Only 1 in 4 Americans feel they can influence their community

A new national study from the American Immigration Council’s Center for Inclusion & Belonging finds that most Americans feel safe in their communities, but only 24% believe they can shape local decision-making. The report argues that local institutions have a major opening to strengthen belonging through participation, media engagement and community investment.

Why it matters: - The study suggests belonging is not just about feeling welcome. It is also about having a real say in local life. - Only 24% of Americans say they can influence local decision-making or understand how their community works. - The findings point to local communities as a practical place to reduce uncertainty, increase participation and strengthen civic life.

What happened: - The Center for Inclusion & Belonging at the American Immigration Council released the second national wave of The Belonging Barometer on July 30, 2026. - The new report focuses on belonging at the local level. - The study says most Americans feel safe and comfortable where they live, but far fewer feel they can shape what happens there. - The full research brief is available here.

The details: - 61% of Americans either do not have a clear sense of community belonging or feel excluded. - Only 14% of Americans report actually feeling excluded. - Another 47% say they feel uncertain about their place in their community. - Americans age 65 and older report the highest level of belonging at 48%. - Adults ages 18-29 report a lower level of belonging at 34%. - People who watch or follow local news at least weekly are more likely to feel a strong sense of local belonging. - National news consumption shows no similar relationship. - Belonging rises with income. - 34% of Americans earning less than $50,000 a year report a sense of local belonging. - 47% of Americans earning more than $100,000 a year report a sense of local belonging. - The study says local belonging is not significantly shaped by whether someone lives in a small town or urban area. - Political party affiliation also does not significantly affect belonging. - The Belonging Barometer measures three dimensions: emotional connection, psychological safety and community influence. - The tool uses ten questions and is available for cities, nonprofits, funders, employers, schools and other institutions. - More information on the tool is available here.

Between the lines: - The report points to a gap between feeling accepted and feeling empowered. - That gap suggests many communities may have basic social comfort without enough pathways for residents to participate in decisions. - The study frames belonging as a measurable condition tied to health, civic participation and community resilience. - The research also implies local media, not national media, may be one of the few information channels that meaningfully connects people to community life. - The findings were supported by 16 in-depth interviews alongside the survey waves.

What's next: - Cities, nonprofits, funders, schools, employers and other institutions can use the Belonging Barometer to assess how connected, safe and influential people feel. - The American Immigration Council says communities can use the tool to guide investments and track progress over time. - The study builds on earlier research that found Americans report less belonging in their local communities than in nearly every other area of life. - SSRS conducted the research across three waves of its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. - The study was funded by the Walmart Foundation, though the conclusions are those of the American Immigration Council alone.