Kaysville 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
Kaysville 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 Kaysville survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Kaysville 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?
- 316 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Kaysville was estimated at 21,511, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 316 survey responses in 2026 represent 1.5% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 5.47%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Kaysville | 98.7% |
| Part Time Residents of Kaysville | 1.3% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0.5-70 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 20.1 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 19 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 17.4% |
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 Kaysville. People who are age 50-59, 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 Kaysville
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Kaysville. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Kaysville was 4.19 with 85% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Kaysville was 3.95 with 76% 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. Kaysville 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, Kaysville was slightly above the average overall personal wellbeing score and above the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Kaysville
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 Kaysville were Family Life (90%), Safety and Security (90%), and Living Standards (88%). The most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (98%), Physical Health (97%), and Safety and Security (96%).

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

Community Connection in Kaysville
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Kaysville on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.18.

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


The graph below shows how Wellbeing Project cities and towns compare on feelings of community connection based on the percentage of respondents who answered 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale from “1 Not at all” to “5 A great deal” connected to their city or town. Kaysville ranked 36 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Kaysville
Survey participants were asked how well Kaysville included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. The majority of respondents indicated they had no opinion or that the question was not relevant (54%). For those expressing an opinion, respondents were split between opinions that they were somewhat (19%) or quite well (17%) included.

Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate how often they participated in various activities over the past year. The activities in which respondents most commonly participated at least sometimes (about once a month or more frequently) were Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (90%) and Gardening at home (84%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in all activities.
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 Kaysville respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Kaysville indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (61%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was just right (41%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Kaysville 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 wanting to see more diverse dining and shopping options, with a focus on sit-down restaurants and unique stores rather than fast food chains or car washes. They also valued a strong sense of community and wanting to see more family-friendly activities and events in the city. Many respondents emphasized the importance of preserving Kaysville’s small-town charm while still allowing for economic growth and development.
Cost of Living in Kaysville
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Kaysville. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (62%), Housing (36%), and Healthcare (32%). Note that a high percentage (74%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Kaysville
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Kaysville. The most problematic barriers were Cost (53%) and Travel time (44%).

Concerns in Kaysville
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Kaysville. Water Supply (85%), the Great Salt Lake (77%), Affordable Housing (73%), Air Quality (73%), and Traffic (72%) 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 Kaysville
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Kaysville. 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 highlighted the importance of safety, community values, and natural surroundings in their community. They noted that people are generally friendly and respectful towards one another, making it easy to form social connections. The presence of good schools, parks, and trails also received praise. Many appreciated the small-town feel without being too isolated from larger cities.

Local Environmental Quality in Kaysville
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Kaysville. Respondents voiced concerns about air quality, particularly related to inversions and nearby environmental factors such as the Great Salt Lake’s drying up. Many respondents expressed frustration with traffic congestion and the strain it puts on local infrastructure, which they see as exacerbating poor air quality. The rapid growth in Kaysville was also criticized for leading to a loss of green space and an increase in noise pollution.
Improving Wellbeing in Kaysville
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Kaysville. Respondents mentioned a need to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety, particularly on Main Street and 200 North. They suggested adding more pedestrian crossings, widening shoulders, and enforcing speed limits to reduce accidents. Respondents also valued community events, cultural activities, and recreational opportunities, with a desire for more accessible trails and parks. Respondents were generally concerned about rapid growth and related impacts.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Kaysville. Respondents mentioned Kaysville’s peaceful atmosphere, friendly community, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Some noted that the city needs to improve its inclusivity and diversity, while others suggested enhancing downtown with more parking and vegetation. Concerns about traffic congestion, crime, and limited bus routes were also expressed. Many respondents felt the city government could improve in many ways, but especially by taking the time to listen more closely to community concerns.