'What is a modern Brummie?' Council launches citywide survey

Birmingham City Council has launched a citywide survey asking residents what Birmingham means to them in 2026, and what it means to be a modern Brummie.

The "What is a modern Brummie?" survey, launched on 19 February, is part of wider work to understand civic pride, belonging and identity across the city's communities.

What it asks

The survey explores people's experiences of civic pride across different groups and areas of the city, and what helps or hinders their sense of belonging. It covers views on local services, public spaces, heritage, culture, community cohesion and safety.

It also looks at how pride in a place connects to taking part in local life, such as volunteering, community action, neighbourhood forums and city events.

A brand shaped by residents

The council says the findings will shape how it engages with people in future, and help to develop a Birmingham "brand" co-produced with residents, so that any future story about the city reflects the diversity, identity and values of people across its 69 wards.

The survey is designed to reach Brummies from every part of the city, from the tower blocks of Druids Heath to the Regency homes of Harborne, and from families in Castle Vale to the close-knit communities of Alum Rock. The council wants to hear from commuters, students, office workers, people of all faiths, artists, sports fans, shoppers and visitors, as well as families who have lived in the city for generations.

"Our Birmingham, Our City"

Alongside the survey, the council has set out a framing idea, "Our Birmingham, Our City", built around the everyday experiences that bring people together, from watching sport at Edgbaston and meeting friends at Digbeth pop-ups to canal walks, parks, food, festivals, arts and culture.

The work is supported by the council's Public Participation Team and partners across the city.

A city of many identities

Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe, with more than a million residents and communities with roots all over the world. Questions about what binds the city together, and whether people feel their neighbourhood is valued, have become a growing part of how councils think about regeneration and public services.

The survey also comes as the council's finances recover from the crisis that followed its Section 114 notice in 2023, a period that tested many residents' confidence in local services.

How to take part

The survey is online on the council's Be Heard consultation website. The council is encouraging as many people as possible to take part, so that the results reflect the full range of people who live, work and study in Birmingham.