The University of New Hampshire studied how people in New Hampshire help their communities and stay involved in civic life. This 'civic health' report looks at three main areas: how aware people are of community issues and how they participate, how they connect with neighbors and community groups, and how they volunteer and give money to help others. The study found that New Hampshire is a small, aging state where many residents weren't born there.
The state is becoming more diverse, especially among young people. The researchers looked at how different groups participate based on their education, income, where they live, gender, and age. They found that people with more education and higher incomes tend to be more involved in civic activities.
The report shows that civic health - meaning how well people work together to solve community problems - is important for making communities stronger. This research helps leaders understand what's working and what needs improvement in getting people involved in their communities.