A growing number of Americans say they don’t know or trust their neighbors, but most still express a strong willingness to lend a hand when needed.
Only 26% of U.S. adults say they know all or most of their neighbors, according to a March 2025 Pew Research Center survey. That’s down from 31% in 2018. Trust in neighbors has also declined, with 44% saying they trust all or most of the people in their neighborhood—compared to 52% in 2015.
Despite the drop, most Americans say they’d help those living nearby. About three-quarters say they’d bring in mail or water plants for an out-of-town neighbor, and two-thirds would bring a meal to a sick neighbor or friend. But fewer believe those favors would be returned. Only 52% think neighbors would take care of their mail or plants, and just 42% expect a neighbor would bring them a meal if they were sick.
The survey found trust and neighborly acts vary sharply by demographics. People over 50, white Americans, those with higher incomes, and residents of rural or suburban areas are more likely to know and trust their neighbors. These groups are also more likely to help others—and believe others would help them in return.
Partisan differences also surfaced. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to trust their neighbors. But Democrats are more likely to say they trust people in general. Frequent religious service attendees were among the most likely to say they trust and interact with their neighbors.
When asked about shared traits, 50% of Americans said their neighbors share their race or ethnicity, 38% said they had similar education levels, and only 23% shared political views. Feeling demographically or politically similar to neighbors was linked with greater trust and higher expectations of mutual support.
While 59% say they’d feel comfortable leaving a spare key with a neighbor, trust in broader community action is lower. Just 42% believe their community would conserve water or electricity if officials asked during an emergency, compared to 72% who say they personally would.
Generational and educational gaps were also pronounced. Older Americans and college graduates were more likely to say they’d help neighbors and trust their community to act in times of need.
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