National Research Center

A Legacy of Data-Driven Governance

The National Research Center (NRC) was founded with a commitment to helping local governments better understand and respond to the needs of their residents. Established as a leader in community survey research, NRC developed scientifically rigorous methodologies to provide municipalities, counties, and public agencies with actionable insights to improve public services, policy-making, and civic engagement.

For decades, NRC has been at the forefront of community-based research, working with local governments across the United States to assess resident satisfaction, benchmark performance, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. Through tools like The National Community Survey (The NCS) and other specialized research instruments, NRC set the standard for public sector survey research, enabling governments to track trends over time and compare results with peer communities nationwide.

Innovation and Impact

NRC’s surveys became essential for cities and counties seeking to make informed policy decisions. By employing statistically valid sampling methods, NRC ensured that governments received representative data, allowing them to accurately measure community sentiment and prioritize initiatives based on real resident input.

Beyond surveys, NRC also played a key role in developing best practices for civic engagement and performance measurement. The organization worked closely with municipalities to interpret data, identify key focus areas, and implement solutions that aligned with community needs. This commitment to actionable research made NRC a trusted partner for governments looking to enhance service delivery and strengthen public trust.

Joining Forces with Polco

Recognizing the shared mission of empowering communities through data and engagement, NRC was acquired by Polco, in 2019. This acquisition brought together NRC’s expertise in survey research with Polco’s advanced civic engagement platform, combining deep insights with cutting-edge technology.

By integrating NRC’s research methodologies with Polco’s AI-powered tools and real-time community engagement capabilities, local governments now have an even more powerful solution for understanding resident needs and shaping effective policies. The synergy between NRC and Polco enhances the ability of public officials to make data-informed decisions while fostering greater transparency and trust.

A Future of Smarter Governance

As part of the Polco ecosystem, NRC remains dedicated to its mission of delivering high-quality research and data-driven insights. With the added power of AI, machine learning, and digital engagement tools, NRC continues to evolve, providing governments with the most comprehensive solutions for measuring public opinion and improving community well-being.

By combining time-tested survey methodologies with modern technology, NRC and Polco are shaping the future of governance—one where data, transparency, and resident engagement drive meaningful progress for communities nationwide

Expert-Led National Benchmarking Surveys

Polco provides gold standard survey research for local governments.

Developed by National Research Center survey experts, our scientific benchmarking surveys deliver results local governments can rely on. Benchmarks provide comparisons with hundreds of communities around the nation. Representing the perspectives of millions of Americans, our resident opinion database is the largest of its kind. Our research is used for decision-making, budgeting, planning, performance measurement, and more.