Why Do We Ask for Demographic Information on Benchmark Surveys?

Polco’s benchmark and custom surveys include standard demographic questions to ensure the accuracy and representativeness of the results. These questions align with the U.S. Census and are essential for weighting the survey data, making sure the responses reflect your entire community.

Why Demographic Data Matters:

• Weighting for Accuracy: Demographic information is used to weight survey results, ensuring that different groups (age, gender, race, etc.) are proportionally represented in the data.
• Crosstab Comparisons: Your survey results will include crosstab comparisons, which break down responses by demographic groups. This helps uncover insights into how different groups experience or view community issues, allowing local leaders to tailor solutions more effectively.

For example, if the overall results show 70% of residents feel safe, but 30% don't, demographic data can reveal if this sentiment is shared equally or if older adults (55+) feel less safe than younger residents. This insight allows for more targeted action.

Confidentiality and Voluntary Participation:

If a respondent is uncomfortable sharing personal information, reassure them that:

• All data is confidential: Their responses will be grouped into large categories (e.g., ages 18-35), and they won’t be individually identified.
• It's voluntary: Respondents can skip any question they prefer not to answer. It’s more important that they participate, even if some demographic information is left out.

Collecting demographic data ultimately benefits residents by helping leaders understand community needs and improve services for all groups.