Ever wondered how many primary homes are being sold in the Mad River Valley? Or how the average price of vacation homes has changed over the past decade? Or even how much trust neighbors have in one another?
Questions of community wellbeing and resilience are always relevant. The Mad River Valley Planning District has that data, and its staff is eager to share it with community members living throughout the Mad River Valley.
In 2022, the planning district launched the Mad River Valley Community Dashboard, an online platform that brings together a wide range of local data to better understand life in The Valley—from housing and water quality to social connectedness and population trends. The dashboard draws from the planning district’s annual Mad River Valley Data Report and biannual Mad River Valley Community Wellbeing Survey, making it easier for community members and decision-makers to explore, understand, and track the factors shaping The Valley’s future.
Organized into five key areas (Built Environment, Natural Systems, Community Connections, Social Infrastructure, and Economic Opportunity), the dashboard allows users to explore trends over time, dig into local insights, and better understand the forces influencing our communities.
Behind the scenes, the dashboard pulls together data from a wide range of sources, including the US Census, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Department of Taxes, Green Mountain Transit, and the Vermont Community Energy Dashboard, alongside locally collected data, such as from MRVPD’s own Community Wellbeing Survey.
“The platform itself was developed through a collaborative effort between MRVPD staff and a six-member Community Dashboard Advisory Committee, who worked together to define what “wellbeing” means in the Mad River Valley and how best to measure it,” explained MRVPD community planner Franni Hoag.
She noted that that work is ongoing.
“Community members play a vital role in keeping this data relevant and meaningful. The 2026 MRV Community Wellbeing Survey launches on May 2, offering residents of Waitsfield, Warren, and Fayston a chance to share their experiences and perspectives. The Planning District will distribute the survey digitally via its newsletter and on its website, and it will also be available in print at several locations around The Valley. These responses help fill critical gaps in local data, capturing not just what is happening in the Valley, but how people feel about it. Results from this year’s survey will be added to the Dashboard this fall,” Hoag explained.
“Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or decision-maker, the Community Dashboard is a tool for understanding where we are and helping shape where we’re going,” she added.
Explore the Dashboard: https://mrvpd.org
