Durham locals are sharing a clear message of contentment and growing satisfaction with their city, according to recent survey results. The City of Durham’s 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey, which involved a randomized sample of 706 households, reflected an upward trend in nearly all aspects of urban living when compared to the previous year’s data. Residents rated the Bull City highly as a place to live and work, with nearly 84% of participants giving Durham an excellent or good rating, a notable increase from 79% in 2024, as reported on the City of Durham’s website.
In the key findings, satisfaction with city services soared to 63%, placing Durham 20% above the national average. City employee customer service also saw an uptick to nearly 68% satisfaction, climbing 30% above the national benchmark. While Durham residents expressed pride in their city, concerns were voiced indicating top priorities for future improvements, which include street maintenance at 51% and police protection at 43%, as shown by areas assessed with a need for enhancement.
The survey, conducted by ETC Institute in December 2025 and presented at the City Council’s annual budget retreat, also exposed gains in areas like the quality of public transit, environmental protections, and relations between the community and the police force, among others. Specific leaps in satisfaction included a jump of +11.3% for quality of city services and an improvement of +10.5% as a place to educate children. These positive changes embody the residents’ acknowledgment of the city’s effort in addressing their needs and enhancing the overall quality of life…