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 2016, average charitable contributions in the Mid-Hudson Valley region ranged from approximately $2,800 in Greene to $4,300 in Columbia, below the statewide and national average of $5,100 and $6,300 respectively.
Individuals’ average charitable giving was up 16% from approximately $3,100 in 2011, to just over $3,600 in 2016, below the increases at the state and national levels of 25% and 28% respectively over the same time period.
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 2018, the average voter registration rate was 82% for the Mid-Hudson region and 84% for the state. Of the region’s voting-age residents, 85% were registered in 2018, 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 2018, Columbia County (93%) had the highest registration rate of the seven counties.
Voter turnout in the region approaches 60% in presidential election years, and is about even with the state rate.
In the 2018 mid-term election, voter turnout in the region was 2 points lower than the state at 45%. Turnout was highest in Columbia (59%) and lowest in Sullivan County at 41%.
| INDICATORS | TREND | STATE |
|---|---|
| Average Charitable Giving | Increasing |
| Voter Registration Rate | Increasing |
| Voter Participation Rate | Decreasing |
Children & Youth
Community Engagement
Demographics
Economy
Education
Financial Stability
Health
Housing
Public Safety
