Older Adults Value Safety, Connection, and Shared Responsibility in Their Communities

This 2026 AARP omnibus poll of 1,051 Americans 50 and older explored key aspects of community life, including how long residents have lived in their communities, what they value most, and how they perceive their community has changed over time. Results yielded factors that contribute to both positive and negative perceptions of one’s community.

The study also shows that older adults believe everyone plays a role in changing a community. That is, there is a shared responsibility among the local government, community organizations, and the community itself for changes in the community. Together, the data provide insights and a broad view of what makes communities livable and where improvements may be needed for older adults.

Key findings:

• Older adults value their community for multiple reasons. In fact, nearly all older Americans identify more than one thing they like about their community. And most (81%) indicate more than two features. Topping the list is feeling safe, followed by easy to drive around, affordability, and being close to grocery stores. Social connections are also important, as good neighbors influence favorability for 6 in 10 older Americans.
• Longer-term residents are more likely to see their communities as unchanged. While most U.S. adults age 50-plus say their community has stayed about the same (71%) over the last five years, this sentiment varies significantly by how long respondents have lived in their community. Those who’ve lived in their community for at least 10 years (73%) are more likely than those who’ve lived in their communities less than a decade (66%) to feel their community has not changed. 

- Still, among the 1 in 7 (14%) older adults who say their community has improved over the past five years, all of them indicate there isn’t just one specific feature that can account for the improvement. In fact, 80% indicate that two or more features have contributed to the improvement of their community. Topping the list, though, are safe walkable streets and sidewalks (51%), followed by a strong sense of community (44%). For at least a third of these older adults, improvements to infrastructure (32%), better public spaces (35%), and growth in the local economy (35%) and in new businesses (38%) have contributed to an improved community over the past five years.  

- And, among the equal proportion (14%) who feel their community has declined over the past five years, nearly all (99%) of them indicate one or more features in their community that have contributed to its decline, and 66% chose one or two features. The most cited issue is the lack of affordable housing (42%), followed by a local economic downturn (38%), a weaker sense of community or social connection (36%), and limited job opportunities (29%).

• Community changes often result from collective effort. Older Americans recognize that no single entity is responsible for community change. In fact, 78% indicate that multiple entities are responsible for any positive changes they may have seen in their community. At least 1 in 3 older Americans attribute positive changes in their community to their neighbors (36%), local government (38%) and community organizations or leaders (35%).

- Likewise, older adults also spread the blame for any negative changes (70% indicate one or more entities are responsible). However, local, federal, and state governments are cited most often (each by about a quarter) by older adults as those responsible for any negative changes in their community (28%, 27%, and 24%, respectively). 

• Community needs vary, but affordable housing leads the way. When asked to select their top three priorities to help improve their communities, U.S. adults 50 and older most often chose affordable housing (32%). About 1 in 5 also included the local economy (22%), public safety (21%), and infrastructure (20%) among their selections, reflecting a broad set of competing priorities. Older adults were more likely to emphasize services for older adults, while those ages 50 to 64 placed greater emphasis on job opportunities.

Implications

The findings suggest that efforts to improve communities for older adults will be most effective when they address multiple, interconnected factors — particularly safety, affordability, and opportunities for social connection — rather than focusing on a single issue. The emphasis on shared responsibility indicates that successful community change will require coordinated action across local governments, community organizations, and residents. Additionally, the prominence of affordable housing and economic concerns highlights areas where targeted policy and investment could have the greatest impact on improving perceptions of community well-being.

Methodology

This poll of 1,051 U.S. adults 50 and older was fielded May 14 to May 18, 2026, using the Foresight 50+ Consumer Omnibus, which draws from a probability-based panel. This panel is funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, designed to be representative of the U.S. household population 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and region.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Sauer at jsauer@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.