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

Contact Information
Dr. Courtney Flint
courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
Summary
Grantsville 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 Grantsville survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In May 2026, Grantsville 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?
- 116 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Grantsville was estimated at 9,403, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 116 survey responses in 2026 represent 1.2% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 9.04%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Grantsville | 99.1% |
| Part Time Residents of Grantsville | 0.9% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-71 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 16.3 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 10 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 33.3% |
| City Area | Percent |
|---|---|
| Grantsville | 96.6% |
| Surrounding Area | 3.4% |
Demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were compared below with U.S. Census information from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. In the graph below, gray bars indicate differences between the American Community Survey estimates and the Utah Wellbeing Project surveys. The wider the gray bars, the larger the differences. Also note that estimates for religious affiliation, adult non-conforming or non-binary gender, disability, and chronic conditions are unavailable from the census data. There can also be a variable margin of error in the American Community Survey estimates, and caution should be used when comparing estimates. Not all respondents provided demographic information. As the graph shows, 2026 survey respondents were not fully representative of Grantsville. People who are adult females, have at least a 4-year college degree, or are married were overrepresented, while those who are adult males or do not have a college degree were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Grantsville
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Grantsville. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Grantsville was 3.97 with 75% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Grantsville was 3.08 with 32% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


Comparing Wellbeing Across Utah Cities
The Utah League of Cities and Towns clusters cities and towns into five different categories based on size and growth rates. We utilize these clusters in our analysis. Grantsville is classified as a Rapid Growth City. Some cities may fit within more than one cluster. Each cluster average represents the mean of the city and town means within each cluster.
Within the Rapid Growth city cluster, Grantsville was below the average overall personal wellbeing score and below the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Grantsville
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 Grantsville were Family Life (85%), Safety and Security (78%), and Mental Health (72%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (98%), Mental Health (96%), Living Standards (96%), and Family Life (95%).

Wellbeing Matrix for Grantsville
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Grantsville. 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.

Community Connection in Grantsville
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Grantsville on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 2.73.

To some extent, a positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing, but no clear relationship between community connection and mental health.


The graph below shows how Wellbeing Project cities and towns compare on feelings of community connection based on the percentage of respondents who answered 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale from “1 Not at all” to “5 A great deal” connected to their city or town. Grantsville ranked 55 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Grantsville
Survey participants were asked how well Grantsville 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 (45%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were somewhat (27%) included.

Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate how often they participated in various activities over the past year. The activities in which respondents most commonly participated at least sometimes (about once a month or more frequently) were Gardening at home (84%) and Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (73%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in community events, recreation in parks in your city, participation in city recreation programs, participation in non-motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah, walking or biking in your neighborhood or city, and use of trails in or near your city.
Wellbeing and Urban/Rural Settings
Respondents were asked to indicate how important spending time in the different settings were to their wellbeing. The most important setting for Grantsville respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Grantsville indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (91%). For the pace of economic development, the majority of respondents indicated that it was too slow (55%).


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


Survey respondents were asked if there are any aspects of the local economy they would like to see changed in the next five years. Respondents expressed a desire for more businesses and shopping options, as well as improved infrastructure to support the town’s growth. Many noted that the current pace of development is too rapid, with insufficient attention paid to planning and governance. Some respondents also highlighted concerns about affordability, including high housing prices and utility bills, and suggested that developers should be held accountable for their contributions to these issues. Additionally, several comments emphasized the importance of preserving open spaces and green areas, which were seen as essential to the town’s character and quality of life.
Cost of Living in Grantsville
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Grantsville. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (74%), Housing (50%), and Healthcare (45%). Note that a high percentage (66%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Grantsville
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Grantsville. The most problematic barriers were Cost (77%), Travel time (66%), and Lack of routes (61%).

Concerns in Grantsville
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Grantsville. Water Supply (97%), Traffic (93%), and Opportunities for Youth (78%) were the top concerns.

Open Comments
All open comments collected in the survey were shared with city leaders. General observations and themes are shared here. The authors acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including the Llama 3 large language model, accessed locally through Ollama, and a machine learning classifier, in the analysis of open comments. These tools were used for initial topical coding and draft summaries of comments. All comments, codes, and summaries were reviewed and edited by the authors for accuracy and clarity.
What Respondents Value Most in Grantsville
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Grantsville. 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 highly valued the small town feel and sense of community in Grantsville, with many expressing a strong appreciation for the rural character, friendly people, and peaceful atmosphere. They noted the importance of knowing their neighbors and being part of a close-knit community, which is often contrasted to the hustle and bustle of city life. The availability of open spaces, quiet evenings, and proximity to natural amenities were also highlighted as key aspects that make Grantsville an attractive place to live.

Local Environmental Quality in Grantsville
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Grantsville. Water scarcity and quality were prominent concerns among respondents, with many expressing worries about dwindling water supplies and poor infrastructure to support the growing population. Concerns surrounding rapid growth were prevalent, with respondents highlighting the strain it puts on existing resources, including roads, schools, and natural areas. Some comments specifically mentioned the importance of preserving the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding ecosystems, which are facing threats from overdevelopment and pollution.
Improving Wellbeing in Grantsville
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Grantsville. Respondent comments highlighted a desire for growth and development to be managed more thoughtfully, with a focus on preserving the town’s character and rural charm. Many emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, and public transportation, as well as enhanced recreational opportunities and community events. There was also a sense of frustration with the city government’s handling of development, taxation, and transparency, with some calling for greater accountability and a more representative council.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Grantsville. Many respondents were concerned and frustrated with the rapid growth and development in Grantsville, which has led to perceived issues with affordability, traffic, and infrastructure. Many respondents emphasized the importance of slowing down growth and prioritizing the needs of existing residents, including addressing increasing taxes and cost of living. Some also expressed appreciation for the town’s small-town feel and rural character, but noted that these qualities are being eroded by unchecked development.