Lake Zurich receives high marks from residents in community survey

The village of Lake Zurich was given its highest marks yet in several categories by residents participating in the biannual community survey, with 96% of respondents rating their town as a good or excellent place to live.

The village conducted three surveys previously with the National Research Center at Polco in Boulder, Colorado, and has done well in the past, but the most recent numbers were slightly higher. Village officials presented the results of the 2021 survey on Monday.

In 2015, 94% of surveyed Lake Zurich residents rated the village as an excellent or good place to live; in 2017, the result was 95%; and in 2019 the result was 93%. This year, the number was 96%.

The survey measures public opinion in 10 key areas of community livability including the economy, utilities, safety and education.

The village sent out surveys to 3,000 random addresses and received 777 completed surveys. That response rate was higher than the national average and meant the results had a statistically valid 95% "confidence interval," according to a news release issued by Kyle Kordell, the assistant to the Village Manager.

"In other words, the NCS uses population parameters that result in conclusions that are correct at least 95% of the time," Kordell said.

He called it "a far more accurate assessment of resident satisfaction compared to Facebook feedback, individual conversations, or the tiny minority of residents who show up at municipal public meetings."

Another area where Lake Zurich residents outperformed the national average is in watching local public meetings, something 36% of respondents said they've done in the last year. The village livestreams most public board meetings on its Facebook page and archives the videos on the village website.

The village government also beat the federal government in terms of support with 62% of residents responding positively to the overall direction of the village and 59% of residents expressing confidence in the Lake Zurich government. To contrast, researchers said the number of Americans confident in the federal government is usually around 40%.

Mayor Tom Poynton said he was buoyed by residents' responses.

"I encourage any resident with a positive attitude and good idea to please step forward, reach out to me, a board member or staff," Poynton said.

Looking forward, Lake Zurich residents reported that their highest priorities over the next two years were public safety and natural environment.