Indiana Bar Foundation Releases 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index Highlighting Voting Gains and Opportunities to Strengthen Civic Connection  

Indiana’s civic checkup provides state’s most comprehensive data, revealing highest voter registration rate in 14 years, underscoring persistent gaps in participation and community engagement 

INDIANAPOLIS  —  Today, the Indiana Bar Foundation released the 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index, a comprehensive look at the civic health of Indiana in the past election year, combining U.S. Census data alongside 2024 voting data, tracking how Hoosiers participate in civic life through voting, volunteerism, trust, and community connection. 

“Civic health is about more than a single Election Day; it’s about whether Hoosiers feel informed, connected, and empowered to participate in their communities year-round,” said Chuck Dunlap, President & CEO of the Indiana Bar Foundation. “This report reinforces that Indiana is making progress, and it also clarifies the opportunities ahead of us to reduce barriers to participation, strengthen trust, and build civic habits early. Our team, and our partners, are committed to using this data as a guide for how to continue to strengthen civic participation in Indiana.” 

The 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index examines Hoosiers’ civic activities by four key areas of health: Voting and Voter Registration, Civics Through Community Engagement, Youth and Civic Action, and Civic Education Policies. The biennial report was written in partnership with statewide and national civic leaders, with each author contributing a section of the report:  

• David J. Roof, Ph.D., of Ball State University wrote “Voting and Voter Registration: A Mixed Story in Indiana.” 

• Ellen Szarletta, Ph.D., J.D., of Indiana University Northwest wrote “Community and Citizenship: A Partnership for the Future.”  

• Stephanie C. Serriere, Ph.D., of Indiana University Columbus wrote “Hoosier Youth and Civics: Building Civic Health for Our Young Citizens.” 

• Shawn Healy, Ph.D., of iCivics wrote “Civics Education Policies: Improving Civics From the Ground Up.” 

• Indiana Bar Foundation President and CEO Charles Dunlap, J.D., contributed on behalf of the Foundation. 

The Index finds measurable progress in voting and voter registration since 2022. In 2024, Indiana had one of its highest gains in voter registration, climbing from 40th in the 2022 midterm to 33rd for the 2024 midterm election. In addition to growth in voter registration, Indiana climbed from 50th in voting turnout in 2022 to 41st during the 2024 presidential election. 

PROGRESS IN VOTING AND REGISTRATION 

The 2025 Index shows Indiana’s voter registration rate reached 73.7% of the citizen voting-age population in 2024, the highest percentage in the past 14 years, improving Indiana’s national registration ranking to 33rd. 

The report also identifies persistent gaps that shape participation across Indiana. In 2024: 

• 62.0% of Hoosiers ages 18–29 reported being registered, compared to 76.4% of adults 30+ 

• 83.4% of Hoosiers with a bachelor’s degree or higher reported being registered, compared to 68.8% of those with a high school education only 

• 67.0% of households earning under $35,000 reported being registered, compared to 77.2% of households earning $75,000+ 

Indiana’s national rank in voting also improved in 2024, rising from 50th to 41st. 

MIDTERM TURNOUT CONTINUES TO LAG 

While presidential-year participation remains relatively steady, the Index warns that midterm cycles remain a key challenge. Indiana posted 49.3% turnout in 2018, then dropped to 41.9% in 2022—a 7.4 percentage point decline—ranking 50th out of 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus Washington, D.C.). 

The age participation gap persists in turnout as well: in 2024, 46.4% of Hoosiers ages 18–29 voted compared to 64.0% of adults 30+. 

COMMUNITY & CITIZENSHIP: STRONG VOLUNTEER SPIRIT, CONCERNING DECLINES IN CIVIC INTERACTION 

When analyzed under the lens of community and civic participation, Indiana’s civic health data shows a split between neighbor-to-neighbor support and traditional civic engagement. 

The Index emphasizes that civic health is rooted in social connectedness, not just turning out at the ballot box. Indiana shows strength in volunteerism and neighbor-to-neighbor support, with major improvements in rank between 2010 and 2023: 

• Volunteering: improved from 32nd to 19th 

• Doing favors for neighbors: improved from 43rd to 28th 

• Charitable giving: improved from 45th to 32nd 

At the same time, Indiana has slipped on measures tied to civic interaction and political involvement. From 2017 to 2023, Indiana’s rank declined in: 

• Discussing issues with neighbors (18th to 42nd), family and friends (12th to 37th) and hearing from family and friends (12th to 42nd) 

• Political engagement indicators also fell during that period, including posting about politics on social media (2nd to 39th) 

• Following politics in the news (8th to 46th) 

• Voting in a local election (20th to 44th) 

• Attending a public meeting (27th to 46th).  

Together, the findings suggest Hoosiers remain willing to support one another, while opportunities remain to strengthen the habits and connections that drive sustained civic participation year-round. 

INVESTING IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH EDUCATION 

The Index highlights Indiana’s growing landscape of youth civic learning opportunities and the importance of engaging young people before they can vote. The Indiana Bar Foundation’s Indiana Kids Election expanded statewide in 2024, reaching 165 schools and engaging more than 18,000 students with Indiana-developed lesson plans and a virtual voting simulation. 

LOOKING FORWARD 

The Index concludes that meaningful progress is possible when barriers to participation are reduced, trust is strengthened, and civic engagement is encouraged across all ages, incomes, and communities.  

On April 9, 2026, the Indiana Bar Foundation will host the 2026 Indiana Civics Summit, a one-day conference bringing together national, regional, state, and local leaders from government, education, business, nonprofits, and the legal community. This year’s event will carry on the momentum of the 2025 Civic Health Index and spotlight civic education and engagement programs for youth across Indiana, while featuring timely conversations on strengthening civic participation and community connection. Attendees will also explore how Indiana communities can engage Hoosiers in meaningful ways during America’s 250th anniversary. 

The Indiana Bar Foundation and a host of partners have supported the biennial publication of the Indiana Civic Health Index over the last 14 years. To view past reports and learn more about the Indiana Bar Foundation, visit www.inbarfoundation.org/news/civic-health-index-reports. The full version of the Indiana Bar Foundation’s 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index is available at https://www.inbarfoundation.org/2025-indiana-civic-health-index/. 

ABOUT THE INDIANA BAR FOUNDATION 

Founded in 1950, the Indiana Bar Foundation inspires and leads change to improve civic education and legal assistance for all Hoosiers. The Foundation’s vision is to be the premier statewide charitable organization and trusted partner advancing civic literacy and the legal system. Learn more at: www.inbarfoundation.org  

Media Contact: 

Hannah Thomas | Indiana Bar Foundation Media Liaison | [email protected]