City Survey: Overall Government Services

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). 

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. 

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.  

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.
• 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 and 2026.

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. 

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.