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National Community Survey

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The National Community Survey (NCS) is a comprehensive tool that helps local governments gather feedback from residents on various aspects of community life. Designed to provide a clear picture of how residents perceive the quality of services, safety, and overall livability, the NCS serves as a benchmark for local performance compared to other communities nationwide. 

Beginning in 2025, the City of Janesville partnered with the firm Polco to administer the NCS, aiming to better understand residents’ priorities and experiences with city services. The City plans to conduct ongoing surveys every two years to track trends, gauge resident perceptions, and solicit feedback.

2025 NCS Report 

The 2025 report provides the opinions of a representative sample of 429 residents of the City of Janesville collected from March 31, 2025, to May 12, 2025. Survey results were weighted so that the demographic profile of respondents was representative of the demographic profile of adults in Janesville. 

Key findings included that residents generally perceive Janesville as a safe community with quality parks, recreational opportunities, and transportation infrastructure, including findings that:
  • 93% feel safe in their neighborhood during the day
  • 81% rate Janesville’s parks and recreation opportunities positively
  • Public transit and biking infrastructure rated above national averages

Additionally, survey results indicated Janesville has areas of opportunity as it relates to enhancing inclusivity, community image, and the availability of affordable housing. 

View the Report of Results:

Eggstravaganza (29)
About the NCS

The NCS is provided by the National Research Center (NRC) at Polco in partnership with the International City/County Management Association. NRC benchmarks against more than 500 jurisdictions nationwide. The survey focuses on community livability, examining ten key facets of a community. These facets organize the NCS' standardized questions, including those about quality of life, local policies, government services, and more.