And residents over the age of 65 were among those most likely to be dissatisfied, with a survey recording a significant shift in the age group's attitudes in the past year.

The City of Greater Bendigo's ratings were down in almost all areas the survey measured, including overall satisfaction, compared with its performance in 2019.

However, scores was largely consistent with state-wide and regional averages.

Bendigo's score for overall performance was 58, bang on the state average and two points higher than the average for regional centres.

Residents rated the city's overall performance at 61 last year, and 59 the year prior. The 2017 result was 56.

Community members between the ages of 18 - 34 were among those most satisfied with the city's overall performance.

However, satisfaction dropped by eight points among residents 65 years or over - a decline researchers deemed significant compared with the council average, as well as the result from the previous year.

Customer service was one of the areas in which the city saw the greatest shift, dropping nine points in a year.

But a score of 69 was only a single point lower than the averages for the state and regional centres, and was the highest rating the city received in any one area of performance.

Satisfaction with overall council direction fell by five points, to 48. This was lower than the averages for both regional centres and the state.

Perception of community decisions was down on last year's results for Greater Bendigo, but equal to the state average. Regional centres generally performed poorer than the city, in that regard.

Scores for consultation and engagement and lobbying were also down on the city's performance the year prior, but within one point of the state average.

Sealed local roads was the one category in which the city maintained performance, attaining a score significantly higher than statewide and regional averages.

Overall, researchers found almost three times as many residents rated the city's overall performance as 'good' or 'very good', compared with 'poor' or 'very poor'.

About 37 per cent of residents considered the city's performance 'average'

City of Greater Bendigo chief executive Craig Niemann said the organisation was still unpacking its results.

"Any downturn in your satisfaction ratings would be a bit disappointing," he said.

However, he was pleased the city was still in line with state averages.

Mr Niemann said the city took the community satisfaction survey seriously.

"We look at it each year and look at where the trends are and what's happening," he said.

He said the results looked like they had dropped down to nearly where they were two years ago, after significantly improvement last year.

"I think it's just a cycle of things," Mr Niemann said.

He said it was hard to tell if the outbreak of COVID-19 was a factor, as the survey was conducted from from January 30 to March 22.

Not only was COVID-19 becoming a growing concern at the time, but Australia had endured bushfires.

"There might have been a degree of uncertainty among people, which might have led to some of the thinking and responses," Mr Niemann said.

But he said it was hard to draw a direct link.

"There are a lot of different factors that can play out in this," Mr Niemann said.

He said only half of the people surveyed had actually done business with the city.

"We always like to be ahead of the state average and ahead of the regional cities average," Mr Niemann said.

"The next time this will be undertaken will be when there's a new council in place."

He said there were a lot of things that could happen between now and when the survey was next conducted which could influence the city's figures.