2025 residents survey

In summer 2025 we commissioned a residents survey, which was carried out by an independent market research agency.  The survey was conducted in several ways:

  • A representative telephone survey with Cheltenham residents over the age of 16. Representative means that the sample of residents who took part reflects the local population (based on age, gender and ward)
  • Some face-to-face interviews with Cheltenham residents over the age of 16, also representative of the local population (based on age, gender and ward)
  • Online survey open to Cheltenham residents over the age of 16

You can read an accessible summary of the headline results below, or download the summary as an infographic. You can also download the full results and analysis. The survey results will be used to inform future decision-making.  

Results summary

Representative survey of 1,100 residents conducted via telephone and face-to-face interviews.

426 responses received to online version of the survey.

The results below are a selection of key findings from the representative survey only.

Key strengths and priorities for Cheltenham

Top 3 performing areas

  • 85% are satisfied with the events that are held in Cheltenham
  • 83% agree with the statement “I would recommend Cheltenham as a place to live”
  • 82% are satisfied with their local area as a place to live

Top 3 areas for improvement

  • Residents would like to see an improvement in the cleanliness and upkeep of Cheltenham.  This includes road maintenance, which is the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council
  • 36% are dissatisfied with the range of shops available
  • Around seven in ten agree that there is a need for more affordable homes in Cheltenham
    • 70% agree there is a need for more affordable housing to rent
    • 68% agree there is a need for more affordable housing to buy

The council is performing consistent with or above the national average

This compares results of the Cheltenham Resident Survey 2025 with results from the Local Government Association National Polling Survey.

Satisfaction with their local area as a place to live

  • Cheltenham Resident Survey - 82%
  • LGA National Polling Survey - 74%

Perception that the council keeps residents well informed

  • Cheltenham Resident Survey - 50%
  • LGA National Polling Survey - 47%

Satisfaction with the way the council runs things

  • Cheltenham Resident Survey - 57%
  • LGA National Polling Survey - 56%

Agree that the council provides value for money

  • Cheltenham Resident Survey - 40%
  • LGA National Polling Survey - 36%

Did you know that 11% of Cheltenham residents’ council tax is allocated to Cheltenham Borough Council?

One in eight (12%) could correctly identify that 10-19% of their council tax is allocated to the council.

Perceptions of living in Cheltenham

  • 74% agreed with the statement “Cheltenham has a vibrant culture and is an exciting place to live”
  • 70%  agreed with the statement “Cheltenham has a positive future”
  • 46% agreed with the statement “Cheltenham is a place that offers opportunity for young people”

Whilst there is room to improve, agreement with the statement “By living in Cheltenham, I have the opportunity to grow my career” has continued to increase since 2019.

  • In 2019 29% agreed with this statement
  • In 2022 44% agreed with this statement
  • In 2025 49% agreed with this statement

Local representation

If speaking to someone from elsewhere in the UK, over eight in ten would say they live in Cheltenham.

  • 83% said Cheltenham
  • 7% said Gloucestershire
  • 5% said the Cotswolds
  • 2% said the Southwest

76% agreed with the statement “I feel a sense of belonging to my local area”.

85% think it is important that they are represented by a local council or local councillors.