2025 Indiana Civic Health Index
The Indiana Bar Foundation, along with a host of partners, is proud to publish the 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index (INCHI). For 14 years, we have supported the biannual publication of this report, which has examined a wide range of topics to gauge the civic health of our state. The INCHI remains one of the primary ways Indiana works to improve understanding of how Hoosiers engage with their communities, educate one another, and inspire residents to exchange ideas and take meaningful actions that strengthen the well-being of our communities.
This year’s edition builds on that legacy by offering timely insights into both the progress Indiana has made and the challenges that remain. Through this continued effort, we aim to equip leaders, organizations, and residents with the knowledge needed to foster a more informed and civically engaged Indiana.
Key Takeaways
Investing in Civic Engagement & Youth Education
Indiana is recognized nationally for its dedication to expanding civic participation and community engagement. Some highlights are:
- Meets nationally recognized standards for strengthening civic education policies
- Programs such as mock trials, youth advisory councils, and community-based learning
- Opportunities for young people to participate long before they can vote
Early engagement helps cultivate lifelong civic habits, building a strong foundation for Indiana’s long-term civic health.
Community & Citizenship
Civic health is rooted in social connectedness, not just voting: Strong relationships, trust, volunteering, and helping neighbors build social capital that supports democratic participation, economic vitality, and community resilience.
Indiana shows mixed civic signals—strength in volunteering, decline in engagement and trust: While Hoosiers have improved in volunteering, charitable giving, and neighborly help, the state has experienced notable declines in discussion, political involvement, and participation across many demographic groups.
Progress in Voting
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Indiana’s voter registration efforts have seen notable progress, with the state rising from 40th to 33rd nationally between 2022 and 2024—reflecting increased engagement and more effective outreach.
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Voter turnout has also strengthened significantly, as Indiana improved its national ranking from 50th to 41st, demonstrating momentum in civic participation across the state.
Challenges Ahead
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Participation remains well below national averages, indicating that many Hoosiers are still not fully engaging in the civic process. This gap highlights the need for continued investment in outreach and education.
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Midterm turnout continues to lag, showing that voter engagement drops substantially in non-presidential election years. This pattern underscores the importance of encouraging consistent participation across all election cycles.
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Disparities persist across education, income, and geography, revealing that civic engagement opportunities and outcomes are not evenly distributed. These inequities signal ongoing challenges that must be addressed to strengthen civic health statewide.
Looking Forward
Indiana has made meaningful progress—improving voter participation, strengthening civic education, and advancing a culture of service. But civic health must be continually nurtured.
Sustained momentum will require:
- Reducing barriers to participation
- Strengthening trust in public institutions
- Encouraging engagement across all ages, incomes, and communities
By embracing shared values and empowering the next generation of civic leaders, Indiana can continue building a stronger, more connected democracy.
Contributing Authors
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Stephanie C. Serriere, Ph.D. is a Professor of Social Studies Education at Indiana University Columbus.
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Ellen Szarleta, Ph.D., J.D., is the Director of the Indiana University Northwest Center for Urban and Regional Excellence and Interim Director and Professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University Northwest.
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David J. Roof, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Educational Studies and Director of the Center for Economic and Civic Learning at Ball State University.
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Shawn Healy, Ph.D., leads iCivics’ state and federal policy and advocacy work through CivxNow and oversees civic education campaigns in several key states.
Thank You to Our 2025 Indiana Civic Health Sponsors
Are you ready to deepen your involvement with the Indiana Bar Foundation? There are many meaningful ways to support our programs and initiatives, including a variety of sponsorship opportunities. To learn more, please contact our Director of Development, Kim Berry, at [email protected].
Media
If you would like more information about the civic health index, interview, statements or media inquires, please reach out to Hannah Thomas from CVR at [email protected].
