Montgomery County has once again touted its credentials as a top-tier locale, with an impressive 84 percent of survey participants endorsing the area as an "excellent" or "good" place to call home. This result is part of the latest National Community Survey findings, conducted between August 19 and September 30, 2024. A sample of 761 county residents weighed in on a multitude of aspects concerning their personal experiences and views on living in Montgomery County, revealing sentiments that reflect a predominantly positive outlook. County Executive Marc Elrich stated, "These results confirm what many of us already know—Montgomery County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family." However, he also acknowledged the survey highlighted critical issues, such as housing affordability, that need addressing, according to Montgomery County.
Carried out by Boulder, Colorado's Polco/National Research Center, the survey aims to gauge the pulse of the county's inhabitants regarding its livability and services. Other promising statistics to emerge include that 74 percent of respondents were happy with the overall quality of life, 84 percent would likely recommend the area to others, and the same percentage were inclined to remain in the county for the next five years. The county's economy also received generally good marks, with 69 percent of respondents content with its overall economic health and 77 percent appreciating the quality of business and service establishments. Yet, not all areas were met with unwavering approval. The survey also brought to light that residents are looking to see improvements made in public safety and cost of living, with only 16 percent of respondents viewing the cost of living as good or excellent.
Despite these issues, the survey painted an overall rosy picture of the community. High marks were given for the quality of life opportunities, which included recreation, libraries, arts and culture, with 93 percent feeling that these had stayed the same or improved over the past two years. Educational opportunities, cultural events, and community support for the arts were also rated positively. Regarding diversity, the survey found that the percentage of residents who felt valued and respected from diverse backgrounds had increased since the previous survey in 2021.
Public safety, however, was an area where residents expressed more concern than in past surveys. Although two-thirds of respondents rated their general feeling of safety positively, this was a drop from the 77 percent in 2021 and 84 percent in 2019. Nevertheless, the majority still feel safe in their neighborhoods during the day and have confidence in fire services and ambulance/EMS services. The detailed findings of the survey, executed via mail outreach to 6,000 households with a 13 percent response rate, alongside an open participation survey for any resident wishing to contribute, can be reviewed through the full report on the Montgomery County's website.
