2012 Resident and Business Surveys

The 2012 Resident and Business Surveys are now available to download (see above). This is the first comprehensive survey of Littleton businesses and residents since 1993. The City of Littleton contracted with the National Research Center (NRC), a Boulder, Colorado company that has conducted more than 1,000 surveys of residents for jurisdictions ranging in population from 1,500 residents to more than eight million.

The Resident Survey was mailed to 3,000 households. There were 921 surveys returned, a response rate of 32 percent. The results were weighted to match the demographic profile of the entire city. The survey has a margin of error of +/- three percentage points. Where possible, results were compared to national and Front Range benchmarks.

A few of the highlights of the 108-page survey are:

  • 97 percent say the city is a safe community.
  • The five most pressing issues facing the city are job growth, traffic in general, business retention, business attraction and street maintenance.
  • The most important city services were Littleton Fire Rescue (96 percent,), Littleton Police Department (95 percent), and cleanliness of the city (93 percent).
  • 70 percent viewed the Littleton Report as their number one source of information about the city.
  • Regarding city council's goals, Pursuing a Balanced and Sustainable Local Economy (48 percent) was the goal where respondents believe the city should devote more effort. Assuring a Financially Sound City Government was second (43 percent).
  • Potential projects in Littleton that residents thought were essential or very important were Taking an Active Role in Redevelopment of Aging Shopping Centers (75 percent), and Taking an Active Role in Redevelopment of Older Neighborhoods (66 percent).
  • Snow plowing (50 percent excellent or good) and availability of parking in Downtown Littleton (37 percent) were much below the national and Front Range averages.

"The Resident Survey provides council and staff with quantifiable data about what people think," said City Manager Michael Penny. "The results will be very useful as we look at performance measurement, council goal setting and strategic planning. We'll be analyzing the results of the Business Survey in much the same way," he said.