North Salt Lake 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
North Salt Lake 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 North Salt Lake survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In March 2026, North Salt Lake 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?
- 333 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The North Salt Lake 2024 survey had 439 responses and the North Salt Lake 2023 survey had 605 responses.
- The adult population of North Salt Lake was estimated at 16,847, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 333 survey responses in 2026 represent 2.0% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 5.32%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of North Salt Lake | 96.1% |
| Part Time Residents of North Salt Lake | 3.9% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0.2-64 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 17.9 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 15 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 19.1% |
| City Area | Percent |
|---|---|
| East (east of Orchard Dr) | 51.7% |
| Midtown (between I-15 and Orchard Dr Area) | 21.3% |
| West (west of I-15, Foxboro) | 27.0% |
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 North Salt Lake. People who have at least a 4-year college degree, are married, or own their homes were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29, do not have a college degree, are nonwhite, or are renters were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in North Salt Lake
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in North Salt Lake. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in North Salt Lake was 4.07 with 80% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in North Salt Lake 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 North Salt Lake 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 remained nearly the same. 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. North Salt Lake is classified as an Established/Mid-sized 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 more Urban city cluster, North Salt Lake was close to the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in North Salt Lake
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 North Salt Lake were Safety and Security (84%), Family Life (81%), Living Standards (79%), and Mental Health (78%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (98%), Mental Health (97%), and Physical Health (97%).

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in North Salt Lake
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by North Salt Lake residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2024, almost all domain ratings increased, except for Leisure Time and Connection with Nature which remained nearly the same.

Wellbeing Matrix for North Salt Lake
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from North Salt Lake. Family Life, 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 North Salt Lake
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to North Salt Lake on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.06.

When comparing survey data from North Salt Lake over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average community connection score remained nearly the same between 2024 and 2026.

A positive 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. North Salt Lake ranked 39 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in North Salt Lake
Survey participants were asked how well North Salt Lake 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 (53%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were quite well (21%) 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 (72%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in community events, participation in motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah, participation in city recreation programs, and walking or biking in your neighborhood or 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 North Salt Lake respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in North Salt Lake indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (52%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was just right (38%) and too slow (31%).


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


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for North Salt Lake compared to other participating cities and towns in the Established/Mid-sized 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 emphasized a desire for more local and small businesses, as well as better access to existing options. They also valued affordable services and incentives, expressing concern about the strain rapid development puts on resources and open spaces. Some highlighted the need for more employment opportunities, while others noted the importance of maintaining greenspaces and natural areas. Additionally, residents emphasized the value of community events and activities that are free or low-cost, suggesting that a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options would be desirable.
Cost of Living in North Salt Lake
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in North Salt Lake. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (64%), Healthcare (35%), and Housing (34%). Note that a high percentage (73%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in North Salt Lake
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in North Salt Lake. The most problematic barriers were Cost (47%) and Travel time (45%).

Concerns in North Salt Lake
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of North Salt Lake. Air Quality (86%), Water Supply (85%), and the Great Salt Lake (79%) were the top concerns. Since 2024, moderate or major concern about shopping opportunities (-18%), recreation opportunities (-17%), public safety (-17%), access to healthy/quality food (-12%), opportunities for youth (-11%), and trails & paths (-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 North Salt Lake
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about North Salt Lake. 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 their community’s location, citing its proximity to Salt Lake City and surrounding areas as a major highlight. They also appreciated the area’s natural beauty, with many noting the stunning sunsets and access to nearby parks and trails. The community’s small-town feel and friendly atmosphere were also praised, with residents expressing gratitude for the neighborhood’s tight-knit nature and sense of safety. Additionally, the ease of commute and accessibility to major highways were seen as a significant advantage.

Local Environmental Quality in North Salt Lake
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in North Salt Lake. Respondents expressed several environmental concerns, with a significant emphasis on air quality and pollution. The shrinking Great Salt Lake was also a major worry, as a threat to the local ecosystem. Additionally, the city’s rapid growth has led to concerns about water conservation, waste management, and traffic congestion. Many respondents were frustrated with the presence of refineries, gravel pits, and quarries in the area, which they believe contribute to poor air quality and environmental degradation.
Improving Wellbeing in North Salt Lake
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in North Salt Lake. North Salt Lake respondents expressed a desire for improved wellbeing by focusing on community building, greenspaces, and economic development. They highlighted a need for more local businesses, restaurants, and family-friendly activities to create a sense of place and community. Additionally, respondents expressed wanting to see improvements in traffic flow, walkability, and public transportation options to make the city more accessible and user-friendly.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in North Salt Lake. Many respondents expressed a sense of community and appreciation for North Salt Lake’s natural spaces, such as trails and parks. Some noted the importance of keeping these areas safe and family-friendly, while others emphasized the need to address issues like traffic congestion and noise pollution from highways. Several respondents valued the city’s efforts to support local businesses and cultural diversity, but some also expressed concerns about the impact of apartment complexes on neighborhood character and the need for more greenspaces. Respondents also expressed concern about the proposed homeless shelter.