Social Capital Index

The Utah Foundation launched its Social Capital Index in 2021. This project – the 2025 iteration – consists of a series of reports culminating in an index of Utah’s social capital. The seven sub-index reports include more than 30 metrics that are compared over time and with Utah’s neighboring Mountain States and the nation.

About Social Capital

What is Social Capital?

Simply put, social capital refers to the bonds between people and among networks, which they can use to benefit themselves and the group as a whole.

Social capital can provide individual benefits, such as helping an individual find a job. Social capital can also be leveraged to change a community, such as volunteering or encouraging your network to influence a legislator.

Why is Social Capital Important?

Low levels of social capital often lead to poor economic and social outcomes, both for individuals and for populations. As social capital declines, the challenges become more acute – and social scientists across the political spectrum agree that social capital in the U.S. is in long-term decline.

In places where social capital is comparatively robust, it can translate into heightened economic prospects and lower demands on the public sector.

Reports

  1. Social Capital Primer

  2. Civic Engagement

  3. Social Trust

  4. Community Life

  5. Family Health

  6. Social Cohesion

  7. Focus on Future Generations

  8. Social Mobility

  9. Social Capital Index

Other Resources

Visualizations

  • Coming soon

Data

  • Coming soon

Podcasts

Op-Eds

  • Coming soon

Previous Projects

Sponsors