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Shade Survey

Shade along a commercial street in LA

A 2025 starting line for attitudes about shade

What Angelenos think about shade

Shade shapes our daily lives more than we realize—from where we walk and wait for the bus, to how we gather outside. For the first time, we’ve got a clear picture of how Angelenos see it.

This new research from the LABarometer Survey, led by Dr. Kyla Thomas at the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, in partnership with ShadeLA, the Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office, the City of Los Angeles Office of Forest Management, and the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, sheds light on what residents think about heat, shade, and trees across the region.

 

Explore the Report

Key Findings

Angelenos are ready for more shade.

Across Los Angeles County, residents see shade as essential—and they want more of it.

Image of people standing under a blue shade structure
  • 01

    Tree shade isn’t reaching everyone

    Less than half of Angelenos (48%) say their neighborhood has enough trees to provide shade for walking, while 37% say it doesn’t. The gap highlights how uneven tree canopy can feel across LA County — and just how much room there is to grow.

  • 02

    Transit riders want cooler stops

    Just 23% of Angelenos say there’s enough shade at bus or Metro stops in their neighborhood, while nearly half (48%) disagree. That’s a clear signal — and a major opportunity — to make shade part of how we move around LA.

  • 03

    Strong support for investing where shade is needed most

    An overwhelming 82% of Angelenos support increasing funding to plant and maintain trees in high-need neighborhoods, while only 18% oppose. Residents want public investments to bring cooling where it matters most.

  • 04

    Support runs close to home too

    Shade isn’t just a regional priority — it’s personal. In their own neighborhoods, 78% of Angelenos support more spending on tree planting and maintenance to make their blocks cooler and greener, while 23% oppose.

What do Angelenos value most about trees?

When it comes to trees, Angelenos see them as more than just shade. They’re essential for cleaner air, cooler streets, and a more beautiful city.

Table about what do Angelenos value most about trees
  • 01

    Improve Air Quality

  • 02

    Reduce Temperatures

  • 03

    Beautify my Neighborhood

LABarometer is a proud research partner with ShadeLA. This countywide survey gives us the clearest view yet of how Angelenos see shade—and how those views will evolve over time.

Now it’s up to us to turn that insight into action and reshape Los Angeles’ shade story—together.