Courtesy: Washington County
Washington County received a slightly higher mark for overall quality of life this year compared to the last time the survey of residents was conducted. Residents rated the county 80 out of 100, according to the survey conducted by Polco and the National Research Center. That was above the national average and higher than the 77 rating in 2022.
The findings of the 2025 Washington County Community Survey were presented to the Board of Commissioners at its July 8 meeting. The survey done every few years was mailed to 4,500 randomly selected households, with online access also available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. A total of 673 responses were collected.
Here’s what respondents cited when asked to pick one thing they most liked about living in the county:
26 percent overall quality of life
25 percent the location
15 percent open space and rural character
10 percent their neighborhood
Twenty percent cited taxes as their top concern, followed by affordable housing at 13 percent, development at 11 percent, and water quality at 8 percent. Concerns about crime dropped significantly with only 4 percent saying it was the most serious issue.
Health and environmental priorities included concerns about mental health, obesity, and the quality of local water resources. The county was praised for land conservation, disaster preparedness, and waste reduction.
In the survey, libraries, parks, recycling centers, snow removal, and services for older adults scored above national averages.
Washington County encompasses Woodbury, Afton, Bayport, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, Oakdale, and Stillwater as well as smaller towns and rural areas.