Most of us want to believe we can make a difference in our communities. But when asked directly—“How much impact do you feel you personally can have on the local issues that matter to you?”—only a tiny slice of Americans say “a great deal.” Just 8%.
At first, that sounds discouraging. But when you listen closely, another story emerges: people don’t always think about impact as an individual pursuit. They talk about we, not me.
“We work together to solve many issues.” – 58, Male, Democrat, Wayne, MI
“Everyone knows each other and we all come together to help each other out.” – 46, Female, Independent, Hamilton, OH
Believing in Impact
The data tells us that those who feel they have high impact aren’t necessarily more political, but they are more present. They show up at religious services, at the food pantry, on the sidelines of the rec league.
People who see themselves as “high impact” are 28 points more likely to attend a religious service monthly.
They’re 24 points more likely to volunteer.
And three-quarters of them (75%) say they’ve taken some kind of community action in the last month.
Politics doesn’t disappear, but it takes a backseat: only 62% of high-impacters reported political activity in the past month, compared to 85% who reported community action.
Who Feels Impact?
Not everyone feels equally powerful when it comes to shaping local life. While the overall number is small, there are certain groups who are more likely to believe their actions matter.
Young people (12%) are more likely than older adults to say they can have a great deal of impact.
Black (16%) and Hispanic (13%) respondents stand out compared to white respondents (5%).
Urban residents (10%) are more optimistic than those in suburban or rural areas (7%).
Parents (10%) are more likely than non-parents (7%) to feel impactful, perhaps because they’re pulled into schools, childcare, and youth sports.
This points to something important: optimism clusters in places and groups where community connection runs stronger.
The Togetherness Gap
Even for those who believe they can have a great deal of impact, it’s not all rosy. Many people described deep fractures in their communities:
“My community is being impacted by ICE raids, people are being taken from their school, work and homes. The economy and cost of living is pushing people into poverty.” – 33, Female, Democrat, Ramsey, MN
“We live in an HOA where people don't really interact with each other.” – 53, Female, Republican, Forsyth, NC
“I don’t think nowadays with social media any community is that strong as people have more of a reason to be an individual and are less linked to the people around them ” – 19, Male, Republican, Los Angeles, CA“Our community has been drained of resources and there are none on the horizon.” – 74, Male, Independent, Cook, IL
The tension is clear: people crave belonging, but life—economic stress, fractured politics, digital distraction—often pulls us apart. And yet, it’s worth recognizing that people don’t need to live in perfect communities in order to feel empowered to make a difference.
In fact, doing things together (e.g., volunteering, donating, gathering) creates a feedback loop. The more people act, the more they believe they matter, and the more positive their outlook on community becomes. Among those who feel high impact:
81% say community wellbeing is good or excellent
60% say their community cares a great deal about them
74% say their local government is effective or very effective
Compared to people who feel they have little or no impact, they are far more likely to say their community cares about them, that their local government works, and that their community is thriving.
Final Thoughts
The idea of community impact can feel fragile. Only a small share of people believe they can make a real difference. But the stories they tell remind us that impact isn’t always loud or individual. It’s built in small acts of togetherness that compound over time.
What conditions make people feel their presence in the community actually matters?
How does impact shift when it’s tied to everyday connection rather than formal politics?
Could strengthening spaces for belonging, like faith centers, volunteer groups, even neighborhood gatherings, help more people see themselves as changemakers?
In the end, the lesson might be less about convincing individuals to be heroic and more about cultivating the kinds of communities where believing you matter is the default. Because when people feel their actions ripple outward, the whole community feels stronger.
Impact isn’t solo work. Thanks for showing up with us.
Murmuration is a non-profit that strengthens community-driven change at the local level. By equipping local organizations with powerful data, technology, and insights, Murmuration helps them amplify community voices, build collective power, and drive solutions that reflect the lived realities of the people they serve. murmuration.org