Since 1996, the Controller's Office has implemented the City Survey, a biennial study of residents' perceptions of the quality of select City services and other community issues. The Controller's Office has conducted the study in part to fulfill its obligation under the City Charter to monitor the level and effectiveness of City services.
A survey of a random, representative sample of San Francisco residents, the City Survey covers services that are experienced by most residents, including streets and sidewalks, parks, libraries, public transportation, and public safety. It also covers community issues such as those related to children and youth and technology.
The City Survey provides high-level indication of residents' satisfaction with City government's overall performance as well as satisfaction with specific services. It excludes some major City services, such as social and health services, which the City can better assess through targeted surveys and measurement of more specific client populations. The data collected through the survey is a very valuable tool for City departments to use in planning and evaluating their services.
City Survey Final Reports
The City Survey 2011 Final Report, including findings and survey materials, can be found at:
http://co.sfgov.org/webreports/details.aspx?id=1343.
Past City Survey final reports can be found on the Controller's Office's City Services Auditor Reports web page:
http://co.sfgov.org/webreports
1996-2011 City Survey Database
The cross-year data file of City Survey responses from 1996-2011 can be found at
http://www.sfcontroller.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=2990 and on
data.sfgov.org. This file includes both the cross-year dataset and the cross-year data dictionary.
For more information regarding the City Survey, contact the City Services Auditor Division at
CSA.ProjectManager@sfgov.org or 415-554-7463.
