Satisfied with their local area as a place to live
“Satisfaction with your local area as a place to live”: satisfied
- Portsmouth69%
- Chichester84%
- Southampton60%
- Winchester88%
- England73%
What matters
What residents say
What Portsmouth residents asked the council to prioritise, how Portsmouth compares with other places on the same survey questions, and what people across Great Britain name as the main issues.
Data: council consultation · same-question survey, every English council · UK-wide (JSON, refreshed from official feeds and checked before publication).
Portsmouth City Council (Research and Engagement Team) · fieldwork 16 August to 14 September 2025
What residents asked the council to prioritise
Respondents chose up to ten council priority areas, then ranked them. The figure is the share of respondents who placed each priority in their top five. Consultation respondents · 1,698 answered
- 166%
Making sure people feel safe and supported in their homes and communities
The evidence: Crime and anti-social behaviour
- 245%
Regenerating major sites to create homes, jobs and economic opportunities in the city
The evidence: Homes and homelessness · Poverty, jobs and pay
- 335%
Working to support individuals and families struggling to make ends meet
The evidence: The cost of living
- 435%
Improving transport systems and journey times in the city and prioritising sustainable travel
The evidence: Air pollution and traffic
- 534%
Reducing the council's housing waiting list
The evidence: Homes and homelessness
Only the top five are published as shares. In open comments, the most frequent other themes were: Being people focused and prioritising residents for services and housing; Safety and reducing crime, for example street safety, police presence and deterring anti-social behaviour; Community, culture and leisure; Affordable and protected housing, including regulating HMOs; Improving transport facilities, including parking. Most frequent themes in open comments (Table 3), in order of popularity; 11% of respondents gave an 'other' answer. Themes are not counted.
Who answered. An open online survey (with paper copies) promoted by the council. People chose to take part, so results describe respondents, not all residents. The council compared respondents' postcode districts with the 2021 Census: PO4 was over-represented by 12 percentage points and PO1 and PO6 under-represented by 7 points each. The report's quoted margin of error assumes a random sample, which this is not. 1,758 people took part; 1,698 answered this question.
Source: Budget & Council Tax 2026/27: Appendix H, Portsmouth City Council Budget Consultation Report 2026-27 (Figure 4) ↗ (Full Council, 24 February 2026). Other survey waves: Your City, Your Say results ↗.
Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 · October 2025 to March 2026
The same questions in other places
Same question, period and method in every area, so councils can be compared. Overlapping 95% ranges mean a difference may not be real. Portsmouth is compared with the three nearest official cities and the three most similar (ons area classification), each as its own council area, with england.
Proud to live in their local area
“How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I am proud to live in my local area”: agree
- Portsmouth52%
- Chichester73%
- Southampton42%
- Winchester81%
- England62%
Would recommend their local area
“How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I would recommend my local area to others as a good place to live”: agree
- Portsmouth58%
- Chichester76%
- Southampton48%
- Winchester84%
- England65%
Feel they belong to their neighbourhood
“How strongly do you feel you belong to your immediate neighbourhood?”: very/fairly strongly
- Portsmouth58%
- Chichester62%
- Southampton47%
- Winchester65%
- England61%
Feel they can influence decisions affecting their local area
“To what extent do you agree or disagree that you personally can influence decisions affecting your local area?”: agree
- Portsmouth25%
- Chichester25%
- Southampton20%
- Winchester29%
- England26%
Representative survey Representative push-to-web survey with paper option; weighted estimates with 95% confidence limits; base is unweighted respondents. Local-authority estimates are published for English council areas (lower-tier districts, unitaries, metropolitan and London boroughs). Bars show the estimate and its 95% range; where ranges overlap a difference may not be real. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different surveys. Data tables ↗
Surveys on particular issues
Results from surveys about one subject, each with its own question, design, sample and dates. Different surveys are not ranked against each other.
Portsmouth Community Safety Survey 2026 (face-to-face)
Self-selected responses Portsmouth City Council · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Face-to-face interviews by ten trained University of Portsmouth students under supervision, 10 February to 21 March 2026, at 13 high-footfall city locations; convenience (non-random) sample of residents aged 18+, demographics monitored against ONS estimates during fieldwork; 1,074 interviews (target 1,065); results are unweighted. Same core method every two years since 2014. Older people (65-74), retired people and Charles Dickens ward over-represented; ages 25-44, people in work, Cosham and Paulsgrove under-represented. A separate online pilot (11-24 March 2026, 352 responses, mostly via the council e-bulletin) is reported separately and cannot be combined with the interviews.
“"The overall quality of my life in Portsmouth is very good" (1 poor to 5 very good)” Answer: Agree or strongly agree
Self-selected responses · 1,074 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. Mean score 3.71, unchanged from 2024 and below 2014-2022.
“"ASB is a big problem in the area where I live" (1 not a problem to 5 very big problem)” Answer: Agree or strongly agree
Self-selected responses · 1,074 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. The report says this is 6 points lower than 2024; perception has been broadly stable since 2018.
“Personally witnessed or experienced anti-social behaviour in Portsmouth in the previous 12 months (no list shown)” Answer: Yes, at least one ASB type
Self-selected responses · 1,073 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. Highest since this question method began in 2014. 829 of the 1,074 interviews gives 77.2%; the report states 77.3%, probably excluding a blank answer.
“Types of ASB personally witnessed or experienced in the previous 12 months (unprompted)” Answer: People using or supplying drugs
Self-selected responses · 1,074 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. Most common ASB type in 2026.
“Types of ASB personally witnessed or experienced in the previous 12 months (unprompted)” Answer: Traffic issues (including e-scooters)
Self-selected responses · 1,074 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part.
“Whether each ASB type experienced was reported to an agency” Answer: Reported to an agency (share of ASB incidents described, not of residents)
Self-selected responses · 2,086 incident descriptions · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. Base is 2,086 ASB incident types described by respondents, not people; some may be ongoing issues.
“Whether worried about being the victim of crime (wording as summarised in the report)” Answer: Worried
Self-selected responses · 1,073 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. The report says the rise from 2024 is statistically significant and the level is below 2014-2020.
“Victim of at least one crime in the previous 12 months, excluding online crime” Answer: Yes
Self-selected responses · 1,073 respondents · fieldwork 10 February to 21 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. Rise driven mainly by threats, intimidation, verbal abuse and hate crime. Interviews in public places may under-record sensitive crimes; domestic abuse was not asked directly.
3 more results in this survey are linked from the relevant issue pages.
Portsmouth Community Safety Survey 2026 (online pilot)
Self-selected responses Portsmouth City Council · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Open online questionnaire promoted by the council's communications team (e-bulletin 91%, Facebook 8%, Instagram 1 response), 11-24 March 2026, 352 responses; heavily skewed to older and retired respondents. ASB and crime questions showed a list of types after a yes/no question, unlike the interviews, so results are not comparable with the face-to-face survey.
“Witnessed or experienced ASB in the previous 12 months (online: yes/no, then a list of types)” Answer: Yes
Self-selected responses · 352 respondents · fieldwork 11 to 24 March 2026 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Online pilot, open to anyone, promoted mainly by council e-bulletin; skewed to older and retired residents. Different question routing from the interviews, so not comparable with the 77% face-to-face figure.
Portsmouth Community Safety Survey 2024 (face-to-face)
Self-selected responses Portsmouth City Council · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Same biennial face-to-face convenience-sample method as 2026; fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 (council page). The 2024 report PDFs could not be read by script (HTTP 403); 2024 figures here are the comparisons stated in the 2026 report.
“Personally witnessed or experienced anti-social behaviour in Portsmouth in the previous 12 months (no list shown)” Answer: Yes, at least one ASB type
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value read from Figure 9 of the 2026 report and consistent with its stated 13-point rise; the 2024 report itself could not be read. Base not stated.
“Types of ASB personally witnessed or experienced in the previous 12 months (unprompted)” Answer: People using or supplying drugs
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value from Table 5 of the 2026 report; base not stated there.
“Types of ASB personally witnessed or experienced in the previous 12 months (unprompted)” Answer: Traffic issues
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value from Table 5 of the 2026 report; base not stated there.
“Whether each ASB type experienced was reported to an agency” Answer: Reported to an agency (share of ASB incidents described, not of residents)
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value as stated in the 2026 report; incident base not stated there.
“Whether worried about being the victim of crime (wording as summarised in the report)” Answer: Worried
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value as stated in the 2026 report; base not stated there.
“Victim of at least one crime in the previous 12 months, excluding online crime” Answer: Yes
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value as stated in the 2026 report; base not stated there.
“Victim of at least one cybercrime in the previous 12 months” Answer: Yes
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value as stated in the 2026 report (same as 2022); base not stated there.
“Whether knife crime is a problem in Portsmouth” Answer: Yes
Self-selected responses · fieldwork 7 February to 8 March 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. Convenience sample at busy locations, not random and not weighted; the council notes people with experience of crime or ASB may be more likely to take part. 2024 value as stated in the 2026 report; base not stated there.
1 more results in this survey are linked from the relevant issue pages.
Healthwatch Portsmouth What Matters Most 2026/27
Self-selected responses Healthwatch Portsmouth · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Open survey on Healthwatch Portsmouth's Smart Survey platform plus outreach and paper copies, early 2026 (exact dates not published). One question: choose up to three of 23 health and care topics. 442 responses; the report says 424 from PO1-PO6 are analysed, but its published percentages equal counts divided by 442. Respondents were mostly aged 50+ (83%), 78% female and 93% White. Unweighted.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Primary care services
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 55.9%.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: NHS Dentistry
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 35.8%.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Accident and Emergency
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 33.3%.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Hospital Departments, Outpatients and Clinics
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 17.9%.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Cost-of-living issues
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 17.2%.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Adult Social Care
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 16.7%.
“Which health and care topics matter most to you? (choose up to three of 23)” Answer: Adult Mental Health Services
Self-selected responses · 442 respondents · fieldwork Early 2026 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey, not a random sample; respondents were mostly older, female and White. Shows what respondents chose, not the whole city. Respondents could choose up to three topics, so shares add to more than 100%. The report says 424 Portsmouth responses are analysed, but this published share equals the count divided by all 442 responses; on the 424 base it would be 16.3%.
Healthwatch Portsmouth What Matters Most to You in Portsmouth 2025/2026
Self-selected responses Healthwatch Portsmouth · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Open survey run before February 2025; only a short results post is published (top three concerns with percentages). Number of responses, option list and fieldwork dates are not stated.
“Top health and care concerns (question wording and options not published)” Answer: GP Services
Self-selected responses · fieldwork Before 27 February 2025 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey; only a short results post exists, with no number of responses or option list. Labels differ from the 2026/27 survey (for example 'GP Services' rather than 'Primary care services'), so the two years are not a trend.
“Top health and care concerns (question wording and options not published)” Answer: NHS Dentistry
Self-selected responses · fieldwork Before 27 February 2025 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey; only a short results post exists, with no number of responses or option list. Labels differ from the 2026/27 survey (for example 'GP Services' rather than 'Primary care services'), so the two years are not a trend.
“Top health and care concerns (question wording and options not published)” Answer: Emergency and Urgent Care
Self-selected responses · fieldwork Before 27 February 2025 (dates not published) · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Self-selected survey; only a short results post exists, with no number of responses or option list. Labels differ from the 2026/27 survey (for example 'GP Services' rather than 'Primary care services'), so the two years are not a trend.
Portsmouth residents’ research (Your City, Your Say)
Self-selected responses Portsmouth City Council · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Open, self-selected survey, mainly online with paper copies, promoted through press releases, social media (including paid posts) and partners; not a panel. Results are weighted (RIM weighting by age, sex, ethnic group, disability and postcode district to 2021 Census targets). The council states each sample was not representative of Portsmouth’s known population. Responses: Wave 5 (2023) 2,049; Wave 6 (2024) 1,909, with a weighted base of 1,235 on its charts (difference not explained); Wave 7 (2025) 1,464. No margin of error is shown here: the council publishes one, but an open, self-selected sample does not support it. No 2026 wave was found on 10 November 2026.
“Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living?” Answer: Less able, or cannot meet, day-to-day costs (sum of three options)
Self-selected responses · 1,464 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 15 August to 14 September 2025 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 26% slightly less able, 14% much less able, 4% cannot meet.
“Are you able to meet the current day-to-day costs of living?” Answer: Less able, or cannot meet, day-to-day costs (sum of three options)
Self-selected responses · 1,235 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 29 July to 15 September 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 30% slightly less able, 10% much less able, cannot meet not charted; the Wave 6 page states 41% and the Wave 7 page states 40% for 2024.
“What impact has the increase in the cost of living had on you being able to meet the day-to-day costs of living now?” Answer: Less able, or cannot meet, day-to-day costs (sum of three options)
Self-selected responses · 2,049 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 26 July to 10 September 2023 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey. 32% slightly less able, 18% much less able, 3% cannot meet. Wording differed from 2024 and 2025: it asked about the impact of rising costs, so treat the change as indicative.
“Do you know where to go for support with the cost of living?” Answer: Yes
Self-selected responses · 1,464 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 15 August to 14 September 2025 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence. 38% yes, 38% no, 23% unsure. This asks where to go for support in general, not about the council’s cost-of-living hub or helpline. Earlier waves asked a different question, so there is no trend.
“Do you ever have problems accessing the following services?” Answer: GP practice
Self-selected responses · 2,049 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 26 July to 10 September 2023 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared.
“Do you ever have problems accessing the following services?” Answer: Dentist
Self-selected responses · 2,049 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 26 July to 10 September 2023 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared.
“Do you ever have problems accessing the following services?” Answer: GP practice
Self-selected responses · 1,235 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 29 July to 15 September 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared.
“Do you ever have problems accessing the following services?” Answer: Dentist
Self-selected responses · 1,235 respondents · weighted · fieldwork 29 July to 15 September 2024 · Portsmouth City Council ↗
Survey-based evidence from an open, weighted resident survey; a different question and population from the national GP Patient Survey, so the two are not compared.
2 more results in this survey are linked from the relevant issue pages.
Healthwatch Portsmouth GP experience survey 2026
Self-selected responses Healthwatch Portsmouth · About the survey ↗
Method and limits
Open survey run by Healthwatch in April 2026 (one of four Hampshire Healthwatch surveys); 504 responses from people using Portsmouth GP practices. Self-selected and unweighted: shares describe respondents, not all patients. Not comparable with the national GP Patient Survey.
“Compared with before, is it easier or harder to get a GP appointment? (as reported)” Answer: Harder
Self-selected responses · 504 respondents · fieldwork April 2026 · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Survey-based evidence from a self-selected Healthwatch survey. About 8% found it easier.
“How easy or difficult were online forms to use? (as reported)” Answer: Difficult or very difficult
Self-selected responses · 504 respondents · fieldwork April 2026 · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Survey-based evidence from a self-selected Healthwatch survey. 208 of 504 respondents; calculated by Facts Count from the published count.
“Were you told why you were redirected to another professional? (as reported)” Answer: Not told
Self-selected responses · fieldwork April 2026 · Healthwatch Portsmouth ↗
Survey-based evidence from a self-selected Healthwatch survey. Base is those redirected; not stated in the summary.
UK-wide context
What people across Great Britain name as the main issues
National benchmarks, not Portsmouth figures.
YouGov: most important issues facing your local area
“What do you think are the most important issues facing your LOCAL AREA at this time? Please tick up to three.”
- Roads (potholes, parking, congestion etc.)37%
- Economy, cost of living35%
- NHS GP, hospital services and facilities29%
- Immigration19%
- Crime, anti-social behaviour, policing18%
- The state of the local high street/ town centre14%
- NHS Dentist services and facilities14%
- Council taxes13%
Adults in Great Britain, 2,104 respondents, 26th - 27th March 2026. Online panel, weighted to be representative of GB adults. Answer categories were built from an open question asked two days earlier. Up to three answers each, so shares add to more than 100%. Source ↗
Office for National Statistics: important issues facing the uk
“What do you think are important issues facing the UK today?”
- Cost of living88%
- NHS78%
- Economy69%
- Climate change and the environment60%
- Immigration59%
- Crime58%
- Housing54%
- Employment53%
Adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain, 2 to 27 September 2026. Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (random sample of households, weighted). More than one answer allowed. 95% limits in the data file. Source ↗