Mapleton 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
Mapleton 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 Mapleton survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In March 2026,Mapleton 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?
- 66 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The Mapleton 2024 survey had 175 responses.
- The adult population of Mapleton was estimated at 8,608, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 66 survey responses in 2026 represent 0.8% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 12.02%. 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 Mapleton | 100.0% |
| Part Time Residents of Mapleton | 0.0% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0.5-71 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 13.5 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 7.5 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 37.9% |
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 Mapleton. People who have at least a 4-year college degree or are married were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29, are adult males, or do not have a college degree were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Mapleton
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Mapleton. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Mapleton was 4.00 with 79% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Mapleton was 3.71 with 64% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


When comparing survey data from Mapleton over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that from 2024 to 2026, both the average personal wellbeing score and 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.

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. Mapleton 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, Mapleton was below the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Mapleton
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 Mapleton were Safety and Security (89%), Family Life (82%), and Living Standards (79%). The most important wellbeing domains were Family Life (97%), Safety and Security (97%), and Mental Health (97%).

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Mapleton
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Mapleton residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2024, all domain ratings decreased.

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

Community Connection in Mapleton
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Mapleton on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.04.

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

A positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing, and to some extent 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. Mapleton ranked 33 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Mapleton
Survey participants were asked how well Mapleton 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 (58%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were somewhat (18%) 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 (93%), Using trails in or near your city (77%), and Gardening at home (77%).

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 Mapleton respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Mapleton indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (80%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was too slow (39%), too fast (31%), and just right (22%).


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


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Mapleton 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 mentioned a desire for more local businesses, particularly small shops and restaurants, to revitalize the town’s character and enhance the shopping experience. There were strong negative sentiments about rapid development, with respondents mentioning a desire for growth that is balanced with preserving green space and open areas. Additionally, respondents mentioned the need for more affordable housing options.
Cost of Living in Mapleton
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Mapleton. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (67%) and Healthcare (47%). Note that a high percentage (65%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Mapleton
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Mapleton. The most problematic barriers were Cost (57%) and Travel time (52%).

Concerns in Mapleton
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Mapleton. Open Space/Green Space (88%), Water Supply (80%), and Water Quality (74%) were the top concerns. Since 2024, moderate or major concern about climate change (+18%), the Great Salt Lake (+17%), employment opportunities (+14%), access to health care (+14%), homelessness (+13%), and open space/green space (+12%) notably increased, while concern about recreation opportunities (-21%), suicide (-18%), shopping opportunities (-17%), access to healthy/quality food (-14%), opportunities for youth (-11%), trails & paths (-11%), and public safety (-10%) notably decreased.

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 Mapleton
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Mapleton. 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 consistently mentioned the community’s small-town character as high value to them, emphasizing their love for the peace and quiet, as well as Mapleton’s natural beauty and open spaces. Many comments also mentioned feeling safe in their community, the slower pace of life, proximity to amenities, and scenic views that come with living in Mapleton.

Local Environmental Quality in Mapleton
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Mapleton. Respondents mentioned the importance of preserving open spaces and greenspaces, as well as fears about the impact of development on these areas. Many respondents voiced the need for responsible planning to prevent future traffic congestion and would like the city council to prioritize public spaces and community amenities alongside housing developments.
Improving Wellbeing in Mapleton
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Mapleton. Respondents expressed a need for balance and preservation of Mapleton’s small-town feel, with many expressing concerns about rapid growth and development. They advocate for prioritizing community values over commercial interests and for slower, more thoughtful expansion. Many respondents mentioned a desire for slowing down housing developments, while others stressed the need to address specific quality-of-life issues, such as street lighting, water quality, and public safety.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Mapleton. Many respondents expressed worry about growth and development, particularly impacts on traffic infrastructure and how rapid growth of housing developments will change Mapleton’s character. Some respondents advocated for more recreational spaces and community activities, such as concerts in the park and library services. Additionally, respondents would like to see environmental sustainability prioritized, such as reducing light pollution and promoting eco-friendly practices.