Community engagement is the extent to which individuals take responsibility for addressing civic issues and improving the life of their community. In all cases, comparisons to state statistics reflect the state excluding New York City.

Average levels of charitable giving are  below the state and the nation.
In 2020, average charitable contributions in the Mid-Hudson Valley region ranged from approximately $12,900 in Columbia to $7,000 in Sullivan, below the statewide and national average of $12,000 and $15,900 respectively.

The region’s voter registration rates have remained steady at above 80%, yet they are persistently a bit lower than the state.
Between 2000 and 2021, the average voter registration rate was 83% for the Mid-Hudson region and 85% for the state. Of the region’s voting-age residents, 87% were registered in 2021, compared to 86% of the state overall.

Voter registration rates vary somewhat across the region. Columbia County’s registration rate has been equal to or greater than the statewide rate in every year except 2000. In 2021, Columbia County (95%) had the highest registration rate of the seven counties.

Voter turnout in the region approaches 64% in presidential election years, and is about even with the state rate.
In the 2020 presidential election, voter turnout in the region was on par with the state. Turnout was highest in Columbia (72%) and lowest in Sullivan County at 59%.