What does it mean to ‘belong’? When people feel like they belong in communities, in neighbourhoods, they feel accepted, safe and connected. Belonging is in the connections people have with friends and family and in the neighbourhoods where people rely on each other. They are willing to ask a favour of their neighbours and develop reciprocal relationships of trust. But not everyone knows what it feels like to belong. People with lower incomes are much less likely than those with higher incomes to feel a sense of belonging in their local geographic community or to feel their neighbours are helpful and can be trusted. One of the main elements of community well-being is whether people feel connected to their neighbourhood and neighbours. One in five adults (20%) have a very strong sense of belonging to their local geographic community, and 44% have a somewhat strong sense of belonging. This sense of belonging varies a little across provinces, ranging from 61% to 68%. But what is more significant is how the difference in people’s income relates to a sense of belonging. 77% of people who feel they have enough income have a strong sense of belonging, but only 51% of people having a hard time financially have a strong sense of belonging. The more financially secure people feel, the more likely they feel like they belong.
SENSE OF BELONGING TO LOCAL COMMUNITY, BY ADEQUACY OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME
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