The survey by the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study about Detroiters’ Top Household Challenges Ahead of the 2025 Mayoral Election received wide media attention. The survey was conducted in conjunction with Outlier Media.
In an interview with Michigan Public, Mara Cecilia Ostfeld, faculty lead of DMACS, said that while things have improved in Detroit, the wealth gap between the city and surrounding communities hasn’t shrunk at the same rate.
“What we know is people are not always comparing their context to what happened a couple years ago but are comparing it to ... what they see reflected in other communities nearby or on media,” Ostfeld said. “And so there often can be a dissatisfaction that stems from that form of comparison.”
Ostfeld said the challenges named by city residents aren’t "particularly new or surprising.” She hopes local officials will draw from the “open-ended responses about what Detroiters want to see their local officials do in response to the challenges that they're facing."
WDET featured an extended interview with Ostfeld. Here is an excerpt:
If you had to identify your top three major challenges just getting by in life today, what would you say those are? And as you mentioned, the most commonly selected ones were crime or safety, neighborhood conditions and employment. And I don’t think any of those would jump out as new themes for people who’ve been in Detroit or talking to Detroiters, but I think it was interesting to think when we asked Detroiters who mentioned crime or safety next as a follow up: so what would you want the city to do about this? …A majority of Detroiters mentioned something other than police when they were talking about what would make them feel more safe. A lot of Detroiters mentioned things like better lighting or more gun control or less vacant housing or more support for neighborhood associations. Which highlights something different and something we have seen more in Detroit, but something different than what often comes to mind is the most common response to safety concerns.
WWJ Radio quoted Celia Fan, DMACS data manager: “Detroiters’ needs and priorities should shape the agenda for the city’s new leadership. Going into the election, the survey data offer insights into the day-to-day challenges that are most pressing for Detroiters.”
“While school-related concerns and getting the food they need ranked lower on the list of challenges that Detroiters face, these are still areas where residents see opportunities for city leadership to make improvements,” Ostfeld, was quoted in Detroit Metro Times.
University of Michigan, Outlier Media survey asks residents what they want Detroit’s next mayor to focus on, WDET, September 24, 2025
Crime and housing among biggest concerns for Detroiters, according to new U-of-M survey, WWJ, September 22, 2025
Detroiters say crime and safety are top challenges they want a new mayor to address, UM study finds, Michigan Public, September 22. 2025
Survey shows safety, housing, jobs top concerns for Detroiters ahead of mayoral election, Detroit Metro Times, September 16, 2025
