The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) has released the results of a recent poll of registered voters in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. The survey aimed to assess public sentiment on community issues aligned with the goals of Orlando Vision 2045, which seeks to enhance the region’s status as a global innovation hub, promote the concept of 15-minute cities, and make Orlando the top place to live in the United States.
According to the poll, 88% of respondents view Central Florida as a safe place for living and working. Additionally, 87% believe it is a good area for raising families. When asked about downtown Orlando specifically, 55% agreed that it is a safe and enjoyable location for events and entertainment.
Traffic congestion emerged as a significant concern among those surveyed; 78% said it negatively affects the local economy. A large majority—89%—felt that improving overall quality of life would attract new investment and jobs to the region. Attracting higher-paying jobs was considered a high priority by 72% of respondents, while investing more in higher education was important to 62%.
The issue receiving the most attention from voters was increasing housing supply and making homes more affordable. When presented with various policy issues such as property taxes, schools, traffic congestion, crime, and environmental concerns, housing affordability stood out as the primary focus.
Regarding regional decision-making, 70% indicated that business leaders should have greater involvement in shaping policies that affect economic conditions and quality of life. The OEP interprets this finding as support for increased engagement by business organizations in regional matters.
One specific topic addressed in the poll was public opinion on expanding SunRail service—a key priority for OEP. Of those polled, 77% said they would likely use SunRail if it were extended to connect Orlando International Airport with local theme parks; half stated they would be very likely to do so. Support for this expansion was strong across all three counties surveyed.
The OEP plans to use this inaugural poll as baseline data for tracking trends over time on these topics. Future polls are scheduled annually, with results from the next survey expected at the Regional Leadership Conference in spring 2026.
“The Partnership intends to conduct the poll annually, with the next poll planned for the spring with results to be shared at the 2026 Regional Leadership Conference,” according to an OEP statement.
