The City of Albany periodically distributes a community survey to gauge citizens' views on the city and the services they receive.
National Community Survey, powered by Polco
The City of Albany partners with Polco to conduct the nationally-benchmarked National Community Survey (NCS). A statistically valid invitation survey is sent to equal numbers of randomly selected Albany households in each of Albany's three Council wards. Multi-family units are selected at a 5:3 ratio to single-family units. Responses are weighted by demographics to better reflect sentiment in the Albany community. An online open participation survey is also available for a few weeks during the same period, allowing anyone to answer the same questions as the statistically-valid survey.
2025
The 2025 survey was conducted from September 16, 2025, through October 28, 2025, and included 1,000 invitations to participate mailed to households in each Council ward, along with one reminder postcard. The response rate for the statistically-valid survey was 13%. An open participation survey was also available and promoted through social media and the City Bridges email newsletter.
2023
The 2023 survey was conducted from November 28, 2023, through January 9, 2024, and included 1,000 invitations to participate mailed to households in each Council ward, along with one reminder postcard. The response rate for the statistically-valid survey was 14%. An open participation survey was also available and promoted through social media and the City Bridges email newsletter.
2020
The first NCS survey in Albany was conducted from November 19, 2020, through January 4, 2021, and included 1,500 invitations to participate mailed to households in each Council ward, along with one reminder postcard. The response rate for the statistically-valid survey was 11%. An open participation survey was also available and promoted through social media and the City Bridges email newsletter.
Community Survey Archive
Prior to 2020, the City used a variety of other survey methods and companies to conduct a community survey.
- 2018 Survey Results (pdf)
- 2014 Survey Results (pdf)
- 2008 Survey Results (pdf)
