Welcome to
The Civic Information Index
It is time to take a fresh look at the role that news and information play in communities—and their impact on civic health. The Civic Information Index uses data to map drivers of engaged, informed, equitable, and healthy communities nationwide.
The Index
Use the index dashboard to explore where communities are excelling and where they face unique challenges. Input a county and quickly see data on a range of factors, including volunteer rates, housing insecurity, medical debt and the existence of local news outlets, among others.
Insights
Regional Findings
The Civic Information Index reveals significant regional disparities in civic health across the United States. Learn more about how areas historically affected by racial and economic discrimination are struggling—and where the opportunities are.
A higher number of media outlets does not equal better civic health. Read the 12 most important insights we gleaned about how policy, local culture, and information infrastructure affect people and communities.
Our civic infrastructure is out of date. See our recommendations for what funders, news outlets, journalism support organizations, civil society actors, and academic institutions can do to update it.
This is not about journalism in isolation. We’re building a better house, and this is the first floor.
Loris Ann Taylor, President & CEO Native Public Media
About the Civic Information
Opportunity Index
The Index was co-created by the Listening Post collective at Internews and the Information Futures Lab at Brown University, in partnership with an Advisory Group of experts and journalism leaders. This report summarizes the Index framework, metrics, and methodology; it then shares key findings and recommendations that emerge from the data.
Going forward, the Civic Information Opportunity Index can serve as a resource for a range of journalism stakeholders, supporting strategic investments and innovative approaches.
