Methodology
Live telephone and online mixed-mode survey of registered voters in Spokane County, Washington
Survey conducted September 17th – 22nd, 2025
600 total interviews; effective overall margin of error ±4.4 percentage points
• City of Spokane 300n; margin of error ±5.66 percentage points
• City of Spokane Valley 100n; margin of error ±9.8 percentage points
• Spokane County outside of Cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley 200n; margin of error ±6.93 percentage points
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
note
Key Findings
The Pulse Index - which is an aggregate measure of attitudes about quality of life has fallen slightly to 3.3.
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 are top-of-mind for voters, consistent with previous research, and voters continue to say addressing these issues will do the most to improve quality of life, along with improving substance abuse and mental health treatment services.
A majority of voters feel less safe in their own neighborhoods, while most voters are likely to say they would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane during the day.
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
The Pulse Over Time
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 across the county have actively considered moving out of the area.
Have you actively considered moving out of the area?
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
Location/Proximity/Accessibility
Entertainment/Activities/Businesses
Small town feel
Community feel/Friendly people
Close to family/Family oriented
Diversity/Culture
Cost of living/Affordability
Access to healthcare
Education/Schools
Other
None/Don't know/No opinion
Best Thing About Living in Spokane Region
Voters throughout the region cite similar characteristics as the best things about the Spokane area.
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.
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
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
Two-thirds of voters say the quality of life in the region is worsening. The proportion saying so in the City of Spokane has risen significantly in recent years.
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
Nearly 4 in 5 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?
Overall
City of Spokane
City of Spokane Valley
Impact on Quality of Life
Policies related to homelessness and public safety rise to the top as those voters say would have a “very significant impact” on quality of life in the region.
Prohibiting camping in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break-ins
Improving treatment services for drug addiction and mental health
Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Making it easier to start and grow a business
Improving access to childcare and early learning
Hiring more police officers
Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Investing in public schools to improve student success
Investing in the maintenance and safety of parks and recreational areas
Maintaining access to public transit
Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Building more types of 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
Voters in the City of Spokane see similar policies as having a significant impact on quality of life, though there is greater intensity around prohibiting public camping.
Prohibiting camping in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break-ins
Improving treatment services for drug addiction and mental health
Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Improving access to childcare and early learning
Making it easier to start and grow a business
Hiring more police officers
Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Investing in public schools to improve student success
Investing in the maintenance and safety of parks and recreational areas
Maintaining access to public transit
Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Building more types of housing
Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions
Q25-40. 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
Voters in the City of Spokane see similar policies as having a significant impact on quality of life.
Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Prohibiting camping in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break-ins
Improving treatment services for drug addiction and mental health
Making it easier to start and grow a business
Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Improving access to childcare and early learning
Hiring more police officers
Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Investing in public schools to improve student success
Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Investing in the maintenance and safety of parks and recreational areas
Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Maintaining access to public transit
Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions
Building more types of housing 7 - Very significant Impact 5-6
How much impact do you think each of the following would have on improving quality of life in Spokane?
Total Impact
Public Safety
Neighborhood Safety
Half of voters say they feel less safe than two years ago, a similar share as those who said so in spring.
Thinking about safety in your neighborhood, including property crime and violent crime compared to two years ago do you feel…
Funding Importance – Overall
All offered proposals are rated as important by voters, though treatment programs and facilities for mental health and substance abuse are rated as more important to addressing public safety.
Treatment for mental health and drug or alcohol abuse
Mental health crisis response teams
More police officers
Youth engagement opportunities
New, expanded behavorial health and sobriety facilities
Rehabilitation programs for people in jail New, expanded jail and detention facilities Traffic and pedestrian safety measures
More judges, prosecutors, and public defenders for our courts
Q42-51. 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
Voters in the City of Spokane have similar priorities as voters throughout the region – saying that treatment programs and facilities for mental health and substance abuse are important for public safety.
Treatment for mental health and drug or alcohol abuse
Mental health crisis response teams
More police officers
Youth engagement opportunities
New, expanded behavorial health and sobriety facilities Violence prevention programs
Rehabilitation
More judges, prosecutors, and public defenders for our courts
Q42-51. 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 the City of Spokane Valley also see mental health and substance abuse treatment as important to public safety.
Treatment for mental health and drug or alcohol abuse
Mental health crisis response teams
New, expanded behavorial health and sobriety facilities
More judges, prosecutors, and public defenders for our courts
Q42-51. 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, including three quarters of those in the City of Spokane, an increase since the spring.
Government & Tax Attitudes
Taxes & Spending
Voters remain skeptical of their city’s management of tax dollars and their ability to address critical issues, though are trending away from these attitudes.
[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
65% (-7)
Attitudes towards Governance and Education
Voters agree that the region should focus on funding basics. However, voters are split on education funding and whether the school district makes beneficial decisions for students and the community.
Agree (Don't Know) Disagree
[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
Attitudes towards Governance and Education
Voters throughout the region support more investment in community intfrastructure.
I support increased public investment in community infrastructure and services such as schools, parks, and transit
City of Spokane Valley Agree (Don't Know) Disagree
City of Spokane
Housing and Growth
Attitudes towards Growth
Voters are split on housing policy and whether
All things considered, growth and development has been a positive for my area
Agree (Don't Know) Disagree
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?
Why do you disagree that growth and development has been a positive for your area?
Downtown Visitation &
Economic Recovery
Spokane Economic Sentiment
Voters throughout the Spokane region remain pessimistic about the area’s economy.
Downtown & Economic Recovery
A majority of voters continue to agree downtown Spokane is critical to the region’s economic health and are worried about it’s future. Three quarters of voters in the City of Spokane believe that policy decisions are negatively impacting businesses.
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] have negatively impacted the ability of local small businesses to remain open and thrive
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
Visiting Downtown
Most voters agree that they feel safe visiting downtown Spokane during the day, but a majority still don’t feel safe visiting at night.
I would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane…
During the Day
At Night
Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.
Visiting Downtown Spokane
A third of voters are visiting downtown Spokane about the same as they did a year ago, with nearly two-thirds visiting less often, including more than half of those in the City of Spokane.
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
Respondent Profiles – Spokane County
Respondent
Profiles - City of Spokane
Respondent Profiles – 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 and older 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, along with non-homeowners, are more likely to consider leaving the area.
Actively Considered Moving
Concern About Homelessness
Voters in the City of Spokane and middle-aged voters are the most likely to cite homelessness as a main 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, 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 and non-homeowners 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
Left-leaning voters and women 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
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 a top priority”
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat Agree
Trust in Government Spending
A majority of older voters and left-leaning voters agree that their city is spending their 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
Concern about the future of downtown Spokane is high across demographic groups.
“I’m worried about the future of downtown Spokane” Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Effects of Policy on Small Business
Majorities across subgroups agree that recent policy decisions by their city have negatively impacted small businesses, with the exception of liberal and Democratic voters.
“Recent policy decisions by [CITY] have negatively impacted the ability of local small businesses to remain open and thrive”
Strongly
Agree Somewhat Agree
Q12. Asked as “Recent policy decisions by [CITY] are causing local small businesses to close and move away” in previous surveys
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 majority of liberal voters report feeling safe in downtown Spokane at night, a stark difference from other demographics.
“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.
“[CITY] should focus on funding the basics like filling potholes, maintaining parks, and addressing public safety”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Growth & Development
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 area”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Growth & Development
There is widespread support for increased investment in community infrastructure, especially among left-leaning voters.
“I support increased public investment in community infrastructure and services such as schools, parks, and transit”
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Appendix: Trend Data
Right Direction/Wrong Track Trend
Quality of Life Trend
Do you think the overall quality of life in the Spokane region is getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
Agree/Disagree Trend
I’m optimistic about the future of this region
Agree/Disagree Trend
I’m worried about the future
of downtown Spokane
Agree/Disagree Trend
I would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane during the day
Agree/Disagree Trend
A thriving downtown Spokane is critical to our region’s economic health
Agree/Disagree Trend
I would feel safe visiting downtown Spokane at night
Agree/Disagree Trend
Recent policy decisions by [CITY] have negatively impacted the ability of local small businesses to remain open and thrive
Asked as “Recent policy decisions by [CITY] are causing local small businesses to close and move away” in previous surveys
Agree/Disagree Trend
I support the building of more types of housing in my neighborhood
Agree/Disagree Trend
I trust [CITY] to use my tax dollars responsibly
Agree/Disagree Trend
Hiring more police officers should be a top priority
Agree/Disagree Trend
I trust that [CITY] has an effective plan to address major challenges like homelessness, affordability, and public safety
Agree/Disagree Trend
[CITY] has enough funding; they just need to spend it more effectively
Agree/Disagree Trend
[CITY] should focus on funding the basics like filling potholes, maintaining parks, and addressing public safety
Agree/Disagree Trend
Public schools in Spokane need more funding to help students succeed
Agree/Disagree Trend
I trust my local public school district to make decisions that benefit students and the community
Agree/Disagree Trend
A thriving downtown Spokane is critical to our region’s economic health
Agree/Disagree Trend
All things considered, growth and development has been a positive for my area
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life:
Prohibiting camping in parks, on sidewalks, and on other public right of ways
Asked as “closing encampments in parks, on sidewalks, and on other publics right of ways” in previous
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Helping local businesses deal with public safety concerns
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Increasing efforts to address property crime like theft and car break-ins
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Maintaining bridges and infrastructure
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Making it easier to start and grow a business
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Increasing efforts to address violent crime and gun violence
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Building more types of housing
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Hiring more police officers
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Investing in public schools to improve student success
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Improving treatment services for drug addiction and mental health
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Investing in the maintenance and safety of parks and recreational areas
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Expanding workforce training and job skills programs
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Maintaining access to public transit
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Improving access to childcare and early learning
Quality of Life Impact Trend
Impact on Quality of Life: Encouraging community events and cultural activities
Public Safety Funding Trend
Thinking about safety in your neighborhood, including property crime and violent crime, would you say you feel more safe or less safe than you did two years ago?
Personal Financial Situation Trend
How concerned are you about your personal financial situation given current economic conditions?
Local Economic Outlook Trend
How do you feel about the area’s economy?
Downtown Visitation Trend
For activities other than work, are you visiting downtown Spokane more, less, or about the same as you did a year ago?