Data Story

City Survey: Neighborhoods

The San Francisco City Survey data measures resident ratings of City services by neighborhood.

Controller's Office

Average of all service area ratings by neighborhood

The City Survey asks residents to rate government services overall, libraries, parks, safety, Muni, utilities, and streets. The following map shows the average of all these ratings summarized by neighborhood.

Data notes and sources

The City Survey objectively assesses San Francisco residents’ use of and satisfaction with various city services. It was conducted annually from 1996 through 2005, and biennially from 2005 through 2019. The 2021 survey was skipped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveying was resumed in 2023, and 2026 was the most recent survey.   

Ratings are scored on a scale of A-Excellent to F-Failing. Most outcomes in the City Survey are developed by averaging responses to create a mean score using a five-point grading scale (A equals five points and F equals one point). 

Many services historically had questions asking residents to rate subcomponents of services (such as cleanliness). When only the subcomponent questions were asked, the overall rating was calculated as an average of the subcomponents. Once a question was added that directly asked residents to provide an overall rating, that question is used as the overall rating.  

  • Library ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Muni ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Street and sidewalk average rating in 2023 is an average of street and sidewalk cleanliness, street condition, and sidewalk and curb ramp condition. For 2011-2017, the average includes ratings for street lighting. In prior years, the Streets and sidewalks rating was combined with the Utilities rating for an overall infrastructure rating, but Streets and Sidewalks ratings are now separate from Utilities ratings and the data reported has been separated. 
  • Parks ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2009. 2011 on uses the overall rating. 
  • Utilities ratings are an average of the water rating and sewer rating. CleanPowerSF and Hetch Hetchy power are included in the overall rating for 2023.  
  • The Safety rating is an average of each resident’s grade of their feeling of safety in their neighborhood during the day and at night. 

In 2015, the survey methodology changed from mail to phone. In 2023 the survey methodology changed to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. In 2026, methodology changed again, excluding intercept methods to avoid satisficing bias of in-person surveying. Therefore, differences in results between survey years with changing methodologies should be interpreted with caution.   

Survey results are weighted in order to make the sample more accurately match the distribution of San Francisco residents across demographic categories as reflected in the census. The averages displayed in reporting are the weighted averages. 

Neighborhoods

City Survey analysis has reported on neighborhood data since 2023 and uses DataSF Analysis Neighborhoods. In 2026, the City Survey asked respondents to directly identify their neighborhood. This is a change from 2023 when City Survey asked individuals to identify the cross streets closest to their primary residence to determine neighborhoods.

We filtered neighborhoods with fewer than 15 responses from results because results aren't reliable with that few responses, to maintain accuracy. Filtered neighborhoods include:

  • Golden Gate Park
  • Lincoln Park
  • McLaren Park
  • Presidio Heights
  • Lone Mountain/USF
  • Outer Mission
  • Lakeshore
  • Treasure Island

Most of the remaining results displayed in the dashboard have a low margin of error. However, there are still some displayed neighborhoods with medium margin of error (i.e., fewer than 30 responses) so those results should be interpreted with caution.

View and download City Survey data 

View the 2026 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.  

View the 2026 City Survey detailed methodology.  

Visit the City Survey home page for more information.  


What does the 2026 data show?

Residents of most San Francisco neighborhoods rated overall government services with an average of B- in 2026. This is an increase from 2023 when the most common neighborhood grade was C+. The government rating stayed the same or increased for all neighborhoods.

The neighborhoods that reported the largest ratings increase of 70 or more percentage points were Castro/Upper Market, Financial District/South Beach, Richmond, Sunset, Marina, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Twin Peaks, and Western Addition.

Why do we track City Survey data by neighborhood?

There are many characteristics that may make residents of one neighborhood view City services as higher or lower quality compared to others. This helps us better understand where more investment may need to be made and where residents are satisfied with City services. 

For example, different neighborhoods have different streets, sidewalks, parks, and Muni lines. People who live, work, or play in different neighborhoods could have different experiences. 

Parks ratings by neighborhood

The City Survey has asked residents to rate parks since 1996.

Data notes and sources

The City Survey objectively assesses San Francisco residents’ use of and satisfaction with various city services. It was conducted annually from 1996 through 2005, and biennially from 2005 through 2019. The 2021 survey was skipped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveying was resumed in 2023, and 2026 was the most recent survey.   

Ratings are scored on a scale of A-Excellent to F-Failing. Most outcomes in the City Survey are developed by averaging responses to create a mean score using a five-point grading scale (A equals five points and F equals one point). 

Many services historically had questions asking residents to rate subcomponents of services (such as cleanliness). When only the subcomponent questions were asked, the overall rating was calculated as an average of the subcomponents. Once a question was added that directly asked residents to provide an overall rating, that question is used as the overall rating.  

  • Library ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Muni ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Street and sidewalk average rating in 2023 is an average of street and sidewalk cleanliness, street condition, and sidewalk and curb ramp condition. For 2011-2017, the average includes ratings for street lighting. In prior years, the Streets and sidewalks rating was combined with the Utilities rating for an overall infrastructure rating, but Streets and Sidewalks ratings are now separate from Utilities ratings and the data reported has been separated. 
  • Parks ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2009. 2011 on uses the overall rating. 
  • Utilities ratings are an average of the water rating and sewer rating. CleanPowerSF and Hetch Hetchy power are included in the overall rating for 2023.  
  • The Safety rating is an average of each resident’s grade of their feeling of safety in their neighborhood during the day and at night. 

In 2015, the survey methodology changed from mail to phone. In 2023 the survey methodology changed to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. In 2026, methodology changed again, excluding intercept methods to avoid satisficing bias of in-person surveying. Therefore, differences in results between survey years with changing methodologies should be interpreted with caution.   

Survey results are weighted in order to make the sample more accurately match the distribution of San Francisco residents across demographic categories as reflected in the census. The averages displayed in reporting are the weighted averages. 

Neighborhoods

City Survey analysis has reported on neighborhood data since 2023 and uses DataSF Analysis Neighborhoods. In 2026, the City Survey asked respondents to directly identify their neighborhood. This is a change from 2023 when City Survey asked individuals to identify the cross streets closest to their primary residence to determine neighborhoods.

We filtered neighborhoods with fewer than 15 responses from results because results aren't reliable with that few responses, to maintain accuracy. Filtered neighborhoods include:

  • Golden Gate Park
  • Lincoln Park
  • McLaren Park
  • Presidio Heights
  • Lone Mountain/USF
  • Outer Mission
  • Lakeshore
  • Treasure Island

Most of the remaining results displayed in the dashboard have a low margin of error. However, there are still some displayed neighborhoods with medium margin of error (i.e., fewer than 30 responses) so those results should be interpreted with caution.

View and download City Survey data 

View the 2026 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.  

View the 2026 City Survey detailed methodology.  

Visit the City Survey home page for more information.  


What does the 2026 data show?

All neighborhoods rated parks within the B to A- range, with B and B+ as the most common grades.

Neighborhoods with higher park ratings (B+) were spread across much of San Francisco rather than concentrated in a single area. They included neighborhoods in the west (Inner and Outer Richmond, Inner Sunset), north (Marina, Pacific Heights, Russian Hill), central (Haight-Ashbury, Western Addition), and central-south (Castro/Upper Market, Noe Valley, Glen Park, and Potrero Hill).

No single neighborhood gave parks lower than a B rating.

Muni ratings by neighborhood

The City Survey has asked residents to rate Muni since 2011. Muni is a critical service to moving people around San Francisco. 

Data notes and sources

The City Survey objectively assesses San Francisco residents’ use of and satisfaction with various city services. It was conducted annually from 1996 through 2005, and biennially from 2005 through 2019. The 2021 survey was skipped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveying was resumed in 2023, and 2026 was the most recent survey.   

Ratings are scored on a scale of A-Excellent to F-Failing. Most outcomes in the City Survey are developed by averaging responses to create a mean score using a five-point grading scale (A equals five points and F equals one point). 

Many services historically had questions asking residents to rate subcomponents of services (such as cleanliness). When only the subcomponent questions were asked, the overall rating was calculated as an average of the subcomponents. Once a question was added that directly asked residents to provide an overall rating, that question is used as the overall rating.  

  • Library ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Muni ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Street and sidewalk average rating in 2023 is an average of street and sidewalk cleanliness, street condition, and sidewalk and curb ramp condition. For 2011-2017, the average includes ratings for street lighting. In prior years, the Streets and sidewalks rating was combined with the Utilities rating for an overall infrastructure rating, but Streets and Sidewalks ratings are now separate from Utilities ratings and the data reported has been separated. 
  • Parks ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2009. 2011 on uses the overall rating. 
  • Utilities ratings are an average of the water rating and sewer rating. CleanPowerSF and Hetch Hetchy power are included in the overall rating for 2023.  
  • The Safety rating is an average of each resident’s grade of their feeling of safety in their neighborhood during the day and at night. 

In 2015, the survey methodology changed from mail to phone. In 2023 the survey methodology changed to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. In 2026, methodology changed again, excluding intercept methods to avoid satisficing bias of in-person surveying. Therefore, differences in results between survey years with changing methodologies should be interpreted with caution.   

Survey results are weighted in order to make the sample more accurately match the distribution of San Francisco residents across demographic categories as reflected in the census. The averages displayed in reporting are the weighted averages. 

Neighborhoods

City Survey analysis has reported on neighborhood data since 2023 and uses DataSF Analysis Neighborhoods. In 2026, the City Survey asked respondents to directly identify their neighborhood. This is a change from 2023 when City Survey asked individuals to identify the cross streets closest to their primary residence to determine neighborhoods.

We filtered neighborhoods with fewer than 15 responses from results because results aren't reliable with that few responses, to maintain accuracy. Filtered neighborhoods include:

  • Golden Gate Park
  • Lincoln Park
  • McLaren Park
  • Presidio Heights
  • Lone Mountain/USF
  • Outer Mission
  • Lakeshore
  • Treasure Island

Most of the remaining results displayed in the dashboard have a low margin of error. However, there are still some displayed neighborhoods with medium margin of error (i.e., fewer than 30 responses) so those results should be interpreted with caution.

View and download City Survey data 

View the 2026 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.  

View the 2026 City Survey detailed methodology.  

Visit the City Survey home page for more information.  


What does the 2026 data show?

Most neighborhoods rated Muni within the B to B- range.

Inner Richmond, Marina, and South of Market were exceptions and rated Muni the lowest (C+) out of all neighborhoods.

Streets and sidewalks ratings by neighborhood

The City Survey asks residents to rate their view of the cleanliness and condition of the City's streets and sidewalks. This section has been on the survey in some form since 1996.

Data notes and sources

The City Survey objectively assesses San Francisco residents’ use of and satisfaction with various city services. It was conducted annually from 1996 through 2005, and biennially from 2005 through 2019. The 2021 survey was skipped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveying was resumed in 2023, and 2026 was the most recent survey.   

Ratings are scored on a scale of A-Excellent to F-Failing. Most outcomes in the City Survey are developed by averaging responses to create a mean score using a five-point grading scale (A equals five points and F equals one point). 

Many services historically had questions asking residents to rate subcomponents of services (such as cleanliness). When only the subcomponent questions were asked, the overall rating was calculated as an average of the subcomponents. Once a question was added that directly asked residents to provide an overall rating, that question is used as the overall rating.  

  • Library ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Muni ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Street and sidewalk average rating in 2023 is an average of street and sidewalk cleanliness, street condition, and sidewalk and curb ramp condition. For 2011-2017, the average includes ratings for street lighting. In prior years, the Streets and sidewalks rating was combined with the Utilities rating for an overall infrastructure rating, but Streets and Sidewalks ratings are now separate from Utilities ratings and the data reported has been separated. 
  • Parks ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2009. 2011 on uses the overall rating. 
  • Utilities ratings are an average of the water rating and sewer rating. CleanPowerSF and Hetch Hetchy power are included in the overall rating for 2023.  
  • The Safety rating is an average of each resident’s grade of their feeling of safety in their neighborhood during the day and at night. 

In 2015, the survey methodology changed from mail to phone. In 2023 the survey methodology changed to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. In 2026, methodology changed again, excluding intercept methods to avoid satisficing bias of in-person surveying. Therefore, differences in results between survey years with changing methodologies should be interpreted with caution.   

Survey results are weighted in order to make the sample more accurately match the distribution of San Francisco residents across demographic categories as reflected in the census. The averages displayed in reporting are the weighted averages. 

Neighborhoods

City Survey analysis has reported on neighborhood data since 2023 and uses DataSF Analysis Neighborhoods. In 2026, the City Survey asked respondents to directly identify their neighborhood. This is a change from 2023 when City Survey asked individuals to identify the cross streets closest to their primary residence to determine neighborhoods.

We filtered neighborhoods with fewer than 15 responses from results because results aren't reliable with that few responses, to maintain accuracy. Filtered neighborhoods include:

  • Golden Gate Park
  • Lincoln Park
  • McLaren Park
  • Presidio Heights
  • Lone Mountain/USF
  • Outer Mission
  • Lakeshore
  • Treasure Island

Most of the remaining results displayed in the dashboard have a low margin of error. However, there are still some displayed neighborhoods with medium margin of error (i.e., fewer than 30 responses) so those results should be interpreted with caution.

View and download City Survey data 

View the 2026 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.  

View the 2026 City Survey detailed methodology.  

Visit the City Survey home page for more information.   


What does the 2026 data show?

All the neighborhoods rated street conditions within the C+ to B- range. Residents of most San Francisco neighborhoods rated street conditions a B-.

Neighborhoods in central and the eastern part of the city had the lowest street rating (C), with Excelsior as the only neighborhood outside this region to give a lower street rating.

Safety ratings by demographics and neighborhood

Why do we track this data by demographics and neighborhood?

A person's race, age, gender, or sexual orientation has an impact on how safe they feel in the City. Looking at this data by demographics helps us understand how different groups' feelings of safety might change over time.

Which neighborhood a resident lives in also can impact their feelings of safety. Looking at data by neighborhood helps us see where people are feeling more or less safe and could help inform resource allocation.

The City Survey asks residents to rate their feelings of safety in their neighborhood during the day and at night. The reported neighborhood safety ratings are an average of those two grades. A safety section has been on the survey in some form since 1996.

Data notes and sources

The City Survey objectively assesses San Francisco residents’ use of and satisfaction with various city services. It was conducted annually from 1996 through 2005, and biennially from 2005 through 2019. The 2021 survey was skipped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, surveying was resumed in 2023, and 2026 was the most recent survey.   

Ratings are scored on a scale of A-Excellent to F-Failing. Most outcomes in the City Survey are developed by averaging responses to create a mean score using a five-point grading scale (A equals five points and F equals one point). 

Many services historically had questions asking residents to rate subcomponents of services (such as cleanliness). When only the subcomponent questions were asked, the overall rating was calculated as an average of the subcomponents. Once a question was added that directly asked residents to provide an overall rating, that question is used as the overall rating.  

  • Library ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Muni ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2015. 2017 on uses the overall rating.  
  • Street and sidewalk average rating in 2023 is an average of street and sidewalk cleanliness, street condition, and sidewalk and curb ramp condition. For 2011-2017, the average includes ratings for street lighting. In prior years, the Streets and sidewalks rating was combined with the Utilities rating for an overall infrastructure rating, but Streets and Sidewalks ratings are now separate from Utilities ratings and the data reported has been separated. 
  • Parks ratings were an average of subcomponent ratings through 2009. 2011 on uses the overall rating. 
  • Utilities ratings are an average of the water rating and sewer rating. CleanPowerSF and Hetch Hetchy power are included in the overall rating for 2023.  
  • The Safety rating is an average of each resident’s grade of their feeling of safety in their neighborhood during the day and at night. 

In 2015, the survey methodology changed from mail to phone. In 2023 the survey methodology changed to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. In 2026, methodology changed again, excluding intercept methods to avoid satisficing bias of in-person surveying. Therefore, differences in results between survey years with changing methodologies should be interpreted with caution.   

Survey results are weighted in order to make the sample more accurately match the distribution of San Francisco residents across demographic categories as reflected in the census. The averages displayed in reporting are the weighted averages. 

Demographic and Neighborhood Information

The City Survey collects demographic characteristics of respondents to ensure the sample mirrors the demographic characteristics of the population and to disaggregate results by demographic or geographic breakdowns. Because some demographic groups are too small to report accurate results, additional data cleaning is done for reporting.  

Gender: Respondents who identified as Trans Woman or Trans Man were rolled up into Woman and Man categories, respectively, as their responses were too few to report out on separately. Genderqueer/Non-Binary and Not Listed options were available in the 2019, 2023 and 2026 surveys. 

Gender options Man, Woman, Trans Man, Trans Woman, Genderqueer/Non-Binary, Not Listed.

Sexual orientation options: Straight/Heterosexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Same-Gender Loving, Not Listed, Questioning/Unsure, Not Listed.

Race: race categories have changed since the survey was first launched in 1996. Groups are combined in 2026 in order to make comparisons across time and report results accurately. In 2026, Asian or Asian American was combined with Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Middle Eastern or North African and American Indian or Alaska Native were combined into an “Other” category. 

Age: To maintain standardization across all survey years, age categorizations were summarized into the following 6 categories: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54. 55-64, and 65 and over.  

Neighborhoods

City Survey analysis has reported on neighborhood data since 2023 and uses DataSF Analysis Neighborhoods. In 2026, the City Survey asked respondents to directly identify their neighborhood. This is a change from 2023 when City Survey asked individuals to identify the cross streets closest to their primary residence to determine neighborhoods.

We filtered neighborhoods with fewer than 15 responses from results because results aren't reliable with that few responses, to maintain accuracy. Filtered neighborhoods include:

  • Golden Gate Park
  • Lincoln Park
  • McLaren Park
  • Presidio Heights
  • Lone Mountain/USF
  • Outer Mission
  • Lakeshore
  • Treasure Island

Most of the remaining results displayed in the dashboard have a low margin of error. However, there are still some displayed neighborhoods with medium margin of error (i.e., fewer than 30 responses) so those results should be interpreted with caution.

View and download City Survey data 

View the 2026 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.  

View the 2026 City Survey detailed methodology.  

Visit the City Survey home page for more information.  

View source data

What does the 2026 data show?

Residents of most San Francisco neighborhoods rated safety either a B or B+ in 2026. In 2026, the most common ratings were B- or C+.

Neighborhoods with significant gains were distributed across nearly every region of the city. Residents of several neighborhoods included significant increases in feelings of safety, including Bayview/Hunters Point, Financial District/South Beach, Inner Richmond, Inner Sunset, Marina, Pacific Heights, and Western Addition.

Find out more about City Survey

Visit the City Survey home page to find additional reporting and information from 2026 as well as previous years.