Nextdoor, the free and private social network for the neighborhood, shared the results of nationwide polls showing over two-thirds, 67 percent, of homeowners feel safer in their home/neighborhood, because they know their neighbors. In addition, three-fourths, 76 percent, of U.S. adults polled said they thought their neighborhood would be safer if they communicated more with neighbors.
The studies, a look at “The State of The American Neighborhood,” were commissioned by Nextdoor and conducted online by Harris Interactive® among adults ages 18 and older. According to the surveys, nearly one-third, 28 percent, of Americans wish they knew more people in their neighborhood.
These findings shed light on the attitudes that shape the American neighborhood, and reinforces the importance of National Night Out™ (NNO), the annual, nationwide crime prevention event created by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). On Aug. 8, the event culminated with more than 37 million neighbors in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states coming together to get to know one another better. Neighbors gathered to throw block parties, cookouts, parades and receive visits from local police and firefighters. Nextdoor is proud to partner with National Night Out to help bring neighbors together to create safer and more connected communities.
Knowing one’s neighbors can have a very real impact on how safe people feel and how they watch out for each other. Nearly three-quarters, 72 percent, of homeowners report that because they know their neighbors, they are confident their neighbors will do something (e.g., call for help, intervene) if they see anything suspicious around their home. The studies also found that over one-third, 35 percent, of Americans who know their neighbors have shared information with them about crime and safety in the neighborhood (e.g., suspicious activity, burglaries, theft, neighborhood watch alerts).
Knowing one's neighbors also provides benefits that bring stability and well-being to the neighborhood. Some additional insights from the studies include:
- Stronger, deeper roots: Nearly half, 47 percent, of Americans who know their neighbors say because of this, they have no immediate plans to move or sell their home.
- Better for our furry friends: One-quarter (25 percent) of Americans who know their neighbors say because of this, they have received help with a lost pet or helped a neighbor with a lost pet or rescue animal.
- Renewed sense of pride: Nearly half (44 percent) of Americans who know their neighbors say because of this, they feel proud of where they live.
“The results of these surveys prove that when neighbors connect, good things happen. More specifically, neighbors who know each other, look out for each other,” said Nirav Tolia, CEO and Co-founder of Nextdoor. “We created Nextdoor to bring back a sense of community to the neighborhood and help create safer, stronger places to call home.”
More than 4,000 neighborhoods across the country rely on Nextdoor as the perfect resource for everything from organizing a crime watch group to finding a babysitter or lost pet to coordinating a yard sale. To join an existing Nextdoor website or create a new one for your neighborhood go to www.nextdoor.com.
Survey Methodology
These surveys were conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Nextdoor from June 28 – July 2, 2012 among 2,209 U.S. adult adults ages 18 and older & from July 31 – Aug 2, 2012 among 2,262 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. These online surveys are not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Emilie Johnson, ejohnson@sutherlandgold.com or at 212-905-6217.
About Nextdoor.com
Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com) is a free, private social network for the neighborhood. Using Nextdoor’s free online platform, neighbors create private neighborhood websites where members can ask questions, get to know one another and exchange local advice and recommendations. Nextdoor is specifically designed to provide a trusted environment for neighbor-to-neighbor communication. Neighborhoods across the country are using Nextdoor to build happier, safer places to call home.
Based in San Francisco, California, Nextdoor was founded in 2010 by Internet veterans who have spent their careers creating thriving online communities.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll® and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers proprietary solutions in the areas of market and customer insight, corporate brand and reputation strategy, and marketing, advertising, public relations and communications research. Harris possesses expertise in a wide range of industries including health care, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods.
Additionally, Harris has a portfolio of multi-client offerings that complement our custom solutions while maximizing our client's research investment. Serving clients in more than 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
