Announcing the 2025 Best in Governance National Champions

Celebrating the Nation’s Top Communities for Resident Engagement, Measurable Impacts, and Transformational Leadership

For months, we’ve been spotlighting exceptional communities - those leading the nation in resident satisfaction, innovation, and measurable results. Each week, we’ve revealed Top Performers across areas like safety, economy, housing, utilities, and governance.

Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. At the ICMA Annual Conference in October in Tampa, Florida, Polco’s National Research Center proudly unveiled the 2025 Best in Governance Awards’ National Champions - the very best of the best.

These communities aren’t just performing well, they’re transforming how government works. By blending resident voice, trusted data, and actionable insight, they’re charting a new course toward governance that is smarter, more connected, and more responsive to community needs..

Voice of the People (VOP)

Best in Excellence

Based on results from National Community Survey (NCS)

The Voice of the People Categories honor communities where residents rate the quality of life and government services among the highest in the nation. These awards recognize the power of listening, learning, and leading with residents at the center of decision-making.

2025 Voice of the People: National Champions in Excellence

Government Trust: Clive, Iowa

Economy: Franklin, Tennessee

Education, Arts & Culture: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Health and Wellness: Eagan, Minnesota

Community Design: Village of Schaumburg, Illinois

Community Connections: Coronado, California

Mobility: Richfield, Minnesota

Natural Environment: Snoqualmie, Washington

Parks & Recreation: Park City, Utah

Safety: Flower Mound, Texas

Utilities: Township of Schaumburg, Illinois

Best in Transformation

Based on year-over-year results from the  National Community Survey (NCS)

The Best in Transformation distinction recognizes communities that have demonstrated remarkable improvement over time - those that took resident feedback to heart and turned insight into action. These governments didn’t just achieve excellence; they earned it through progress, responsiveness, and innovation.

2025 Voice of the People: National Champions in Transformation

Government Trust - Milton, Georgia

Economy - Kingman, Arizona

Education, Arts & Culture - American Canyon, CA

Health and Wellness - Bloomington, Minnesota

Community Design - Jackson County, Michigan

Community Connections - Borough of State College, Pennsylvania

Mobility - Ashland, Oregon

Natural Environment - Elk Grove, California

Parks & Recreation - Pearland, Texas

Safety - Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Utilities - Waukesha, Wisconsin

These communities exemplify how listening leads to lasting change, proving that transformation is the truest sign of great governance.

Best in Engagement

This year’s awards also recognize communities that are redefining civic engagement through Polco Engage surveys and Balancing Act simulations, bringing residents into the decision-making process in new and creative ways. These leaders are showing what’s possible when technology, transparency, and trust come together to strengthen democracy.

2025 Voice of the People: National Champions in Engagement

Civic Catalyst - For the jurisdiction engaging residents on the most topics
Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Community Reach - For the jurisdiction with the most residents engaged on their platform
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Power of Engagement - For the jurisdiction garnering the most participants in a single engagement or survey
Village of Arlington Heights, Illinois

Priorities in Action - For the jurisdiction running the most impactful “Prioritize” engagement
Frederick County, Maryland

Schools of Thought - For the school district with the best simulation
Edmonds School District, Washington

Trust Through Transparency - For the jurisdiction delivering the best budget simulation experience
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, California

These winners exemplify what it means to build public trust through open dialogue, participatory tools, and transparent decision-making.

Community Impact

Based on data from Government Performance Action and Learning (GPAL) data

While the Voice of the People Awards celebrate resident perception, the Community Impact Awards highlight measurable outcomes drawn from public data sources. Together, they recognize communities that both listen to their residents and demonstrate tangible progress in areas such as infrastructure, economy, environment, and well-being.

2025 Community Impact: National Champions

Economy - City & County of Broomfield, Colorado

Education, Arts & Culture - Village of Rye Brook, New York

Health and Wellness - Borough of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Community Design - Village of Irvington, New York

Mobility - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Natural Environment - Kodiak, Alaska

Parks & Recreation - Arlington County, Virginia

Safety - Village of Southampton, New York

Utilities - Falls Church, Virginia

Each of these champions demonstrates measurable success using GPAL indicators that track real-world outcomes, from fiscal resilience to environmental stewardship to community trust.

A Nation of Innovators and Listeners

From large metro areas to small towns, this year’s Best in Governance National Champions set the gold standard for how local governments can unite data, dialogue, and decisions.

Polco’s National Research Center is proud to celebrate these leaders - communities that prove what’s possible when we listen to residents, measure what matters, and act with purpose.

Together, they embody the future of local governance - one built on trust, transparency, and transformation.

Learn More

See the full list of finalists and champions, along with stories from the Top Performers, on Polco’s Best in Governance Awards page.

Join the celebration online with #BestInGovernanceAwards