31 Community Survey Questions to Boost Local Engagement

Community Needs Assessment Survey

Overview

The community needs assessment survey digs deep to assess community needs and spot what’s missing from local life. Think of it as a friendly neighborhood audit—it goes beyond surface-level feedback to uncover what residents genuinely crave. By asking clear, pointed questions, this survey type uncovers gaps in existing services, highlights challenges, and clarifies priorities.

Collecting insights about unmet needs helps organizations make smarter decisions. Maybe the library needs more digital books, or perhaps there’s a bigger call for affordable daycare than anyone realized. The survey captures these signals, turning whispers into actionable plans.

An excellent needs assessment invites everyone to voice their dreams and difficulties. New-to-town parents, retirees, or long-term neighbors all get an equal seat at the planning table. Their diverse perspectives help create better, more inclusive services for all.

Why & When to Use

Organizations roll out a needs assessment when:

• Planning budgets and setting next year’s financial priorities.
• Prepping for big grant applications that demand real community input.
• Wanting to test ideas before launching new projects or services.

The data gathered is gold for grant writers and planners. Decision-makers can cite hard evidence instead of hunches. By spotting trends and surfacing pain points, needs assessments ensure local investments go where they count most.

These surveys also help pulse-check neighborhood changes over time. When repeated, they show which needs persist and which solutions are actually working. A well-timed assessment can help leaders avoid costly missteps and give residents a real voice in shaping their future.

5 Sample Questions

1. Which public services do you feel need the most improvement?

2. What barriers prevent you from accessing community programs?

3. Rank the importance of the following issues: housing, jobs, healthcare, education.

4. What new services would you like introduced in the next 12 months?

5. How urgent is the need for affordable childcare in our area?

Engaging community members throughout the assessment process leads to richer data, increased capacity of all partners, and stronger relationships with communities. (hria.org)

Public Safety & Security Survey

Overview

A public safety and security survey—also known as a neighborhood safety questionnaire—asks residents how secure they feel and what worries them most about crime and emergencies. These surveys shine a light on perceptions of safety, trust in local policing, and readiness for disasters. There’s no guesswork—just honest answers from those who live the reality day to day.

It’s easy for decision-makers to assume they know the security landscape, but an actual resident opinion poll may reveal a different story. Maybe streetlights need fixing, or perhaps people want more visible police patrols. This survey lets people voice these realities directly.

Community trust hinges on transparent conversations about safety. Whether you’re addressing property crimes, traffic safety, or how quickly first responders arrive, public safety surveys open the door for direct, open feedback.

Why & When to Use

Public safety and security surveys make sense when:

• Preparing to revise policing and community safety policies.
• Applying for safety-focused grants that require community input.
• Gauging the impact after interventions like neighborhood watch programs or new patrol zones.

You might also use this type of survey after a recent crime wave, natural disaster, or installation of new security features. Clear, honest data from residents can validate what’s working—or shine a light on urgent gaps.

The results build trust. When an HOA or local government listens and acts on security concerns, residents feel heard, safer, and more invested in their neighborhood’s well-being.

5 Sample Questions

1. How safe do you feel walking alone in your neighborhood after dark?

2. Have you contacted law enforcement in the past year? Rate the response.

3. Which crimes concern you the most?

4. Do you participate in a neighborhood watch program?

5. How prepared do you feel for natural disasters or emergencies?

Civic Engagement & Participation Survey

Overview

A civic engagement and participation survey tracks how plugged-in residents feel—and how likely they are to actually show up, vote, volunteer, or raise a voice at a town hall. This goes far beyond tracing numbers at the ballot box. As a resident engagement survey, it spotlights the heart and soul of any thriving community: active, passionate people.

These surveys are a goldmine for understanding what pulls community members off the sidelines. Is it better event promotion, or maybe easier voting? They also shed light on what stops busy neighbors from joining in, whether that’s lack of child care, time, or simple awareness.

Inviting input on civic life helps organizations tailor outreach strategies. Engagement data turns educated guesses into proven tactics, keeping enthusiasm alive year-round.

Why & When to Use

Pull out a civic engagement survey when:

• An election is on the horizon, and you want to boost turnout.
• Launching a new community volunteer drive or social campaign.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of recent efforts meant to galvanize resident action.

Engagement surveys can spark new ideas to increase participation. Maybe a shift to digital town halls will turn lurkers into attendees or a new communication channel will resonate better than flyers ever could. Results tell you what works, what doesn’t, and what stands in the way.

Consistently gathering and acting on this feedback makes for a stronger, more inclusive neighborhood where everyone’s voice has a chance to echo.

5 Sample Questions

1. Did you vote in the last local election? Why or why not?

2. How likely are you to attend a community meeting in the next 6 months?

3. Which communication channels keep you informed about community events?

4. Rate your interest in volunteering for local projects.

5. What prevents you from participating more in civic activities?

A 2024 AmeriCorps report indicates that 28.3% of Americans volunteered through formal organizations between September 2022 and September 2023, reflecting a post-pandemic rebound in civic participation. (axios.com)

Infrastructure & Public Services Survey

Overview

An infrastructure and public services survey measures satisfaction with everything that keeps a neighborhood humming—think roads, trash pickup, internet, transit, and utilities. An infrastructure satisfaction poll shows what’s working and pinpoints what drives residents around the bend (like that one never-fixed pothole).

These surveys help leaders see which public services boost daily happiness—and which ones fuel local grumbles. Whether it’s clean water supplies, steady internet, or reliable buses, the goal is to spot headaches before they escalate into major frustrations.

Respondents paint a clear picture of what’s running smoothly and what deserves top billing in next year’s budget. No more flying blind on big-ticket infrastructure investments.

Why & When to Use

Reach for an infrastructure survey when:

• Starting capital improvement plans or prioritizing new projects.
• Evaluating the success (or snag points) after major construction.
• Gathering input before budget hearings to catch pressing needs early.

Organizations can use this feedback to make smart spending decisions. For example:

• Identify which roads or transit lines are ripe for upgrades.
• Assess if waste schedules line up with today’s lifestyles.
• Find out whether poor home internet threatens digital equity.

This checklist can even soothe nerves before disruptions begin, letting residents know their comfort and convenience matter.

5 Sample Questions

1. How would you rate the condition of local roads and sidewalks?

2. Is public transportation meeting your daily mobility needs?

3. How reliable is your household internet service?

4. How satisfied are you with waste collection schedules?

5. Which infrastructure project should be the top priority next year?

Future Vision & Strategic Planning Survey

Overview

Dreamers, planners, and visionaries unite! A future vision and strategic planning survey—aka community visioning survey—taps into what residents want for the long-term growth and character of their community. This one lets people paint pictures for the next decade, from economic priorities to environmental sustainability and cultural wishes.

Such a survey goes well beyond “fix the road.” Instead, it’s about how residents see their ideal hometown: bustling arts scene, green energy, affordable housing, tech jobs, or something else entirely. Their aspirations become a guiding star for local leaders.

This survey invites everyone to become a co-architect of their neighborhood’s future. Responses become blueprints for strategic plans, zoning updates, and even masterplan renewals.

Why & When to Use

Break out the crystal ball (and this survey) when:

• Beginning comprehensive city planning or a full zoning overhaul.
• Kicking off a masterplan renewal or neighborhood revitalization.
• Seeking broad direction before launching specific development projects.

Early feedback ensures large-scale changes resonate with who lives there now—and who might someday call the community home. Leaders can avoid projects that fall flat or clash with local identity.

Asking about future priorities also signals genuine investment in residents’ dreams. Done well, a visioning survey helps crowdsource big ideas that inspire (and unite) neighbors.

5 Sample Questions

1. What is your ideal vision for our community in 10 years?

2. Which economic sectors should we invest in to create local jobs?

3. How important is environmental sustainability in future projects?

4. What types of housing would you like to see more of?

5. Which cultural or recreational amenities are missing today?

Best Practices, Dos & Don’ts for Community Surveys

Clear objectives lay the foundation for great surveys. Before you type the first question, know exactly what you want to learn. Crafting every question with a direct link to those goals keeps your survey lean and meaningful.

Representative sampling means everyone’s voice counts—not just the squeaky wheels. Make sure you gather a good mix of ages, backgrounds, and neighborhoods so your data tells the whole story.

Mobile-friendly surveys win the participation game. People are more likely to respond if they can click through on their phone at the park, bus stop, or couch.

• Keep language simple and avoid technical jargon that could confuse or exclude respondents.
• Check accessibility, using ALT text for images and making sure font sizes and colors work for everyone.
• Craft questions that are neutral—don’t nudge anyone toward a certain answer or emotional reaction.

Close the feedback loop in public. Share what themes emerged, what changes you’ll make, and what comes next. This builds trust and encourages more community feedback over time.

• Always benchmark your surveys to spot trends year over year.
• Never publish raw data without clear explanations.
• Always keep privacy top of mind, never sharing personally identifiable information without consent.

Find inspiration or guidance by browsing internal articles about survey incentives, exploring external census guidelines, or reading up on best practices for digital data collection and privacy management.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Choosing the perfect survey type means you’ll collect actionable insights that make communities happier, safer, and more united. Smart survey design maximizes resident feedback and trust, proving you’re not just asking—you’re ready to act. Adapt the ready-to-copy question sets, stick to survey best practices, and don’t forget to share results with your neighbors. Build your engagement momentum today—learn how to distribute your community survey for maximum response rate.