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Indicator: Engagement in Community Building

Upstream Indicators
  •   Perceived Neighborhood Safety --- The average level of perceived neighborhood safety among King County residents in 2007 was not significantly different from 2001. Levels of perceived safety are not equal among regions or different populations.  (view data graph)
  •   Happiness --- Seattle ranked 45 out of 185 cities surveyed for emotional health in 2008. In 2009, Seattle ranked 83 out of 185 cities in emotional health. Seattle ranked 39 out 185 for Life Evaluation in 2008 and 35 in 2009.   (view data graph)
  •   Stress --- There was no significant increase or decrease in the average stress score for adults in King County between 2001 and 2004.   (view data graph)
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Downstream Indicators
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Related Goals

People who feel a strong sense of belonging to their neighborhood are more likely to engage in community building activities and vice versa. Feeling connected to others is positively related to happiness.

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Sustainability Snapshot:

Community building is the ongoing process of developing a community of shared values, shared challenges and equal opportunity, based on a sense of trust, hope and reciprocity. Working together for the common good of neighborhoods, faith communities, schools or a political cause creates civic responsibility and a sense of reciprocity. Community building happens when people take personal responsibility for cultivating the safety, connectedness, autonomy, appearance and general prosperity of their neighborhood. By forming casual partnerships with other neighbors (participating in a community watch program or a carpool,) organizing neighborhood collectives and activities (tool sharing or community soccer games) and making individual efforts to positively affect their precinct (voting in a neighborhood election,) people enhance the quality of their community and their life.

Data Discussion

The Indicator Defined

Percentage of population participating in community building activities.

Data Interpretation/Evaluation

 

Data Source and Limitations

There is currently no data source for King County reporting on resident participation in neighborhood activities. The meaning of this indicator will hinge on how "neighborhood activities" are defined. Data on official, reported activites will be easier to collect, but it may not capture the informal, spontaneous neighbor interaction and gatherings or other more subtle instances of community building because they go largely unreported. Surveys asking residents about their community or outside observation may be the best way to collect meaningful data on the subject.

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