What If You Knew The Questions That Could Change Everything for Your Community

In Uncertain Times, There’s One Thing You Can Be Sure Of—Your Community’s Voice

Let’s be real. The world feels like it’s spinning faster than ever—social divides, economic pressure, housing challenges, and public trust all on the line. As a local leader, you’re constantly being pulled in every direction, trying to respond to vocal residents, stretched departments, and shifting budgets.

But here’s a truth worth pausing for:
The loudest voices at a town meeting aren’t always the most representative ones.

So how do you cut through the noise? How do you know if you’re solving the right problems, in the right way, for the right people?

You start by asking.

And the National Community Survey (NCS) from Polco was built for exactly this moment.

What If You Knew?

Imagine walking into your next city council meeting, not with hunches or headlines, but with hard data—scientifically gathered, statistically representative, benchmarked against communities across the country.

Imagine having answers to questions like:

• Do residents feel safe walking alone at night?
  
  
• Do parents trust their local schools?
  
  
• Are your transportation systems meeting people’s needs—or leaving them stranded?
  
  
• Is the community satisfied with how you're handling growth, housing, or development?
  
  
• Do people feel connected to their neighbors—or isolated in their own city?
  
  
• Are youth and seniors equally included in community life?
  
  
• Does the average resident feel like their local government truly listens?

The NCS answers these questions and more—directly from the people who live, work, and raise families in your community.

The Voice You Haven’t Heard Yet

You already know the regulars at the podium. But what about:

• The young family juggling childcare, rent, and long commutes?
  
  
• The retiree quietly navigating mobility challenges?
  
  
• The small business owner trying to stay afloat after the last economic curveball?
  
  
• The teen who doesn’t go to public meetings, but feels deeply about their city’s future?

They all have something to say. And the NCS makes sure you hear them.

By using a rigorous, probability-based sample, the NCS captures a true cross-section of your community—not just the squeaky wheels. Responses are weighted to reflect demographics like age, income, race, renter/homeowner status, and more. It’s scientific. It’s reliable. And it’s transformative.

Ten Domains. One Clear Picture

The NCS dives into ten core facets of community livability, giving you a 360-degree view of what’s working—and what’s not.

1. Safety – Are residents confident in police and fire services? Do they feel secure?
   
   
2. Mobility – How well do your roads, sidewalks, and transit systems serve daily life?
   
   
3. Economy – Is your city seen as a place of opportunity, or struggle?
   
   
4. Housing and Community Design – Can people afford to live here—and do they want to?
   
   
5. Parks and Recreation – Are public spaces being used, loved, and maintained?
   
   
6. Health and Wellness – Do people have access to care and a healthy lifestyle?
   
   
7. Education, Arts, and Culture – Is there pride in schools? Are arts alive?
   
   
8. Inclusivity and Engagement – Do residents feel they belong? Are they heard?
   
   
9. Utilities – Are basic services meeting expectations, from water to internet?
   
   
10. Natural Environment – Are you stewarding the land and air for the future?

Each domain includes targeted, easy-to-understand questions that reveal perceptions, priorities, and satisfaction across your community.

Ask. Know. Act.

When you know how people feel—not just the vocal few but the community as a whole—you can lead with confidence. You can:

• Set policies rooted in public priorities.
  
  
• Justify budgets with public support.
  
  
• Build trust through transparency.
  
  
• Win grants with hard data.
  
  
• Track progress and show impact over time.

You don’t need to guess what people want. You don’t need to rely on outdated assumptions or loud opinions. You can know.

The Answers Are Already Out There—You Just Have to Ask

In a time when clarity is rare and certainty is precious, the NCS gives you both. It’s not just a survey. It’s a listening tool. A trust builder. A roadmap.

Your community is ready to tell you what they need. The question is:
Are you ready to hear it?

Let’s find out—together.

Learn more about the National Community Survey (NCS) or Talk to a Polco expert today.