83% of Americans Get to Know Their Neighbors While Walking the Dog
According to a new survey from Community Associations Institute (CAI) Honoring
National Good Neighbor Day—Sept. 28

99 percent of Americans think they're a good neighbor, according to a new report by Community Associations Institute (CAI). CAI, the leading authority in community association governance, education, and management, conducted the "2016 National Good Neighbor Day Survey" of its 34,000 members.

So what does it take to be a good neighbor? According to the report, some of the most common characteristics—being quiet, friendly, helpful, respecting your neighbor's privacy, and cleaning up after your pet are top characteristics of a good neighbor.

"Across the nation, Americans are demonstrating how to make home more enjoyable—they're volunteering, taking part in their local government, and participating in neighborhood social activities," said Thomas Skiba, CAE, chief executive officer for CAI. Skiba added, "As champions of building better communities, we know there is usually a strong correlation between the level of homeowner involvement and the long-term success of a community."

The majority (83%) of respondents said face-to-face interaction is the most common way to communicate with their neighbors. While 83 percent of those surveyed said they get to know their neighbors while walking the dog.

Among the trends identified in the survey, community pride is most prevalent with 86 percent of respondents reporting they are proud to live in their neighborhood and actively recommend it to their friends and colleagues.

Additional survey findings:

• 94 percent of respondents said they believe their neighbors respect their privacy.

• Being socially active is equally important to respondents—74 percent of those surveyed said they routinely participate in their community's social events. 

• 54 percent of respondents report they volunteer for neighborhood activities and 30 percent take part in community recreational activities.

Methodology & Survey Demographics:
Survey invitations were sent electronically to 34,000 Community Associations Institute (CAI) members on September 14, 2016. The survey closed on September 21, 2016 with 334 responses. 87 percent of respondents own their own homes and 75 percent are 50 years or older. 35 percent of respondents reported a total annual household income between $51,000 and $99,000, and 49 percent reported a household income of $100,000 or more annually.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) experts are available for comment. Interested media should contact Amy Hawkes Repke at arepke@caionline.org to schedule an interview.

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About Community Associations Institute
Community Associations Institute (CAI) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization founded in 1973 to foster competent, responsive, community associations through research, training, and education. CAI is an international membership organization dedicated to building better communities. With more than 34,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 60 chapters, including a chapter in South Africa, as well as with housing leaders in a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. We work to identify and meet the evolving needs of the professionals and volunteers who serve associations, by being a trusted forum for the collaborative exchange of knowledge and information, and by helping our members learn, achieve, and excel. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsive citizenship—ideals reflected in associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888)224-4321.