--- generated_by: surveylegend-page-markdown title: Community Needs Survey Template | SurveyLegend description: Ask residents about local service priorities and access barriers. Customize this community needs survey for a defined planning decision. canonical: https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/political-public-opinion/community-needs-template/ --- # Community Needs Survey Template This community needs survey asks residents which local services need attention and what makes them difficult to access. Use the answers to guide a focused discussion about community priorities. [Try this template ](https://app.surveylegend.com/register/)[Preview template](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/political-public-opinion/community-needs-template/#try-template) Preview on a device Show the desktop survey preview Show the tablet survey preview Show the mobile survey preview ![Community Needs Survey: first question and response field, desktop preview](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/community-needs-template-preview.avif) ![Community Needs Survey: first question and response field, tablet preview](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/community-needs-template-preview-tablet.avif) ![Community Needs Survey: first question and response field, mobile preview](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/community-needs-template-preview-mobile.avif) Community Needs Survey [Preview](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/political-public-opinion/community-needs-template/#try-template) Share [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveylegend.com%2Fsurvey-examples-templates%2Fpolitical-public-opinion%2Fcommunity-needs-template%2F)[LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveylegend.com%2Fsurvey-examples-templates%2Fpolitical-public-opinion%2Fcommunity-needs-template%2F)[X ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveylegend.com%2Fsurvey-examples-templates%2Fpolitical-public-opinion%2Fcommunity-needs-template%2F\&text=Community%20Needs%20Survey%20Template)[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveylegend.com%2Fsurvey-examples-templates%2Fpolitical-public-opinion%2Fcommunity-needs-template%2F\&title=Community%20Needs%20Survey%20Template) A useful needs survey gives residents a clear area and planning purpose. Ask about services people have tried to use, and give them a way to identify a priority without describing private circumstances. Combine responses with other evidence before allocating resources. ## When to use this community needs survey Local organizations and public-service teams can use this questionnaire for community planning. It identifies perceived needs and access barriers rather than measuring satisfaction with every city service or collecting political preferences. To evaluate existing municipal services more broadly, use our [city services](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/city-citizen-survey-template/) template. **Create your community needs survey in SurveyLegend** A useful needs survey gives residents a clear area and planning purpose. Ask about services people have tried to use, and give them a way to identify a priority without describing private circumstances. ## 7 questions for your community needs survey Use these 7 questions as a starting point. All fields are optional; choose one answer where choices are listed. Leave an irrelevant open field blank. Respondent introduction:\ Think about services in the named area during the past six months. Share general experiences without names, exact addresses, or private case details. This survey is not an application for assistance. Try the survey ## A little feedback. A clearer picture. Explore this 7-question example at your own pace. Every question is optional. Preview on a device Show the survey at full desktop width Resize the survey to a tablet-width preview Resize the survey to a mobile preview with scrolling inside the frame Choose a look Use Classic: a white survey card over the background photo Use Light: dark text over a light tint covering the background photo Use Dark: light text over a dark tint covering the background photo SurveyLegend demo Question 1 of 7 ### Community Needs Survey 01 What is your connection to this area? Choose one answer, or skip this question. Live here Work here Study here Regularly use services here Another connection Prefer not to say 02 Which service area most needs attention? Choose one answer, or skip this question. Transportation Housing support Education or learning Community activities Health service access Another area Not sure 03 During the past six months, did you try to use a service in that area? Choose one answer, or skip this question. Yes No Not sure Prefer not to say 04 What was the main barrier, if any? Choose one answer, or skip this question. Cost Travel or location Opening hours Unclear information Waiting or limited availability Another barrier No barrier Did not try 05 How clear is information about where to get local help? Choose one answer, or skip this question. Very unclear Somewhat unclear Neither clear nor unclear Somewhat clear Very clear Have not looked 06 What practical change would make the greatest difference? Share your answer, or skip this question. 07 What local service or resource is already working well? Share your answer, or skip this question. #### One last look Review your answers before submitting this demo. 0 answered #### Thank you for trying the survey! You’ve tried the template from the respondent’s side. Make it your own with SurveyLegend. [Create your own survey](https://www.surveylegend.com/register/) Checking submission availability… This is a demo. We count starts and submissions only. Your answers stay in your browser and are never sent or saved. **—**Starts **—**Submissions Activity is temporarily unavailable. ## How to customize your community needs survey Define the geographic area and six-month period. Adapt service categories to the decisions you can influence. Offer offline participation and accessible wording so an online invitation does not become the only route. Do not ask for exact addresses or case histories in open comments. Before sharing widely, try the questions with a few people from the intended audience and clarify anything they interpret differently. ## Printable community needs survey template Use this printable community needs survey template at community centers and neighborhood consultation events. It includes the same questions and space to write, giving people who prefer paper or are less comfortable online another way to take part. SurveyLegend helps you offer both formats. Tell respondents where to return the completed form and who will review it. Paper answers need a separate review or manual entry process; they are not automatically added to online responses. [![](https://www.surveylegend.com/user-guide-media/icons/download-pdf.svg) Download PDF](https://www.surveylegend.com/downloads/survey-templates/community-needs-template.pdf) Export community needs survey template as PDF ## AI prompt for a community needs survey Use these questions to bring residents’ priorities and access barriers into local planning. The full prompt below specifies your community needs survey, including all 7 questions and response settings. Copy it, register for a free SurveyLegend account, and paste it into SurveyLegend’s AI survey creation tool. Review the result and add your organization’s details before sharing. AI prompt for a community needs survey [Use prompt directly in SurveyLegend](https://www.surveylegend.com/register/) Create a free account, then paste the copied prompt into SurveyLegend. Already have an account? [Sign in to create your community needs survey.](https://app.surveylegend.com/login/) ## How to use the answers Review priority services alongside reported access barriers. Distinguish an unavailable service from one people cannot reach or understand. Report who was invited and how responses were collected; a voluntary survey is not automatically representative of the whole community. Explain the next planning step without promising funding. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does this represent the whole community? Not automatically. Describe recruitment and participation, and consider which groups may be missing before drawing conclusions. ### Can residents request individual assistance? This version is for planning feedback. Provide the actual service contact route separately for individual help. ### How is this different from city satisfaction feedback? It focuses on priorities and barriers to accessing services, rather than overall satisfaction with municipal performance. Political and Public Opinion Survey Templates 1. [![Preview of the Election Survey Template](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/template-election-survey-template-survey-preview.avif) Election Survey Template Politics & public opinion Elections are everywhere. From high school prom royalty to class president, from “employee of the month” to the real-deal mayor or president—voting is how we make choices. But what if we told you that running your poll could be both powerful and surprisingly fun?](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/election-survey-template/) 2. [![Preview of the City Citizen Survey Template](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/template-city-citizen-survey-template-survey-preview.avif) City Citizen Survey Template Politics & public opinion Let’s be real. If you’re a city mayor, council member, or public official, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Are our citizens happy? Are our city services actually helping?” Great news — you don’t have to guess. You just need to ask, and that’s where the City Citizen Survey Template from SurveyLegend comes in.](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/city-citizen-survey-template/) 3. [![Preview of the Citizen Demographic Survey Template](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/template-citizen-demographic-survey-template-survey-preview.avif) Citizen Demographic Survey Template Politics & public opinion If you’re running a city, managing a state, or leading a country, there’s one golden rule you cannot ignore: you need to know your people. And not just vaguely. We’re talking about real, up-to-date, detailed demographic information.](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/citizen-demographic-survey-template/) 4. [![Preview of the Park Visitor Survey demo showing its first question and answer choices](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-template-media/previews/park-template-preview.avif) Park Visitor Survey Template Politics & public opinion Visitors may use the same park for walking, play, or quiet time. Start with their main activity and recent use before asking what needs attention. Include people who have not visited so barriers are not lost.](https://www.surveylegend.com/survey-examples-templates/political-public-opinion/park-template/) Free survey maker ## Start creating surveys today *for free* Create and bring your ideas to life with the survey tool used by people all over the world. [Get started for free ](https://app.surveylegend.com/register/)[Book a demo](https://www.surveylegend.com/schedule-a-demo-of-surveylegend/) Academic research survey ### Ready to collect better research data? Create academic surveys and questionnaires from ready-made templates. 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[Start free](https://app.surveylegend.com/register/) to create your community needs survey and adapt the questions to your audience. [*Self-serve* Start free Create your first survey in minutes **Start free** ](https://app.surveylegend.com/register/)[*Guided help* Book a demo Talk with a SurveyLegend expert and choose the right plan. **Book a demo**](https://www.surveylegend.com/schedule-a-demo-of-surveylegend/)