Toquerville 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
Toquerville 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 Toquerville survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Toquerville 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?
- 127 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Toquerville was estimated at 1,672, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 127 survey responses in 2026 represent 7.6% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 8.36%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Toquerville | 96.1% |
| Part Time Residents of Toquerville | 3.9% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 0.1-66 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 12.8 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 8 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 28.2% |
| City Area | Percent |
|---|---|
| Surrounding Area | 6.3% |
| Toquerville | 93.7% |
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 Toquerville. People who are age 60-69, have at least a 4-year college degree, have an income $75,000 to $99,999, or are married were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29 or do not have a college degree were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Toquerville
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Toquerville. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Toquerville was 4.24 with 84% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Toquerville was 3.83 with 68% 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. Toquerville 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, Toquerville was well above the average overall personal wellbeing score and above the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Toquerville
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 Toquerville were Living Standards (89%), Family Life (88%), and Safety and Security (88%). The most important wellbeing domains were Mental Health (94%), Safety and Security (92%), Physical Health (92%), Living Standards (92%), and Leisure Time (91%).

Wellbeing Matrix for Toquerville
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Toquerville. Connection with Nature, Family Life, Leisure Time, 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 Toquerville
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Toquerville on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.18.

A positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and mental health, and to some extent between community connection and overall personal wellbeing.


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. Toquerville ranked 35 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Toquerville
Survey participants were asked how well Toquerville included individuals with disabilities in social, recreational, and cultural activities. The largest proportion of respondents indicated they had no opinion or that the question was not relevant (38%). For those expressing an opinion, respondents were split between opinions that they were quite well (23%) or somewhat (22%) 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 (83%) and Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (79%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in community events, recreation in parks in your city, and participation in city recreation programs.
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 Toquerville respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Toquerville indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (72%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was just right (42%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Toquerville 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 generally expressed a desire to maintain the town’s small-town character and slow down its rapid growth, citing concerns about infrastructure, traffic congestion, and strain on local resources. They emphasized the importance of planning and governance, suggesting that development should be thoughtful and strategic, with a focus on preserving the community’s rural culture. Many respondents also highlighted the need for more local businesses, restaurants, and shopping options, as well as improved access to trails, water availability, and affordable housing.
Cost of Living in Toquerville
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Toquerville. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (40%) and Healthcare (33%). Note that a high percentage (80%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Toquerville
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Toquerville. The most problematic barriers were Cost (50%) and Travel time (39%).

Concerns in Toquerville
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Toquerville. Water Supply (88%), Traffic (69%), and Water Quality (69%) 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 Toquerville
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Toquerville. 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 community’s peaceful and quiet atmosphere, highlighting the rural feel, small town charm, and natural beauty of the area. Many valued the sense of community and friendly atmosphere, as well as the open spaces and lack of crowded streets. The minimal traffic and serene night skies were also frequently mentioned as desirable aspects of the community.

Local Environmental Quality in Toquerville
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Toquerville. The dominant theme among local environmental concerns was the impact of rapid development on the natural environment and quality of life. Respondents expressed worry about the loss of open spaces, increased dust and pollution from construction, and decreased water supply due to growth. The loss of greenspaces and natural areas was particularly concerning, with some respondents expressing a desire for more hiking trails and safe cycling routes that connect all of Toquerville as a city. Additionally, respondents valued the preservation of the night sky and are concerned about the lack of enforcement of lighting codes, which they believe has diminished the starry nights.
Improving Wellbeing in Toquerville
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Toquerville. Respondents emphasized the importance of growth control and responsible development, expressing concerns about the impact of rapid expansion on the city’s natural beauty, water supply, and community character. Many suggested slowing down development to ensure sufficient resources for existing residents, particularly affordable housing, while also preserving greenspaces and recreational areas. The need for improved transportation infrastructure was also highlighted, including better traffic flow, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and increased access to public transportation.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Toquerville. Respondent comments highlighted a desire to preserve Toquerville’s small-town character and rural feel, with concerns about over-development and a fear of losing the community’s sense of place. Many also emphasized the importance of responsible growth, careful planning, and community involvement in shaping the town’s future. Some noted the need for improved infrastructure, such as traffic management and public facilities, while others expressed appreciation for Toquerville’s natural beauty and sense of camaraderie among residents.