Dover residents give high marks for quality of life in National Citizen Survey

posted on 10/24/2023

Results from the 2023 National Community Survey show Dover residents continue to rate their community as an excellent place to live, giving high marks for quality of life, public safety, and city services.

The survey, conducted over the summer by the National Research Center for the City of Dover, polled residents on topics including the local economy, education, health care, infrastructure, and more. Out of nearly 120 categories, Dover ranked equal to or above benchmarks from other U.S. cities surveyed.

Overall, 89% of respondents rated Dover as an excellent or good place to live, and 87% said they would recommend living here. Residents identified the economy, safety, infrastructure, and environment as top priorities.

The survey found residents gave high ratings to public safety services like police, fire and EMS. Other highly-ranked services included public schools, parks, library services, drinking water and storm drainage. Lower ratings went to yard waste pickup, housing variety and availability, and cost of living.

"The National Community Survey provides valuable insights directly from Dover residents on where we're doing well and where we can improve," said City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. "This feedback guides our budgeting and helps ensure we're responsive to our citizens' needs."

This year was the ninth time Dover has conducted the National Community Survey, conducted every two years. The city commissioned the National Research Center to analyze this year's responses and compare them to other U.S. cities. Survey findings will help shape budget priorities and recommendations for sustaining and improving city services.

Survey results and an interactive presentation are available online at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/executive/city-manager/nationalcitizen-survey/.