Commercial District Customer Intercept Survey Responses - Historical
data.cambridgema.gov | Last Updated 6 May 2024Every year, the City of Cambridge’s Economic Development Division conducts a customer intercept study at a different commercial district. The results of this study are provided in this dataset to facilitate year-over-year and square-by-square analysis. This data has been scrubbed of ZIP codes to prevent any respondents from being identified. The customer intercept survey is slightly altered each year for the specific district in consideration, so the exact wording of questions and the questions asked are not necessarily consistent from year to year. If a question was not asked in a given district’s survey, “[Question Not Asked In This District's Survey]” is listed as the value. A blank cell indicates that the respondent did not answer that question, although it was asked. In many questions, such as mode of transit, participants were asked to give one answer but often filled in more than one. On surveys after 2014, we captured all of their responses, rather than just the one. All of the final reports developed from this data are available here: http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/econdev/aboutcambridge
This dataset has the following 103 columns:
| Column Name | API Column Name | Data Type | Description | Sample Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | district | text | The district in which the survey was administered | Kendall Square Alewife & Fresh Pond Central Square Inman Square East Cambridge view top 100 |
| Survey Year | survey_year | number | The year in which that district was surveyed | 2011 2015 2009 2014 2013 view top 100 |
| What is the PRIMARY purpose for being in [district] today? | what_is_the_primary_purpose_for_being_in_district_today | text | An open response question which was coded by volunteers as data was inputted from paper copies. | Work Shopping Live Here Dining Event/Meeting view top 100 |
| What particular businesses are you visiting today? | what_particular_businesses_are_you_visiting_today | text | An open response question which was coded by volunteers as data was inputted from paper copies. | [Data Unavailable] [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Work Food truck Whole Foods view top 100 |
| Please tell me 3 types of businesses you would like to see in the [district] that are not here now. | please_tell_me_3_types_of_businesses_you_would_like_to_see_in_the_district_that_are_not_here_now | text | An open response question which was coded by volunteers as data was inputted from paper copies. | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] [Data Unavailable] Restaurant Café Convenience Store view top 100 |
| Which types of businesses would you like to see in [district]? | which_types_of_businesses_would_you_like_to_see_in_district | text | Some years, this was open response, whereas other years there was a menu to select from | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] [Data Unavailable] Apparel Stores, Movie Theater Independent Boutiques/Specialty Retail, Bakeries/Coffee Shops, Specialty Food Shop (e.g. cheese shop, butcher) General Merchandise Store (e.g. Target), Movie Theater, Grocery Store, Bakeries/Coffee Shops, Home Furnishing Store, Marshalls view top 100 |
| How often do you use services or shops in [district]? | how_often_do_you_use_services_or_shops_in_district | text | Respondents shared how often they use services or shops in the district, excluding work. | Almost Every Day 3-5 Times Per Week Once per week Once Per Month 2-3 Times Per Month view top 100 |
| How long is your average visit (outside of work) to [district]? | how_long_is_your_average_visit_outside_of_work_to_district | text | Respondents shared how long their average visit was to the district, excluding work. | Less than an hour 1-2 hours [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Less than an Hour 1-2 Hours view top 100 |
| How do you most frequently get to the [district]? | how_do_you_most_frequently_get_to_the_district | text | * The surveys for Alewife and Inman are the only ones that combined the dining/entertainment questions. To facilitate analysis, we took their responses to the combined question and put them in both the "dining" and "eating" questions that the other surveys were asked. | Walk Drive Subway Bike Bus view top 100 |
| Ranking of Barbers/Hair Salons | ranking_of_barbers_hair_salons | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Good Poor [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Fair view top 100 |
| Ranking of Bars | ranking_of_bars | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Sporting Goods | ranking_of_sporting_goods | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Home Goods | ranking_of_home_goods | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Fair Poor Good fair view top 100 |
| Ranking of Coffee Shops | ranking_of_coffee_shops | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Good Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor good view top 100 |
| Ranking of Convenience Stores | ranking_of_convenience_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Good Poor Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 |
| Ranking of Office Supply Stores | ranking_of_office_supply_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor good view top 100 |
| Ranking of Restaurants (Take Out) | ranking_of_restaurants_take_out | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Good Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Restaurants (sit down) | ranking_of_restaurants_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Good Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Dry Cleaners/Tailors | ranking_of_dry_cleaners_tailors | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Good Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Fitness Centers/Gyms | ranking_of_fitness_centers_gyms | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Fair Good [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Grocery Stores | ranking_of_grocery_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor good view top 100 |
| Ranking of Movie Theaters/Entertainment | ranking_of_movie_theaters_entertainment | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor good view top 100 |
| Ranking of Food Trucks | ranking_of_food_trucks | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Apparel/Clothing Stores | ranking_of_apparel_clothing_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Poor [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Fair Good view top 100 |
| Ranking of Specialty Retail | ranking_of_specialty_retail | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | Fair Good Poor [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 |
| Ranking of Pharmacy | ranking_of_pharmacy | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Specialty Food Stores | ranking_of_specialty_food_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Florists | ranking_of_florists | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Book Stores | ranking_of_book_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Farmer's Markets | ranking_of_farmer_s_markets | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Hardware Stores | ranking_of_hardware_stores | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Accessories Stores (Shoes, Jewelry) | ranking_of_accessories_stores_shoes_jewelry | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Fair Good Poor view top 100 |
| Ranking of Healthcare (Dentists/Doctors) | ranking_of_healthcare_dentists_doctors | text | Respondents were asked to rank the current business type offerings as "good," "fair," and "poor." | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Fair Good Poor view top 100 |
| Do you want more barbers/hair salons? | do_you_want_more_barbers_hair_salons | text | Respondents answered yes, they wanted more of this business, or no, they did not want more of this business. | No [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Yes view top 100 |
| Do you want more bars? | do_you_want_more_bars | text | No [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more sporting goods stores? | do_you_want_more_sporting_goods_stores | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more home goods stores? | do_you_want_more_home_goods_stores | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Yes No view top 100 | |
| Do you want more coffee shops? | do_you_want_more_coffee_shops | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more convenience stores? | do_you_want_more_convenience_stores | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more office supply stores? | do_you_want_more_office_supply_stores | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more restaurants (take-out)? | do_you_want_more_restaurants_take_out | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more restaurants (sit down)? | do_you_want_more_restaurants_sit_down | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more dry cleaners/tailors? | do_you_want_more_dry_cleaners_tailors | text | No [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more fitness centers/gyms? | do_you_want_more_fitness_centers_gyms | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more grocery stores? | do_you_want_more_grocery_stores | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more movie theaters/entertainment? | do_you_want_more_movie_theaters_entertainment | text | No [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more food trucks? | do_you_want_more_food_trucks | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more apparel/clothing stores? | do_you_want_more_apparel_clothing_stores | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more specialty retail? | do_you_want_more_specialty_retail | text | No Yes [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 | |
| Do you want more pharmacies? | do_you_want_more_pharmacies | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more specialty food stores? | do_you_want_more_specialty_food_stores | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more book stores? | do_you_want_more_book_stores | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more florists? | do_you_want_more_florists | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more farmer's markets? | do_you_want_more_farmer_s_markets | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more hardware stores? | do_you_want_more_hardware_stores | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more accessory stores (jewelry/shoes)? | do_you_want_more_accessory_stores_jewelry_shoes | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| Do you want more healthcare offices (doctors/dentists?) | do_you_want_more_healthcare_offices_doctors_dentists | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] No Yes view top 100 | |
| How many times a month do you come to [district] for dining/entertainment in evening?* | how_many_times_a_month_do_you_come_to_district_for_dining_entertainment_in_evening | text | * Inman and Alewife grouped the dining and entertainment questions together, whereas previous surveys had separated them. | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Rarely/Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 5+ times view top 100 |
| How many times a month do you come to [district] for dining in evening? | how_many_times_a_month_do_you_come_to_district_for_dining_in_evening | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Every Day Rarely/Never Once Per Month 1-2 times view top 100 | |
| How many times a month do you come to [district] for entertainment in evening? | how_many_times_a_month_do_you_come_to_district_for_entertainment_in_evening | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Every Day Rarely/Never Once Per Month 1-2 times view top 100 | |
| What would make you shop/visit more often in [district]? | what_would_make_you_shop_visit_more_often_in_district | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Special Events Availablity Parking OTHER: Traffic management view top 100 | |
| What discourages you from shopping in [district]? | what_discourages_you_from_shopping_in_district | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Availability/Selection Goods Special Events Availability of Goods Parking view top 100 | |
| How would you rate access to parking? | how_would_you_rate_access_to_parking | text | Respondents were asked to rank each characteristic "good," "fair," or "poor." | Fair Poor Good N/A Poor view top 100 |
| how would you rate access to public transit? | how_would_you_rate_access_to_public_transit | text | Good Fair Poor view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the range of goods and services available? | how_would_you_rate_the_range_of_goods_and_services_available | text | Fair Good Poor view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the quality of goods and services available? | how_would_you_rate_the_quality_of_goods_and_services_available | text | Fair Good [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor good view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the price of goods and services available? | how_would_you_rate_the_price_of_goods_and_services_available | text | Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Poor N/A view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the friendliness of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_friendliness_of_the_district | text | Good Fair Poor N/A view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the attractiveness of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_attractiveness_of_the_district | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good Fair Poor good view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the cleanliness of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_cleanliness_of_the_district | text | Good Fair Poor [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] fair view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the infrastructure of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_infrastructure_of_the_district | text | Good Fair [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Poor view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the safety of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_safety_of_the_district | text | Good Fair Poor fair view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the business hours of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_business_hours_of_the_district | text | Good Fair Poor N/A view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the presence of independent businesses in the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_presence_of_independent_businesses_in_the_district | text | Good Fair Poor N/A view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the cultural attractions of the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_cultural_attractions_of_the_district | text | Fair Poor [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Good view top 100 | |
| How would you rate the outdoor activities and nightlife in the district? | how_would_you_rate_the_outdoor_activities_and_nightlife_in_the_district | text | Fair Poor Good N/A view top 100 | |
| How important is parking? | how_important_is_parking | text | Respondents were asked to assess importance of each characteristic "not very important," "important," and "very important." | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Not Very Somewhat Very Important view top 100 |
| How important is access to public transit? | how_important_is_access_to_public_transit | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the range of goods and services available? | how_important_is_the_range_of_goods_and_services_available | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Very Important Not Very view top 100 | |
| How important is the quality of goods and services available? | how_important_is_the_quality_of_goods_and_services_available | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very somewhat view top 100 | |
| How important is the price of goods and services available? | how_important_is_the_price_of_goods_and_services_available | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Very Somewhat Very Important Not Very view top 100 | |
| How important is the friendliness of the district? | how_important_is_the_friendliness_of_the_district | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the attractiveness of the district? | how_important_is_the_attractiveness_of_the_district | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Very Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the cleanliness of the district? | how_important_is_the_cleanliness_of_the_district | text | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Very Somewhat Not Very Poor view top 100 | |
| How important is the infrastructure in the district? | how_important_is_the_infrastructure_in_the_district | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the safety of the district? | how_important_is_the_safety_of_the_district | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Very Important Not Very view top 100 | |
| How important are the business hours within the district? | how_important_are_the_business_hours_within_the_district | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Somewhat Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the presence of independent businesses? | how_important_is_the_presence_of_independent_businesses | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the presence of cultural events in the district? | how_important_is_the_presence_of_cultural_events_in_the_district | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| How important is the availability of outdoor activities and nightlife in the district? | how_important_is_the_availability_of_outdoor_activities_and_nightlife_in_the_district | text | Very [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Somewhat Not Very Very Important view top 100 | |
| Residency | residency | text | Respondents provided their zip code of residency. We have removed these answers to protect respondents' privacy, but coded the zip codes based on whether they were in Cambridge or not. | No Yes view top 100 |
| Do you work in Cambridge? | do_you_work_in_cambridge | text | Respondents were asked if they work in Cambridge. | Yes No view top 100 |
| Do you go to school in Cambridge? | do_you_go_to_school_in_cambridge | text | Respondents were asked if they go to school in Cambridge. | No Yes Yes: Lesley Yes, CRLS Yes, Culinary arts view top 100 |
| Gender | gender | text | Respondents were asked their gender. | Female Male Other Male, Other female view top 100 |
| Age | age | text | Respondents were asked their age. | 25-34 35-44 45-54 20-24 55-64 view top 100 |
| Language | language | text | Respondents were asked what language, other than English, they speak at home. | English [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Spanish Portuguese English, Spanish view top 100 |
| Homeownership | homeownership | text | Respondents were asked whether they owned or rented their home. | Rent Own [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] view top 100 |
| Ethinicity | ethinicity | text | Respondents were asked about their ethnicity. | Non-Hispanic [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Hispanic Portugese Non-Hispanic: White view top 100 |
| Race | race | text | Respondents were asked about their race. | White Asian Black Other Black or African American view top 100 |
| What is one word you use to decribe the district? | what_is_one_word_you_use_to_decribe_the_district | text | Respondents were asked to provide one word to describe the commercial district. | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] Congested eclectic lively fun view top 100 |
| What would you change abou the district? | what_would_you_change_abou_the_district | text | This open-answer response let respondents share what they would change about the district. | nothing Traffic traffic parking Nothing view top 100 |
| What would you keep about the district? | what_would_you_keep_about_the_district | text | This open-answer response let respondents share what they would keep about the district. | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] independent businesses restaurants everything local businesses view top 100 |
| What would you eliminate from the district? | what_would_you_eliminate_from_the_district | text | This open-answer response let respondents share what they would eliminate about the district. | [Question Not Included in This District's Survey] nothing Traffic traffic Nothing view top 100 |