Methodology
Live telephone and online mixed-mode survey of registered voters in Spokane County, Washington
Survey conducted April 24th – May 1st, 2025
600 total interviews; effective overall margin of error ±4.4 percentage points
• City of Spokane 300n; margin of error ±5.66 percentage points
• Spokane County outside of City of Spokane 300n; margin of error ±5.66 percentage points
• City of Spokane Valley 101n; margin of error ±9.75 percentage points, data weighted independently
Interviews were conducted by trained, professional interviewers; landlines and mobile phones included
Voters were randomly selected and invited via email and SMS to take the survey online
Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%.
Respondent Profiles – Spokane County
Respondent
Profiles - City of Spokane
Respondent Profiles – Spokane Valley
Key Findings
The Pulse Index - which is an aggregate measure of attitudes about quality of life - is statistically unchanged at 3.5.
Voters mention outdoor-related elements - the scenery, outdoor recreation opportunities, and the weather - as the best thing about living in Spokane.
Concerns about homelessness and crime continue to be top-of-mind, although concerns about both are down slightly, and voters continue to say addressing these issues will do the most to improve quality of life, along with keeping parks and recreation areas open and clean.
More voters are feeling safer in their own neighborhoods and voters are more likely to say they would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane.
Voters continue to be divided about growth. Those who view growth positively cite economic development and job opportunities, while those who view growth negatively cite poor planning and implementation.
The Spokane Pulse Index
The “Community Pulse” Index aggregates the following questions about Spokane County: • Q3: Right Direction/Wrong Track • Q6: Quality of Life
Q7: Relocating
Q8: Future optimism
Quality of Life: The Details
Do you feel that things in the Spokane Region are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
Do you think the overall quality of life in The Spokane Region is getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
"I'm optimistic about the future of this region."
Quality of Life: City of Spokane
Do you feel that things in the Spokane Region are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
Do you think the overall quality of life in The Spokane Region is getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
"I'm optimistic about the future of this region."
Quality of Life: City of Spokane Valley
Do you feel that things in the Spokane Region are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
Do you think the overall quality of life in The Spokane Region is getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
"I'm optimistic about the future of this region."
Leaving Spokane Region
A majority of voters have actively considered moving out of the area.
Have you actively considered moving out of the area?
Countywide
Best Thing About Living in Spokane Region
Nature, outdoor recreation, and climate continue to be cited as the best parts about living in the region.
What is the best thing about living in the Spokane region? (Multiple Responses Accepted)
Nature/Scenery/Landscape
Outdoor recreation/Access to public land
Climate/Weather/Has all 4 seasons
Entertainment/Activities/Businesses
Diversity/Culture
Location/Proximity/Accessibility
Small town feel
Community feel/Friendly people
Close to family/Family oriented
Cost of living/Affordability Other
None/Don't know/No opinion
Best Thing About Living in Spokane Region
Voters in Spokane, Spokane Valley, and the rest of the county have similar answers as to what the best part of living in the region is.
What is the best thing about living in the Spokane region? (Multiple Responses Accepted)
Top Concerns
Voters continue to say homelessness and public safety are top concerns for the region. Concerns about government and politics have risen.
What are the issues facing Spokane that you are most frustrated or concerned about? (Multiple Responses Accepted)
Homelessness
Crime/Drugs/Public Safety
The government/Politics
Affordable housing/Housing
Taxes/High Taxes
Inflation/Cost of living
Infrastructure/Roads
Lack of mental health services/Healthcare
Law enforcement/Lack of police
Jobs/Economy
Government spending/Budget
Garbage/Filth
Other
None/Don't know/No opinion
Overall
Top Concerns
Concern about homelessness is higher in the City of Spokane than in other parts of the county, while concerns about crime are consistent across the county.
What are the issues facing Spokane that you are most frustrated or concerned about? (Multiple Responses Accepted)
Quality of Life in The Spokane Region
A majority of voters say the quality of life in the region is worsening. The number saying so in Spokane now matches attitudes countywide.
Do you think the overall quality of life in The Spokane Region is getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
Overall
City of Spokane
City of Spokane Valley
Personal Financial Situation
Four-in-five voters say they are concerned about their financial situation, with a plurality saying they are “very concerned.”
How concerned are you about your personal financial situation given current economic conditions?
City of Spokane Valley
Impact on Quality of Life
Policies related to public safety and homelessness rise to the top as those voters say would have a “very significant impact” on quality of life in the region.
Closing encampments in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Keeping parks and recreational areas clean and open
Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Improving services for drug addiction and mental health
Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break ins
Making it easier to start and grow a business
Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Improving access to childcare and early learning
Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Investing in public schools to improve student success
Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Hiring more police officers
Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Maintaining access to public transit
Building more housing
Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions
How much impact do you think each of the following would have on improving quality of life in Spokane?
Impact on Quality of Life –
City of Spokane
Policies related to public safety and homelessness rise to the top as those voters say would have a “very significant impact” on quality of life in the region among Spokane voters.
7 - Very significant Impact 5-6
Keeping parks and recreational areas clean and open
Closing encampments in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Improving services for drug addiction and mental health
Making it easier to start and grow a business
Improving access to childcare and early learning
Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break ins
Investing in public schools to improve student success
Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Maintaining access to public transit
Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Building more housing
Hiring more police officers
Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions
Q23-38. How much impact do you think each of the following would have on improving quality of life in Spokane?
Impact on Quality of Life –
City of Spokane Valley
Policies related to public safety and homelessness rise to the top as those voters say would have a “very significant impact” on quality of life in the region among Spokane voters.
Closing encampments in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break ins
Improving services for drug addiction and mental health
Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Keeping parks and recreational areas clean and open
Making it easier to start and grow a business
Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Improving access to childcare and early learning
Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Investing in public schools to improve student success
Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Hiring more police officers
Building more housing
Maintaining access to public transit
Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions 7 - Very significant Impact
(+8)
Q23-38. How much impact do you think each of the following would have on improving quality of life in Spokane?
Public Safety
Neighborhood Safety
About half of voters say they feel less safe than two years ago, a drop from two-thirds who said so last fall.
Thinking about safety in your neighborhood, including property crime and violent crime compared to two years ago do you feel…
Funding Importance – Overall
Voters are more likely to say treatment programs and facilities for mental health and substance abuse are more important to addressing public safety.
- Extremely important
Treatment for mental health and drug or alcohol abuse
Mental health crisis response teams
Youth engagement opportunities
New, expanded behavorial health and sobriety facilities
More police officers
Rehabilitation programs for people in jail
Violence prevention programs
Traffic and pedestrian safety measures
New, expanded jail and detention facilities
More judges, prosecutors, and public defenders for our courts
Q40-49. Next you will be asked about items related to public safety. After each one, please rate how important providing funding for that item is to you.
Important
Funding Importance – City of Spokane
City of Spokane voters similarly say that treatment programs and facilities for mental health and substance abuse are more important to addressing public safety.
Mental health crisis response teams
Treatment for mental health and drug or alcohol abuse
Youth engagement opportunities
New, expanded behavorial health and sobriety facilities
Rehabilitation programs for people in jail More police officers Violence prevention programs
Traffic and pedestrian safety measures
New, expanded jail and detention facilities
More judges, prosecutors, and public defenders for our courts
Q40-49. Next you will be asked about items related to public safety. After each one, please rate how important providing funding for that item is to you.
Funding Importance – City of Spokane Valley
Voters in Spokane Valley also prioritize treatment for mental health and sobriety, as well as youth engagement opportunities, but at a lower level than voters in the City of Spokane.
Treatment for mental health and drug or alcohol abuse
Youth engagement opportunities
New, expanded behavorial health and sobriety facilities
Mental health crisis response teams
More police officers
Rehabilitation programs for people in jail
New, expanded jail and detention facilities
Traffic and pedestrian safety measures Violence prevention programs
More judges, prosecutors, and public defenders for our courts
Q40-49. Next you will be asked about items related to public safety. After each one, please rate how important providing funding for that item is to you.
Police Hiring
A majority of voters continue to agree that hiring more police officers should be an immediate priority. However, a third of voters in the City of Spokane report disagreeing with that statement.
Government & Tax Attitudes
Taxes & Spending
A majority of voters do not trust region’s ability to address critical issues and effectively spend tax dollars. However, there is an increase in the number of voters who do trust the region’s ability to manage and spend tax dollars.
[CITY] has enough money to address important priorities; they just need to spend it more effectively
I trust [CITY] to spend my tax dollars responsibly
I trust that [CITY] has an effective plan to address the critical issues facing the city like homelessness, affordability, and public safety
Attitudes towards Governance and Education
Voters agree that the region should focus on funding basics. However, voters are split on education and housing policy and whether growth and development has been a positive for the area.
[CITY] should focus on the funding the basics like filling potholes, maintaining parks, and addressing public safety*
Public schools in the Spokane area need more funding to improve educational outcomes*
I trust my local public school district to make decisions that benefit students and the community
Housing and Growth
Attitudes towards Growth
Voters agree that the region should focus on funding basics. However, voters are split on education and housing policy and whether growth and development has been a positive for the area.
Agree (Don't Know) Disagree
All things considered, growth and development has been a positive for my area
I support the building of more types of housing in my neighborhood*
Growth and Development Open End
Voters who see growth & development as a positive cite economic growth, job opportunities, and housing improvements as reasons why. Those who see it as a negative cite poor planning decisions and criticisms of government.
Why do you agree that growth and development has been a positive for your area?
Downtown Visitation &
Economic Recovery
Spokane Economic Sentiment
Economic pessimism has decreased since last fall, but voters are still largely pessimistic.
How do you feel about the area’s economy?
Downtown & Economic Recovery
A majority of voters continue agree downtown Spokane is critical to the region’s economic health and are worried about it’s future, including well over half who strongly agree.
I’m worried about the future of downtown Spokane
A thriving downtown Spokane is critical to our region’s economic health
Recent policy decisions by [CITY] are causing local small businesses to close and move away
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
Visiting Downtown
More voters agree that they feel safe visiting downtown Spokane either during the day or at night. However, a majority still don’t feel safe visiting at night.
I would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane…
During the Day
of Spokane
City of Spokane Valley Overall
At Night
of Spokane
of Spokane Valley
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
City
Visiting Downtown Spokane
Only one-third are visiting downtown Spokane about the same as they did a year ago, but most are visiting less often.
And currently, for activities other than work, are you visiting downtown Spokane more, less, or about the same as you did a year ago?
Overall City of Spokane
City of Spokane Valley
Appendix: Subgroup Data
Spokane Pulse Index by Subgroups
Left-leaning voters rate the quality of life in Spokane County more positively.
Optimism
Left-leaning voters express the highest levels of optimism about the region’s future.
Optimistic About Future of This Region
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Leaving Spokane
Middle of the road and conservative voters are more likely to consider leaving the area.
Actively Considered Moving
Concern About Homelessness
Younger voters and non-homeowners are less likely to cite homelessness as a top concern.
“What
are the issues facing the Spokane region that you are most frustrated of concerned about?”
(% who mention Homelessness)
Quality of Life
Left-leaning voters are more likely to believe quality of life in the region is improving or is stable.
Do you think the overall quality of life in The Spokane Region is getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
Better The Same
Personal Financial Situation
Women, younger voters, left-leaning voters, non-homeowners, and voters without college degrees express more concern about their financial situations.
“How concerned are you about your personal financial situation given current economic conditions?”
Very Concerned Somewhat Concerned
Neighborhood Safety
Right-leaning voters report feeling less safe in their neighborhoods compared to two years ago.
Thinking about safety in your neighborhood, including property crime and violent crime compared to two years ago do you feel…
Much less safe Somewhat less safe
Funding Mental Health & Substance Abuse Facilities
Democratic and liberal voters are more likely to say new, expanded behavioral health and sobriety facilities are important to fund.
Importance of Funding New, Expanded Behavioral Health and Sobriety Facilities
7 - Extremely important 5-6
Police Hiring
Older and right-leaning voters are more likely to agree hiring police officers should be a top priority.
“Hiring more police officers should be an top priority”
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Trust in Government Spending
Democrats and liberals are the only voters where a majority agree that they trust local government to spend tax dollars responsibly.
“I trust [CITY] to spend my tax dollars responsibly”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Thriving Downtown
Agreement over the importance of a thriving downtown is consistent across demographic groups.
“A thriving downtown Spokane is critical to our region’s economic health”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Concern About the Future of Downtown
Left-leaning voters express less concern about the future of downtown Spokane, although concern remains high across demographic groups.
“I’m worried about the future of downtown Spokane” Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Effects of Policy on Small Business
Belief that local policy decisions have negatively impacted small businesses is largely correlated with political partisanship and ideology.
“Recent policy decisions by [CITY] are causing local small businesses to close and move away”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Downtown Safety During the Day
Left-leaning voters report feeling safer downtown than those opposite them on the political spectrum.
“I would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane during the day”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Downtown Safety at Night
A larger proportion of left-leaning voters as well as non-homeowners indicate feeling safe in downtown Spokane at night.
“I would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane at night”
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Back to the Basics
There is widespread agreement on the need to get back to basics in Spokane.
“The City should focus on the funding the basics like filling potholes, maintaining parks, and addressing public safety”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Growth & Development
Democratic and left-leaning voters are more likely to agree growth and development has been positive for their area.
“All
things considered, growth and development has been a positive for my
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
area”