022: 3.89; Education 2024: 3.59; Education 2026: 3.52; Family Life 2024: 4.25; Family Life 2026: 4.17; Leisure Time 2022: 3.89; Leisure Time 2024: 4.07; Leisure Time 2026: 4.08; Living Standards 2022: 4.11; Living Standards 2024: 4.16; Living Standards 2026: 4.24; Local Environmental Quality 2022: 3.31; Local Environmental Quality 2024: 3.57; Local Environmental Quality 2026: 3.51; Mental Health 2022: 4.02; Mental Health 2024: 4.18; Mental Health 2026: 4.27; Physical Health 2022: 4.03; Physical Health 2024: 4.07; Physical Health 2026: 4.15; Safety and Security 2022: 3.79; Safety and Security 2024: 4.00; Safety and Security 2026: 4.26; Social Connections 2022: 3.71; Social Connections 2024: 3.73; Social Connections 2026: 3.79; Transportation 2024: 3.39; Transportation 2026: 3.53

Wellbeing Matrix for Cottonwood Heights

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

Scatterplot. Title: Cottonwood Heights Wellbeing Matrix. Subtitle: 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 domain importance ratings. Data — High rating, high importance (green quadrant) domains include: Connection with Nature, Family Life, Leisure Time, Living Standards, Mental Health, Physical Health, and Safety and Security; Lower rating, lower importance (yellow quadrant) domains include: Cultural Opportunities, Education, Social Connections, and Transportation; Lower rating, high importance (red quadrant) domains include: Local Environmental Quality

Community Connection in Cottonwood Heights

Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Cottonwood Heights on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.24.

Bar Chart. Title: Community Connection in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How connected do you feel to Cottonwood Heights as a community? Data — 1 Not at All: 7% of respondents; 2: 17% of respondents; 3: 33% of respondents; 4: 32% of respondents; 5 A Great Deal: 11% of respondents

When comparing survey data from Cottonwood Heights over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average community connection score remained nearly the same between 2024 and 2026.

Dot Plot. Title: Average Rating of Community Connection Over Time in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: (Community Connection is rated on a scale from 1=Not at all to 5=A great deal) Data — 2022: 3.00; 2024: 3.24; 2026: 3.24

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

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Overall Wellbeing and Community Connection in Cottonwood Heights. Data — Of the 7 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a (Poor) 1, 2, 86% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 14% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 28 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 3, 82% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 18% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 77 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 4, 58% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 42% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 102 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a (Excellent) 5, 47% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 53% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Mental Health Rating and Community Connection in Cottonwood Heights. Data — Of the 5 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a (Poor) 1, 2, 80% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 20% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 27 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a 3, 85% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 15% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 85 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a 4, 55% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 45% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 95 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a (Excellent) 5, 49% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 51% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5

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. Cottonwood Heights ranked 25 out of the 57 cities that participated.

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 and 5 being a great deal. Data — City: Bluff 35% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 65% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Uintah City 39% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 61% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Wellsville 40% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 60% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Lindon 43% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 57% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Alta 43% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 57% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Midway 45% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 55% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Morgan 46% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 54% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Alpine 48% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 52% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Murray 49% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 51% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: West Bountiful 50% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 50% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Kamas 53% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 47% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Bountiful 53% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 47% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Ogden 53% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 47% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Ivins 53% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 47% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: La Verkin 54% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 46% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Moab 54% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 46% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Cedar Hills 54% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 46% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Mayfield 55% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 45% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Wendover 55% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 45% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Ferron 56% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 44% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Delta 56% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 44% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Springdale 57% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 43% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Richfield 57% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 43% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Orangeville 57% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 43% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Cottonwood Heights 57% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 43% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: South Weber 57% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 43% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Lewiston 58% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 42% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Heber 58% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 42% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Manila 60% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 40% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Nephi 60% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 40% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Enoch 60% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 40% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: South Jordan 61% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 39% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Mapleton 62% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 38% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Sandy 62% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 38% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Toquerville 62% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 38% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Kaysville 63% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 37% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Millcreek 63% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 37% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Logan 64% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 36% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: North Salt Lake 65% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 35% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Vernal 65% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 35% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Bluffdale 65% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 35% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Blanding 65% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 35% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Herriman 66% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 34% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Providence 67% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 33% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Lake Point 68% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 32% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Cedar City 69% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 31% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Woods Cross 70% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 30% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: South Ogden 70% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 30% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: West Valley City 71% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 29% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Tooele 73% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 27% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Stockton 74% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 26% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Lehi 75% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 25% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: West Jordan 76% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 24% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Eagle Mountain 77% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 23% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Grantsville 77% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 23% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Saratoga Springs 81% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 19% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5; City: Tremonton 81% of respondents indicated a 1, 2, or 3 while 19% of respondents indicated a 4 or 5

Disability in Cottonwood Heights

Survey participants were asked how well Cottonwood Heights included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. The largest proportion of respondents indicated they had no opinion or that the question was not relevant (48%). For those expressing an opinion, respondents were split between opinions that they were somewhat (20%) or quite well (19%) included.

Bar Chart. Title: Inclusion for Individuals with Disabilities in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How well does Cottonwood Heights include individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities? Data — 1 Not at all: 9% of respondents; 2 Somewhat: 20% of respondents; 3 Quite well: 19% of respondents; 4 Fully: 4% of respondents; No opinion/ Not relevant: 48% of respondents

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 (94%) and Gardening at home (87%).

Likert Graph. Title: Frequent Recreational Activities in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How often have you participated in any of the following activities over the past year? Data — Category: Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city - 6% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 94% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Gardening at home - 13% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 87% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Recreating in parks in your city - 23% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 77% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Using trails in or near your city - 23% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 77% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Non-motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah - 38% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 62% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Community events - 47% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 53% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Buying food from a farmer's market - 50% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 50% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: City recreation programs - 50% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 50% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week); Category: Motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah - 80% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 20% of respondents indicated it was at least Sometimes (once a month), Regularly (about once per week), or Often (more than once per week)

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in community events and participation in city recreation programs.

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 Cottonwood Heights respondents was natural landscapes.

Likert Graph. Title: Importance of Urban and Rural Settings to Wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: To what degree does your personal wellbeing depend on spending time in: Data — Category: Natural landscapes - 13% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 87% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important; Category: Cities or urban places - 67% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 33% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important; Category: Rural communities - 77% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 23% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important; Category: Agricultural landscapes - 78% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 22% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development

The majority of respondents in Cottonwood Heights indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (50%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was just right (37%) and too fast (29%).

Bar Chart. Title: Population Growth in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How would you describe the current rate of population growth in Cottonwood Heights? Data — Too Slow: 6% of respondents; Just Right: 34% of respondents; Too Fast: 50% of respondents; No Opinion: 10% of respondents

Bar Chart. Title: Economic Development in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How would you describe the current pace of economic development in Cottonwood Heights? Data — Too Slow: 21% of respondents; Just Right: 37% of respondents; Too Fast: 29% of respondents; No Opinion: 13% of respondents

The graphs below show how perceptions of population growth and economic development in Cottonwood Heights have varied across recent years of Wellbeing Surveys.

Line Graph. Title: Cottonwood Heights Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth. Subtitle: (Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion) Data — 2022: 2% rated it too slow, 29% just right, and 60% too fast; 2024: 3% rated it too slow, 36% just right, and 52% too fast; 2026: 6% rated it too slow, 34% just right, and 50% too fast

Line Graph. Title: Cottonwood Heights Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development. Subtitle: (Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion) Data — 2022: 11% rated it too slow, 39% just right, and 40% too fast; 2024: 16% rated it too slow, 50% just right, and 24% too fast; 2026: 21% rated it too slow, 37% just right, and 29% too fast

The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Cottonwood Heights compared to other participating cities and towns in the Established/Mid-sized Cities cluster.

Likert Graph. Title: Population Growth for Established/Mid-sized Cities. Subtitle: How would you describe the current rate of population growth in your city/town? Data — City: Tooele - 0% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 13% just right, 81% too fast, and 6% had no opinion; City: Cedar City - 2% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 15% just right, 80% too fast, and 4% had no opinion; City: Logan - 1% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 14% just right, 73% too fast, and 12% had no opinion; City: Alpine - 0% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 24% just right, 67% too fast, and 9% had no opinion; City: South Ogden - 0% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 25% just right, 62% too fast, and 12% had no opinion; City: Murray - 1% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 25% just right, 61% too fast, and 13% had no opinion; City: West Bountiful - 2% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 34% just right, 54% too fast, and 9% had no opinion; City: Lindon - 2% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 41% just right, 53% too fast, and 5% had no opinion; City: North Salt Lake - 2% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 31% just right, 52% too fast, and 15% had no opinion; City: Cottonwood Heights - 6% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 34% just right, 50% too fast, and 10% had no opinion; City: Bountiful - 2% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 39% just right, 46% too fast, and 13% had no opinion; City: Woods Cross - 0% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 44% just right, 45% too fast, and 11% had no opinion; City: Cedar Hills - 1% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 61% just right, 27% too fast, and 11% had no opinion

Likert Graph. Title: Economic Development for Established/Mid-sized Cities. Subtitle: How would you describe the current pace of economic development in your city/town? Data — City: Tooele - 27% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 20% just right, 44% too fast, and 9% had no opinion; City: Cedar City - 33% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 17% just right, 42% too fast, and 9% had no opinion; City: Logan - 32% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 24% just right, 32% too fast, and 12% had no opinion; City: Murray - 17% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 37% just right, 30% too fast, and 15% had no opinion; City: Cottonwood Heights - 21% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 37% just right, 29% too fast, and 13% had no opinion; City: Lindon - 13% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 49% just right, 29% too fast, and 9% had no opinion; City: South Ogden - 23% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 34% just right, 29% too fast, and 14% had no opinion; City: Cedar Hills - 14% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 55% just right, 25% too fast, and 6% had no opinion; City: Alpine - 24% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 40% just right, 25% too fast, and 12% had no opinion; City: West Bountiful - 9% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 52% just right, 24% too fast, and 15% had no opinion; City: Woods Cross - 20% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 45% just right, 20% too fast, and 15% had no opinion; City: Bountiful - 25% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 40% just right, 19% too fast, and 16% had no opinion; City: North Salt Lake - 31% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 38% just right, 14% too fast, and 17% had no opinion

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 expressed desire for more local businesses and community spaces, with many frustrated over the proliferation of big box stores and chain restaurants. They also emphasized the need to prioritize better modes of mass transit, especially during the ski season. Additionally, respondents stressed the importance of responsible growth and development, noting concerns about traffic congestion and overcrowding.

Cost of Living in Cottonwood Heights

Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Cottonwood Heights. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (55%), Healthcare (28%), and Housing (23%). Note that a high percentage (75%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Likert Graph. Title: Cost of Living in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: How EASY or DIFFICULT is it for your household to COVER EXPENSES related to the following? Among respondents for whom each expense was relevant; 'Not relevant' shown separately. Data — Category: Childcare - 75% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 55% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 45% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Healthcare - 1% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 28% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 72% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Housing - 8% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 23% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 77% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Utilities - 0% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 18% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 82% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Food - 1% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 12% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 88% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Transportation options - 12% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 11% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 89% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford

Transportation in Cottonwood Heights

Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Cottonwood Heights. The most problematic barriers were Travel time (45%), Lack of routes (38%), and Cost (37%).

Likert Graph. Title: Barriers to Personal Travel in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: Are any of the following a barrier to you personal travel? Data — Category: Travel time - 55% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 45% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Lack of routes - 62% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 38% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Cost - 63% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 37% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Safety - 75% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 25% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Lack of transport - 81% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 19% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Knowledge - 82% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 18% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Disability - 88% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 12% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Language - 97% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 3% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier

Concerns in Cottonwood Heights

Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Cottonwood Heights. Air Quality (92%), Water Supply (89%), and the Great Salt Lake (86%) were the top concerns. Since 2024, moderate or major concern about the Great Salt Lake (+19%), access to health care (+16%), climate change (+14%), traffic (+14%), and access to mental health care (+10%) notably increased, while concern about public safety (-16%), shopping opportunities (-14%), substance use (-12%), and opportunities for youth (-11%) notably decreased.

Likert Graph. Title: Concerns in Cottonwood Heights. Subtitle: As you look to the future of Cottonwood Heights, how much of a concern are the following issues? Data — Category: Air Quality - 8% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 92% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Water Supply - 11% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 89% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Great Salt Lake - 14% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 86% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Traffic - 16% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 84% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Open Space/Green Space - 18% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 82% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Climate Change - 19% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 81% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Wildfire - 23% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 77% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Water Quality - 26% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 74% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Affordable Housing - 33% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 67% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Homelessness - 33% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 67% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Trails & Paths - 33% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 67% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Recreation Opportunities - 36% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 64% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Public Safety - 38% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 62% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Opportunities for Youth - 42% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 58% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Healthy/Quality Food - 49% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 51% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Health Care - 53% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 47% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Accessible Transportation - 57% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 43% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Employment Opportunities - 58% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 42% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Mental Health Care - 62% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 38% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Social and Emotional Support - 64% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 36% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Suicide - 64% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 36% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Shopping Opportunities - 66% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 34% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Culturally Appropriate Food - 75% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 25% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Substance Use Treatment - 79% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 21% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Substance Use - 81% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 19% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern

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 Cottonwood Heights

Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Cottonwood Heights. 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 mentioned Cottonwood Heights’ natural beauty, proximity to mountains and canyons, and sense of community as key values. They noted the convenience of living near recreational areas, trails, and parks, as well as the city’s relatively quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Many appreciated the area’s affordability and stability, allowing them to put down roots and raise families. The strong schools and public services were also praised, with some emphasizing the importance of community involvement and good neighbors.

A word cloud of some of the most popular words and phrases about what people value living in Cottonwood Heights includes: proximity, close, love, easy access, valley, neighbors, freeway, neighborhood, safety, living, parks, and sense.

Local Environmental Quality in Cottonwood Heights

Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. Respondents expressed concerned about traffic and congestion, particularly during ski seasons, which negatively impact air quality and overall wellbeing. The proposed gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon was seen as a significant threat to the environment, with many expressing worry about over-tourism and destruction of natural habitats. Other concerns included water usage, drought, and the shrinking Great Salt Lake, with many respondents advocating for conservation and responsible development practices.

Improving Wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights

Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. Respondents emphasized the need for improved traffic management, pedestrian safety, and public transportation to enhance overall wellbeing. They suggested implementing traffic calming measures on major roads like Wasatch Boulevard and Fort Union Boulevard, as well as expanding bike lanes and improving sidewalk conditions. Additionally, respondents valued increased connectivity between neighborhoods and they desire more community-focused developments that prioritize walking and biking infrastructure over parking lots.

Additional Comments

Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Cottonwood Heights. Respondents valued their city’s quiet neighborhoods, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. They appreciated the city’s parks, trails, and recreation center, but were frustrated with traffic congestion, noise pollution, and a lack of walkability. They also expressed wanting to see more community activities and events that bring people together. Concerns were raised about the potential impact of the proposed gondola on the environment and quality of life. Despite these challenges, respondents appreciated their city’s sense of community and were eager for more local businesses, entertainment options, and community activities.

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