Start with the plain guide. Open the deeper layers when you want the ecosystem around it.
IntensityParticipateJoin a meeting, use a service, take part.
StewardCommunity steward
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First readWhat to know+
Topic: Civic engagement and community participation in TexasPublished: First in 2013, updated in 2018Source: Annette Strauss Institute for Civic LifeReading time: About 3-5 minutesWhy it matters: Strong civic health leads to better schools, jobs, and healthier communities
Next rungHow to step in+
Good first step: Read Texas Civic Health Index report
Search 'Texas Civic Health Index Annette Strauss Institute' to find the full report online.
The Texas Civic Health Index measures how engaged Texans are in their communities and in politics. Published by the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at UT Austin, it first came out in 2013 and was updated in 2018. The index shows a clear link between civic participation and real-life outcomes — things like jobs, schools, health, and government that listens.
The Texas Civic Health Index is a research report that tracks civic and political engagement across Texas. It looks at behaviors like voting, volunteering, donating, and connecting with neighbors. It then links those behaviors to community outcomes — employment rates, school quality, physical health, and how responsive local governments are. The 2018 edition updated the original 2013 report to reflect Texas's fast-growing and changing population.
Use this report to ground conversations about your community in real data. If you work with a neighborhood group, school, or local organization, the index gives you evidence to make the case for civic programs. If you are a voter, parent, or community member, it helps you understand why showing up — in any form — actually matters.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This resource connects to broader efforts around voter education, community organizing, public health, and school improvement across Texas. It is part of America's Civic Health Assessment, a national initiative to help citizens and policymakers strengthen civic life.
When people volunteer, vote, donate, and help their neighbors, whole communities get stronger. This report puts hard data behind that idea. It shows who is participating in Texas civic life, how they are doing it, and what difference it makes. If you care about Houston or any Texas community, this index helps you see the full picture.
