In a recent city council meeting, Kirkland officials reviewed the findings of the biennial community survey, which aimed to gauge resident satisfaction and concerns regarding city services. The survey, conducted by DHM Research, utilized a dual approach: a statistically valid hybrid phone and online survey with 1,000 participants, and a community engagement survey that attracted 3,162 respondents.

Devin Bales, the director of research at DHM, presented the results, highlighting significant demographic differences between the two groups. The community engagement respondents tended to be older and had higher incomes, which is typical in survey research. Notably, satisfaction levels with city services were lower among this group compared to the statistically valid sample, with crime and public safety emerging as heightened concerns.

Both surveys identified growth and overdevelopment as the top issues facing Kirkland, with 33% of community engagement respondents citing it as their primary concern, compared to 20% in the statistically valid group. Overall, while many residents expressed satisfaction with living in Kirkland, those with lower incomes and long-term residents reported lower satisfaction levels.

The survey also revealed that communication methods varied significantly among demographics, with younger residents relying heavily on social media for information about city affairs. In contrast, older residents preferred traditional media sources.

Key takeaways from the survey indicated that while residents generally enjoy living in Kirkland, there are notable concerns regarding the cost of living and city management of public funds. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the needs of diverse community members, particularly those feeling unheard or dissatisfied with city services. The council plans to use these insights to inform future policy decisions and enhance community engagement efforts.