Washingtoner - Tacoma Residents Report Improved Satisfaction in 68 of 80 City Service Areas in 2026 Community Survey

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~ According to the recently released 2026 Community Survey, residents of Tacoma are reporting increased satisfaction with the services provided by the City. The survey, conducted by independent market research firm ETC Institute in March and April, gathered input from 902 residents to provide an accurate and unbiased view of how the community views City services.

The data from the survey has a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of ±3.26%, making it a valuable tool for the City Manager and City Council to guide strategic planning and service delivery improvements. The results show a strong upward trend, with 85% of tracked metrics showing improvement over the last two years.

Out of 80 total satisfaction questions asked, 68 areas saw improvement compared to two years ago, while only six declined and six remained unchanged. This includes double-digit increases in customer service and civic engagement. Satisfaction with overall responsiveness of City employees and ease of contacting City departments rose by 11%, while satisfaction with resolution of customer concerns increased by 8%.

Residents also noted gains in community enrichment and environmental stewardship. Satisfaction with public library services saw a jump of 9%, while access to arts, culture, science, and heritage programs increased by 8%. The water quality of Puget Sound affecting native plants and animals saw the largest increase in satisfaction at 12%.

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The Tacoma Fire Department continues to receive high marks from residents, with an overall satisfaction rating of 83%. This includes top-tier ratings for fire services, fire response and suppression, and speed of fire personnel response. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel response times also received high marks at 81%.

While celebrating these broad service improvements, the City is also using the data to identify areas where resources should be directed next. Residents have identified cost of living (18% satisfaction), local code enforcement (16%), and condition of major streets (20% satisfaction representing a decline of 4%) as urgent priorities. The City plans to address these concerns in upcoming budget cycles.

Although certain law enforcement metrics, such as police investigations (18%), indicate a need for continued focus, residents have already noticed improvements. Satisfaction with police patrol presence increased by 8%, and satisfaction with the speed of police response to emergencies improved by 7% from two years ago.

The City made sure to gather input from all neighborhoods by exceeding collection targets and securing at least 150 completed surveys from each of Tacoma's five Council districts. This ensures that future investments align equitably with community expectations. Residents can read the full 2026 Community Survey report and explore the data on the City's website at tacoma.gov/communitysurvey.

Filed Under: Government, City

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