Wellsville 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
Wellsville 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 Wellsville survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Wellsville 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?
- 55 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The Wellsville 2024 survey had 177 responses.
- The adult population of Wellsville was estimated at 2,795, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 55 survey responses in 2026 represent 2.0% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 13.09%. 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 Wellsville | 98.2% |
| Part Time Residents of Wellsville | 1.8% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-77 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 23.9 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 21 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 14.5% |
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 Wellsville. People who are age 50-59 or are not employed for various reasons were overrepresented, while those who are employed were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Wellsville
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Wellsville. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Wellsville was 4.04 with 78% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Wellsville was 3.93 with 78% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


When comparing survey data from Wellsville 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 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. Wellsville is classified as a Rapid Growth 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 Rapid Growth city cluster, Wellsville was slightly below the average overall personal wellbeing score and above the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Wellsville
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 Wellsville were Safety and Security (94%), Living Standards (90%), and Family Life (88%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (94%), Mental Health (94%), and Living Standards (87%).

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in Wellsville
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by Wellsville residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2024, Safety and Security, Living Standards, Transportation, Education, and Cultural Opportunities improved, while Mental Health, Leisure Time, Connection with Nature, and Physical Health decreased, and Family Life, Local Environmental Quality, and Social Connections remained nearly the same.

Wellbeing Matrix for Wellsville
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Wellsville. 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 Wellsville
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Wellsville on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.66.

When comparing survey data from Wellsville 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, 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. Wellsville ranked 3 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Wellsville
Survey participants were asked how well Wellsville 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 (50%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were quite well (25%) 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 (90%) and Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (86%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent use of trails in or near your city 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 Wellsville respondents was rural communities.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in Wellsville indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (55%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was just right (41%).


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


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Wellsville compared to other participating cities and towns in the Rapid Growth 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 mentioned wanting more retail and business opportunities, particularly local or small businesses, to enhance the community’s character and provide employment options. They also emphasized the importance of preserving greenspace and open areas, with some expressing concerns about rapid growth and infrastructure development. Additionally, respondents valued affordable housing and the slowing down of residential growth to ensure resources are kept in balance.
Cost of Living in Wellsville
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Wellsville. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (36%), Housing (35%), and Healthcare (35%). Note that a high percentage (77%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Wellsville
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Wellsville. The most problematic barriers were Cost (60%) and Travel time (37%).

Concerns in Wellsville
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Wellsville. Water Supply (66%), Open Space/Green Space (62%), Traffic (58%), and Affordable Housing (58%) were the top concerns. Since 2024, moderate or major concern about access to mental health care (+10%) notably increased, while concern about public safety (-30%), recreation opportunities (-28%), shopping opportunities (-25%), opportunities for youth (-24%), water quality (-20%), trails & paths (-20%), air quality (-17%), water supply (-15%), accessible transportation (-15%), substance use (-11%), and social and emotional support (-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 Wellsville
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Wellsville. 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 expressed a strong appreciation for the community’s small-town character and peaceful atmosphere. Many mentioned how much they value of feeling safe and enjoying a sense of community, saying that the rural pace of life and lack of high-density housing were contributing factors. The availability of open spaces and natural beauty were also frequently mentioned, with some emphasizing the importance of preserving this quality of life as the community grows.

Local Environmental Quality in Wellsville
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Wellsville. Respondents mentioned poor air quality, particularly during winter months, and its impact on daily life. Some mentioned the need for improved water supply and quality, while others emphasized the importance of preserving greenspaces and open areas. Traffic congestion and noise pollution from heavy trucks were also notable concerns, with some respondents suggesting that more trails and safety features are needed to improve air quality and encourage physical activity.
Improving Wellbeing in Wellsville
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Wellsville. Respondents mentioned a need for improved transportation infrastructure, including repaired roadways and added sidewalks, to enhance their wellbeing. They also emphasized the importance of recreation opportunities, such as trails, parks, and a indoor recreation center to promote community connection. Additionally, respondents stressed the value of managed growth and responsible development, with many expressing concerns about over-building in the city.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Wellsville. Many respondents expressed a sense of comfort and wellbeing in Wellsville, highlighting its friendly atmosphere and easy access to amenities. Some comments also noted a desire for more community events and recreation opportunities, as well as increased connectivity between neighbors through shared public spaces. Additionally, some respondents emphasized the need for better transportation infrastructure, with concerns about emergency response times and traffic congestion.