Arkansans are more generous than the nation as a whole in giving to charity, but less apt to volunteer and participate in community groups.
In 2022, Arkansans gave 2.5% of income to charitable causes, compared to 1.4% nationally. In the 2024 election (a presidential election year), 50% of state residents voted, an increase from 2000, but 3 percentage points lower than in 2020. In 2017, nearly half (47%) of residents said they always vote in local elections, similar to 48% across the country.
In 2017, about 29% of Arkansans said they participate in a community group of some kind, and 30% said they volunteer. On both measures, the state was similar to national levels. The state volunteering rate was higher for women (25%) than men (17%).
Arkansans were as social in their neighborhoods as residents across the country, with 33% saying they talk with neighbors a few times a week or every day in 2017.
| INDICATORS | TREND | STATE |
|---|---|
| Community: Voter Participation Rate | Maintaining |
| Community: Charitable Giving | Maintaining |
| Community: Volunteering | Increasing |
| Community: Group Participation | Increasing |
| Community: Connection to Neighbors | Decreasing |
| Community: Local Voting | Not Applicable |
