In an age of social fragmentation, Pew Research Center’s 2025 report offers a timely snapshot of a pressing national issue: Americans’ trust in one another is at a historic low.
Only 34% of U.S. adults say that “most people can be trusted”—a number that has held steady since 2018, but is down sharply from 46% in 1972. That might sound abstract, but social trust is foundational to how communities function. It shapes how willing people are to help a neighbor, follow public guidance, or even believe that others will play by the same rules.
But not everyone in the U.S. experiences trust the same way.
Trust is Uneven—By Race, Income, and Geography
The report reveals that race and income are two of the strongest predictors of trust. For example:
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40% of White and 38% of Asian Americans say most people can be trusted.
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Only 21% of Black and 23% of Hispanic Americans feel the same.
Income shows an even starker divide. While half of Americans earning $150,000 or more trust others, just 20% of those making under $30,000 do. Education follows a similar pattern, with trust rising among those with college and advanced degrees.
Geography also plays a role. States like New Hampshire, Oregon, and Utah report the highest trust levels, while Mississippi, Alabama, and West Virginia lag behind. Even within the same state, trust can vary widely depending on local income and education levels.
Trust Shapes Behavior—and Community Life
Why does this matter? Because trust isn’t just a feeling—it directly affects how people behave in society.
Pew found that 82% of trusting individuals said they’d bring in a neighbor’s mail if asked, compared to 67% of distrusters. Trust also affects how willing people are to conserve energy, help a sick friend, or loan money in a crisis.
It even impacts perceptions of institutions. People who trust others are more likely to trust the government, local leaders, and even the media. They also report higher life satisfaction and greater optimism about the future.
What Undermines Trust?
Personal experience matters. The study found that people who’ve faced economic hardship, discrimination, or who feel unsafe in their neighborhoods are more likely to lose trust over time. In fact, 25% of Americans changed their level of trust over a five-year period—often due to negative life events.
Rebuilding the Trust Deficit
This isn’t just a matter of personal opinion—it’s a national challenge. If trust continues to erode, the ripple effects will be felt across everything from public health to democracy.
To rebuild trust, we need inclusive policies, economic opportunity, and more face-to-face engagement at the community level. Because when trust grows, so does our ability to tackle problems together.
See the full report: Americans’ Declining Trust in Each Other and Reasons Behind It | Pew Research Center
