Richfield 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
Richfield 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 Richfield survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Richfield 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?
- 117 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The Richfield 2021 survey had 65 responses and the Richfield 2020 survey had 94 responses.
- The adult population of Richfield was estimated at 5,732, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 117 survey responses in 2026 represent 2.0% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 8.97%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Richfield | 98.3% |
| Part Time Residents of Richfield | 1.7% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-76 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 27.8 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 28 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 15.9% |
| City Area | Percent |
|---|---|
| Richfield | 97.4% |
| Surrounding Area | 2.6% |
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 Richfield. 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, or are renters were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Richfield
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Richfield. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Richfield was 3.99 with 75% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Richfield was 3.57 with 57% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


When comparing survey data from Richfield over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that from 2021 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. Richfield is classified as a Rural Hub/Resort 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, Richfield was close to the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Richfield
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 Richfield were Safety and Security (84%), Family Life (82%), and Transportation (77%). The most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (100%), Safety and Security (97%), Living Standards (95%), Physical Health (95%), and Family Life (94%).

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Richfield
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Richfield residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2021, most domain ratings increased, except for Living Standards and Local Environmental Quality which decreased.

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

Community Connection in Richfield
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Richfield on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.3.

When comparing survey data from Richfield over the years as shown in the information below, we can see that the average community connection score improved between 2021 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. Richfield ranked 23 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Richfield
Survey participants were asked how well Richfield included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. For those expressing an opinion, respondents were split between opinions that they were quite well (33%) or somewhat (26%) 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 (83%), Gardening at home (71%), Using trails in or near your city (70%), and Recreating in parks in your city (69%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent use of trails in or near your city, recreation in parks in your city, walking or biking in your neighborhood or city, participation in city recreation programs, shopping at a farmer’s market, and 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 Richfield respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
Respondents in Richfield were split between opinions that population growth was too fast (46%) and just right (45%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was too slow (49%).


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


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Richfield compared to other participating cities and towns in the Rural Hub/Resort 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. Many respondents expressed the desire for better employment opportunities and higher wages to match the increasing cost of living. Respondents emphasized the need for more family-sustaining jobs, higher pay, and job creation to foster entrepreneurship and community engagement. Many also expressed concerns about the impact of rapid growth on the town’s character and culture, with some advocating for a focus on sustainable practices and workforce development.
Cost of Living in Richfield
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Richfield. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (83%), Healthcare (47%), and Housing (46%). Note that a high percentage (77%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Richfield
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Richfield. The most problematic barriers were Cost (67%) and Travel time (41%).

Concerns in Richfield
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Richfield. Affordable Housing (74%), Opportunities for Youth (73%), and Employment Opportunities (71%) were the top concerns. Since 2021, moderate or major concern about affordable housing (+16%) and employment opportunities (+11%) notably increased, while concern about recreation opportunities (-25%), substance use (-24%), air quality (-22%), public safety (-15%), social and emotional support (-13%), and water supply (-11%) 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 Richfield
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Richfield. 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 small-town feel and character of their community, emphasizing its safety, peaceful atmosphere, and friendly people. Many highlighted the importance of knowing their neighbors, feeling at ease walking around town, and the proximity to nature and public lands. Additionally, respondents appreciated the lack of traffic in the area.

Local Environmental Quality in Richfield
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Richfield. Respondents’ comments highlighted concerns about rapid growth and development in the area, which they perceive has led to a loss of greenspaces and natural areas. Many felt that this growth has been too fast, prioritizing density over community character and neglecting environmental considerations like water quality/availability and air quality.
Improving Wellbeing in Richfield
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Richfield. Respondents emphasized the importance of improving job opportunities and career prospects, with many expressing frustration over the limited availability of employment options and affordable housing. They also highlighted the need for more recreational activities, especially those suitable for all ages, as well as a desire to preserve the city’s rural character and slow down population growth. Some respondents noted the need for mental health resources, while others emphasized the value of community events, public transportation, and local entrepreneurship.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Richfield. Many respondents emphasized their appreciation for Richfield’s sense of community and welcoming atmosphere, with some expressing concerns about preserving this culture as the town grows. A few respondents highlighted the need for more mental health support services, particularly in schools, to address high suicide rates among young people. Others noted the importance of maintaining accessible bike paths and providing recreational activities for families. Some respondents also emphasized the value of community events and expressed gratitude for the city’s efforts to maintain a strong sense of community.