The Vermont Civic Health Index offers a look at the state’s civic life, revealing considerable strengths as well as areas for growth across six key domains. The Index also spotlights some of the organizations that offer unique support for civic health across the state and presents original data from the Vermont Youth Civic Health Survey.
“Vermont’s first Civic Health Index reveals a state with remarkable civic health, particularly in areas that build community resilience,” said Jeff Coates, Research and Evaluation Director at NCoC. “Ranking 2nd nationally in working with neighbors on community projects and discussing local issues, Vermonters demonstrate an outstanding commitment to engaged citizenship. What’s especially noteworthy about Vermont’s approach is how they’ve expanded traditional metrics of civic health to examine cultural access, media trust, and youth engagement – providing a more complete picture of their civic ecosystem. This comprehensive baseline will help Vermont build on their strengths while thoughtfully addressing gaps in participation and access across all communities.”
The report was developed through a unique partnership between the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office, the Center for Rural Studies at the University of Vermont, SerVermont, UP for Learning, and Vermont Humanities.
Key findings include:
- Vermont ranks 2nd in the nation for residents attending public meetings
- The state ranks 5th nationally for informal helping of neighbors
- 70% of Vermont youth report affiliation with community or school organizations
- Vermont ranks 2nd nationally in political and societal discussions among neighbors
The Secretary of State’s office held a series of community conversations across Vermont to discuss the findings and develop action plans. These sessions will provide valuable feedback for other states considering similar civic health assessments.
Watch: Civic Health Index: Vermont State House Reception 3/12/2024
The National Conference on Citizenship works with partners in more than 35 states to measure civic health and strengthen democratic participation. Vermont’s approach to measuring and improving civic vitality sets a new standard for state-level civic health assessment.
