Community Impact – Page 18 – Knight Foundation

Program Area: Community Impact

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access exists along racial and economic lines.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – A new landmark study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that access to arts and cultural amenities is easy for most West Palm Beach metro area residents. Nationally, the report found that racial and economic disparities in accessing these amenities may exist in urban communities such as Greater West Palm Beach.

Here are other key West Palm Beach findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,”: 

  • In the Greater West Palm Beach area, 80% of residents feel they can access arts and entertainment amenities, compared to a national average of 72%.
  • Nationally, this study found that while arts and cultural amenities ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows that West Palm Beach is successfully building strong connections between the community and its residents, especially through access to arts and cultural amenities,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Prioritizing equity is critical when investing in these amenities to build on residents’ attachment to the area and ensure everyone has access to what makes a community great.” 


Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including West Palm Beach — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not.
  • The West Palm Beach data reveals how attached local residents are to the West Palm Beach metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash.

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that many Greater Myrtle Beach residents choose to live in the area because of its quality of life and enjoy easy access to recreational areas. Nationally, the report found that racial and economic disparities in accessing these areas may exist in urban communities such as Greater Myrtle Beach.

Here are other key Myrtle Beach findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what 

attaches people to the place where they live,”: 

  • A large share of residents (40%) choose to live in Greater Myrtle Beach for the quality of life, above the 33% national average. 
  • Many residents also report having easy access to community resources such as recreational areas (89%), above the national average (85%).
  • Nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study illustrates that Greater Myrtle Beach residents choose to live in the area for high quality of life and a strong sense of attachment to where they live, which is key for a vibrant community,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “But communities that promote equity are vibrant communities. Myrtle Beach could further explore opportunities with key stakeholders like Coastal Carolina University and others to improve equitable access to community amenities between diverse community members.”

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Myrtle Beach — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who had access to jobs, affordable housing, schools, health care or other desirable features. 
  • The Myrtle Beach data reveals how attached local residents are to the Myrtle Beach metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Kirk Van Nort on Unsplash.

Communities

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

LEXINGTON, KY – A new landmark study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that most Greater Lexington area residents generally have good access to recreational areas. Nationally, the report found that racial and economic disparities in accessing these areas may exist in urban communities such as Greater Lexington.

Here are other key Lexington findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,”: 

  • The great majority of residents surveyed feel that they have easy access to a wide number of amenities such as recreational areas (86%).
  • Nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows that Lexington continues to connect residents to what they feel is important and necessary in their community,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Lexington could continue to build on this momentum by continuing to invest in projects — such as the transformative Town Branch Commons public-private pak and trail system — that will further attach residents to their community.”

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the  country — including Lexington — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not.
  • The Lexington data reveals how attached local residents are to the Lexington metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute
The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Haseeb Jamil on Unsplash.

Communities

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report shows residents report easy access to recreational areas and feel they are important, though a national gap in access exists.

ABERDEEN, S.D. – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that Aberdeen metro area residents invest more in their community than residents of other urban areas. The findings also show that while Aberdeen residents report easy access to recreational areas, national data may suggest that racial and economic disparities in accessing these areas may exist in urban communities such as Greater Aberdeen.

Here are other key Aberdeen findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,”: 

  • Many Greater Aberdeen residents invest more back into their community than the national average. Fifty-nine percent volunteered for a local group or organization in the last year, compared to the national average of 45%. And 78% of Aberdeen residents donated to local organizations. 
  • Most residents (90%) have easy access to recreational areas, above the national average (85%). 
  • Nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows that Aberdeen residents are not only connected, but invested in their community,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Aberdeen can continue to build on this positive momentum by working to connect Northern State University to the larger community through continued investment in shared recreation spaces, which will create even more resident attachment and increase the vibrancy of local life.” 

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Aberdeen — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not.
  • The Aberdeen data reveals how attached local residents are to the Aberdeen metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Shaojie on Unsplash.

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to safe spaces exist along racial and economic lines.

LONG BEACH, CA – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that most Long Beach metro area residents choose to live in the area for quality of life, but lack access to and safe places to live, work and play. Nationally, the report found that racial and economic disparities in accessing these amenities may exist in urban communities such as Greater Long Beach.

Here are other key Long Beach findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,”: 

  • While most Greater Long Beach residents (40%) choose to live in the area for quality of life, only 29% of Long Beach metro area residents say they have access to affordable housing, below the 50% national average. 
  • When it comes to safe places to live, work and play, only 64% of Long Beach residents report easy access. This is far below the national average of 77%. 
  • Nationally, this study found that while safe spaces ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study illustrates that while residents choose to live in Long Beach for its quality of life, there are opportunities to create paths to affordable housing and public safety,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Having safe places to live, work, and play are critical to developing a strong connection between residents and their community.”

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Long Beach — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not.
  • The Long Beach data reveals how attached local residents are to the Long Beach metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by LinkedIn on Unsplash.

Communities

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commission study also reveals that Greater Wichita residents report easy access to recreational areas and feel they are important, but a national gap in access exists.

WICHITA, Kan. – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that while most Wichita metro area residents report easy access to recreational areas, national data may suggest that racial and economic disparities exist in accessing these amenities in urban communities such as Greater Wichita. 

The study, “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,” also finds that social networks of Greater Wichita residents lack diversity across barriers of race and language. 

Here are other key Wichita findings: 

  • Many Greater Wichita residents say their social networks lack diversity across racial (57%) and language barriers (33%) — both below the national averages of 64% and 48%. 
  • Most residents feel they have access to critical amenities such as recreational areas (87%).
  • Nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows that Wichita continues to connect residents to what they feel is necessary in their community,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “By investing in physical connections between areas such as the downtown and riverfront, which have tremendous opportunity and entrepreneurship, Wichita could further explore opportunities to improve diverse engagement between community members. Through strategic community investments, Wichita can continue to build a community where current residents, and eventually visitors and new residents, feel deeply connected to one another and the city itself.” 

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Wichita — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not.
  • The Wichita data reveals how attached local residents are to the Wichita metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

###

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Alexis Brown on Unsplash.

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

BRADENTON, Fla. – A new landmark study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that many residents of the Greater Bradenton area choose to live in the area because of its quality of life and enjoy easy access to recreational areas. Nationally, the report found that racial and economic disparities in accessing these areas may exist in urban communities such as Greater Bradenton.

Here are other key Bradenton findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,”:

  • Most Bradenton metro area residents report that recreational areas are “easy to access” (94%) and 35% choose to live in the area for quality of life.
  • However, nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows that Bradenton has made great strides in providing access to critical amenities to the community and deepening community attachment,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Improving access to recreational areas such as the riverfront through a variety of investment strategies that focus on engagement is an important step in making sure everyone in the community can access community amenities equally — especially during the COVID-19 where outside areas are of the utmost importance.”

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Bradenton — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not. 
  • The Bradenton data reveals how attached local residents are to the Bradenton metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for community leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

###

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Igor Oliyarnik on Unsplash.

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

 

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

BOULDER, Colo. – A new landmark study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that most Boulder residents report they have easy access to key community urban amenities such as recreational areas, but national data may suggest a gap in access exists along racial and economic lines in urban communities such as Greater Boulder.

The study, “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,” also finds that residents report that accessing affordable housing is more difficult.

Here are other key Boulder findings:

  • Most Boulder residents feel that they have easier access to recreational areas (97%). However, the report shows that only 14% of residents feel they have access to affordable housing, far below the national average of 50%. 
  • Nationally, this study finds that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study highlights both the successes of Boulder’s investments in their community and opportunities for continued growth,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Boulder is seeking to build a more diverse pipeline of leadership, and this report points to a few areas where the community can invest in and grow, such as affordable housing access, which may influence who has the means to move into the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, generating equitable housing options is paramount to providing a safe place for all families in the community.” 


Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Boulder — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place.

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not. 
  • The Boulder data reveals how attached local residents are to the Boulder metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for community leaders, including boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Malachi Brooks on Unsplash.

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that most residents of Greater Milledgeville experience easy access to recreational areas, but national data from the study suggests a racial and economic gap in access to these areas could exist in urban communities such as Greater Milledgeville. 

The study, “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,” also finds that many Milledgeville metro area residents lack access to job opportunities.

Here are other key Milledgeville findings: 

  • Only 31% of Greater Milledgeville residents feel they have easy access to job opportunities — far below the national average of 63%.
  • A majority of Milledgeville residents, 82%, feel they have easy access to recreational areas, just below the national average of 85%.
  • Nationally, the study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows us that there is an opportunity to continue to invest in building connections between local campuses and local residents that allow for individuals to attach to their community,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “By focusing on that connection, Milledgeville has the opportunity to build an even more vibrant community with attractive job prospects.”

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Milledgeville — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not.
  • The Milledgeville data reveals how attached local residents are to the Milledgeville metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

# # #

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Pete Nowicki on Unsplash

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute finds that while residents of the Grand Forks metro area report easy access to urban amenities such as educational institutions and recreational areas, national data may suggest that racial and economic disparities exist in accessing these amenities in urban communities such as Greater Grand Forks. 

The study,  “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,” also finds that social networks of Grand Forks metro area residents lack diversity across race and language. 

Here are other key Grand Forks findings: 

  • Many Greater Grand Forks residents say their social networks lack diversity across racial (43%), and language barriers (21%) — both below the national averages of 64% and 38%. 
  • Most Grand Forks metro area residents rated K-12 schools (93%) local colleges and universities (94%) and recreational areas (91%) as the most easy to access.
  • Nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows that there is an opportunity to connect the diverse student populations at local colleges and universities with the larger community in Grand Forks,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “Through further investment in the corridor between the University of North Dakota and downtown, and developing relationships between the university, residents and local businesses, it’s possible to build even deeper, broader connections across communities that are so critical to tying people to their communities and boosting their quality of life.” 

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Grand Forks — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not. 
  • The Grand Forks data reveals how attached local residents are to the Grand Forks metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as  boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

For interviews, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.

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About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by NESA by Makers on Unsplash.

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

The Knight Foundation-commissioned report also reveals while most residents feel these amenities are important, a national gap in access to these areas exists along racial and economic lines.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – A new groundbreaking study commissioned by the Knight Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute shows that most Greater Tallahassee residents report easy access to recreational areas and local higher education institutions. Nationally, the report found that racial and economic disparities in accessing these amenities may exist in urban communities such as Greater Tallahassee.

Here are other key Tallahassee findings from “Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live,”: 

  • A large majority of Tallahassee residents report easy access to recreational areas (90%) and local colleges and universities (85%).
  • Nationally, this study found that while recreational areas ultimately could create more attachment between residents and their community, low-income residents and residents of color often feel that these amenities are less accessible to them than higher-income, white residents.

“This study shows us that Tallahassee has been successful in connecting residents with important amenities that matter most to them,” said Lilly Weinberg, Knight’s senior director of community and national initiatives. “But as Tallahassee builds on this momentum, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 where outside spaces are more critical now than ever, it’s important to emphasize equity, so that every resident of the community is able to enjoy what Tallahassee has to offer.”

Conducted prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, Community Ties leverages a survey of over 11,000 Americans residing in metro areas across the country — including Tallahassee — to create one of the richest datasets on what drives attachment to place. 

  • Those with access to quality of life amenities such as arts, recreational areas and safe places to live, work and play reported a deeper attachment to their community, compared with those who did not. 
  • The Tallahassee data reveals how attached local residents are to the metro area and where gaps in access exist across urban amenities. It offers points of consideration for such leaders such as boosting time in the city, focusing on quality of life and paying attention to issues of equity, to strengthen residents’ ties to their communities.

As cities plan for a post-COVID-19 world and reckon with racial justice, the report provides knowledge for public officials and other community leaders to help make cities more resilient, urban public spaces more equitable, and think anew about how to build places where people want to live, work, play and stay. 

To see how your city compares in different areas with other Knight communities and the national averages, go to our interactive website. 

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About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.

About Urban Institute  

The nonprofit Urban Institute is a leading research organization dedicated to developing evidence-based insights that improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. For 50 years, Urban has been the trusted source for rigorous analysis of complex social and economic issues; strategic advice to policymakers, philanthropists and practitioners; and new, promising ideas that expand opportunities for all. Our work inspires effective decisions that advance fairness and enhance the well-being of people and places.

Image (top) by Geronimo Giqueaux on Unsplash.

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live

Community Ties: Understanding what attaches people to the place where they live