The Pulse is a community-wide survey launched in October 2024. We are releasing the results of the third iteration which continues to deliver independent, nonpartisan insights that help business and civic leaders understand where our community stands on the policy issues shaping Spokane’s future – from housing and workforce development to public safety, infrastructure, and civic trust. It provides credible, data-driven insights that bridge the gap between public sentiment and policymaking, supporting Spokane’s ability to grow, adapt, and lead.
Key Findings from the Third Edition of The Pulse
The data from the latest Pulse survey shows that public safety, homelessness, and trust in government remain the community’s top concerns, as they have for the past year. This consistency underscores a clear message: residents have not yet seen enough tangible progress on these pressing issues. Until the community feels that Spokane is making meaningful headway on these persistent issues, it will be difficult to gain traction or build trust around new priorities. Business and civic leaders must stay focused on what matters most to residents: delivering visible, measurable progress on the fundamentals.
While results continue to remain largely consistent with the previous surveys, the most noteworthy takeaways are that:
Public safety and homelessness continue to dominate voter frustrations, with minimal change since last spring.
- 78% of voters believe prohibiting camping in parks, sidewalks and public right of ways have significant or very significant impacts on quality of life.
- 71% of voters lack confidence that local government has an effective plan to address public safety and homelessness challenges — still overwhelmingly negative, though trust in local government is showing slight improvement from the spring.
- Concern about the future of downtown Spokane remains overwhelming (86%), essentially unchanged from past surveys.
- Residents continue to send a strong message: Get the basics right. 92% say the region should focus on essentials like fixing potholes, maintaining parks, and addressing public safety.
- 72% support increased public investment in community infrastructure and services including schools, parks and transit.
Broad Collaboration Matters More Now Than Ever
Spokane’s top concerns haven’t changed; voters are waiting to see real progress. People need to see visible results, not hear new promises.
The Pulse survey shows that voters support broad, integrated community collaboration to address the pressing issues we face. As a convener of the Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force, GSI is proud to be playing a central role in this effort.
This coalition brings together public, private, and nonprofit partners to develop holistic, coordinated strategies for improving safety, wellbeing, and trust across the region and the need to cement a shared commitment to addressing persistent challenges through collective action.
The Pulse data validates this approach: community concerns remain consistent, and real progress will require sustained, cross-sector engagement. The Taskforce’s work is not just timely, it’s essential.
What's Next
We invite you to explore the full survey results, including crosstabs and a comprehensive presentation. View it here.
