Residents Rate Lower Merion 'Excellent' On National Citizen Survey

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — From May to June, Lower Merion Township residents were able to share their thoughts on the place they live by way of the National Community Survey.

Now, the results of the survey are in, and respondents overall have a positive outlook on the township.

Developed by the National Research Center at Polco, the survey aimed to gauge the "livability" of Lower Merion Township.

According to the survey's findings, 760 residents responded.

That's about 1.2 percent of the township's population, but that 760 represents 16 percent of the 4,671 households invited to participate in the survey.

Respondents weighed in on topics such as mobility, the economy, engagement, safety, and the environment.

Overall, 51 percent of respondents categorized the quality of life in Lower Merion as excellent. No respondents rated it poor.

Categories that earned a majority of "excellent" responses were governance (51 percent excellent), economy (53 percent excellent), community design (52 percent excellent), utilities (51 percent excellent), safety (51 percent excellent), and education, arts, and culture (51 percent excellent).

Mobility fared the worst with respondents.

Thirty-nine percent described the township's mobility as "good," while 33 percent called it "fair," 14 percent "poor," and just 13 percent "excellent."

The biggest mobility issues for respondents were traffic flow, public transportation, and ease of cycling.

Engagement also received low scores from respondents.

Twenty percent of respondents said they attended a public meeting within the last year, and 22 percent said they have watched a public meeting in the last year.

Additionally, 29 percent said they volunteered their time to a group or activity.

Even lower was the percent of respondents who said they campaigned or advocated for a local issue, cause, or candidate, with just 19 percent saying they did in the last year.

Despite that, respondents rated civic/community pride as 79 percent excellent or good and gave high ratings to the number of opportunities residents have to become involved in the township's goings-on.

Areas that fared well, but not great, were parks and recreation, natural environment, and health and wellness, all of which were rated "good" at 47 percent.

The survey also showed residents have an overwhelmingly positive view on the Lower Merion Police Department, with 63 percent saying they are "very satisfied" with the work done by the men and women of the department.

Full survey results are available online here.