Orangeville 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
Orangeville 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 Orangeville survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Orangeville 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?
- 47 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Orangeville was estimated at 1,013, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 47 survey responses in 2026 represent 4.6% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 13.97%. 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 Orangeville | 100.0% |
| Part Time Residents of Orangeville | 0.0% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1.5-64 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 25.2 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 22 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 17.4% |
| City Area | Percent |
|---|---|
| Orangeville | 95.7% |
| Surrounding Area | 4.3% |
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 Orangeville. People who are adult females or are married were overrepresented, while those who are adult males were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Orangeville
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Orangeville. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Orangeville was 3.96 with 72% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Orangeville was 3.72 with 55% 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. Orangeville 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, Orangeville was slightly below the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Orangeville
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 Orangeville were Family Life (88%), Safety and Security (85%), and Mental Health (76%). The most important wellbeing domains were Family Life (98%), Mental Health (93%), Safety and Security (91%), and Physical Health (91%).

Wellbeing Matrix for Orangeville
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Orangeville. 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. Physical Health fell in the “red zone” of higher importance and lower ratings.

Community Connection in Orangeville
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Orangeville on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.27.

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. Orangeville ranked 24 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Orangeville
Survey participants were asked how well Orangeville included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. For those expressing an opinion, respondents were split between opinions that they were somewhat (32%) or quite well (24%) 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 (81%), Gardening at home (81%), and Motorized recreation on public lands or waters in Utah (78%).

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 Orangeville respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Orangeville indicated that they felt the population growth was just right (53%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was too slow (50%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Orangeville 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 highlighted the need for more job opportunities, better paying jobs, and affordable housing as key areas of improvement in their local economy. They also emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs, rather than just chain stores. Additionally, respondents valued increased walkability and a more vibrant commercial district, with restaurants and entertainment options being particularly desired.
Cost of Living in Orangeville
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Orangeville. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (81%) and Housing (44%). Note that a high percentage (56%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Orangeville
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Orangeville. The most problematic barriers were Cost (59%) and Travel time (43%).

Concerns in Orangeville
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Orangeville. Water Supply (91%), Affordable Housing (79%), and Suicide (74%) 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 Orangeville
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Orangeville. 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 peaceful and quiet nature of their community, emphasizing its small-town character where everyone knows each other. They valued the sense of safety and security that comes with low crime rates and a lack of traffic congestion. Many also emphasized the importance of knowing their neighbors and feeling connected to the community. Additionally, respondents appreciated the natural beauty of the surrounding area, including mountains and desert landscapes, which they found provided a peaceful retreat from urban life.

Local Environmental Quality in Orangeville
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Orangeville. The most prominent theme that emerged from the comments is a general sense of concern about energy-related issues, including nuclear reactors, solar panels and coal mines.
Improving Wellbeing in Orangeville
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Orangeville. Respondents highlighted the need for improved housing and job opportunities to boost wellbeing. Many also emphasized the importance of a more vibrant retail scene, with some suggesting that local businesses should be encouraged and abandoned buildings repurposed to achieve this goal. Additionally, respondents noted the significance of maintaining the city’s character and avoiding overgrowth, as well as improving public facilities and addressing issues related to cleanliness, safety, and inclusion.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Orangeville. Comments highlighted a sense of frustration with local government, with several respondents expressing concerns about accountability and the decision-making processes. Additionally, some respondents emphasized the need for better resources and opportunities for youth, including recreational activities and job prospects. A small number of comments also expressed appreciation for the city’s overall quality of life and sense of community.