Oklahoma City Residents See Positive Momentum in Latest Survey
Great news for our community! The latest annual Oklahoma City resident survey indicates that a significant majority of locals feel our city is heading in the right direction. This encouraging outlook, captured by the Kansas-based ETC Institute in their 2025 report, highlights increasing satisfaction with various city services and a high quality of life.
Strong Approval for OKC’s Trajectory and Livability
The 2025 survey, which gathered insights from 1,283 randomly selected households, found that 72% of respondents believe Oklahoma City is moving in the right direction. This positive sentiment marks a three-percentage-point increase from last year’s findings and places OKC notably higher than national and large community averages.
Beyond the city’s overall course, an impressive 80% of residents reported being satisfied with Oklahoma City as a place to live. The comprehensive evaluation of city services also yielded positive results, scoring 19 points above the average for large communities and nearly 12 points above the national average.
Chris Tatham, CEO of ETC Institute, emphasized the importance of these consistent results, stating, “In an area where a lot of communities are really struggling to provide high quality services, consistency is one of the marks of excellence.” This consistency suggests a stable and well-managed approach to urban development and public service.
Comparing OKC’s Appeal: A National Standout
Oklahoma City not only holds its own but excels when compared to national benchmarks across several key lifestyle categories:
| Category | OKC Performance vs. National Average |
|---|---|
| As a place to live | 30% above |
| As a place to work | 16% above |
| As a place to retire | 14% above |
| As a place to visit | 13% above |
| As a place to raise children | 5% above |
Areas for Targeted Improvement and Ongoing Challenges
While the overall picture is bright, the survey also constructively highlighted areas where the city can improve. Notably, satisfaction levels saw decreases in city code enforcement, wastewater services, and the long-standing concern over the condition of the city’s streets. Despite the ongoing challenge with streets, which consistently rate below the national average, Tatham noted that residents’ positive perception of leadership and other city services often mitigates this specific dissatisfaction.
Further opportunities for enhancement were identified in public transit, the flow of traffic, pedestrian safety, and the effectiveness of the local homelessness response system. The survey also revealed a growing concern among residents regarding what they perceive as insufficient traffic citations issued by police, suggesting a desire for more enforcement to enhance neighborhood safety.
Public Safety: Fair Interactions, Evolving Perceptions
The survey provided a nuanced view of public safety. An overwhelming 87% of OKC respondents who had interacted with police reported being treated fairly by an officer, a figure significantly higher (21 points) than the average for police services satisfaction in large U.S. cities. This speaks positively to community-police relations.
However, overall feelings of safety in the city, despite improving by four percentage points from last year, still sit at 52%, which is approximately 14 points below the national average. This indicates that while interactions may be positive, there’s still work to be done to enhance residents’ broader sense of security across the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary positive finding from the 2025 OKC resident survey?
A strong majority (72%) of Oklahoma City residents believe the city is moving in the right direction, a 3-point increase from the previous year and significantly higher than national benchmarks. - What aspects of city services saw the most notable improvement in satisfaction?
The helpfulness of city staff saw the biggest jump, with improved communication with the public and the quality of downtown also earning higher marks. - Which city services were identified as needing the most improvement?
Key areas for improvement include city code enforcement, wastewater services, and the ongoing challenge of street conditions. Public transit, traffic flow, and homelessness response also require attention. - How does Oklahoma City rank as a place to live compared to other U.S. cities?
OKC is rated 30% above the national average as a place to live, and also performs strongly as a place to work, retire, visit, and raise children. - What did the survey reveal about public safety and police interactions?
While 87% of residents felt fairly treated by police, overall feelings of safety, at 52%, remain below the national average despite a slight improvement from last year.
The 2025 resident survey paints a picture of an Oklahoma City moving forward with purpose, celebrated by its residents for consistent quality in many areas, while also providing clear pathways for targeted improvements. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping a better future for everyone in our dynamic city.
OKC Survey Reveals Growing Resident Satisfaction
