The 2022 Most Neighborly Cities in America

In 2022, what does it imply to be neighborly?

This yr has introduced Individuals a much-needed sense of normalcy. However simply as pandemic restrictions lifted — and other people resumed planning gatherings, happening holidays, and shopping for new garments to put on to formal occasions or the workplace — troubling financial situations have stifled a few of the pleasure, particularly in the case of going out and spending. With inflation now at its highest fee in many years, selecting up the place we left off in 2019 comes with a a lot larger price ticket.

However have these new challenges reunited communities? Have they modified how we work together with our neighbors round us? That’s what we needed to search out out.

We got down to do one thing we’ve been doing now for a number of years: Discovering the 25 Most Neighborly Cities in America. Annually, we’ve based mostly these rankings on quite a lot of publicly accessible information units associated to charitable giving, generosity, happiness and well-being of residents, and different elements we predict contribute to a metropolis’s total neighborliness.

This yr is not any totally different — we nonetheless took under consideration all these elements for the highest 25. However what’s totally different in 2022 is that we surveyed precise Individuals about their neighborly habits, their relationships with their neighbors, and what they suppose makes a neighborhood most neighborly. Listed here are a few of the issues we realized:

Proximity makes the center develop fonder. Due to larger costs on the fuel pump and costlier aircraft tickets, practically 30% of individuals say they hang around with their neighbors and native associates greater than they used to.
You’ve received a pal in me. After enduring greater than two brutal years of pandemic situations and a tumultuous financial system, 42.5% of persons are extra keen than earlier than to assist out a neighbor, and 41% are selecting to help small companies over nationwide chains.
Republicans, democrats, and independents unite. Regardless of a giant (and seemingly divisive) election this yr, 45% of individuals acknowledge that their neighbors have totally different political affiliations than their very own, however select to be neighborly anyway.

There’s extra on that within the methodology and survey outcomes part on the finish of this text, so with out additional ado, right here they’re: The 25 Most Neighborly Cities in America in 2022.

Rochester, New York
Madison, Wisconsin
Provo, Utah
Oxnard, California
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Raleigh, North Carolina
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Poughkeepsie, New York
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Des Moines, Iowa
San Jose, California
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ogden, Utah
Seattle, Washington
Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah
New Haven, Connecticut
Portland, Oregon
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Honolulu, Hawaii
Toledo, Ohio
Springfield, Massachusetts
Albany, New York
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Spokane, Washington

#1: Rochester, New York

In 2022, probably the most neighborly metropolis in America is Rochester, New York, inhabitants 206,357.

Rochester climbed from the #2 spot final yr to say the highest rating, and it’s no shock — this very neighborly metropolis ranked third total for neighborly acts and fourth for volunteering. That’s alongside excessive scores for charitable giving and happiness, too.

As a metropolis that gives lots to do in its bustling neighborhoods, all nestled amongst nature preserves and county parks, Rochester is understood by locals to be a spot the place residents like to reside and by no means hesitate to assist to their neighbors. Plus, it’s dwelling to Artwork Park, the one state park within the U.S. that’s devoted to visible and performing arts!

“One of many issues we regularly hear from guests is how welcoming and pleasant Rochesterians are,” stated Don Jeffries President and CEO of Go to Rochester, when the town ranked #2 final yr. “This rating is well-deserved and captures the nice and cozy welcome guests can count on after they go to Higher Rochester.”

Congratulations to Rochester on being this yr’s Most Neighborly Metropolis!

#2: Madison, Wisconsin

Fell from #1 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 258,366

Unsurprisingly Madison, Wisconsin nonetheless ranks extremely on the listing of the Most Neighborly Cities (regardless that it fell from the #1 spot this yr). In accordance with our analysis, Madison is the second happiest metropolis within the U.S., and likewise boasts probably the most native nonprofits per capita on this yr’s listing at 16.6 per 10,000 residents. It’s clear that those that reside in Madison nonetheless love to assist one another out, and this metropolis nonetheless has a well-deserved spot within the high two.

Life in Madison is even sweeter on two wheels — this metropolis is one in all solely 5 platinum-level bike cities within the U.S., and it’s been named among the many high cities on Earth for biking. In the event you’re ever visiting Madison, renting a motorcycle is an effective way to see the sights and meet the individuals who make it such a neighborly place to name dwelling.

#3: Provo, Utah

Climbed from #23 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 116,886

Provo, Utah made nice strides this yr, climbing from #23 in 2021 to #3 in 2022. It’s no surprise, contemplating Provo had the best fee of charitable giving (by far), in addition to the best variety of residents who report volunteering for native organizations. It’s apparent that folks dwelling in Provo give again and it’s made the town an extremely neighborly place to name dwelling.

Provo is the third-largest metropolis in Utah, but it surely’s the place a few of the greatest corporations within the state (and even your complete nation) have chosen to arrange store. Qualtrics, Nu Pores and skin, and Vivint are just some of the key corporations which have made Provo their dwelling.

#4: Oxnard, California

Climbed from #18 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 207,722

Oxnard, California was a newcomer on the listing of Most Neighborly Cities final yr, and this yr has climbed considerably to achieve the highest 5. Oxnard ranks within the high third of all cities for charitable giving, neighborly acts, and volunteering. However what actually boosted its rating is how joyful persons are to reside there — Oxnard was ranked the fifth happiest place within the U.S.

One other factor that makes Oxnard such an incredible place to reside is that it boasts over 20 miles of picturesque shoreline with extraordinarily comfortable, white sand, and comparatively few rocks or items of driftwood.

#5: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Climbed from #14 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 199,417

Rounding out the highest 5 is Grand Rapids, Michigan, leaping from its #14 place in 2021. Grand Rapids is within the high third for charitable giving, neighborly acts, and volunteering. However what actually units it aside is how plentiful its parks are — 76% of all residents reside inside a 10-minute stroll of a public park.

And right here’s a enjoyable truth: Grand Rapids was the primary metropolis within the U.S. so as to add cavity-preventing fluoride to its consuming water — all the way in which again in 1945!

#6: Raleigh, North Carolina

Climbed from #11 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 469,698

Raleigh, North Carolina ranked third for neighborly acts in 2021, and climbed to second in that class for 2022. That’s a giant a part of why it rose 5 locations within the rankings, from #11 final yr to #6 this yr.

There’s much more that makes Raleigh such an incredible place to name dwelling: the town is commonly known as the Smithsonian of the South as a consequence of being dwelling to a variety of main state museums. It’s additionally known as the Metropolis of Oaks due to what number of of its streets are lined with tall and majestic oak bushes.

#7: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Climbed from #10 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 592,649

Milwaukee, Wisconsin was the #1 metropolis for neighborly acts this yr, which means it had the best variety of residents who report doing favors for his or her neighbors and different members of the neighborhood. Milwaukee additionally ranked very extremely for proximity to parks, with 90% of its residents dwelling inside a 10-minute stroll of a public park.

Milwaukee can also be dwelling to loads of enjoyable issues to do. The Public Museum homes the world’s largest T-rex head, the Milwaukee Wave is the oldest soccer crew in the US, and the Oriental Theatre has hosted a midnight displaying of The Rocky Horror Image Present each month since 1978.

#8: Poughkeepsie, New York

Inhabitants: 30,341

Poughkeepsie, New York is new on the listing of Most Neighborly Cities this yr, however has earned its spot. With excessive charges of charitable giving (fifteenth within the nation total) and happiness (thirteenth within the U.S.), Poughkeepsie is clearly a spot individuals like to reside — and provides again.

Apparently, there’s a metropolis of Poughkeepsie and a city of Poughkeepsie, and so they’re proper subsequent to one another! Regardless that they’re technically two totally different locations, when individuals say “Poughkeepsie,” they’re typically referring to the town and the city collectively.

#9: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Climbed from #13 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 49,247

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania climbed just a few locations from its 2021 rating to land at #9 in 2022. An enormous a part of what makes this metropolis so neighborly is the variety of regionally centered nonprofits. It ranked third total on this class, with 13.1 nonprofits per 10,000 residents.

Harrisburg’s Broad Road Market is greater than only a cherished establishment — it’s additionally the oldest constantly working market in the US. Through the Civil Battle, 1000’s of Union troopers stationed at close by Camp Curtin purchased their meals from distributors on Broad Road.

#10: Des Moines, Iowa

Fell from #5 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 215,408

Rounding out the highest ten of Most Neighborly Cities is Des Moines, Iowa. The neighborhood helps lots of native nonprofits, with 13 native organizations for each 10,000 residents.

Enjoyable truth: Des Moines was initially named Fort Raccoon. It then turned Fort Des Moines, and eventually, in 1857, was shortened to Des Moines.

#11: San Jose, California

Climbed from #12 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 1,809,000

San Jose, California climbed one spot this yr, to #11 total. An enormous a part of why it rose within the rankings? It went from being the nation’s second happiest metropolis in 2021, to the #1 happiest metropolis in 2022. San Jose additionally continues to boast low crime charges, nice climate, and plenty of facilities that make it a spot individuals like to name dwelling.

San Jose can also be dwelling to a booming know-how sector. This metropolis boasts the biggest focus of tech specialists on the earth, with over 6,600 tech corporations and startups.

#12: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Climbed from #21 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 506,646

That is the third yr in a row that Colorado Springs, Colorado has made the Most Neighborly Cities listing, and that is the best it’s ever ranked earlier than, at #12. Colorado Springs continues to have one of many highest charges of volunteering within the nation — a whopping 69% of residents there say they volunteer time to assist others.

Colorado Springs is understood for its Backyard of the Gods, a park well-known for its towering crimson sandstone rock formations. The park presents quick access to gorgeous vistas and out of doors actions for anybody.

#13: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fell from #4 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 2,967,000

Minneapolis, Minnesota nonetheless ranks extremely for volunteering (third within the nation) and neighborly acts (sixth within the U.S.). Moreover, Minneapolis is a really neighborly place to reside as a result of residents benefit from the highest proximity to parks on our listing — 99% of Minneapolis residents reside inside 10 minutes’ strolling distance of a public park.

Minneapolis can also be dwelling to the biggest steady skyway on earth. Overlaying 60 downtown blocks, the Minneapolis Skyway is the easiest way to discover the town when the climate turns unhealthy.

#14: Ogden, Utah

Inhabitants: 87,175

Ogden, Utah is new on the listing this yr, however definitely earned its spot — this Utah metropolis is third within the nation for volunteering, with 50% of residents saying they’ve devoted time to volunteer for his or her neighborhood this yr. Ogden additionally has excessive charges of charitable giving.

Ogden’s downtown is called the “Crossroads of the West” Historic District, which has been designated a nationwide historic space.

#15: Seattle, Washington

Fell from #8 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 3,489,000

Though Seattle, Washington fell from its #8 spot in 2021, it’s nonetheless an extremely neighborly place to name dwelling. It’s the third happiest metropolis within the U.S., and ranks second-highest for residents’ proximity to native parks — 99% of Seattlites reside inside a 10-minute stroll of a park. Just like the final two years, Seattle additionally has a excessive fee of volunteering in 2022.

Enjoyable truth: Seattle is dwelling to just about 500 houseboats, greater than anyplace else on the earth. And regardless that the town has a popularity for gloomy climate, it really will get much less rain than Houston, Texas.

#16: Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah

Stayed the identical, rating #16 in 2021 and 2022.

Inhabitants: 1,192,000

Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah stayed the identical as in 2021, rating #16 on the listing of the Most Neighborly Cities. It ranks fifth within the nation for each neighborly acts and volunteering.

Do you know, Salt Lake Metropolis is among the most accessible ski locations on the earth? It’s additionally the house of the primary KFC.

#17: New Haven, Connecticut

Inhabitants: 130,381

New Haven, Connecticut is new on the listing this yr, coming in at #17. This metropolis ranks towards the center of the pack for charitable giving, neighborly acts, volunteering, and happiness. What causes it to leap up the rankings is how shut most New Haven residents reside to public out of doors areas — 96% of them reside inside a 10-minute stroll of a park, the third highest quantity on this listing. New Haven additionally boasts a few of the lowest crime charges within the nation.

New Haven has all the time taken inexperienced areas significantly — the town was the house of the primary public tree planting program within the U.S., serving to New Haven earn its nickname: Elm Metropolis.

#18: Portland, Oregon

Fell from #3 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 650,380

Portland, Oregon has made the listing of Most Neighborly Cities yearly up to now. This yr, it earned its spot by being within the high 10 for each neighborly acts and volunteering, displaying that in the event you ever want a serving to hand in Portland, you’re prone to discover it.

In the event you’re ever within the Metropolis of Roses, although, ensure that your footwear are tied. In Portland, it’s unlawful to stroll down the streets with untied footwear!

#19: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Fell from #9 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 301,286

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ranked #19 this yr, as a consequence of its excessive charges of charitable giving and neighborly acts. And in Pittsburgh, 71% of residents reside close to a public park.

Do you know that Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum is dwelling to some fairly well-known artifacts? There you will discover shows that includes the world’s first Huge Mac, and the primary T-rex skeleton ever found.

#20: Honolulu, Hawaii

Inhabitants: 347,181

Honolulu, Hawaii is again on the listing! After making the Most Neighborly Cities listing in 2020, Honolulu fell out of the highest 25 in 2021. This yr it’s again at #20, due largely to the truth that it’s the ninth happiest metropolis within the U.S.. Honolulu can also be dwelling to loads of nonprofits, and is among the most inclusive cities within the nation.

Some enjoyable details: Hawaii is the one state within the U.S. with its personal language, and Honolulu is dwelling to the one royal palace within the nation.

#21: Toledo, Ohio

Inhabitants: 275,116

Toledo, Ohio ranks close to the center of the pack in charitable giving, volunteering, neighborly acts, and park entry. What units it aside (and secures its spot because the #21 Most Neighborly Metropolis in 2022) is what number of nonprofits name Toledo dwelling. Dwelling on this metropolis, you’ll by no means have any scarcity of native organizations to assist make a distinction.

One other factor Toledo is well-known for? Glass. Toledo’s nickname is ‘The Glass Metropolis’ because of the lengthy historical past of glass manufacturing on this metropolis. Toledo isn’t simply the glass capital of the nation — it’s the “Glass Capital of the World.”

#22: Springfield, Massachusetts

Inhabitants: 153,677

Springfield, Massachusetts ranks excessive for volunteering, displaying that residents right here worth giving again to their neighborhood. It’s additionally one of many happiest cities on our listing, and ranks excessive for proximity to parks — 94% of people that name Springfield dwelling are a 10-minute stroll or much less from a public park.

Springfield is called the “Metropolis of Firsts” due to its historical past of innovation, together with the primary American-made car and being the birthplace of basketball.

#23: Albany, New York

Inhabitants: 96,860

Albany, New York landed at #23 on this yr’s listing, with one of many highest charges of charitable giving. Notably, Albany has the second highest fee of nonprofits per capita on the listing, with 14.1 organizations per 10,000 residents.

A enjoyable truth about Albany: Many individuals don’t know that bathroom paper was invented right here!

#24: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Fell from #19 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 121,156

Allentown, Pennsylvania is again on the listing for the second yr in a row, and #24 on this yr’s listing of the Most Neighborly Cities. Just like final yr, Allentown residents can level to their excessive charges of volunteering and comparatively low crime for serving to them snag a spot on the listing for the second yr working.

Allentown is dwelling to the Liberty Bell, which was rung to rejoice the primary public studying of the Declaration of Independence.

#25: Spokane, Washington

Fell from #17 in 2021.

Inhabitants: 219,185

Spokane, Washington has made the listing for the second yr in a row, rounding out the listing at #25. Spokane residents have excessive charges of volunteering, and 87% of them reside inside a 10-minute stroll of a park.

Spokane’s nickname is the Lilac Metropolis for the massive Lilac Pageant that’s held right here each spring.

Methodology

We began with an inventory of the 100 largest metro areas within the nation and analyzed them utilizing a mix of surveys, information factors, and different elements.

We additionally surveyed 1,000 Individuals about what elements they suppose make communities most neighborly. The outcomes of that survey helped decide how every class was weighted — volunteering, charitable giving, and neighborly acts carried probably the most weight, adopted by nonprofits per capita, then happiness and residents’ proximity to native parks.

There have been additionally some elements that detract from a metropolis’s neighborliness (like crime) that carried unfavorable weight, so cities that ranked highest in these classes moved decrease on the general listing. Right here’s how every set of information was weighted based mostly on survey responses:

Volunteering: 3
Neighborly acts: 3
Charitable giving: 3
Nonprofits per capita: 2
Happiness: 1
Resident proximity to native parks: 1
Crime fee: -2
Incidence of hate crimes: -2

If any of the above information was not accessible for a sure metropolis, it was ranked by its state common or the general common for the info in that class.

Volunteering and Neighborly Acts

Americorps has collected information on volunteering charges in lots of American cities. We used this information to rank the cities the place individuals did probably the most volunteering. As doing type issues for others is a crucial a part of being neighborly, volunteering was given one of many highest weights when analyzing all of the elements on this yr’s Most Neighborly Cities rankings.

Information about neighborly acts additionally got here from Americorps, however was weighted much less closely, as a result of not all of the cities had this information accessible.

Charitable giving

Charitable giving information was analyzed from a variety of sources, together with Americorps, SmartAsset, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and CNN Cash. By compiling rankings and analyses from these totally different sources, we ranked the 100 largest metro areas within the U.S. by how a lot the common resident provides to charity in a given yr.

Nonprofits per capita

This information was compiled by Governing, who used IRS information revealed by the Nationwide Middle for Charitable Giving to search out the variety of locally-focused nonprofits in every U.S. metropolis per 10,000 residents.

Happiness

These rankings got here from a WalletHub evaluation that sought to search out the happiest cities in America by evaluating elements like bodily and emotional well-being, employment, and sense of neighborhood.

Resident proximity to native parks

The Belief for Public Land’s ParkScore Index ranks U.S. cities by the proportion of their residents who reside inside a 10-minute stroll of a public park, which supplied this information.

Crime fee

This information comes from the FBI, which tracks and compiles incidences of violent and property crimes per capita for every U.S. state and metropolis.

Incidence of hate crimes

California State College has compiled an exhaustive report on the charges of hate crimes in every state, in addition to a variety of main U.S. cities. On this report, hate crimes are counted based on what suits the federal definition of a hate crime: a criminal offense motivated by race, faith, sexual orientation, ethnicity, incapacity, gender, or gender identification.

Unique Survey Information

Along with the info above, we surveyed 1,000 Individuals on Aug. 19, 2022, to study what they suppose makes a neighborhood neighborly, how they join with their neighbors, and whether or not the challenges of the final a number of years have introduced their communities collectively.

Right here’s what we realized.

How lengthy did it take you to satisfy your neighbors?

41% say inside per week.
23% say the day they moved in.
18% say inside a month.
8% say inside a yr.
4% say over a yr.
7% say they’ve by no means met their neighbors.

Have you ever executed any favors on your neighbor(s) prior to now yr?

Did you’re taking the initiative to satisfy your neighbors whenever you moved in or did they arrive to you?

23% say they launched themselves.
21% say they let their neighbors come to them.
56% stated it was a mixture of each.

What number of of your neighbors have you learnt on a first-name foundation?

28% say about 10% of their neighbors.
20% say about 25% of their neighbors.
22% say about half of their neighbors.
13% say about 75% of their neighbors.
8% say about 90% of their neighbors.
8% say all of their neighbors.

How do you say “welcome to the neighborhood?

19% say they knock on the door to introduce themselves.
14% say they carry a housewarming reward of meals or a beverage.
9% say they carry a housewarming reward that’s an merchandise, like a plant, piece or decor, or reward card.
10% say they invite new neighbors over for a gathering.
35% say they do nothing.

How inflation has impacted neighborhoods and communities:

37% say native companies like cafes and eating places have gotten costlier.
29% say they see their neighbors and associates extra actually because fuel costs impacted how typically and much they journey to see others.
29% say rising fuel and journey costs haven’t affected the variety of occasions they see their associates exterior of the neighborhood.
22% say they host fewer events and social gatherings as a consequence of rising prices.
21% say they attend fewer neighborhood and neighborhood occasions as a consequence of rising entrance prices.
18% say they do extra free actions with their neighbors and associates as a consequence of rising prices.
14% say they provide to assist their neighbors with free labor comparable to babysitting or watering their vegetation, in hopes they’d return the favor.
8% say they host extra dinner events at dwelling with neighbors and associates because of the rising value of eating at a restaurant.

With much less journey because of the pandemic and inflation, do you are feeling as if you are feeling extra related to your neighborhood and/or neighborhood?

How persons are participating with their neighborhood and/or metropolis on account of the pandemic:

43% say they’re extra keen to assist a neighbor out after they ask or want it most.
41% say they help native companies as a substitute of nationwide chains.
35% say they make a devoted effort to be extra pleasant to strangers.
28% say they spend extra time with neighbors and associates now that the world is opening up.
23% say they attend extra neighborhood occasions.
18% say they make extra charitable donations to native organizations.
16% say they volunteer extra time to native organizations.

Do you are feeling like your neighborhood turned extra “neighborly” after the pandemic?

41% say sure.
14% say no.
45% say there’s been no change.

How downtown areas have been impacted by the pandemic:

40% say many companies have closed downtown.
32% say their downtown space has returned to regular pre-pandemic situations.
26% say their downtown space has extra pandemic-cautions comparable to expanded out of doors seating choices (presumably into the road, constructions for weather-proof out of doors seating, and so forth.).
24% say there may be heightened crime.
23% say there may be much less foot site visitors downtown.
22% say their downtown space has extra deserted or boarded up buildings.
9% say extra persons are shifting downtown as new companies and housing have been added to the realm.

Have your favourite neighborhood occasions and festivals returned because the pandemic?

42% say sure, they’ve all returned.
46% say some have returned.
12% say no, none have returned.

Are you aware your neighbors’ political affiliations?

43% say they don’t know any.
22% say they know just a few neighbors’ political leanings
22% say they find out about half their neighbors’ political leanings.
13% say they know all of their neighbors’ political leanings.

Do politics have an effect on your relationship together with your neighbors?

45% say their neighborhood is politically combined, but neighbors spend time collectively with out politics getting in the way in which.
16% say most of their neighbors share their very own political affiliations, however politics don’t come up of their relationships.
14% say most of their neighbors have totally different political beliefs than their very own, however they nonetheless get alongside.
10% say their neighborhood is politically combined, and so they solely hang around with neighbors who share their very own views.
9% say their neighborhood is politically combined and it causes arguments.
4% say most of their neighbors have totally different political beliefs than their very own, and so they don’t get alongside.
3% say most of their neighbors share their very own political beliefs, and so they don’t spend time with those who don’t.

Has your neighborhood turn out to be kind of numerous over the previous yr?

33% say extra numerous.
11% say much less numerous.
56% say their neighborhood has not modified on this regard.

How has the significance of getting a relationship together with your neighbors modified over the previous two years?

32% say it’s turn out to be extra essential.
13% say it’s turn out to be much less essential.
55% say the significance is about the identical.

Survey respondents ranged in age from 16-54. They had been 43% male, and 57% feminine.