In 2025, Utah had the highest Social Capital Index score in the nation and has consistently been among the top states over the previous 12 years.
The Utah Foundation’s Social Capital Index project is a series of reports that measure whether Utah is thriving in terms of its “social capital.” Put simply, social capital refers to the ways in which individuals can leverage connections between people and social networks for the benefit of themselves or their community.
How does Utah do so well? This year, Utah ranks first or second in the nation on three of the seven subindices: social trust, family health, and community life. Only three other states have more than two subindices in the top five: Minnesota, Maine, and New Hampshire.
The 2025 index shows that Utah is grouped favorably with some Midwestern and Northeastern states. Colorado also performs very well.
Utah’s Social Capital Index score stands at 82 out of 100, which is a continuing downward slide from 2013, when Utah stood at 96. This compares to the United States, which stands at 44 in 2025.
“In places where social capital is robust, it can translate into heightened economic prospects and lower demands on the public sector,” said Shawn Teigen, President of the Utah Foundation. “So, while the Beehive State is thriving relative to the nation in terms of social capital, that does not mean we should rest on our laurels. We still have work to do.”
Highlights of this Report
- In 2025, Utah had the highest Social Capital Index score in the nation and has consistently been among the top states over the previous 12 years.
- The 2025 Social Capital Index shows that Utah is grouped favorably with Colorado, as well as some Midwestern and Northeastern states.
- Utah’s Social Capital Index score stands at 82 out of 100, which is a continuing downward slide from 2013, when Utah stood at 96. This compares to the United States, which stands at 44.
- Utah is first or second in the nation in three of the seven subindices: social trust, family health, and community life.
- The largest difference between Utah and the U.S. is with the community life subindex. Utah’s score is 13 compared to 0 for the U.S.
- Much of the decline in Utah’s index score is from three subindices: future generations, family health, and community life.
- Utah’s index score decline since 2013 is partially counteracted by three improving subindices: civic engagement, social trust, and, particularly, social mobility.
Read all the other Social Capital Index reports here.
