Pew Research Identifies Four Civic Engagement Profiles in Americans

Pew Research, through its Pew-Knight Initiative, published a new report on Thursday detailing four distinct profiles of civic engagement among U.S. adults. The study, conducted via surveys from July to December 2025, moves beyond analyzing individual civic actions like voting or volunteering separately. Instead, it examines these behaviors holistically to understand how they coalesce into different patterns of participation.

Researchers Elisa Shearer, Luxuan Wang, Katerina Eva Matsa, Michael Lipka, Benjamin Toff, and Kirsten Eddy identified four groups: Mobilizers, Connectors, Spectators, and Outsiders. Mobilizers represent approximately 10% of Americans and are the most active across all types of participation, particularly in political actions such as volunteering for campaigns and contacting elected officials. Connectors, making up 28% of the population, show high engagement in volunteering and donations but are significantly less involved in politics.

Spectators constitute nearly a third (31%) of Americans. This group is less likely to engage in civic or political activities but distinguishes itself by following the news at rates comparable to Mobilizers and Connectors. The largest group, Outsiders, also accounts for 31% of Americans and exhibits the lowest engagement across all fronts. However, even within the Outsider group, 41% reported voting in 2024, indicating that disengagement is not absolute.

Further findings from the study reveal demographic correlations within these groups. Younger Americans are more frequently categorized as Spectators, while older Americans tend to be Connectors. The research also noted that similar proportions of younger and older individuals engage in certain activities, though specific details were cut off in the provided text. The report aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of civic participation beyond a simple spectrum of engagement.