Pendleton, OR. — Pendleton’s 2025 Strategic Planning Survey reveals that residents envision a safe, clean, and thriving community while identifying homelessness, infrastructure, and housing costs as the city’s most pressing challenges.
Conducted in partnership with the Coraggio Group, the survey gathered input from 433 respondents representing residents, business owners, city employees, and community organizations. It sought to inform Pendleton’s forthcoming strategic plan by highlighting key community assets, challenges, and priorities (Pendleton Strategic Planning Survey 2025).
When asked to describe their vision for Pendleton’s future, participants most frequently used words such as “safe,” “clean,” “thriving,” and “vibrant.” Residents cited the city’s signature events, parks and public spaces, and strong tribal partnerships as top community assets (Pendleton Strategic Planning Survey 2025).
However, concerns about homelessness, aging infrastructure, and the rising cost of housing dominated responses. Nearly three-quarters of participants identified homelessness as a leading issue, followed closely by infrastructure and affordability. Additional concerns included limited retail options, high utility costs, and frustration with local governance and economic stagnation (Pendleton Strategic Planning Survey 2025).
When ranking priorities for improvement, respondents emphasized addressing homelessness, investing in public facilities and infrastructure, promoting economic growth, and maintaining community safety.
The survey findings will guide city leaders in developing Pendleton’s next strategic plan, intended to balance economic opportunity with livability and preservation of the city’s small-town character (Pendleton Strategic Planning Survey 2025).
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