The Magellan Strategies Community Survey
The Smartest Decision Your Government Organization Can Make
The Magellan Strategies team has been rewriting the book on the community survey since 2007. Say goodbye to paper mail surveys that your residents throw in the trash. Our community surveys are designed to captivate and engage your residents, including hard-to-reach populations. Our interview methods are more inviting, inclusive, and effective than mail or phone surveys. In addition, by creating an enjoyable, interactive community survey experience, we ensure your residents not only participate but also genuinely enjoy sharing their thoughts and opinions.
Eaton School District 2026 Ballot Measure Survey
Larimer County 2025 Services Community Survey
Boulder County 2025 Community Survey
City of Manitou Springs 2023 Community Survey
Town of Frisco 2025 Community and Ballot Measure Survey
Town of Erie 2025 Community Survey
Denver City Council District 4 2025 Community Survey
Denver City Council District 7 2025 Community Survey
The Benefits of the Magellan Community Survey
We Guarantee the Best Resident Engagement You Have Ever Seen
Unfortunately, many survey research firms still rely on mail surveys as their primary method for conducting interviews with residents. This “paper method” is expensive, slow, and prone to keypunching and non-response bias errors. Additionally, mail surveys do not offer a large percentage of residents the opportunity to participate more than once. We believe that this is unacceptable and results in a less accurate community survey.
Our primary method of interviewing respondents is sending MMS text survey invitations. On average, MMS text survey invitations reach at least 50% of a community’s adult population, inviting them to participate in a community survey. Additionally, we send multiple texts, providing residents with several opportunities to participate. Another advantage of MMS text survey invitations is the simple fact that people pay attention to a text message from their local government.
A Complete, Engaging, In-Depth, Professional Survey in 30 Days
Using technology wisely, a community survey project should not take three to five months to complete. Mail surveys that require respondents to fill out and mail back a paper survey are expensive, slow, and totally unnecessary today. Our community survey process can be completed from start to finish in 30 days or less.
An Inclusive Community Survey That Engages Hard-to-Reach Populations
Experienced research firms are well aware of the challenges of interviewing minority, first generation, and lower-income individuals. However, it has been our experience that MMS text survey invitations and working with government staff distributing QR-codes among these populations can greatly enhance survey engagement rates. This approach has garnered positive feedback from our government clients operating in both rural and urban areas.
By leveraging these innovative methods, we effectively reach and engage individuals who might have otherwise been difficult to include in the survey process. This not only ensures a more inclusive representation of diverse perspectives but also allows us to gather valuable insights from these important segments of the population.
Compare Your Results to Similar Communities at No Charge
We understand why government staff and council members like to see their community survey results compared to those of other cities, towns, or counties. Comparing survey results among similar communities is a great way to put your results in context. However, some of our community survey competitors believe it is appropriate to compare a mountain community of 10,000 residents to Dallas, Texas, or Atlanta, Georgia.
In addition, they charge you for the comparison. We don’t do that here at Magellan Strategies. Our team is happy to take the time, at no charge, to compare your community survey results with a community of similar size and demographics.
A Community Survey With 100+ Questions? No Problem
Our government clients frequently inquire about respondent survey completion rates and the number of questions participants are willing to answer. Based on our experience, it has been observed that residents are willing to respond to more than 100 questions when taking a survey on a desktop or an electronic device. This is particularly true for resident surveys, as individuals often desire to express their opinions on various topics related to their local government.
In contrast, traditional mail surveys can be burdensome, particularly when respondents are required to provide open-ended verbatim responses. To optimize engagement and streamline the survey process, we exclusively employ online survey data collection methods. By eliminating the hassle of paper-based surveys, we ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for both respondents and survey administrators.
One Fee for Meetings, a Presentation, & Survey Deliverables
When it comes to community surveys, we offer a transparent and straightforward pricing structure for our clients.
Our 75-question Total Community Survey is $25,000, and our 30-question Condensed Community Survey is $12,500.
We do not charge additional fees to produce a survey presentation or for our time to present survey results multiple times to staff in a working session or a public forum. Our goal is to provide clarity and simplicity in our pricing approach. Simply put, our clients pay a single fee for their community survey.
Community Survey Testimonials
Community Survey Pricing
Following is pricing for our two community survey offerings. However, we are happy to come up with a custom cost based on the number of questions and the number of interviews to fit your budget.
The Total Community Survey
This community survey has it all. Ask residents about every government service and department in your organization.-
75 questions, including open-ended verbatim questions
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We send up to 60,000 MMS Text Survey invitations to residents
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The number of interviews will range from 300 to 3,000 depending on your population
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Survey deliverables include a survey topline document, crosstabs, an in-depth PowerPoint presentation, and summary of findings.
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No additional cost to offer the survey in English and Spanish.
The Condensed Community Survey
This abbreviated community survey provides a broad range of opinion measurements. Your government organization will be happy with the results.-
30 questions, including open-ended verbatim questions
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We send up to 25,000 MMS Text Survey invitations to residents
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The number of interviews will range from 300 to 1,500 depending on your population
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Survey deliverables include a survey topline document, crosstabs, an in-depth PowerPoint presentation, and summary of findings.
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No additional cost to offer the survey in English and Spanish.
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How Magellan Strategies Can Help
As experts in public opinion research and community engagement, Magellan Strategies offers:
- Customized Survey Design: Tailored to your community’s unique needs and demographics
- Multi-Modal Data Collection: Ensuring broad participation across all community segments
- Advanced Analytics: Turning raw data into clear, actionable insights
- Strategic Consulting: Helping you translate survey results into effective policies and programs
- Ongoing Support: From initial design to final presentation, we’re with you every step of the way.
Empower your local government with the insights gained from well-executed community surveys. Contact Magellan Strategies today to learn how our expert services can enhance your community engagement efforts and drive positive change in your municipality.
Strengthening Community Engagement Through Surveys
Effective community surveys go beyond mere data collection; they’re powerful tools for fostering active citizenship. Here’s how:
- Two-Way Communication: Surveys open channels for citizens to voice their opinions and for governments to listen.
- Inclusive Participation: Well-designed surveys ensure all community segments are heard, including underrepresented groups.
- Informed Citizenry: The survey process educates residents about local issues and government functions.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: By involving citizens in identifying challenges, surveys promote a sense of shared responsibility.