Civic Indicator Working Group

The Civic Indicators Working Group is seeking to create a set of national civic indicators to accurately and regularly measure levels of civic participation and social capital in the United States. The group hopes to develop a set of indicators, seek public input, and ensure they are in place to track progress over time.

The Civic Indicators Working Group is building upon past research that includes, among many others:

  • "Index of National Civic Health" created by the National Commission on Civic Renewal, 1999;
  • "Volunteering in the United States Survey, 2004," a supplement to the Current Population Survey that has been published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with survey data since September 2001
  • The North Carolina Civic Index, 2003;
  • Measuring Social Capital in the United Kingdom, Harper & Kelly, Office of National Statistics, 2003; and
  • National Experiences and International Harmonization in Social Capital Measurement: A Beginning, Zukewich and Norris, Statistics Canada, 2005.

Civic Indicators Chart

Note: Titles in blue indicate that the organization measures the indicator annually or regularly and is expected to continue to do so. Titles in red indicate that the organization does not regularly measure the data or that the survey has ceased.

Domains and Indicators Time Measured Sample Size Comparability
Social Participation      
Volunteerism Bureau of Labor Statistics/Census Current Population Survey Volunteer Supplement (performed annually from 2001 present) 60,000 households Yes
  Independent Sector - Giving and Volunteering in the United States (performed biennially from 1988 through 2001, but has now ceased because of cost) 4,000 individuals No
  Bureau of Labor Statistics/ Census Current Population Survey Teen Volunteering in 2005 from CNCS, IS and Points of Light (forthcoming in fall) 60,000 households Yes
  Indiana University -- Points of Light (forthcoming) N/A N/A
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Community project Possible addition to the CPS 60,000 households Yes
  Kellogg Foundation - National Survey on Philanthropy (1993) 1,010 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Religious activity Possible addition to the CPS 60,000 households Yes
  Pew and Public Agenda Religion and Public Life (2000 and 2004) 1,004 individuals No
  National Science Foundation -National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 households in person No
  National Science Foundation -General Social Survey (conducted annually from 1972 1994, except in 1979, 1984, & 1992; and biennially thereafter) 2,756 individuals No
  Gallup Update: Americans and Religion (2004) 1,002 individuals No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Donate Blood American Red Cross Organizational Survey (annually) 1,006 individuals No
Serve as officer National Science Foundation - General Social Survey (asked in 1987 only) 2,756 individuals No
  Kellogg Foundation - National Survey On Philanthropy (1993) 1,010 individuals No
Serve on committee National Science Foundation -General Social Survey (asked in 1987 only) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Attend org. or club meeting National Science Foundation -General Social Survey (asked in 1987 only) 2,756 individuals No
  Kellogg Foundation - National Survey On Philanthropy (1993) 1,010 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Belong to a group Kellogg Foundation - National Survey On Philanthropy (1993) 1,010 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Work to influence national policy through your organization CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Friends over to your home/outside neighborhood/of different race Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
Charitable contributions as % of disposable income Independent Sector - Giving and Volunteering in the United States (performed biennially from 1988 through 2001, but has now ceased because of cost) 4,000 individuals who give No
  American Association of Fundraising Counsel - Giving USA (1955 present) Sent surveys to over 7,000 organizations, received 1,121 responses. Also supplements using IRS data No
  Kellogg Foundation - National Survey on Philanthropy (1993) 1,010 individuals No
  Center on Philanthropy - The Center on Philanthropy Panel Study (COPPS) (1996 present) 5,000 households tracked since 1996 No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) fundraising for charity 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Social Networks and Support      
Frequency of seeing/speaking to relatives/friends/neighbors Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Extent of virtual networks and frequency of contact No    
Frequency of helping one another No    
Reciprocity & Trust      
Trust other people like/unlike you Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
  Gallup Race Relations (2001 2005, Annual) 2,264 adults No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Trust most people National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  National Science Foundation - General Social Survey (conducted annually from 1972 1994, except in 1979, 1984, & 1992; and biennially thereafter) 2,756 individuals No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Trust neighborhood/police Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Trust federal/state/local government National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
  Gallup - Social Series: Governance (2003 & 2004) 1,023 individuals No
Confidence in institutions from the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Congress to the press and military National Science Foundation - General Social Survey (conducted annually from 1972 1994, except in 1979, 1984, & 1992; and biennially thereafter) 2,756 individuals No
  Gallup - Social Series: Governance (2003 & 2004) 1,023 individuals No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Doing favors & vice versa Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
Political/Civic Participation      
Knowledge of civics & U.S. history National Center for Education Statistics - National Assessment of Educational Progress (Just changed to every 4 years, starting in 2006) 29,000 students from 1,100 public and nonpublic schools in grades 4, 8 & 12 Under discussion
  Gallup How Many Americans Know U.S. History? Part I (2003) 1,008 individuals No
How well informed about current events/politics & government CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Which do you regularly use as sources of news: newspapers, TV, radio, magazines and Internet Pew Research Center for People and the Press Political Communications Study (2004) 3,000 individuals No
  CIRCLE Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (will be asked on 2005-2006 survey) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Regularity of voting* Bureau of Labor Statistics/Census -Current Population Survey Voting and Registration Supplement (every 4 years) 60,000 households Yes
  National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Sign petition National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Attend public meeting town/school National Science Foundation - General Social Survey (conducted annually from 1972 1994, except in 1979, 1984 & 1992; and biennially thereafter) 2,756 individuals No
  National Survey On Philanthropy 1,010 individuals No
  Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
Attend rally/speech National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
Contact a public official National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Work for party or displaying buttons, signs or stickers National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Make speech or persuading others National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Write article or contact print media National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Contacting broadcast media CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
Run for/hold office National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
Levels of patriotism Gallup (1994, 1999, 2002, 2005) 1,009 adults nationally No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Protest, boycotts, march or demonstration National Science Foundation - National Election Studies (performed in presidential elections from 1948, and mid-term elections from 1956, to the present day) 2,756 individuals No
  CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  Saguaro Seminar - Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey (2000, but ceased) 30,000 individuals Yes
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country
Boycott a product or service as protest or buy product or service as support CIRCLE - Civic and Political Health of the Nation (2002 & 2006) 3,246 adults, 15 & older No
  Gallup (for USA) - World Values Survey (1981, 1990, 1995, 1999-2001) Almost 85% of the Worlds population Yes country by country

*The Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the U.S. Election Assistance
Commission both rely on the CPS data on voting.