Mayfield 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
Mayfield 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 town residents and to provide information to town 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 Mayfield survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Mayfield Town advertised the survey for residents. All town 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?
- 26 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Mayfield was estimated at 310, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 26 survey responses in 2026 represent 8.4% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 18.43%. 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 Mayfield | 100.0% |
| Part Time Residents of Mayfield | 0.0% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 2-50 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 18.2 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 11 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 12.5% |
| City Area | Percent |
|---|---|
| Mayfield | 92.3% |
| Surrounding Area | 7.7% |
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 Mayfield. People who have an income $100,000 to $149,999 or are married were overrepresented, while those who have an income $150,000 or over were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Mayfield
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Mayfield. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Mayfield was 4.27 with 81% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Mayfield was 4.08 with 73% 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. Mayfield 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, Mayfield was well above the average overall personal wellbeing score and well above the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Mayfield
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 Mayfield were Safety and Security (87%), Family Life (83%), and Living Standards (83%). The most important wellbeing domains were Family Life (100%), Mental Health (100%), Physical Health (96%), and Connection with Nature (96%).

Wellbeing Matrix for Mayfield
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Mayfield. Connection with Nature, Family Life, Leisure Time, 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 Mayfield
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Mayfield on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.5.

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. Mayfield ranked 18 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Mayfield
Survey participants were asked how well Mayfield 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.

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 (91%) and Motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah (90%).

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 Mayfield respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Mayfield indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (75%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was too slow (38%), just right (33%), and too fast (24%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Mayfield 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 mentioned hoping for a decrease in the cost of living, with some emphasizing the need for more affordable housing options and services. There was also a desire for more local businesses and amenities, such as grocery stores and gas stations, that are not large conglomerates.
Cost of Living in Mayfield
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Mayfield. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (75%) and Healthcare (47%). Note that a high percentage (80%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Mayfield
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Mayfield. The most problematic barriers were Cost (59%), Disability (27%), and Travel time (27%).

Concerns in Mayfield
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Mayfield. Water Supply (80%), Affordable Housing (75%), and Wildfire (65%) were the top concerns.

Open Comments
All open comments collected in the survey were shared with town 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 Mayfield
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Mayfield. 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 peaceful and quiet nature of their community, with many highlighting the sense of calm and serenity that comes from living in a small town surrounded by natural beauty. They also emphasized the importance of strong community bonds, noting supportive relationships among neighbors. Additionally, respondents appreciated the proximity to nature and the freedom to live life at their own pace, without the hustle and bustle of urban areas.

Local Environmental Quality in Mayfield
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Mayfield. Respondents voiced concerns about water availability and quality. This was closely tied to issues of drought and water shortages, which were also raised as significant concerns by some residents. Additionally, a few comments highlighted the importance of preserving greenspaces and open areas, suggesting that these natural environments are valued by the community.
Improving Wellbeing in Mayfield
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Mayfield. Respondents emphasized the importance of preserving their city’s natural environment and preventing over-development, highlighting concerns about the impact on local water sources, farm land, and overall quality of life. They also stressed the need for more community-focused initiatives, such as recreation classes, social events, and non-motorized trails, to foster a sense of connection among the community.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Mayfield. Some respondents expressed concerns about the town’s growth, suggesting that it is becoming overcrowded and losing its small-town feel. Others valued maintaining community connections through local events and preserving a rural lifestyle.