By Cathrin Verano, Special Collections Development Librarian • Office of Communication, Education & Outreach
The 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index, released on January 21, 2026, examines Hoosiers’ election participation, their community involvement, and the successes of the state’s civic education initiatives. It draws on data from the most recent U.S. Census and the 2024 presidential election to follow up on a call to action posed in 2023, and notes that a holistic view of civic health also includes local community action. By examining multiple aspects of civic health and celebrating progress without shying away from challenges, the 2025 Index underscores that civic health is a dynamic measure that requires continued effort to sustain.
Two years ago, the 2023 INCHI proposed a comprehensive effort to register every eligible Hoosier to vote, with a particular emphasis on youth. Analyzing data from the 2024 election, the 2025 report demonstrated that Indiana has improved in two key metrics: voter registration and voter turnout. At last count, 73.7% of Hoosiers were registered to vote, which marked the highest percentage in the past 14 years and increased the state’s national ranking from 40th to 33rd. Indiana’s voter turnout ranking also improved from 50th in the 2022 midterm to 41st in the 2024 presidential election.
At last count, 73.7% of Hoosiers were registered to vote, which marked the highest percentage in the past 14 years
However, turnout continued to pose a challenge, particularly with the state’s youngest voters. In 2024, only 46.4% of Hoosiers aged 18-29 voted, in contrast to 64% of adults over 30. Student surveys cited by the INCHI revealed that 80% of respondents considered themselves “extremely likely” to vote in the future, yet simultaneously expressed confusion about the registration process, uncertainty about residency rules, and doubts about the impact of their vote.
Encouragingly, the 2025 INCHI recognized Indiana’s civic education programs as an area of strength, demonstrating that work to reduce these barriers has already begun. The Indiana Bar Foundation’s We the People and Mock Trial programs, the iEngage Youth Civic Empowerment Institute, and the Indiana Civics Bee are among the non-exhaustive list of initiatives, camps, councils, and competitions offered to Hoosier students. Indiana is recognized nationally for its dedication to expanding civic participation, and the lifelong civic habits cultivated by these engagement opportunities build a strong foundation for the state’s long-term civic health.
Going beyond the ballot box, the Index examines over a decade of survey data to compare measurable indicators of social connectedness over time. This reveals that Hoosiers made substantial gains in three markers of community engagement between 2010 and 2023. Indiana rose from 45th in the nation in charitable giving to 32nd and from 32nd to 19th in volunteering. When it comes to doing favors for neighbors, the state’s ranking improved by an even greater margin of 15 points (from 43rd to 28th). However, Indiana fell in the rankings of social and political interactions, such as discussing issues with family and friends, making political posts on social media, and contacting public officials.
Indiana has made meaningful progress in improving both voter registration and turnout, and through the vital work of its civic education initiatives is poised to further address the remaining obstacles to youth engagement. With both positive and underwhelming results in markers of social connectedness and community engagement, the 2025 Civic Health Index celebrates Indiana’s progress while recognizing the important work that remains ahead. The result is an impression of civic health as a dynamic and responsive aspect of Hoosier life. By embracing both the challenges and opportunities ahead, Indiana can continue to build a state where “civic participation is valued, encouraged, and accessible to all.”
Read the 2025 Civic Health Index inbarfoundation.org