Survey Of 850 Murrieta Residents Finds Good Life In Gem Of The Valley

MURRIETA, CA — If a recent survey of 850 Murrieta respondents is any indication, life is quite nice in the city dubbed "Gem of the Valley."

According to survey results released Wednesday by the city, 88% of respondents said the overall quality of life in Murrieta is excellent or good, though vehicle traffic weighs on residents' minds. Only 40% of respondents indicated that traffic in the city was good, and only 28% rated traffic on major streets as good.

The Community Opinion Survey was recently conducted by True North Research on behalf of the city. Respondents were randomly contacted from a "comprehensive list" of Murrieta households, according to the city.

Residents were asked to participate through a variety of methods including online, emails and text messages, and as a follow-up, phone calls. In total, 850 respondents completed the survey.

The following survey results were culled and shared by the city:

• Fire protection, prevention, and emergency medical services scored 95%
• Library services scored 95%
• Graffiti removal scored 92%
• Keeping public buildings and facilities clean scored 91%
• Law enforcement and crime prevention scored 90% (a combination of very satisfied and somewhat satisfied)
• 88% said the overall quality of life in Murrieta was excellent or good
• 82% of respondents said they trust the city
• 81% said the city manages its finances well
• 76% said the city operates transparently
• 72% said the city is responsive to its residents
• 96% of respondents rated maintaining streets as a high or medium priority
• 83% of respondents rated addressing homelessness as a high or medium priority
• 74% of respondents rated providing community events and activities as a high or medium priority
• 73% of respondents rated improving the maintenance and appearance of landscaping in public areas and along roadways as a high or medium priority
• 54% of respondents thought the city’s efforts to manage growth and development were good
• 40% of respondents indicated that traffic in the city was good
• 28% rated traffic on major streets as good

In a post-COVID environment where rating satisfaction levels can be risky in a city, the results are gratifying, Murrieta City Manager Kim Summers said.

She added, “These numbers are a direct result of our efforts to provide excellent service to the community so it’s something we are very proud of."