Americans consistently rate local conditions more favorably than national ones on issues like elections, crime, and education. A 2024 Pew survey found 69% of voters believed their local elections were well-run, compared to only 43% for national elections. Similarly, over half of Americans in 2023 approved of their local government, while just 22% viewed the federal government favorably.
This pattern extends to trust in local media, lower concerns about local crime, and better perceptions of local schools. Experts suggest proximity, personal experience, and tailored local leadership may explain these differing attitudes.
Americans’ more positive view of local communities reflects enduring trends identified by political scientists for decades.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].