C ONDUCTED FOR THE C ITY OF M ANHATTAN B EACH
COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY
P RESENTED B Y
T IMOTHY M C L ARNEY P H .D.
3/10/2026
METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
o How did we select residents to survey?
o Stratified Random Sampling of households by geographic subareas & monitored demographics to match Census ACS
o Ensures balanced, representative sample of adult residents
o How did we recruit participation?
o Personalized email, text, and telephone calls
o PINs to restrict access and ensure one complete per respondent
o How were respondents able to share their opinions?
o Secure website that scales to the device
o Telephone (land line or mobile)
o Data collection period: September 29 to October 6, 2025
o What was the sample size?
o 588 completed interviews
o Overall margin of error of ± 4% @ 95% level of confidence
RATING THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
The overall quality of life in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach as a place to raise a family
Manhattan Beach as a place to recreate
Manhattan Beach as a place to shop and dine
Manhattan Beach as a place to retire
Manhattan Beach as a place to work
% Respondents
LIKE & WANT TO PRESERVE
Small town feel, charming beach community Beach, ocean
Community, friendly people, family atmosphere
Public safety, low crime rate
Low density development, single family homes
Schools, education
Cleanliness, appearance, beauty of City
Parks, rec facilities
Community events, activities
Walkability of commercial, residential areas
The Strand, pier
Not sure / Cannot think of anything
Open space, greenbelt
Outdoor shops, dining options
Local businesses, downtown area
Fire, Police services
Lack of homelessness
Relaxed, casual lifestyle
Environment, nature
Bike lanes
Historical places
Improve, maintain roads, sidewalks, streets
CHANGES TO IMPROVE CITY
Address parking issues
Enforce traffic, e-bike laws
Limit growth, development
Improve public safety, more police presence
Not sure / Cannot think of anything
Preserve, support outdoor dining
No changes needed / Everything is fine
Improve bike lane safety
Provide more affordable housing
Reduce traffic congestion
Add, improve parks, rec facilities
Improve City planning, development
Attract variety of less expensive restaurants, shops
Reduce cost of living
Improve, maintain infrastructure
Improve walkability, sidewalks
Improve government leadership, communication
Improve, provide more dog parks, dog friendly
Address homeless issues
Underground utilities
Encourage, support diversity, address inequity
Reduce taxes, fees
Increase, support small businesses
Reduce tourism
Preserve City history, small-town feeling
Beautify City, cleanliness, landscaping
Provide more activities, events for all ages
Improve quality of education
Improve public transit
Improve traffic signage, lights
% Respondents
OVERALL SATISFACTION
BY STUDY YEAR
Not sure/Prefer not to answer Very dissatisfied
Somewhat satisfied Very satisfied
SATISFACTION WITH SERVICES
PERCEIVED SAFETY OF CITY
BY STUDY YEAR
SPENDING PRIORITIES
Fix potholes and repair and improve city streets and sidewalks
Improve the maintenance of parks, park amenities incl restrooms, sports courts, dog runs
Repair and upgrade the City’s sewer and wastewater systems
Restore and enhance nature areas
Redesign public spaces to allow for outdoor dining areas
Reconstruct and improve the City’s swimming pool - Begg Pool
Renovate, improve Live Oak Park facilities, incl Ceramics Studio, tennis, racquet courts, REC Program activity space
Provide low-cost, on-demand rideshare services so residents can visit restaurants, shops, business areas in City without having to park a vehicle
Renovate and improve the Joslyn Community Center
Renovate and improve the Manhattan Heights Community Center
Renovate and improve the Manhattan Beach Art Center
Create a Manhattan Beach Historical Museum to preserve and store historical documents
Replace the Pay ‘N’ Play at Marine Avenue Park with open space, with the possibility of also adding a futsal court
INTEREST IN USING LOW - COST
RIDESHARE SERVICES
ALLOW SHORT - TERM RENTALS DURING OLYMPICS & WORLD CUP?
WITH ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY COST INFO
LIKELY TO RENT DURING THESE EVENTS
sure 21.0 Prefer not to answer 3.1
PROJECT PULSE PRIORITIES
AGREEMENT WITH STATEMENTS
I trust the City of Manhattan Beach
The City is responsive to residents’ needs
The City listens to residents when making important decisions
The City manages its finances well
% Respondents
PERCEPTION OF CITY STAFF
SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNICATION
BY STUDY YEAR
Prefer
KEY CONCLUSIONS
Residents continue to be satisfied with Manhattan Beach and the City’s performance
o Overall quality of life
o Overall performance in providing municipal services
o Customer service provided by staff
Specific Strengths
o Graffiti removal
o Fire protection & EMS
o Special Events
o Maintenance of parks, sports fields & public facilities
o R ecreation programming
o Protecting the environment
Opportunities for improvement
o Bike safety / e - Bikes
o Enforcing traffic laws
o Enforcing animal control laws
o Street/sidewalk maintenance
o Park maintenance/amenities
o Repairing sewer /wastewater systems