Each year, Polco is proud to celebrate local governments with the Best in Governance Awards — the nation's only awards program honoring communities for both resident experience and measurable outcomes. These awards shine a light on the jurisdictions that stand out as the most effective, innovative, and community-centered across the country, as measured through national data.
We're continuing our series recognizing the Top Performers across essential areas of community livability. Today, we're spotlighting the Community Connection category.
About the Community Connection Category
Community is at the heart of good governance. Beyond the roads, schools, and public safety services, residents want to feel connected — to their neighbors, to local leaders, and to the place they call home. That's why Community Connection is such a vital category in the Voice of the People Awards. This year's Top Performers stand out because their residents reported especially high ratings across the most meaningful measures of belonging and engagement.
The awards are based on extensive, high-quality data from the National Community Survey (The NCS), which provides a comprehensive picture of how communities are performing and improving in one of the most essential aspects of livability: people's sense of connection to one another and to their community. In addition to recognizing the five communities with the highest ratings nationwide (Excellence), we also celebrate the five jurisdictions that achieved the biggest transformations (Transformation) — those that made the greatest gains in strengthening community connection.
These local governments aren't just delivering services effectively; they're building the social infrastructure that makes communities thrive.
2026 Top Performers: Community Connection
Voice of the People — Excellence
- City of Clive, Iowa
- Town of Davidson, North Carolina
- City of Decatur, Georgia
- City of Naperville, Illinois
- City of Suwanee, Georgia
Voice of the People — Transformation
- City of Battle Creek, Michigan
- City of Bozeman, Montana
- City of Fate, Texas
- City of La Vista, Nebraska
- City of South Lake Tahoe, California
What's Next
The communities recognized as Top Performers represent the very best in connected, resident-centered governance. The National Champions in each category will be announced in October.
Congratulations to all of this year's Top Performers. We're honored to showcase your leadership in building stronger, smarter, and more connected communities. Visit our awards page for more information about Polco's Best in Governance Awards.
