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Home My WebLink AboutThe NCS Presentation Bozeman, MT 2026 For BozemanBozeman, MT The National Community Survey 2026 Results Civic Communication & Analytics Platform Polco unites people, data, and government to help communities thrive through informed decisions. Advanced Survey Science and Performance Analytics Polco’s internal think tank, backed by 30 years of benchmark survey expertise, delivering trusted insights. polco.us Trusted Budget Tools Provides budget insights through interactive simulations and transparent insights. Facets of Community Livability The National Community Survey in Bozeman Community-wide open participation survey received 112 total responses. Address-based Random sample survey Survey open March 24th, 2026 to May 5, 2026 Invitations mailed to 3,000 households 382 responses received 5% Margin of error Results weighted to reflect Bozeman Polco’s Benchmarking Database About 400comparison communities across the nation. Representing the opinions of more than 50 million residents. Overview of Survey Results Facets of Community Livability: Quality 81% 83% 89% 38% 57% 68% 74% 85% 39% 39% Mobility Community Design Economy Community Connection Utilities Education, Arts, and Culture Health and Wellness Natural Environment Safety Parks and Recreation Percent excellent or good National Benchmark Higher Similar Lower 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Higher than Facets of Community Livability: Importance 64% 67% 67% 68% 80% 80% 83% 83% 86% 67% Community Connection Safety Health and Wellness Education, Arts, and Culture Mobility Parks and Recreation Utilities Community Design Economy Natural Environment Percent essential or very important National Benchmark Similar Lower 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Balancing Quality and Importance Comparisons to National Benchmarks 15 received higher ratings 85 received similar ratings 29 received lower ratings Comparisons to Custom Benchmarks 23 received higher ratings 82 received similar ratings 21 received lower ratings Comparisons to Previous Survey (2024) 53 received higher ratings 67 received similar ratings 1 received lower ratings Key Findings Residents enjoy a strong quality of life in Bozeman. Overall Community Quality 8 in 10 Bozeman as a place to live. Residents gave excellent or good ratings to: 8 in 10 The overall quality of life 6 in 10 The overall image or reputation. 7 in 10 plan to remain in Bozeman for the next five years 62% would recommend living in Bozeman to someone who asked Custom Benchmark Lower than National Benchmark Similar Residents feel safe. Safety in Bozeman 79% 82% 86% 94% 95% From fire, flood, or natural disaster From property crime From violent crime In the downtown/commercial area during the day In your neighborhood during the day Percent very or somewhat safe Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Higher than National Benchmark Similar Safety Services in Bozeman Percent excellent or good 90%86% 75%74%73% Fire services Ambulance/ EMS Fire prevention/ education Animal control Police/Sheriff services Please rate the quality of the following services in Bozeman. 2026 vs 2024: Increasing National Benchmark Similar Residents give the economy mixed ratings. The Economy in Bozeman 90% 33% 47% 57% 65% 76% 76% Employment opportunities Bozeman as a place to work Variety of business and service establishments Shopping opportunities Overall quality of business and service establishments Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area Bozeman as a place to visit Percent excellent or good Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Higher than National Benchmark Higher Similar Affordability in Bozeman 5% 6% 16% 41% 42% 46% Cost of living Availability of affordable quality housing Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool Availability of affordable quality mental health care Availability of affordable quality food Availability of affordable quality health care Percent excellent or good Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Lower than National Benchmark Similar Lower Residents give positive reviews to Bozeman’s natural environment, parks, and recreation system. Parks and Natural Environment in Bozeman 83% 86% 89% 91% 91% 78% 87% Cleanliness Overall quality of natural environment Availability of paths and walking trails Air quality Overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities Fitness opportunities Recreational opportunities Percent excellent or good Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing/Decreasing Custom Benchmark Higher/Lower than National Benchmark Higher Similar Community design results may show opportunities. Community Design in Bozeman 63% 67% 15% 18% 20% 22% 48% Well-planned residential growth Overall quality of new development Variety of housing options Well-planned commercial growth Preservation of the historical or cultural character of the community Overall appearance Public places where people want to spend time Percent excellent or good 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Lower than National Benchmark Similar Lower Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: Mobility measures point to some day-to-day travel challenges. Mobility in Bozeman 25% 30% 34% 40% 59% 61% Ease of travel by public transportation Traffic flow on major streets Ease of public parking Ease of travel by bicycle Ease of walking Ease of travel by car Percent excellent or good Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Lower than National Benchmark Similar Lower Mobility Services in Bozeman Percent excellent or good 69%66% 56%56%51% Street cleaning Street lighting Snow removal Sidewalk maintenance Bus or transit services Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing National Benchmark Similar Lower Bozeman’s arts, culture, and educational opportunities earn high marks. Education, Arts, and Culture in Bozeman 69% 76% 77% 95% 68% 73% K-12 education Adult educational opportunities Opportunities to attend special events and festivals Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities Community support for the arts Public library services Percent excellent or good Please rate each of the following in the Bozeman community: 2026 vs 2024: Increasing Custom Benchmark Higher than National Benchmark Higher Similar Additional Special Topics 43% 29%29% Yes No Not sure New Fire Station Would you support a bond and levy to build and staff a new fire station on the west side of town to improve emergency response times? 26%28% 12%6%1%1% 26% $ 0 $50 per year $100 per year $200 per year $300 per year $400 per year ormore Not sure New Fire Station Funds What is the maximum you would be willing to pay to build and staff a new fire station? Summary of Findings 1.Residents enjoy a strong quality of life in Bozeman. 2.Residents feel safe. 3.Residents give the economy mixed ratings. 4.Residents give positive reviews to Bozeman’s natural environment, parks, and recreation system. 5.Community design results may show opportunities. 6.Mobility measures may point to day-to-day travel improvement. 7.Bozeman’s arts, culture, and educational opportunities earn high marks. Next Steps: Continue to Engage Residents and Track Outcomes City of Bozeman currently has 614 subscribers on Polco Thank you! Sonya Wytinck Executive Vice President of Data and Insights Polco/National Research Center sonya@polco.us