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, healthy and resilient communities nationwide.
Graphic of individuals at an outdoor event with individuals painting, singing, dancing, etc.
The Index
Welcome to the 2026 Civic Information Index, a practical data tool that helps you understand the civic health of your community.
Input a county and quickly see data on a range of factors, including library visits, voter participation, food and housing insecurity, medical debt and the existence of local news outlets and journalists, among others.
Stories & Updates
-
How NFCB is Redefining Community Radio as Essential Civic Infrastructure
A look into how the National Federation for Community Broadcasters is using the Civic Information Index to find opportunities where community radio can help build civic infrastructure.
-
Tackling low voter turnout with the Evansville NewsLab
The Evansville NewsLab (ENL) is a civic journalism initiative in Evansville, Indiana using community research to fill gaps in local news and raise voter turnout.
-
The Evidence for a Big Bet: How MacArthur Foundation Used the Index to Equip Its Partners
The MacArthur Foundation is making a big bet on local news, catalyzing hundreds of millions of dollars to support the sector through its own giving, as well as through its role spearheading the larger funder…
“As public media across the United States experienced unprecedented destabilization in 2025, the Civic Information Index became one of the most valuable tools we had for grounding our advocacy, understanding risk, and championing the needs of small, rural, BIPOC, and Tribal communities navigating worsening information inequities.”
The Index in Action
Newsrooms, civic and media innovators, funders, universities, community organizations and local governments across the country use the Index to make informed decisions and take action. They are relying on the Index to build investment strategies, identify underserved communities and neighborhoods, better understand rural residents, develop training programs, and strengthen local news and information ecosystems. Explore our latest case studies.
A changed America
As we launch the 2026 edition of the Index, we are finding ourselves in a changed America. While critical elements of civic infrastructure are being defunded, new coalitions and resistance against democratic backsliding are emerging. Read our editorial, anchoring the 2026 Index in this unique moment in U.S. history, based on our conversations with Advisory Group members, users and partners across the nation.
Insights
National and 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.
Key Takeaways
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.
Recommendations
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 now my screen saver. It reminds me every day why we do this work.”
About the Civic Information Index
The Civic Information Index was co-created in fall 2024 by The Listening Post Collective at Internews and the Information Futures Lab at Brown University, in partnership with an Advisory Group of civic and data experts, journalists and information ecosystem leaders. The 2024 Index was made possible with support from Press Forward, and the dashboard build out and 2026 edition was supported by Democracy Fund.
