Delta 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

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

  • 220 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
  • The Delta 2024 survey had 127 responses, the Delta 2022 survey had 77 responses, the Delta 2021 survey had 90 responses, and the Delta 2020 survey had 88 responses.
  • The adult population of Delta was estimated at 2,603, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 220 survey responses in 2026 represent 8.5% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 6.32%.

Survey Respondent Characteristics

Resident Statistics Value
Full Time Residents of Delta 96.4%
Part Time Residents of Delta 3.6%
Length of Residency — Range 1.5-76 years
Length of Residency — Average 29.4 years
Length of Residency — Median 30 years
Length of Residency 5 Years or less 8.6%

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 Delta. People who are married were overrepresented, while those who are Hispanic or Latino or are nonwhite were underrepresented.

Dot Plot. Title: Delta 2026 Demographics. Subtitle: ACS = American Community Survey Estimate; UWS = Utah Wellbeing Survey Estimate Data — Age 18-29: ACS: 23%, UWS: 10%; Age 30-39: ACS: 17%, UWS: 17%; Age 40-49: ACS: 14%, UWS: 26%; Age 50-59: ACS: 8%, UWS: 13%; Age 60-69: ACS: 26%, UWS: 20%; Age 70 or Over: ACS: 12%, UWS: 15%; Income under $25,000: ACS: 15%, UWS: 8%; Income $25,000 to $49,999: ACS: 16%, UWS: 15%; Income $50,000 to $74,999: ACS: 11%, UWS: 21%; Income $75,000 to $99,999: ACS: 29%, UWS: 20%; Income $100,000 to $149,999: ACS: 20%, UWS: 23%; Income $150,000 or over: ACS: 9%, UWS: 13%; Adult Female: ACS: 51%, UWS: 61%; Adult Male: ACS: 49%, UWS: 39%; Adult non-conforming or non-binary*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 0%; Employed: ACS: 58%, UWS: 63%; Out of work and looking for work: ACS: 5%, UWS: 4%; Other: ACS: 37%, UWS: 33%; No College Degree: ACS: 75%, UWS: 65%; College degree (4-year): ACS: 25%, UWS: 35%; Rent home/Renter occupied/Other: ACS: 19%, UWS: 18%; Own home/Owner occupied: ACS: 81%, UWS: 82%; Married: ACS: 58%, UWS: 75%; Children under 18 in household: ACS: 39%, UWS: 47%; Disability*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 14%; Chronic Condition*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 32%; Hispanic/Latino: ACS: 20%, UWS: 4%; Nonwhite: ACS: 21%, UWS: 6%; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 67%; Other Religion*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 9%; Agnostic/Atheist/No Religious Preference/Spiritual but Not Religious*: ACS: NA%, UWS: 24%

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Delta

Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Delta. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Delta was 3.77 with 66% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Delta was 3.35 with 46% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.

Bar Chart. Title: Personal Wellbeing in Delta. Subtitle: How would you rate your overall personal wellbeing? Data — 1 Poor: 2% of respondents; 2: 6% of respondents; 3: 26% of respondents; 4: 45% of respondents; 5 Excellent: 21% of respondents

Bar Chart. Title: Community Wellbeing in Delta. Subtitle: How would you rate overall wellbeing in Delta? Data — 1 Poor: 5% of respondents; 2: 11% of respondents; 3: 37% of respondents; 4: 36% of respondents; 5 Excellent: 10% of respondents

When comparing survey data from Delta 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 Delta. Subtitle: (Wellbeing is rated on a scale from 1=Poor to 5=Excellent) Data — Community Wellbeing 2020: 3.42; Community Wellbeing 2021: 3.51; Community Wellbeing 2022: 3.44; Community Wellbeing 2024: 3.43; Community Wellbeing 2026: 3.35; Personal Wellbeing 2020: 3.99; Personal Wellbeing 2021: 3.78; Personal Wellbeing 2022: 3.88; Personal Wellbeing 2024: 3.78; Personal Wellbeing 2026: 3.77

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. Delta is classified as a Traditional Rural Community. 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 Rural city cluster, Delta was below the average overall personal wellbeing score and below 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 Delta

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 Delta were Safety and Security (82%), Family Life (80%), and Mental Health (73%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (98%), Family Life (97%), Mental Health (94%), and Living Standards (94%).

Likert Graph. Title: Wellbeing Domain Ratings in Delta. Subtitle: How would you rate your level of personal wellbeing in each of the following categories? Data — Category: Safety and Security - 18% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 82% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Family Life - 20% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 80% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Mental Health - 27% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 73% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Living Standards - 30% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 70% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Physical Health - 33% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 67% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Transportation - 34% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 66% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Leisure Time - 35% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 65% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Connection with Nature - 39% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 61% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Local Environmental Quality - 42% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 58% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Social Connections - 44% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 56% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Education - 55% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 45% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent; Category: Cultural Opportunities - 60% of respondents rated it as 1 Poor, 2, or 3 while 40% rated it as 4, or 5 Excellent Likert Graph. Title: Wellbeing Domain Importance in Delta. Subtitle: How important are the following categories to your overall personal wellbeing? Data — Category: Safety and Security - 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: Family Life - 3% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 97% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Living Standards - 6% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 94% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Mental Health - 6% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 94% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Physical Health - 9% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 91% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Leisure Time -10% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 90% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Local Environmental Quality -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: Connection with Nature -20% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 80% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Education -27% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 73% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Social Connections -29% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 71% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Transportation -33% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 67% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important; Category: Cultural Opportunities -43% of respondents rated it as 1 Not at all important, 2, or 3, while 57% rated it as 4 or 5 Very important

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Delta

The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Delta residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2024, almost all domain ratings increased, except for Local Environmental Quality which remained nearly the same.

Dot Plot. Title: Wellbeing Domain Ratings Over Time in Delta. Subtitle: (Wellbeing is rated on a scale from 1=Poor to 5=Excellent) Data — Connection with Nature 2020: 3.92; Connection with Nature 2021: 3.75; Connection with Nature 2022: 3.63; Connection with Nature 2024: 3.62; Connection with Nature 2026: 3.78; Cultural Opportunities 2020: 2.72; Cultural Opportunities 2021: 2.61; Cultural Opportunities 2022: 2.72; Cultural Opportunities 2024: 2.97; Cultural Opportunities 2026: 3.20; Education 2020: 3.15; Education 2021: 3.19; Education 2022: 3.20; Education 2024: 2.91; Education 2026: 3.30; Family Life 2024: 3.98; Family Life 2026: 4.25; Leisure Time 2020: 3.38; Leisure Time 2021: 3.31; Leisure Time 2022: 3.39; Leisure Time 2024: 3.35; Leisure Time 2026: 3.80; Living Standards 2020: 3.67; Living Standards 2021: 3.60; Living Standards 2022: 3.59; Living Standards 2024: 3.56; Living Standards 2026: 3.86; Local Environmental Quality 2020: 3.83; Local Environmental Quality 2021: 3.63; Local Environmental Quality 2022: 3.56; Local Environmental Quality 2024: 3.64; Local Environmental Quality 2026: 3.65; Mental Health 2020: 3.51; Mental Health 2021: 3.32; Mental Health 2022: 3.38; Mental Health 2024: 3.48; Mental Health 2026: 3.91; Physical Health 2020: 3.38; Physical Health 2021: 3.29; Physical Health 2022: 3.35; Physical Health 2024: 3.55; Physical Health 2026: 3.79; Safety and Security 2020: 3.89; Safety and Security 2021: 3.81; Safety and Security 2022: 3.72; Safety and Security 2024: 3.79; Safety and Security 2026: 4.13; Social Connections 2020: 3.40; Social Connections 2021: 3.05; Social Connections 2022: 3.30; Social Connections 2024: 3.36; Social Connections 2026: 3.52; Transportation 2024: 3.25; Transportation 2026: 3.80

Wellbeing Matrix for Delta

The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Delta. Family Life, Leisure Time, 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.

Scatterplot. Title: Delta 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: Family Life, Leisure Time, Living Standards, Mental Health, Physical Health, and Safety and Security; High rating, lower importance (blue quadrant) domains include: Connection with Nature and Transportation; Lower rating, lower importance (yellow quadrant) domains include: Cultural Opportunities, Education, Local Environmental Quality, and Social Connections

Community Connection in Delta

Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Delta on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.25.

Bar Chart. Title: Community Connection in Delta. Subtitle: How connected do you feel to Delta as a community? Data — 1 Not at All: 10% of respondents; 2: 19% of respondents; 3: 27% of respondents; 4: 23% of respondents; 5 A Great Deal: 21% of respondents

When comparing survey data from Delta over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average community connection score declined between 2024 and 2026.

Dot Plot. Title: Average Rating of Community Connection Over Time in Delta. Subtitle: (Community Connection is rated on a scale from 1=Not at all to 5=A great deal) Data — 2020: 3.21; 2021: 3.22; 2022: 3.45; 2024: 3.39; 2026: 3.25

To some extent, a positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing as well as mental health.

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Overall Wellbeing and Community Connection in Delta. Data — Of the 5 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a (Poor) 1, 80% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 20% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 10 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 2, 90% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 10% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 44 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a 3, 61% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 39% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 82 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing 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 40 respondents that rate their overall personal wellbeing as a (Excellent) 5, 40% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 60% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5

Likert Graph. Title: Comparing Mental Health Rating and Community Connection in Delta. Data — Of the 6 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a (Poor) 1, 100% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 0% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 9 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a 2, 67% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 33% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 30 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a 3, 73% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 27% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 75 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a 4, 57% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 43% indicate a community connection score of 4 or 5; Of the 54 respondents that rate their mental health rating as a (Excellent) 5, 35% indicate a community connection score of 1, 2, or 3 while 65% 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. Delta ranked 21 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 Delta

Survey participants were asked how well Delta included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were quite well (36%) included.

Bar Chart. Title: Inclusion for Individuals with Disabilities in Delta. Subtitle: How well does Delta include individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities? Data — 1 Not at all: 6% of respondents; 2 Somewhat: 24% of respondents; 3 Quite well: 36% of respondents; 4 Fully: 14% of respondents; No opinion/ Not relevant: 21% 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 (82%) and Gardening at home (73%).

Likert Graph. Title: Frequent Recreational Activities in Delta. 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 - 18% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 82% 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 - 27% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 73% 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 - 36% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 64% 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 - 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: Motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah - 39% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 61% 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 - 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: City recreation programs - 54% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 46% 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 - 58% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 42% 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 - 61% of respondents indicated it was Rarely (a few times per year) or Never, while 39% 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, participation in city recreation programs, gardening at home, shopping at a farmer’s market, recreation in parks in your city, and participation in motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah.

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 Delta respondents was natural landscapes.

Likert Graph. Title: Importance of Urban and Rural Settings to Wellbeing in Delta. Subtitle: To what degree does your personal wellbeing depend on spending time in: Data — Category: Natural landscapes - 20% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 80% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important; Category: Rural communities - 30% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 70% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important; Category: Agricultural landscapes - 42% of respondents indicated it was 1 not at all, 2 slightly, or 3 somewhat important, while 58% of respondents indicated it was 4 important or 5 very important; Category: Cities or urban places - 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

Respondents in Delta were split between opinions that population growth was just right (41%) and too fast (33%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was too slow (35%), just right (30%), and too fast (27%).

Bar Chart. Title: Population Growth in Delta. Subtitle: How would you describe the current rate of population growth in Delta? Data — Too Slow: 15% of respondents; Just Right: 41% of respondents; Too Fast: 33% of respondents; No Opinion: 12% of respondents

Bar Chart. Title: Economic Development in Delta. Subtitle: How would you describe the current pace of economic development in Delta? Data — Too Slow: 35% of respondents; Just Right: 30% of respondents; Too Fast: 27% of respondents; No Opinion: 8% of respondents

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

Line Graph. Title: Delta Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth. Subtitle: (Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion) Data — 2020: 31% rated it too slow, 50% just right, and 9% too fast; 2021: 18% rated it too slow, 55% just right, and 17% too fast; 2022: 15% rated it too slow, 59% just right, and 17% too fast; 2024: 13% rated it too slow, 29% just right, and 47% too fast; 2026: 15% rated it too slow, 41% just right, and 33% too fast

Line Graph. Title: Delta Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development. Subtitle: (Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion) Data — 2020: 80% rated it too slow, 17% just right, and 0% too fast; 2021: 57% rated it too slow, 34% just right, and 1% too fast; 2022: 50% rated it too slow, 39% just right, and 6% too fast; 2024: 52% rated it too slow, 28% just right, and 16% too fast; 2026: 35% rated it too slow, 30% just right, and 27% too fast

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

Likert Graph. Title: Population Growth for Traditional Rural Communities. Subtitle: How would you describe the current rate of population growth in your city/town? Data — City: Lake Point - 2% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 8% just right, 76% too fast, and 14% had no opinion; City: Mayfield - 5% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 15% just right, 75% too fast, and 5% had no opinion; City: Toquerville - 1% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 24% just right, 72% too fast, and 4% had no opinion; City: La Verkin - 4% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 31% just right, 61% too fast, and 5% had no opinion; City: Stockton - 6% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 34% just right, 53% too fast, and 8% had no opinion; City: Lewiston - 8% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 46% just right, 40% too fast, and 6% had no opinion; City: Delta - 15% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 41% just right, 33% too fast, and 12% had no opinion; City: Orangeville - 19% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 53% just right, 17% too fast, and 11% had no opinion; City: Ferron - 17% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 50% just right, 17% too fast, and 17% had no opinion

Likert Graph. Title: Economic Development for Traditional Rural Communities. Subtitle: How would you describe the current pace of economic development in your city/town? Data — City: La Verkin - 20% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 24% just right, 52% too fast, and 5% had no opinion; City: Toquerville - 20% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 42% just right, 31% too fast, and 7% had no opinion; City: Lake Point - 43% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 20% just right, 31% too fast, and 6% had no opinion; City: Lewiston - 15% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 51% just right, 28% too fast, and 6% had no opinion; City: Delta - 35% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 30% just right, 27% too fast, and 8% had no opinion; City: Stockton - 28% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 30% just right, 25% too fast, and 17% had no opinion; City: Mayfield - 38% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 33% just right, 24% too fast, and 5% had no opinion; City: Ferron - 42% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 31% just right, 17% too fast, and 11% had no opinion; City: Orangeville - 50% of respondents indicated that it was too slow, 33% just right, 8% too fast, and 8% 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 highlighted a desire for more retail options, local businesses, and employment opportunities to drive economic growth in their community. They also expressed concerns about affordability, citing high housing prices, property taxes, and food costs as major hurdles. Some comments emphasized the need for better planning and governance to balance growth with the preservation of the community’s character. One major concern among respondents was possible negative impacts that a data center and nuclear plant could bring to the community.

Cost of Living in Delta

Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Delta. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (57%), Food (49%), Housing (48%), and Healthcare (47%). Note that a high percentage (61%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Likert Graph. Title: Cost of Living in Delta. 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 - 61% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 57% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 43% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Food - 2% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 49% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 51% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Housing - 11% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 48% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 52% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Healthcare - 2% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 47% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 53% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Utilities - 2% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 29% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 71% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford; Category: Transportation options - 17% said it was not relevant. Of those that found it relevant, 22% of respondents indicated that it was difficult or very difficult to afford, while 78% indicated that it was just affordable, easy, or very easy to afford

Transportation in Delta

Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Delta. The most problematic barriers were Cost (64%) and Travel time (53%).

Likert Graph. Title: Barriers to Personal Travel in Delta. Subtitle: Are any of the following a barrier to you personal travel? Data — Category: Cost - 36% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 64% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Travel time - 47% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 53% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Knowledge - 76% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 24% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Safety - 77% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 23% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Lack of routes - 78% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 22% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Language - 85% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 15% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Disability - 87% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 13% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier; Category: Lack of transport - 87% of respondents indicated it was not a barrier or seldom a barrier, while 13% of respondents indicated it was sometimes, often, or always a barrier

Concerns in Delta

Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Delta. Water Supply (77%), Affordable Housing (71%), and Employment Opportunities (64%) were the top concerns. Since 2024, moderate or major concern about climate change (+26%), the Great Salt Lake (+17%), water quality (+16%), air quality (+16%), and water supply (+16%) notably increased, while concern about opportunities for youth (-21%), substance use (-19%), suicide (-18%), access to healthy/quality food (-16%), affordable housing (-14%), access to mental health care (-14%), recreation opportunities (-13%), access to substance use treatment (-13%), public safety (-12%), accessible transportation (-11%), and shopping opportunities (-10%) notably decreased.

Likert Graph. Title: Concerns in Delta. Subtitle: As you look to the future of Delta, how much of a concern are the following issues? Data — Category: Water Supply - 23% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 77% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Affordable Housing - 29% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 71% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Employment Opportunities - 36% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 64% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Opportunities for Youth - 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 - 39% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 61% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Water Quality - 40% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 60% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Public Safety - 48% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 52% 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 Mental Health Care - 50% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 50% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Recreation Opportunities - 52% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 48% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Health Care - 54% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 46% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Wildfire - 55% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 45% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Open Space/Green Space - 57% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 43% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Suicide - 57% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 43% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Air Quality - 58% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 42% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Social and Emotional Support - 59% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 41% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Substance Use - 60% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 40% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Trails & Paths - 62% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 38% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Climate Change - 64% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 36% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Great Salt Lake - 64% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 36% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Homelessness - 67% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 33% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Access to Substance Use Treatment - 68% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 32% 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: Traffic - 75% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 25% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern; Category: Accessible Transportation - 76% of respondents indicated not a concern at all or slight concern while 24% of respondents indicated a moderate or major concern

Additional Questions for Delta

Future Growth in Delta

Respondents were asked what they saw as a manageable population for Delta in the next 5-10 years. Respondents were split between opinions that 5,000+, 4,000+, and as it currently is (~ 3,700) were manageable.

Bar Chart. Title: Manageable Future Population. Subtitle: What do you see as a manageable population for Delta in the next 5-10 years? Data — Less than it currently is (~3,700): 6% of respondents; As it currently is (~ 3,700): 23% of respondents; 4,000+: 28% of respondents; 5,000+: 31% of respondents; 7,500+: 9% of respondents; 10,000+: 4% of respondents

Survey participants were asked what kind of growth they would prefer to see in Delta. The majority of respondents preferred mixed use (63%).

Bar Chart. Title: Preferred Growth Type. Subtitle: What type of growth would you prefer to see in Delta? Data — Mixed Use: 63% of respondents; None of the Above: 12% of respondents; Industry: 9% of respondents; Residential: 8% of respondents; Commercial: 8% of respondents

Communication in Delta

Survey participants were asked what their preferred method of communication is to stay up to date on Delta City business. The largest proportion of respondents preferred social media (47%).

Bar Chart. Title: Preferred Communication. Subtitle: What is your preferred method of communication to stay up to date on Delta City business? Data — Social Media: 47% of respondents; Local Newspaper: 30% of respondents; Newsletter: 16% of respondents; City Website: 7% of respondents

Suggestions for New Programs and Services

Respondents were asked if they had any suggestions for new programs or services that could benefit the Delta community. Many recommendations focused on creating more activities and recreational opportunities for children, youth, and families, including a swimming pool, roller/skating rinks, playgrounds, and pickleball courts. Respondents also suggested walking, biking, and jogging trails, as well as a large recreation center. Other recommendations included services related to mental health, employment, business development, homelessness, urgent medical care, senior services, and education. Additional suggestions called for more hotels, restaurants, and retail opportunities within the city. Some residents emphasized the need for improved communication and transparency from city leadership. Respondents also provided a variety of other specific ideas for new services, amenities, and community improvements.

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 Delta

Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Delta. 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 valued Delta’s rural character, small-town feel, and sense of community as essential to their quality of life. Comments show they value the peace and quiet that comes with living away from major cities, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s neighbors and having a strong social network. The absence of traffic congestion was also frequently mentioned, allowing for a more relaxed pace of life. Additionally, respondents appreciated the availability of open spaces, clean air, and low crime rates, which they felt contributed to their overall sense of safety and well-being.

A word cloud of some of the most popular words and phrases about what people value living in Delta includes: small town, family, quiet, safety, life, small community, close, love, safe, knowing, lifestyle, and neighbors.

Local Environmental Quality in Delta

Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Delta. Respondents’ comments highlighted concerns about industrial development and growth. Many noted worries about data centers and solar farms, citing potential impacts on water resources and air quality. Some expressed concerns about nuclear waste disposal and its potential effects on the community’s way of life. Additionally, respondents mentioned frustration with construction, traffic, and noise pollution, as well as a desire for more green spaces and recreational areas.

Improving Wellbeing in Delta

Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Delta. Respondents expressed the need for affordable housing, jobs, and community development. Many highlighted the importance of maintaining Delta’s small-town charm while promoting economic growth and job opportunities. Others emphasized the need for better infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, and recreational facilities, as well as increased police presence and community engagement. A few respondents specifically mentioned the need for mental health support and anti-bullying programs in local schools.

Additional Comments

Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Delta. Many respondents expressed concerns about affordability, particularly when it comes to housing and food prices. Some highlighted the importance of preserving the town’s small-town feel, while others emphasized the need for more job opportunities and better services, such as healthcare and community events. Additionally, a few respondents noted that the town’s growth and development have brought changes that are not always welcome, including increased traffic congestion and noise.

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