Research Sep-30-2025 | 1-min read

Democracy is at its best when people come together to explore shared values and address shared challenges. And when we do, it becomes clear we have far more in common than what divides us.

Despite a common assumption that our country is more divided than ever, new research shows that U.S. adults across geographies and political affiliations agree broadly on their priorities for themselves, their families, and their communities–and in the day-to-day challenges they face in the places they call home.

Also, people largely agree that the government continues to play an important role in confronting the challenges all communities face, such as the high cost of housing and healthcare, and lack of access to clean drinking water. Respondents feel they, themselves, have power to create change locally–but that they can’t do it without their neighbors.

Common Ground: Shared Priorities graphic.
Research

U.S. Adults Agree on Community Priorities Amid Shared Pressures from High Cost of Living, Access to Affordable Healthcare

Survey research shows that most U.S. adults agree that safety, good jobs, and opportunities to be healthy are their highest priorities in the places they live.

Learn more about the survey

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Dive Deeper: Beyond Division Survey Topline Results

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