Woods Cross 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
Woods Cross 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 Woods Cross survey and comparative information with other project cities and towns. In April 2026, Woods Cross 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?
- 243 viable surveys were recorded in this 2026 survey effort.
- The adult population of Woods Cross was estimated at 8,048, based on the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census. The 243 survey responses in 2026 represent 3.0% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 6.19%.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
| Resident Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Time Residents of Woods Cross | 98.8% |
| Part Time Residents of Woods Cross | 1.2% |
| Length of Residency — Range | 1-70 years |
| Length of Residency — Average | 17.3 years |
| Length of Residency — Median | 15 years |
| Length of Residency 5 Years or less | 16.9% |
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 Woods Cross. People who are age 40-49, are adult females, have at least a 4-year college degree, or are married were overrepresented, while those who are age 18-29, are adult males, or do not have a college degree were underrepresented.

Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Woods Cross
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Woods Cross. These wellbeing indicators were both measured on a 5-point scale from poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Woods Cross was 4.03 with 79% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Woods Cross was 3.74 with 66% 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. Woods Cross is classified as an Established/Mid-sized 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 more Urban city cluster, Woods Cross was slightly below the average overall personal wellbeing score and close to the average overall community wellbeing score.


Wellbeing Domains in Woods Cross
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 Woods Cross were Family Life (83%), Living Standards (80%), and Safety and Security (78%). The most important wellbeing domains were Safety and Security (99%), Mental Health (97%), Living Standards (92%), and Family Life (91%).

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

Community Connection in Woods Cross
Survey participants were asked about how connected they feel to Woods Cross on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5), and the average score of all respondents was 3.03.

To some extent, 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. Woods Cross ranked 47 out of the 57 cities that participated.

Disability in Woods Cross
Survey participants were asked how well Woods Cross 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 (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 Walking or biking in your neighborhood or city (84%), Gardening at home (74%), and Recreating in parks in your city (73%).

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 Woods Cross respondents was natural landscapes.

Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
Respondents in Woods Cross were split between opinions that population growth was too fast (45%) and just right (44%). For the pace of economic development, the largest proportion of respondents indicated that it was just right (45%).


The graphs below show perceptions of population growth and economic development for Woods Cross compared to other participating cities and towns in the Established/Mid-sized 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 highlighted a desire for more local and small businesses, rather than chain stores or warehouses, to maintain Woods Cross’s unique character. They also emphasized the need for affordable housing options, with some expressing concern about rapid growth and its impact on resources and open space. Additionally, respondents noted the importance of better infrastructure, including road design and traffic management, as well as a focus on community development rather than mass construction.
Cost of Living in Woods Cross
Respondents were asked to indicate how affordable certain expenses were in Woods Cross. The most difficult expenses were Childcare (67%), Housing (36%), and Healthcare (36%). Note that a high percentage (69%) of respondents found Childcare expenses not relevant to them.

Transportation in Woods Cross
Respondents were asked to indicate the most common barriers to transportation in Woods Cross. The most problematic barriers were Cost (59%) and Travel time (42%).

Concerns in Woods Cross
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Woods Cross. Water Supply (86%), Air Quality (79%), and the Great Salt Lake (78%) 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 Woods Cross
Survey respondents were asked to comment on what they value most about Woods Cross. 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 consistently highlighted the importance of Woods Cross’s small-town feel, proximity to major cities, and sense of community. They valued the ease of access to Salt Lake City, surrounding mountains, and open spaces, which allowed for a quiet and peaceful environment. Many emphasized the strong social connections within their neighborhoods, feeling safe and supported by their neighbors. The convenience of being close to services without high population density or traffic was also a significant factor in respondents’ appreciation for the community.

Local Environmental Quality in Woods Cross
Survey respondents were asked if there are specific aspects of local environmental quality that they feel pose a significant threat to wellbeing in Woods Cross. Respondents’ primary concerns revolved around air quality and pollution, with many commenting on the unpleasant odors and fumes emanating from refineries, asphalt plants, and trains. The proximity of these industrial sites to residential areas was a significant worry, particularly when combined with traffic congestion and limited green spaces. Some respondents also expressed frustration with soil subsidence and the impact it has on their homes, while others highlighted the need for improved air monitoring and mitigation measures.
Improving Wellbeing in Woods Cross
Survey respondents were asked if there is anything that could be done to improve wellbeing in Woods Cross. Respondents from Woods Cross highlighted several areas for desired improvement to enhance wellbeing, including addressing traffic congestion and noise from Legacy Highway, expanding bike networks, improving air quality by reducing pollution from refineries and asphalt plants, and addressing the mosquito problem. Some respondents also emphasized the need for more parks and greenspaces, as well as a bridge or overpass to improve safety and accessibility at train tracks. Additionally, several individuals valued the importance of community engagement and involvement in city decision-making processes.
Additional Comments
Respondents were also asked if they had any additional comments on wellbeing in Woods Cross. Woods Cross residents expressed concerns about environmental issues, such as mosquito and insect infestations, air quality, and particulate pollution from refineries and asphalt plants. Some comments highlighted the need for more greenspaces, community engagement, and a sense of community, emphasizing that the city’s growth has led to a loss of small-town charm. Additionally, respondents noted the importance of responsible government decision-making, particularly regarding ordinances and enforcement, as well as concerns about high-density housing and its impact on neighborhood character.