A new study revealed that Tennessee ranks as one of the top states in the nation for kindness.
In partnership with our friends at @Nextdoor and @Verizon, we are so excited to announce the results of our second United States of Kindness study.
This year we set out to find which states had the kindest neighbors, and the impact #kindness makes where you live. pic.twitter.com/LSe8RjP0Xv
— kindness.org (@kindness_org) November 18, 2022
The second annual “United States of Kindness” academic study – led by kindness.org and commissioned by Verizon and Nextdoor – researched kindness between neighbors and the impact that kindness has on communities across the U.S.
The study consisted of asking 10,000 people from all 50 states which kind acts they would do for their neighbors. The results found that Tennessee residents ranked second in the study in regard to being the kindest neighbors in America.
According to the study, the top five states with the kindest neighbors were Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Utah. The states with the least kindest neighbors in the study were Vermont, Oregon, Arizona, Iowa, and Illinois.
There’s a lot to be thankful for in Georgia like friendly, supportive neighbors. Georgia ranked #1 for the kindest neighbors overall in the 2nd annual United States of Kindness Survey from @kindness_org, @Verizon, and @Nextdoor. Learn more here: https://t.co/NycQ5RvfZc pic.twitter.com/7knAcMakg4
— Georgia, USA (@gdecd) November 23, 2022
The study found that kindness from neighbors across the nation was the best predictor of individual happiness; satisfaction with one’s neighborhood; identification with one’s neighbors; and a sense of inclusion in one’s neighborhood. The study also found that the average American would give up $7.65 if it meant a neighbor would get $10.
Additional insights of the study include:
- 94% of people say they would return a lost item to a neighbor
- 61% of people say they would forgive the debt of a neighbor
- 41% of people say they would adopt the child of a neighbor who passed away
The research also identified the top ten kindest acts for neighbors, which include:
- Pay for a neighbor’s groceries at the supermarket
- Donate money to a neighbor
- Donate diapers to a neighbor
- Buy extra school supplies for a neighbor
- Remind a neighbor that they matter
- Accept a neighbor as they are
- Organize or join local park and beach clean ups
- Tell a neighbor what a positive difference they made to someone else’s life
- Mow the lawn for a neighbor
- Surprise a neighbor with their favorite things
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Friendly Neighbor Visit” by State Farm. CC BY 2.0.
