Suburban, urban, rural Americans differ in civic engagement patterns

The Pew‑Knight Initiative’s latest survey shows that suburban, urban, and rural Americans engage in civic life at broadly similar rates, but differ in the specific activities they prioritize. Suburban residents are slightly more likely to be classified as Connectors, while urban residents lean toward Spectators. Mobilizers account for about 9% of urban, 9% of suburban, and 10% of rural residents; Outsiders make up roughly a third in each setting.

Suburban Americans are more likely to volunteer and join groups or clubs, and their groups tend to meet in person more often than online. Rural groups, meanwhile, interact mostly in person, whereas urban groups favor online meetings. Rural residents also report higher levels of religious participation overall.

The analysis draws on Wave 179 of the American Trends Panel, which surveyed 5,195 adults from September 8 to 14, 2025, and the Cross‑Sectional Engagement Survey, which reached 5,393 adults from July 9 to December 5, 2025. Researchers used 19 measures of civic participation to cluster respondents into four engagement groups.

Read the full story at pewresearch.org.