National Community Survey
Pinellas County surveys residents to better understand the community’s needs and perspectives. The mailed National Community Survey™ (NCS) was sent to randomly select households in February. This scientific assessment measured community livability according to residents. The online open participation survey is now open through April 10.
The results of the survey give a comprehensive look at Pinellas County’s strengths, areas of improvement and residents’ priorities. Officials can compare the County’s data with more than 600 other communities around the nation. Such input helps the Board of County Commissioners make better-informed decisions and enables county staff to provide quality services that meet real community needs.
The NCS reports the opinions of a representative sample of residents of the County about the ten central facets of a community:
- Economy
- Mobility
- Community Design
- Utilities
- Safety
- Natural Environment
- Parks and Recreation
- Health and Wellness
- Education, Arts and Culture
- Inclusivity and Engagement
Curious to see what the community said?
View the 2023 Survey Results and a two-page summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The National Community Survey (NCS)?
NCS is the only resident survey endorsed by the International City/County Management Association and the National League of Cities. The survey provides benchmark comparisons among communities across the nation. It has been used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states. Communities using the NCS reported the tool improved communications and service to their residents and helped leaders identify clear priorities for use in strategic planning and budget setting.
Who administers the survey?
Pinellas County contracted, Polco, an online community engagement polling platform that hosts the NCS. Polco launches surveys and analyzes the data, providing local governments and other public sector leaders with important information needed to make decisions informed by the community. Hundreds of organizations nationwide use Polco for strategic planning, budgeting and empowering resident voices.
What are Polco's credentials?
National Research Center (NRC) has been successfully conducting surveys for local governments for over 25 years. NRC was formed by former employees from the City of Boulder, and thus have also worked extensively with local governments across the country. NRC’s research team wrote the book on citizen surveys, published in three different printings by ICMA Press.
Who participated in the survey?
Why wasn't my household selected for the Sampled Survey?
The Sampled Survey was designed to be as representative as possible of the population of Pinellas County. A sampling of community households were selected to participate and they are randomly selected from a comprehensive list of residential addresses as an effort to reduce bias and get feedback from all areas within the community. If you weren’t a part of the mailed sampling, we still want to hear from you. Take the online open survey now in English and Español.
Can I fill out the survey now?
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Please contact Pinellas County at (727) 464-3000 or (727) 464-4062 TDD. For other information about Polco, visit https://info.polco.us/.