The results are in, and Lone Tree continues to impress its residents.

Every few years, Lone Tree sends a survey to its residents — 5,731 households in 2016 — to understand how the city is perceived. More than 21 percent, or 1,213 households, responded to the latest survey. The city contracted with the National Research Center Inc., based in Boulder, to conduct the citizen survey.

Nearly 97 percent of residents rated the overall quality of life in Lone Tree as “good” or “excellent.” This is consistent with previous results, which have been between 96 percent and 98 percent since 2006.

“It speaks to the good work of this council and prior councils,” Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet said. “I don’t know if we will ever get beyond a 99 percent (overall quality of life) number, but we can always improve.”

Other bragging rights for Lone Tree include cleanliness, overall appearance, overall image and reputation, shopping opportunities and ease of light rail travel. These categories received a “good” or “excellent” score from at least 87 percent of residents.

There were several areas in which residents expressed concern: population growth, traffic congestion and the preservation of city history.

Millet said the purpose of the survey is not to “pat ourselves on the back.” She is interested in what residents want improved. She mentioned factors that will continue to improve life in Lone Tree, including the pending annexation of CU South Denver, I-25 road expansion and the new Morning Star Senior Living Community.

Some more findings of the survey:

High quality of life

• Nearly all respondents rated the overall quality of life in the city as excellent or good, much higher than the national and Front Range benchmark comparisons.

• At least eight in 10 respondents gave excellent or good ratings to the city as a place to live, raise children, work and retire.

• Fewer respondents in 2016 (92 percent) compared to 2012 (97 percent) felt that the city was an excellent or good place to raise children.

• Amont respondents, 96 percent are likely to recommend living in Lone Tree to someone who asks and 86 percent are likely to remain in Lone Tree for the next five years.

A number of ratings fluctuated

• Improvements in ratings from 2012 to 2016 were seen for street cleaning, storm drainage, animal control and building permits and inspections.

• Crime prevention, recycling, public information and traffic enforcement were given slightly lower ratings in 2016 compared to 2012.

Concerns over population growth

• Among respondents, 74 percent felt population was growing too fast over the last two years. This was a significant increase from assessments given in 2012.

• About 60 percent felt that retail growth and job growth were increasing at the right rate.

• Traffic flow on major streets was one of the lowest rated characteristics of the community, with only 46 percent rating it as excellent or good. This is a decrease from a 63 percent good or excellent rating in 2012.

• 60 percent of respondents wanted to see more resources allocated toward alleviating traffic congestion and 29 percent wanted more resources put toward exploring new public transportation solutions.

Recreation, leisure rate high

• In 2016, about half of respondents reported using four to seven of the 10 different facilities asked about on the survey, and one-third used one to three facilities. These facilities include the Lone Tree Library, Lone Tree Recreation Center, tennis courts and the Bluffs Regional Park and Trail System.

• Recreational opportunities were given excellent or good ratings from 85 percent of respondents, a rating that was similar to 2012 and was much higher than the national and Front Range averages.

• Among respondents, 77 percent used recreation trails at least once in the last 12 months, and 76 percent used the Bluffs Regional Park and Trail System.

• About six in 10 reported using the Lone Tree Recreation Center and the new Lone Tree Library.

• Fewer respondents reported using tennis courts and visiting Schweiger Ranch at least once in the 12 months prior to the survey (18 percent and 10 percent, respectively).

Survey results are expected to be made available soon on the city’s website, www.cityoflonetree.com.