Lake Point 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
Lake Point 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 Lake Point survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In May 2026, Lake Point 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?
- 63 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Lake Point was estimated at 1,614, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 63 survey responses in 2026 represent 3.9% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 12.11%. Due to the low number of respondents and the high conservative margin of error, caution should be used when interpreting these survey results.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Lake Point | 100.0% |
| Part Time Residents of Lake Point | 0.0% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-69 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 11.4 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 7 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 28.3% |
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 Lake Point. People who are married were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29 or are nonwhite were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Lake Point
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Lake Point. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Lake Point was 4.13 with 84% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Lake Point was 3.62 with 65% 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. Lake Point 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, Lake Point was slightly above the average overall personal wellbeing score and slightly below the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Lake Point
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 Lake Point were Family Life (91%), Safety and Security (80%), and Mental Health (78%). The most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (97%), Safety and Security (95%), Physical Health (93%), Family Life (92%), and Living Standards (92%).

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

Community Connection in Lake Point
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Lake Point on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 2.94.

No clear relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing as well as 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. Lake Point ranked 45 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Lake Point
Survey participants were asked how well Lake Point 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 (42%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were quite well (20%) included.

Participation in Recreation and Nature-Related Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate how often they participated in various activities over the past year. The activities in which respondents most commonly participated at least sometimes (about once a month or more frequently) were Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (88%) and Gardening at home (82%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in community events.
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 Lake Point respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Lake Point indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (76%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was too slow (43%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Lake Point compared to other participating cities and towns in the Traditional Rural Communities 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 retail and business options, with many highlighting the need for local or small businesses instead of chains. They also emphasized the importance of preserving the rural character of the community, with some commenting on the strain rapid growth puts on resources and open space. Additionally, respondents noted concerns about infrastructure development, including traffic flow and road construction, which they felt was not well-planned or coordinated.
Cost of Living in Lake Point
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Lake Point. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (73%) and Healthcare (39%). Note that a high percentage (69%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Lake Point
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Lake Point. The most problematic barriers were Travel time (66%), Lack of routes (62%), and Cost (60%).

Concerns in Lake Point
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Lake Point. Water Supply (90%), Traffic (88%), and the Great Salt Lake (82%) 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 Lake Point
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Lake Point. 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 the community’s rural atmosphere and open spaces, valuing the quietness and natural beauty that allows them to enjoy outdoor activities like horseback riding, walking their dogs, or simply taking in the scenic views. Many also emphasized the convenience of living near Salt Lake City, with easy access to amenities and employment opportunities. Additionally, respondents appreciated the friendly community atmosphere and strong sense of neighborliness, noting that people often go out of their way to help others.

Local Environmental Quality in Lake Point
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Lake Point. Respondents expressed concerns about rapid population growth and subsequent traffic congestion, which was perceived as a major issue in terms of local environmental quality. The lack of green space and open areas were also emphasized, with some respondents expressing frustration about the loss of rural charm and the increasing density of homes on smaller lots. Additionally, there was worry about impacts of development on local water resources, citing concerns about availability and quality. Dust and air pollution from various sources, including gravel pits and construction, were also mentioned as significant issues affecting respondents’ daily lives.
Improving Wellbeing in Lake Point
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Lake Point. Respondents expressed wanting more emphasis on the city’s rural character, with concerns about rapid growth and development. They emphasized the need for more open spaces, trails, and recreation opportunities, as well as improved transportation infrastructure to accommodate the increasing population. Some respondents also stressed the importance of maintaining the city’s quality of life and preserving its natural environment, suggesting that excessive construction and urbanization are threatening these aspects.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Lake Point. Several respondents mentioned concerns about Lake Point’s growth, with some expressing a desire to preserve its small-town feel and others worrying about the impact of increased development on infrastructure, traffic, and the local environment. Some respondents also emphasized the need for better governance, including more transparency and accountability from local leaders.