How to use Polco's Benchmark Surveys to Shape Your Community’s Future

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What do our residents really want?” - you’re not alone. Local governments are constantly balancing tight budgets, growing expectations, and the pressure to make smart, lasting decisions. But here’s the truth:

You can’t solve what you can’t see.

That’s where Polco’s Benchmark Surveys come in.

These surveys aren’t just another checkbox on a strategic plan. They’re a scientific, proven, and future-ready method to hear from your community - and act on what matters most.

Here’s how communities across the country are using benchmark surveys to plan smarter, lead with confidence, and build better futures.

See Your Community through Residents' Eyes

Polco’s benchmark surveys - like The National Community Survey® (The NCS®) and Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) - are designed to go beyond anecdotes. These tools give you statistically valid, demographically representative feedback across the things that matter most: safety, housing, mobility, health, inclusivity, and more.

Want to know how residents feel about the future of your downtown? Their trust in public safety? Whether families feel included or left out?

Now you can see the full picture - no guesswork needed.

Compare. Prioritize. Improve.

What if you could compare your performance not just against the past, but against hundreds of peer communities?

That’s the power of benchmarking. Polco’s surveys don’t live in a vacuum - they sit atop a gold-standard database of local government performance metrics across the U.S., built over decades by our team of data scientists and policy experts.

Use these comparisons to:

• Identify areas of strength
• Spot gaps in equity or performance
• Align your community’s goals with what residents truly value

Tie Results to Real Action

Survey data isn’t just for reports - it’s a tool for driving decisions.

Polco integrates survey results into our Track Dashboards, turning feedback into visual insights that can guide council priorities, budget allocations, grant applications, and strategic plans.

Need to justify a parks investment?
Show resident support.

Want to apply for a public health grant?
Highlight disparities from CASOA data.

Trying to boost trust in local government?
Prove you’re listening - and following through.

Build Trust and Engagement that Lasts

Let’s face it: Public trust is fragile. But transparency builds it. By showing residents that you’re listening, sharing results openly, and connecting data to action, you create a feedback loop of trust and accountability.

And because Polco’s surveys also feed into your Resident Engagement Platform, you can invite participants to stay involved, keep them updated, and even loop them into future decision-making.

Shape the Future, Not Just the Now

The best leaders don’t just react. They anticipate.

Benchmark surveys help you spot early trends, changing demographics, shifting perceptions, and unmet needs - so you can lead proactively, not just responsively. Whether it’s preparing for aging infrastructure, housing affordability, climate resilience, or community well-being, Polco helps you future-proof your plans with the voices of those who matter most.

Start with a Question. End with a Better Community.

The smartest leaders ask better questions. With Polco’s Benchmark Surveys, you’ll not only get the answers - you’ll get a roadmap to a more informed, inclusive, and thriving future.

Ready to hear what your community has to say?

Learn more about Polco’s Benchmark Surveys >>