America Now Index Summer 2022

Index Summary

The America Now: National Outlook Index (ANI) stands at 6.0, marking the lowest score in the more than two-year history of the Index. While the Health and Community Indices prevent the ANI from freefalling, noticeable declines in these areas are present. The Economic and Society and Government Indices are also in flux. Interestingly, though, Americans remain relatively optimistic about the country’s jobs market.

America Now Index Summer 2022 Index Summery
America Now Index Summer 2022 Index Summery

Learn More about the America Now Index

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Economic Outlook Summary: 5.1

Economic Outlook Summary

Americans’ economic outlook has declined. The overall economic score is down, and most economic indicators are at their lowest point, to date. The exception is the jobs indicator. Americans’ view of the nation’s jobs picture is relatively stable and is more positive than negative.

Economic Outlook Summary Chart
good time financially: 5.0

good time financially

next few months: 4.7

next few months

jobs right now: 6.6

jobs right now

good time to make purchase: 4.2

good time to make purchase


HEALTH OUTLOOK

Health Outlook Summary: 6.9

Health Outlook Summary

The Health Index continues to boost the overall ANI but has inched downward, and cracks are beginning to show in specific health indicators. While Americans remain positive in their attitudes about their personal health, are content with the life they are living, and are satisfied with their access to health care, these indicators have either achieved, match, or near their lowest ANI scores. Americans still perceive little risk to their health.

Health Outlook Summary Chart
excellent health: 7.0

excellent health

happy with life: 7.4

happy with life

little risk to health: 6.5

little risk to health

satisfied with access: 6.8

satisfied with access


COMMUNITY OUTLOOK

Community Outlook Summary: 7.1

Community Outlook Summary

Americans continue to be optimistic about life in their local communities. However, the Community Index is at its lowest point in the history of the index. Each of the specific Community indicators are down and either match or are at their lowest point, to date.  

Community Outlook Summary Chart
satisfied with where you live: 7.6

satisfied with where you live

can have an impact: 6.5

can have an impact

community values: 6.3

community values

feel safe: 7.9

feel safe


SOCIETY & GOVERNMENT OUTLOOK

Society & Government Outlook Summary: 5.0

Society & Government Outlook Summary

Since the inception of the ANI, Americans have been tepid in their outlook toward society and government. However, the Society and Government Index has reached an all-time low, marked by indicators that have reached new lows.

SOCIETY & GOVERNMENT OUTLOOK Chart
leadership working for people like you: 4.2

leadership working for people like you

access to same opportunities: 6.5

access to same opportunities

kids will have a better life: 5.3

kids will have a better life

society is fair and just: 4.2

society is fair and just


ABOUT THE AMERICA NOW INDEX

The Marist Poll’s America Now Index provides insight into Americans’ experiences and expectations for the future. Attitudes are measured along a scale of 0 to 10 with “0” indicating the lowest negative point of the scale and “10” noting the highest positive point.

HOW THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED

Nature of the Sample: Marist Poll of 1,031 National Adults
This survey of 1,031 adults was conducted August 15th through August 18th, 2022 by the Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the contiguous United States were contacted on landline or mobile numbers and interviewed by telephone using live interviewers. Survey questions were available in English or Spanish. Mobile telephone numbers were randomly selected based upon a list of telephone exchanges from throughout the nation. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region was represented in proportion to its population. Mobile phones are treated as individual devices. After validation of age, personal ownership, and non-business-use of the mobile phone, interviews are typically conducted with the person answering the phone. To increase coverage, this mobile sample was supplemented by respondents reached through random dialing of landline phone numbers. Within each landline household, a single respondent is selected through a random selection process to increase the representativeness of traditionally under-covered survey populations. The samples were then combined and balanced to reflect the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates for age, gender, income, race, and region. Assistance was provided by Logit Group for data collection. Results are statistically significant within ±4.3 percentage points. There are 947 registered voters. The results for this subset are statistically significant within ±4.5 percentage points. It should be noted that although you may not see results listed for a certain group, it does not mean interviews were not completed with those individuals. It simply means the sample size is too small to report. The error margin was adjusted for sample weights and increases for cross-tabulations.

The Marist Poll America Now: National Outlook Index is reported on a 0 to 10 scale. A mean score for each sub-index statement was calculated. Overall economic, health, community, and society & government indices are derived by calculating an overall mean based on responses to the four sub-index questions in each category. The overall Marist Poll America Now: National Outlook Index is derived by calculating an overall mean based on responses to all sixteen sub-index questions.

Respondents were asked:

Please let me know how much you agree or disagree with each of the following:

Economic

A. This is a good time financially for your household
B. You expect the next few months to be better financially for your household
C. Jobs right now are easy to find
D. This is a good time to make purchases or investments

Health

E. You, yourself, are in excellent health
F. You are happy with the life you are living right now
G. There is little risk to your health right now
H. You are satisfied with your access to health care

Community

I. You are satisfied with the area where you live
J. You can have an impact in making your community a better place
K. You are satisfied with your community’s values and beliefs
L. You feel safe where you live

Society & Government

M. Those in leadership positions are working to make life better for people like you
N. You feel you have access to the same opportunities as everyone else
O. Your children and grandchildren will have a better life than you
P. You feel you live in a society that is fair and just

Welcome To America Now