Maryland's civic health in all aspects is respectably ahead of national averages, and when compared with other states, Maryland is ranked in the top half on almost all major indicators.

On two data points, Maryland is ranked near the top and near the bottom at once. Maryland is 5th among all states in the share of adults who talk about politics with friends and family. However, it is 47th among states when it comes to the proportion of adults who say they eat dinner with family members almost every day.

This dichotomy — highly connected to others when it comes to public issues, while at the same time less connected when it comes to informal interpersonal interactions – tells a story of a highly engaged Maryland that struggles with day–to–day pressures.

Community conversation participants said they felt this dichotomy strongly. While many pointed to positive and hopeful things in the community, many nonetheless emphasized how hard it can be to nd the time and energy to engage with civic life.

As a participant in one community conversation said, “There are not a large percent of people involved with everything, but there is always enough. The people who are involved believe in what they do and understand the importance of taking care of the community.”