Overall government ratings
City Survey asks residents to grade the overall job of local government in providing services in San Francisco on a scale of A (excellent) - F (failing).
Data notes and sources
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, and surveying was resumed for the 2023 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 again to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. Therefore, differences in results from years prior to 2023 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 2023 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.
View the 2023 City Survey detailed methodology.
Visit the City Survey home page for more information.
What does the 2023 data show?
In 2023, the overall government performance rating was one of the lowest reported since the launch of City Survey in 1996. This is a similar trend to other City Survey grades: ratings for many City Services dropped from 2019 to 2023.
Ratings of key City services
Residents rate several key City services in San Francisco. This page displays ratings for Libraries, Muni, Parks, Safety, Streets and Sidewalks, and Utilities.
Data notes and sources
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, and surveying was resumed for the 2023 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.
In 2015, the survey methodology changed from mail to phone. In 2023 the survey methodology changed again to include phone, text, online, and intercept methods to reach a more representative sample of San Francisco residents. Therefore, differences in results from years prior to 2023 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 2023 survey instrument to see exact language used in each question.
View the 2023 City Survey detailed methodology.
Visit the City Survey home page for more information.
What does the 2023 data show?
Libraries and Parks tend to be rated higher than other City services. Utilities are also consistently highly rated. While the ratings for these services remain high, they dropped in 2023. Streets and Safety grades also dropped in 2023. Muni was the only key City service where ratings increased in 2023.
Find out more
Visit the City Survey home page to find additional reporting and information from 2023 as well as previous years.