Tempe, AZ - Mayor Corey Woods and mayors from more than 20 other cities around the world recently gathered to find new ways to use data to improve their communities through Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance.  

Participating cities included: Baltimore, Md.; Baton Rouge, La.; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Charleston, S.C.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Detroit; Fortaleza, Brazil; Guadalajara, Mexico; Kitchener, Canada; Montevideo, Uruguay; Regina, Canada; Renca, Chile; Rio de Janeiro; Riverside, Calif.; Rochester, Minn.; Rosario, Argentina; San Antonio, Texas; San Pedro Garza García, Mexico; Scottsdale, Ariz.; South Bend, Ind.; Tempe, Ariz.; Tulsa, Okla.

“This group was hand-selected because they’ve already demonstrated they’re committed to using data to drive impacts in their communities,” said Beth Blauer, Associate Vice Provost for Public Sector Innovation at Johns Hopkins University and a leader of the new program.

Tempe has proven to be a leader in the use of data in many ways. From pioneering the use of wastewater science data to measure COVID-19 in the community to tracking the pavement quality index to improve city roads, Tempe is data-driven.  

"I see the exceptional value we’ll create for our residents with the usable information we’ll develop from collecting data," said Mayor Woods. "The ability to do this keeps the city close to residents’ needs and makes us more responsive."

Tempe sets the standard
Tempe is setting the standard in the use of data for municipalities. In 2016, the Tempe City Council set five strategic priorities for the community and started measuring factors that lead to overall improvements. Residents can see these priorities, the associated performance measures and the data for each measure on an online dashboard. 

The effort put into making these measures effective and transparent has received accolades. Tempe is a Bloomberg What Works Cities Gold Certified City. This designation recognizes local governments that are leading the nation in the use of data and evidence to improve services, create operational efficiencies and engage residents. Only seven cities in the nation are gold certified. 

Why data matters
Quantifying success doesn't just provide numbers - it makes life better for people. 

 According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, life satisfaction for residents is higher by a margin of 3.5% in cities that are data-focused. That statistic is valid in Tempe. We have some of the most satisfied residents in the nation. 

Tempe surveys its residents annually through ETC Institute. For the last two years, the survey company has ranked Tempe among the top 10% of cities in the country for satisfaction with the overall quality of services, customer service and the value residents think they receive for local taxes and fees, earning Tempe the Leading the Way award.

The 2022 Community Survey is open now for residents who want to participate.  

Take the 2022 Community Survey