HUMAN BEINGS ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS. Our relationships with family, friends, and people around us are central to what makes us feel good or bad about life.
Neighborhood Relationships
Neighborhood Relationships
Feeling able to trust in and rely on neighbors is important to sense of community.
Source: Santa Monica Wellbeing Survey, 2014
Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2014
Sense of Community
Increases with Age
Sense of Community Increases with Age
Sense of community includes social networks, interactions with people you don't know, and a sense of belonging, along feelings of being able to influence local decisions and time committed to Santa Monica.
Source: Santa Monica Wellbeing Survey, 2014
Social Interaction
Social Interaction
The more often people meet with friends, relatives or colleagues, the higher their overall personal wellbeing score.
Source: Santa Monica Wellbeing Survey, 2014
Volunteer Rate
Volunteer Rate
Civic engagement, including volunteering, is an important aspect of community that helps people feel not only a sense of belonging, but also a sense of power, voice, & influence in one’s community.
Source: Corporation for National & Community Service, 2013; SM Wellbeing Survey, 2014