Shade Survey
A 2025 starting line for attitudes about shade
What Angelenos think about shade
Shade touches 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 look at 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.
Key Findings
Survey respondents from across LA County tell us:
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01
Perceptions of neighborhood tree shade
Less than half of Angelenos (48%) say their neighborhood has enough trees to provide shade for walking. 37% disagree—showing a big gap in how shade is experienced across LA County.
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02
Perceptions of transit stop shade
Just 23% of Angelenos say there’s enough shade at bus or Metro stops in their neighborhood. Nearly half (48%) disagree—pointing to a big opportunity to make transit cooler and more comfortable.
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03
Support for tree planting & maintenance in high-need neighborhoods
Angelenos are all in on trees: 82% support increasing spending on planting and maintaining trees in high-need neighborhoods, while only 18% oppose.
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04
Support for tree planting & maintenance in own neighborhood
In their own backyards, 78% of Angelenos support more spending on tree planting and maintenance in their neighborhoods, while 23% oppose.
What do Angelenos value most about trees?
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01
Improve Air Quality
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02
Reduce Temperatures
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03
Beautify my Neighborhood
LABarometer is a proud research partner with ShadeLA. Their countywide survey gives us a clear view of how Angelenos see shade—and how those perceptions shift over time.
Now it’s up to us to use that insight to change the shade narrative—together.