Kelowna survey finds strong quality-of-life ratings despite safety concerns
Downtown Kelowna (Image Credit: Vernon Matters Staff)
Most Kelowna residents continue to view the city positively, but concerns about crime, safety and social issues remain significant, according to the 2026 Citizen Survey.
The survey found 88 per cent of residents rate their quality of life as good, while 76 per cent believe they receive good value for their municipal tax dollars.
Despite those positive ratings, 56 per cent said quality of life in Kelowna has worsened over the past three years. Social issues were identified as the community’s top concern, followed by transportation and crime/public safety.
Satisfaction with community safety fell to 74 per cent, down seven percentage points from 2024, while concerns about crime and public safety more than doubled compared with the previous survey.
Residents also showed strong support for major events in the city, with 94 per cent saying they have a positive impact on the community, while 56 per cent said renewing existing infrastructure should take priority over building new projects.
When asked about future spending priorities, residents ranked addressing social issues, police services, drinking water, fire protection and housing among the city’s most important investments.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs in March, included 300 Kelowna residents. The next citizen survey is scheduled for 2028.
