Dayton, Ohio – The 2024 Dayton Survey has revealed a detailed picture of how residents perceive life in the city, highlighting areas where city services are thriving and where improvements are still needed. Conducted by the ETC Institute, a nationally recognized public opinion firm, the annual survey reached over 13,000 households across Dayton and received 1,312 completed responses. The survey helps city leaders understand public sentiment around city operations and neighborhood well-being and guides future plans for city services.
Community Satisfaction Reaches New Heights
In one of the most encouraging results of the 2024 survey, 60% of respondents reported being “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with Dayton as a place to live, marking a strong endorsement of city life. Fewer than 15% of residents expressed dissatisfaction, representing the lowest negative rating since the survey began tracking this metric seven years ago.
Neighborhood satisfaction also remains high, with nearly 57% of residents expressing satisfaction with their local areas. Downtown and East Dayton continue to enjoy the highest neighborhood satisfaction scores.
Essential public safety services earned praise as well. Dayton’s fire and emergency medical services drew high marks, with 73% of respondents showing strong satisfaction. Additionally, nearly 65% expressed satisfaction with response times, especially in the city’s western neighborhoods and among residents over 50.
The city’s water and wastewater services also saw a rise in approval, with over 73% of residents expressing satisfaction. This is a significant improvement from the 2018 low of 58%, with downtown and eastern neighborhoods expressing the highest levels of satisfaction.
Recycling and Road Conditions Show Signs of Progress
Waste collection and recycling services continued their upward trend in public opinion. Waste collection services were met with 78% satisfaction, while recycling services saw 68%. Complaints about waste collection have dropped significantly, with dissatisfaction falling to under 6%—a record low since 2017.
Improvements in public infrastructure were also noted. Resident satisfaction with street, sidewalk, and pavement conditions rose by five percentage points in 2024. While still an area of concern, dissatisfaction with infrastructure has decreased from 57% in 2017 to 52% in 2024.
In a promising sign for urban revitalization, more residents noticed positive changes in neighborhood appearance. In 2018, fewer than 20% of respondents felt their neighborhoods were improving in appearance. That number has climbed to nearly 31% in 2024.
Mixed Views and Areas for Further Focus
Despite gains in several areas, residents still reported areas of concern. When asked about affordable housing, just 32% expressed satisfaction, while 32% also reported dissatisfaction. The remaining third were unsure or had no opinion. This balanced response suggests housing affordability remains a pressing but complex issue.
Code enforcement continues to be an area in need of attention. Only 24% of respondents reported satisfaction with the city’s enforcement of codes and ordinances. Dissatisfaction has grown significantly, rising from 33% in 2022 to 42% in 2024.
Another mixed response came in the area of policing. While almost 46% agreed that Dayton Police are responsive to neighborhood needs, this perception varied widely. Residents in northern neighborhoods, lower-income households, and those under 65 were less likely to view the police positively.
Crime and safety, blighted housing, drug use, and gun violence were identified as the top concerns across all neighborhoods. These issues remain the most important for residents and highlight critical areas for ongoing attention.
Moving Forward with Community Insight
The annual Dayton Survey continues to serve as a key instrument in assessing the effectiveness of city services and community perceptions. The data, collected between September and November 2024, provides a robust foundation for city planning and community engagement moving forward. Full results are accessible through the City of Dayton’s survey dashboard at daytonohio.gov/daytonsurvey.
