Results from the city of Northfield’s first community satisfaction survey are now available, offering insight into residents’ perceptions of city services, quality of life and priorities for the future.
The survey, conducted in February and March 2026, found high levels of resident satisfaction overall. Ninety-one percent of respondents reported satisfaction with their sense of safety in Northfield, 79% were satisfied with the overall quality of life, and 71% were satisfied with the appearance of residential properties.
Northfield’s ratings met or exceeded national benchmarks in 23 of 29 service areas and met or exceeded regional benchmarks in 21 of 29 areas.
The highest-rated city services included police services at 86%, sewer services at 80%, city parks at 79% and stormwater management at 71%. Residents also expressed strong support for the library, with 89% reporting satisfaction with the overall quality of public library services.
In addition to measuring satisfaction, the survey asked residents which services matter most to them. The top priorities identified were economic development, street maintenance and city communication. The city plans to conduct a follow-up survey with respondents to explore these areas in more depth and identify opportunities for improvement.
The survey was administered by ETC Institute, a national leader in survey research that has conducted hundreds of customer satisfaction surveys for cities across the country. It included a random sample of 428 households and achieved a 95% level of confidence with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7%, meeting the standard for a statistically valid survey. Respondents represented all areas of the city and reflected a range of ages, incomes, genders and lengths of residency.
The city plans to survey residents every two years to establish benchmarks for the community, track progress over time and inform council and staff on strategic planning and service delivery.
Explore the original article from Northfield News by Crystal McKinzie posted July 14, 2026.