Lehi Wellbeing Survey Findings
May 2021
Summary
Lehi City is one of 30 cities currently participating in the Utah Wellbeing Survey Project and has been involved since 2020. This project is designed to assess the wellbeing and local perspectives of city residents and to provide information to city leaders to inform their general planning process. It is important to note that the 2021 survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was intentional as the last round of wellbeing surveys were conducted in 2020 prior to the pandemic. This allows us to assess changes at this unique period of time. Future surveys are anticipated to gauge recovery.
What is in this report?
This report describes findings from the 2021 Lehi City survey with information on changes since 2020 and some comparative information with other project cities. Feedback from city leaders and planners is welcome. We will continue with analysis and reporting.
How was the survey conducted?
In January and February 2021, Lehi City advertised the survey via an established survey panel and social media. All city residents age 18+ were encouraged to take the online Qualtrics survey.
How many people responded?
- 243 viable surveys were recorded in this 2021 survey effort with 80% complete responses.
- The 2020 survey had 295 responses and the 2019 iPad survey had 126 responses. The full Lehi Wellbeing Survey reports from 2020 and 2019 are available on the Utah Wellbeing Project website.
- The adult population of Lehi was estimated at 36,949 based on the 2015-2019 American Community Survey. The 243 survey responses in 2021 represent 0.7% of the adult population and have a conservative margin of error of 6.27%.
Key Findings in Lehi
Overall Personal Wellbeing and Community Wellbeing in Lehi were average among 29 study cities.
Highest Rated Wellbeing Domains:
- Safety and Security
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
- Living Standards
Most Important Wellbeing Domains:
- Living Standards
- Safety and Security
Red Zone Domain: (High Importance, Low Rating)
- Local Environmental Quality
COVID-19 had greatest impact on Social Connections, Cultural Opportunities, and Mental Health. Overall personal wellbeing declined in last year for 49% of respondents.
Wellbeing in Lehi declined in the last year for 55% of respondents.
Manufacturing and Extractive Industry and Residential Development were seen to have negative influences on wellbeing for the majority of respondents, though Natural Landscapes were highly positive.
The majority of respondents felt Population Growth and the Pace of Economic Development in Lehi was too fast.
Top concerns for the future of Lehi were:
- Roads and Transportation (81% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Air Quality (79% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Affordable Housing (75% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Water Supply (74% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Recreation Opportunities (66% Moderate or Major Concern)
- Public Safety (64% Moderate or Major Concern)
What do people value most about Lehi? Feelings of connection, small town feel, good location and amenities, access to nature, and feelings of safety.
Survey Respondent Characteristics
Full Time Residents of Lehi | 100% |
Part Time Residents of Lehi | 0% |
Length of Residency - Range | 0.5-78 years |
Length of Residency - Average | 12 years |
Length of Residency - Median | 8 years |
Length of Residence 5 Years or Less | 40.7% |
Demographic characteristics of the survey respondents are compared below with U.S. Census information from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey. As the table shows, 2021 survey respondents were not fully representative of Lehi. People who are female, homeowners, have at least a 4-year college degree, and are married were particularly overrepresented. People age 18- 29 were particularly underrepresented. Not all respondents provided demographic information. Weighting was not used in any of the analysis for the findings presented below. Updates will be provided later in 2021 to account for weighting by demographic characteristics.
Table 1
Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents and U.S. Census Data for Lehi
Demographic Characteristics | iPad Survey | Online Surveys | American Community Survey 2016-2020 Estimates |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 (N=126) | 2020 (N=295) | 2021 (N=243) | ||
Age 18-29 | 28.8% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 26.1% |
Age 30-39 | 37.6% | 33.5% | 34.4% | 27.4% |
Age 40-49 | 22.4% | 31.5% | 32.3% | 20.9% |
Age 50-59 | 4.8% | 11.3% | 10.8% | 12.4% |
Age 60-69 | 4.8% | 10.1% | 5.1% | 6.9% |
Age 70 or over | 1.6% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 6.3% |
Adult female | 70.4% | 65.5% | 70.8% | 50.0% |
Adult male | 29.6% | 34.5% | 28.7% | 50.0% |
No college degree | 34.4% | 41.9% | 33.3% | 54.7% |
College degree (4-year) | 65.6% | 58.1% | 66.7% | 45.3% |
Median household income | NA | NA | NA | $101,429 |
Income under $25,000 | 11.4% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 6.1% |
Income $25,000-$49,999 | 7.3% | 7.1% | 5.2% | 9.8% |
Income $50,000 to $74,999 | 17.1% | 15.1% | 17.8% | 16.0% |
Income $75,000 to $99,999 | 17.9% | 23.1% | 18.8% | 17.4% |
Income $100,000 to $149,999 | 33.3% | 30.7% | 34.6% | 28.7% |
Income $150,000 or over | 13.0% | 22.7% | 22.0% | 22.0% |
Latter-day Saint | 82.3% | 74.3% | 74.1% | NA |
Other religion | 8.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% | NA |
No religious preference | 9.7% | 15.5% | 14.5% | NA |
Hispanic/Latino | NA | NA | 4.6% | 8.6% |
White | 88.7% | 92.3% | 93.2% | 91.6% |
Nonwhite | 11.3% (incl Hispanic/Latino) | 7.7% (incl Hispanic/Latino) | 6.8% | 8.4% |
Married | NA | 89.5% | 89.7% | 66.9% |
Children under 18 in household | NA | 63.6% | 67.2% | 57.8% |
Employed (combined) | NA | 67.1% | 66.5% | 69.9% |
Out of work and looking for work | NA | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2.9% |
Other | NA | 31.7% | 33.0% | 27.2% |
Own home/owner occupied | NA | NA | 93.3% | 78.9% |
Rent home/renter occupied/other | NA | NA | 6.6% | 21.1% |
Overall Personal Wellbeing and Overall Wellbeing in Lehi
Survey participants were asked about their overall personal wellbeing and overall community wellbeing in Lehi. These wellbeing indicators both measured on a 5-point scale from very poor (1) to excellent (5). The average personal wellbeing score in Lehi was 3.98 with 75% of respondents indicating their wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. The average score for community wellbeing in Lehi was 3.60 with 60% of respondents indicating city wellbeing at a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale.
Comparing 2020 and 2021 survey data from Lehi, the average personal wellbeing score decreased from 4.09 to 3.98 and the community wellbeing score decreased slightly from 3.62 to 3.60. Note that the number of respondents differed between years and there is no tracking of individuals from one year to the next.
In 2019, a 1-10 scale was used for personal and community wellbeing.
Lehi’s 2019 scores:
Overall Personal Wellbeing 7.85
Community Wellbeing in Lehi 7.70
Converted to 1-5 scale, Lehi’s 2019 scores:
Overall Personal Wellbeing 4.14
Community Wellbeing in Lehi 4.06
We don't include these in the graph because there is uncertainty in the conversion of scales.
Perceived Changes to Wellbeing in the Last Year
The COVID-19 pandemic dominated much of 2020. Survey respondents were asked if their overall personal wellbeing or wellbeing had changed in the last year. Survey findings show that 49% of respondents indicated that their personal wellbeing declined in that time and 55% of respondents indicated that wellbeing in Lehi declined as well.
Comparing Wellbeing Across Utah Cities
The Utah League of Cities and Towns classifies Lehi as Rapid Growth City. Within this cluster of cities, Lehi is at the average in terms of average overall personal wellbeing score and average community wellbeing score. Lehi was not statistically significantly different in terms of overall personal wellbeing and was statistically significantly lower than Spanish Fork, North Logan, Vineyard, and Hyde Park on overall community wellbeing.
Wellbeing Domains in Lehi
According to national and international entities that track wellbeing, there are a number of common dimensions or domains of wellbeing. In this survey, respondents rated ten domains on a 5-point scale from poor to excellent, suggesting how their wellbeing was doing well in each area. They were also asked to indicate the importance of each domain to their overall personal wellbeing on a 5-point scale from not at all important to very important. The top four highest rated wellbeing domains for respondents in Lehi were Safety and Security, Mental Health, Physical Health, and Living Standards. The two most important wellbeing domains were Living Standards and Safety and Security.
Wellbeing Matrix for Lehi
The graph below illustrates the relationship between the average rating and the average importance of wellbeing domains for survey respondents from Lehi. Living Standards, Safety and Security, Physical Health, and Mental Health were highly important and rated above average among the domains. Local Environmental Quality fell in the “red zone” of high importance, but lower ratings.
How did the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact Wellbeing Domains?
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact was most strongly felt regarding Social Connections, Cultural Opportunities and Mental Health. Improvements were reported in Connection to Nature for 23% of respondents, Leisure Time for 18% of respondents, and Local Environmental Quality for 16% of respondents.
The following relationships were found in Lehi between demographic variables and declines due to COVID-19 pandemic:
-
Personal wellbeing was more likely to decline for with higher incomes.
-
Cultural opportunities were more likely to decline for Latter-day Saints.
-
Education was more likely to decline for those without a college degree.
-
Mental health was more likely to decline for male respondents.
The graphs below show how the domains were rated in 2020 and 2021 by Lehi residents. Note that the survey method was different in 2019 (with iPads in public places) and the number of respondents changed over time.
How are Demographic Characteristics Related to Wellbeing?
The demographic variables age, gender, college degree, religion, income, and length of residence were found to have varying relationships with wellbeing perspectives among Lehi respondents as shown in the table below based on a multivariate generalized linear model with unweighted data (significance based on p < 0.1). The +/- sign indicates whether the demographic group was statistically significantly higher or lower than others in that category. Colors indicate strongest relationships (p< .05).
Relationship Between Demographic Characteristics and Wellbeing Domains in Lehi
Domains Rated | Demographic Variables | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age 60+ | Female | College Degree | Latter-day Saint | Higher Income | Resident 5 Years or Less | |
Wellbeing Ratings | ||||||
Overall Personal Wellbeing | + | + vs A/A/NRP | ||||
Wellbeing in Lehi | + | + vs other | ||||
Connection to Nature | + vs A/A/NRP | |||||
Cultural Opportunities | + vs A/A/NRP | |||||
Education | + |
+ vs A/A/NRP | + |
|||
Leisure Time | + vs other | |||||
Living Standards | + | + vs other | + | |||
Local Environmental Quality | – | + | ||||
Mental Health | + | + |
||||
Physical Health | + Over $150,000 > under $75,000 |
|||||
Safety & Security | + Over $150,000 > $75,000-$99,999 |
|||||
Social Connections | + |
+ Over $150,000 > $75,000-$99,999 |
||||
Age 60+ | Female | College Degree | Latter-day Saint | Higher Income | Resident 5 Years or Less | |
Domains | Domain Importance | |||||
Connection to Nature | – vs 40-59 | – vs other |
||||
Cultural Opportunities | + | + | – vs other | + | ||
Education | – |
+ | + vs A/A/NRP | + Over $150,000 > $75,000-$99,999 |
||
Leisure Time | + |
|||||
Living Standards | + | |||||
Local Environmental Quality | + | + | + | |||
Mental Health | – |
+ | + |
|||
Physical Health | + | + | ||||
Safety and Security | – vs 40-59 | + | + vs A/A/NRP | |||
Social Connections | + | + | + |
Community Action & Connections in Lehi
Survey participants were asked about community actions and community connection in Lehi. Both questions were scored on a 5-point scale from not at all (1) to a great deal (5). When asked about the degree to which people take action together in response to local problems or opportunities in Lehi, the average score was 2.92. When asked about the degree they feel connected to their community, the average score was 2.75.
Respondents identifying as Latter-day Saints had higher levels of community connection and perception of local action than those from any other religion category. Gender and income were also factors, but with weak relationships. This is based on a multivariate generalized linear model with unweighted data (significance based on p < 0.1). Colors indicate strongest relationships (p< .05).
Demographic Characteristics and Community Questions
Community Questions | Age 60+ | Female | College Degree | Latter-day Saint | Higher Income | Resident 5 Years or Less |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Do people in Lehi take action? | + | |||||
Do you feel connected to your community? | + | + | + Over $150,000 > $75,000-$99,999 |
A significant, positive relationship was found between individuals’ community connection and overall personal wellbeing.
Comparing Community Action and Connection Across Cities
The graphs below show how Wellbeing Project cities compare on the degree to which people take action in response to local problems and opportunities and how connected people feel to their city as a community. Lehi is in the lower range on perceived community action and community connection based on the number of people indicating a 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale.
Participation in Community Activities
Respondents were asked to indicate whether or not they participated in seven different activities and a community activeness score was calculated by adding activities. The average community activeness score for Lehi was 2.41. Church group activities (67%) were the most common activities for respondents.
Influence of Landscape on Wellbeing
Survey participants were asked about the influence of landscape features on their wellbeing. Natural landscape including mountains, trails, rivers and streams, and city parks were found to have an overwhelmingly positive influence on wellbeing. In terms of development and industry in the landscape, respondents were more divided. There was a particularly strong negative perception of industry among Lehi respondents.
Perspectives on Population Growth and Economic Development
The majority of Lehi survey respondents indicated they felt population growth was too fast (84%), followed by 12% indicating it was just right. The majority also felt that the pace of economic development was too fast (61%), followed by 29% indicating just right.
The graphs below show how Lehi compares to other participating cities in the Wellbeing Project on these perceptions of population growth and economic development.
Concerns in Lehi
Survey respondents indicated the degree to which a number of possible local issues were a concern as they look to the future of Lehi. Roads and Transportation, Air Quality, Affordable Housing, and Water Supply were top concerns with 74-81% of respondents indicating these were moderate or major concerns.
Other concerns were raised by 46 respondents who filled in the “other” category.
Other Concerns Mentioned |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Adequate parks and playgrounds, upkeep of parks, ball parks (6) |
Traffic (5) | ||
Cost of living, cost of housing (2) |
Crime (2) | ||
Education, overcrowded schools (2) |
Growth (2) | ||
Internet (2) |
Mink farms (2) |
||
Road to get out of neighborhood at 2100 N (2) |
ADU’s lower quality of life in neighborhoods |
||
The arts |
Available wild lands to explore |
||
Cheap, poorly built housing |
Code enforcement |
||
Damn liberals |
Dangerous intersection |
||
Emergency services |
Gas prices too high in Lehi |
||
Influence of the LDS church |
Issues, noise issues, increased traffic in neighborhoods |
||
Legacy center and library insufficient for population growth |
Leaving farms/green space |
||
Loss of culture |
More nature parks | ||
Quality of life for persons with disabilities |
Overcrowding | ||
Parking at recreational places |
Senior care | ||
Taxes |
Trash collection |
||
Wildfire danger |
Summary of Open Comments
The survey provided opportunities for respondents to share their ideas about Lehi with one question on what they value most about their city and another for any additional comments on wellbeing. A summary of values is below. Analysis is ongoing regarding all additional comments and a summary will be added to the report later in 2021.
Key themes in response to “Please tell us what you value most about living in Lehi”
Contact Information
Dr. Courtney Flint
courtney.flint@usu.edu
435-797-8635
On This Page
The Utah League of Cities and Towns is a collaborator on this project and the following people have contributed to this effort in many ways: Casey Trout, Rachel Sagers, Madison Fjeldsted, Jordan Hammon, and Sarah Wilson.
Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution and is committed to a learning and working environment free from discrimination, including harassment. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see equity.usu.edu/non-discrimination.