The Town of Ashland, Virginia has long been known for its small-town warmth and strong community relationships. In the 2024 National Community Survey® (The NCS), residents made it clear: those relationships are getting even stronger. Ashland earned significant gains across every major measure of government trust, signaling a community where trust, fairness, and communication are on the rise.
As Town Manager Josh Farrar shared:
“We’re proud to see Ashland residents express such strong trust in their local government. Over the past several years, the Town has made intentional investments in community engagement, communications, and transparency so that residents feel informed and connected to the decisions shaping their community. It’s encouraging to see those efforts reflected in these results.”
Ashland recorded some of the most notable improvements in government trust among communities surveyed nationwide. The 2024 results also show something even more impressive: Ashland now scores higher than the national benchmark in several of the most important areas of government–resident interaction, including:
These higher-than-benchmark ratings demonstrate that residents see Ashland not just improving, but leading in the areas that matter most for trust and civic connection.
Ashland’s largest gain came in perceptions of fairness, with a 13-point increase. Residents also reported an 8-point gain in being treated with respect. These are foundational for building trust and community cohesion.
A 10-point increase in welcoming resident involvement shows that people feel more invited to contribute their perspectives and ideas.
Ratings for openness and transparency increased 9 points, suggesting residents feel more confident in how the Town communicates decisions and shares information.
Ashland also earned 9-point gains in informing residents about issues and in the quality of public information services. When residents feel well-informed, they feel more connected — and more trust follows.
These gains are meaningful because they reflect resident perceptions, and residents are the ultimate judges of government performance.
Award-winning communities share one defining trait: they respond to resident feedback in ways residents can feel. Ashland’s across-the-board improvements suggest a community where:
Few communities earn gains this consistent across all engagement indicators. Ashland’s results place it among the year’s most improved performers nationwide.
These improvements are more than survey statistics. They point to a cultural shift that strengthens every part of community life:
When residents feel respected and informed, community life becomes more vibrant, collaborative, and resilient.
Ashland’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when a community leans into its strengths and stays committed to listening. Even without knowing specific internal actions, the results clearly show a government–resident relationship becoming healthier and stronger over time.
The Town’s progress reflects a simple but profound accomplishment:
Residents feel better served, better informed, and more valued than they did three years ago.
Ashland, Virginia, exemplifies the spirit of the Voice of the People Awards by demonstrating measurable progress rooted in resident experience. The 2024 NCS results show a community strengthening trust through fairness, respect, transparency, and meaningful engagement.
In an era when communities across the country are striving to rebuild trust, Ashland stands out as a model of positive momentum and a town where residents truly feel heard.