West Jordan 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
West Jordan 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 West Jordan survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In March 2026, West Jordan 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?
- 168 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The West Jordan 2024 survey had 309 responses and the West Jordan 2022 survey had 672 responses.
- The adult population of West Jordan was estimated at 84,373, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 168 survey responses in 2026 represent 0.2% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 7.55%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of West Jordan | 98.2% |
| Part Time Residents of West Jordan | 1.8% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-60 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 20.6 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 20 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 14.3% |
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 West Jordan. People who are adult females, have at least a 4-year college degree, are married, or own their homes were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29, are adult males, do not have a college degree, are Hispanic or Latino, are nonwhite, or are renters were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in West Jordan
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in West Jordan. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in West Jordan was 4.00 with 80% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in West Jordan was 3.53 with 55% of respondents indicating community wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.


When comparing survey data from West Jordan 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. West Jordan is classified as a City of the 1st and 2nd Class. 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, West Jordan was close to the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in West Jordan
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 West Jordan were Family Life (79%), Living Standards (75%), and Safety and Security (74%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (99%), Mental Health (97%), Living Standards (95%), and Physical Health (95%).

Wellbeing Domains Over Time in West Jordan
The graphs below show how the domains were rated over the years by West Jordan residents. The number of respondents changed over time. Since 2024, most domain ratings increased, except for Connection with Nature which decreased, and Family Life and Leisure Time which remained nearly the same.

Wellbeing Matrix for West Jordan
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from West Jordan. 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 West Jordan
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to West Jordan on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 2.82.

When comparing survey data from West Jordan 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. West Jordan ranked 53 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in West Jordan
Survey participants were asked how well West Jordan 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 (60%). For those expressing an opinion, the largest proportion of respondents felt that they were quite well (18%) 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 (82%) and Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (80%).

Higher levels of community connection correlated with more frequent participation in community events 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 West Jordan respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of respondents in West Jordan indicated that they felt the population growth was too fast (66%). For the pace of economic development, respondents were split between opinions that it was just right (32%), too fast (30%), and too slow (23%).


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


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for West Jordan compared to other participating cities and towns in the Cities of the 1st & 2nd Class 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 a desire for more retail and business options, with many expressing frustration at the dominance of chain stores and a lack of unique, local businesses. They also emphasized the need for more walkable communities, better access to shopping areas, and improved infrastructure to support growth. Additionally, respondents valued family-friendly activities, senior facilities, and affordable housing, suggesting that West Jordan should prioritize mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. Some comments specifically called out the need for more restaurants, entertainment options, and community events, highlighting a desire for a more vibrant and engaging city center.
Cost of Living in West Jordan
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in West Jordan. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (77%), Healthcare (43%), and Housing (41%). Note that a high percentage (77%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in West Jordan
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in West Jordan. The most problematic barriers were Cost (53%) and Travel time (51%).

Concerns in West Jordan
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of West Jordan. Water Supply (85%), Air Quality (84%), Open Space/Green Space (79%), and Traffic (78%) were the top concerns. Since 2024, moderate or major concern about the Great Salt Lake (+17%) notably increased, while concern about substance use (-17%), recreation opportunities (-16%), shopping opportunities (-15%), public safety (-14%), social and emotional support (-14%), opportunities for youth (-14%), access to healthy/quality food (-12%), suicide (-10%), and access to culturally appropriate food (-10%) notably decreased.

Additional Questions for West Jordan
Communication in West Jordan City
Residents were asked how they currently seek information about West Jordan City, and how they prefer to receive information from West Jordan City. The most common methods to seek information were Social Media (61%), What's Up, West Jordan (59%), and the City Website (51%). The most preferred methods to receive information was Email (75%), and Social Media (50%).


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 West Jordan
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about West Jordan. 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 importance of community and safety, emphasizing their appreciation for a sense of belonging and feeling secure in their neighborhood. They valued the proximity to various amenities, including shopping, services, and outdoor recreation areas, which allowed them to easily access what they needed without having to leave the city. Additionally, many respondents appreciated the quiet, natural surroundings and the ability to enjoy outdoor activities and scenic views.

Local Environmental Quality in West Jordan
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in West Jordan. Air quality was a major concern for many respondents, with several mentioning poor air quality and inversions. The impact of traffic congestion on air quality was also noted, with some suggesting that more alternative modes of transportation are needed to reduce exhaust emissions. Additionally, concerns about water supply and quality were expressed, particularly in relation to the Great Salt Lake’s decline. Other environmental issues highlighted included noise pollution from increased traffic and construction, as well as a desire for more greenspaces and parks in neighborhoods.
Improving Wellbeing in West Jordan
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in West Jordan. Respondents consistently highlighted the need for improved transportation infrastructure, citing concerns about traffic congestion and safety. Many respondents also emphasized the importance of preserving greenspaces and natural areas, as well as promoting walkability and bikeability through the city. Additionally, they expressed a desire for more affordable housing options, better enforcement of code violations, and increased community engagement through volunteer opportunities and neighborhood events.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in West Jordan. Respondent comments highlighted concerns about the city’s growth and development, with some expressing worries that it is leading to a loss of open spaces and a decline in the small-town feeling. Others appreciated the efforts made by local government, including the mayor, to engage with the community and improve the city’s infrastructure. A few respondents lamented the lack of recreational activities and medical services in the area, while others valued the city’s arts programs and library. Some comments also touched on the need for more effective traffic control and a greater sense of community among neighbors.