Citizen Report
Government and Civic Participation among Millennials
Millennials are the cohort of Americans born between 1980 and 2000. There are a total of 83.1 million
millennials, representing more than one quarter of the nation’s population and are now the largest
generation in the United States.1 In the coming years, they will be the engine of the economy,
government, and social change. In order to better understand the current and future impact of
millennials in Sangamon County, their attitudes towards government, civic participation, and social
responsibility have been analyzed. Eighty-nine individuals, between the ages of 18 and 34, were
interviewed as part of the 2015 Sangamon County Citizen Survey. For more information on the Citizen
survey, visit http://go.uis.edu/citizen
KEY FINDINGS:
 Millennial respondents (74 percent) in Sangamon County are less likely to report being
“white” compared to other generational groups (84 percent).
 Sangamon County millennials (11 percent) are more likely to identify as “LGBT” compared to
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other generational groups (2 percent).
Millennials are more likely to report confidence in local leadership than other generational
groups. The youngest millennials surveyed (18-24 years old) were typically the most
confident in local leadership.
Millennials (84 percent) report discussing politics with family or friends within the last 12
months at roughly the same rate as other generational groups (85 percent).
Millennials (37 percent) are more likely to report expressing an opinion about an issue
online within the last year than other generational groups (33 percent).
Millennials (32 percent) are more likely to report participating in an adult sports or
recreation team within the last year compared to other generational groups (21 percent).
Millennials (50 percent) are more likely to report taking care of Sangamon County’s most
disadvantaged citizens is the responsibility of the entire community compared to
respondents in other generational groups (44 percent). Millennials (24 percent) were
significantly more likely to report it is the responsibility of local government to care for
Sangamon County’s most disadvantaged citizens compared to other generational groups (12
percent).
Millennial Profile
In 2014, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, found several characteristics set millennials
apart from other generational groups. Two of the most apparent themes in the report are diversity and
openness to change. Millennials are generally more liberal, more supportive of progressive social issues,
more optimistic about the nation’s future, and more racially diverse than individuals from previous
generations.2 Racial diversity among the millennial generation was certainly observed in the 2015
Sangamon County Citizen Survey. Millennials (74 percent) in Sangamon County are 10 percentage points
less likely to identify as “white” compared to other generational groups (84 percent) in the county.
When comparing the demographics of millennials to other non-millennial groups in Sangamon County,
another major difference is clear. Almost 11 percent of millennials report identifying as “LGBT” (lesbian,
gay, bisexual, or transgender), while only about 2 percent of respondents from other generational
groups identify as “LGBT.” Table 1 below provides some additional demographic information about
millennials in Sangamon County. The table also provides a comparison between the demographics
features of millennials and other community members in Sangamon County.
1
2
Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/millennials-in-adulthood/
Table 1. Demographics of Millennials in Sangamon County
Millennial
(18-34)
Other Generational
Groups
(age 35 or older)
Race
White
African-American or Black
Other/Mixed Race
74%
16%
7%
84%
10%
2%
LGBT Identity
11%
2%
Education
Less than high school
High school or GED
Technical school or training
Some college
Four year college degree
Higher degree (PhD, MA, etc.)
12%
30%
3%
29%
16%
9%
6%
27%
3%
28%
22%
14%
Income
Less than $15,000
$15,001-$30,000
$30,001-$45,000
$45,001-$60,000
$60,001-$75,000
$75,001-$100,000
$100,001 or more
12%
31%
10%
12%
11%
7%
7%
6%
10%
9%
11%
9%
15%
21%
Unemployed and seeking work
7%
4%
In addition to the findings above, it appears Sangamon County millennials are more likely to live in the
urban spaces of the county. As illustrated by the map below, the highest concentration of millennial
respondents lived in the urban core areas of Springfield. Less urban and rural areas of the county
produced a smaller number of millennial respondents.
Perceptions of Leadership and Government
While the demographics of millennials may be changing, it seems their overall sentiment toward
government and political leadership is more positive than that of previous generations. A 2010 study
conducted by the Pew Research Center concludes millennials are less likely to be critical of the
government than previous generations when asked about issues such as government effectiveness.3
While much has changed in the political sphere since 2010, the 2015 Sangamon Citizen’s Survey also
found less critical attitudes toward government among Sangamon County millennials compared to other
generations. Millennials (45 percent) are more likely to say they believe Sangamon County has “strong”
leaders than respondents in other generational groups (39 percent). Additionally, millennials (63
percent) indicate confidence in the ability of local leaders to address local problems. When asked about
their confidence in the ability of local elected leadership to address local problems, 63 percent of
millennials indicate confidence, while only 54 percent of respondents in other generational groups
indicate confidence.
When analyzed at the aggregate level, Sangamon County millennial respondents are clearly more likely
to report positive attitudes towards government than other generational groups. However, significant
differences in sentiment are observed when comparing the attitudes of the youngest millennials
surveyed (18-24 year old) to the attitudes of the oldest millennials (25-34 year old). Seventy-one percent
of the youngest millennials (18-24) report confidence in local leaders, 74 percent report Sangamon
County has “strong” leaders, and 82 percent report confidence in the local elected leaders of Sangamon
County. Conversely, 57 percent of the oldest millennials (25-34) report confidence in local leaders, 38
percent indicated Sangamon County has “strong” leaders, and 57% reported confidence in the local
elected leaders of Sangamon County. The graph below explores the perceptions of leadership and
government among millennials and other generational groups in Sangamon County.
Perceptions of Government and Leadership
90%
82%
80%
74%
71%
70%
63%
60%
50%
40%
57% 59%
63%
57%
54%
45%
35%
39%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Percent who say Sangamon County Percent who are confident in local Percent who are confident in local
has strong leaders
leadersip
elected leaders
Millennial Response
3
Millennials 18-24
Millennials 25-34
Other Generational Groups
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2010/10/millennials-confident-connected-open-to-change.pdf
Civic Participation
The majority of respondents in the 2015 Citizen Survey indicate volunteering or engaging in other forms
of civic participation within the last 12 months. Millennials were no exceptions this rule. Millennials (84
percent) report discussing politics with friends or family at a very similar rate compared to other
generational groups (85 percent). Millennials (37 percent) are more likely to have expressed an opinion
about an issue online compared to other generational groups (33 percent). Additionally, millennials (32
percent) are significantly more likely to have participated in an adult sports or recreation team within
the last twelve months compared to other generational groups (21 percent). While a number of
millennials report donating money to a charitable or religious organization (61 percent) and
volunteering through or for a charitable or religious organization (44 percent), these activities are
reported at lower rates among millennials compared to other generational groups. The chart below
compares the involvement of millennials to the involvement of non-millennials in five different
categories.
Five ways Sangamon County Millennials Get Involved
37%
33%
Expressed your opinion about an issue online
85%
84%
Discussed Politics with family or friends
77%
Donated Money to a charitable organization
61%
Wolunteered through or for a charitable or religious
organization
51%
44%
21%
Participate in adults sports or recreation team
32%
0%
10%
20%
Other Generational Groups
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Millennials
Lower rates of charitable donations may be attributed to economic hardships faced by millennials such
as a troubled economy or student debt. On average, Sangamon County millennials who obtained
education after high school report borrowing over $32,000 to pay for post-secondary education. The
youngest millennials (18-24) surveyed report borrowing upwards of $38,000 to fund their postsecondary education. On average, other generational groups only reported borrowing slightly over
20,000 to fund post-secondary education.
Social Responsibility
Perhaps due to their own experiences with worrisome economic conditions and mounting student debt,
millennials seems to have a strong sense of social responsibility. When asked “thinking about Sangamon
County’s most disadvantaged members of the community, who do you think is responsible for taking
care of them?” Fifty percent of millennials report it is the responsibility of the entire community (ALL OF
US) to take care of them, while another 24 percent indicate it is local government’s responsibility. Only
14 percent of millennial respondents report it is the sole responsibility of the individuals themselves.
Interestingly, only a very small percentage of millennial (4 percent) and non-millennial (6 percent)
respondents report it is the responsibility of charity or church groups to care for Sangamon County’s
most disadvantaged community members. Community members in other generational groups were less
likely to indicate it is the responsibility of the entire community or local government to care for
Sangamon County’s most disadvantaged citizens. However, they were slightly more likely to indicate it is
the responsibility of a charitable or religious organization and significantly more likely to indicate it is the
responsibility of the individuals to care for themselves. The chart below provides a comparison of
millennial and non-millennial attitudes towards Sangamon County’s most disadvantaged community
members.
Who is responsible for taking care of Sangamon County's
most disadvantaged citizens?
6%
4%
Charity or Church group
12%
Local Government
24%
44%
Entire community (ALL OF US)
50%
30%
Individuals themselves
14%
0%
10%
20%
Other Generational Groups
30%
Millennials
40%
50%
60%