At NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley NWBRV, we believe that building strong, vibrant neighborhoods starts with listening to the people who live here. That’s why, every three years, we participate in NeighborWorks America’s Community Impact Measurement (CIM) survey, one of the largest national efforts to assess quality of life in neighborhoods like Constitution Hill and Fairmount, where we got our start working in Woonsocket, RI.
As NeighborWorks America puts it, “CIM is a long-term effort to work with network organizations to measure change over time in order to better document the impact of their work on key dimensions of comprehensive community development and revitalization.”
In the Fall of 2024, we conducted our most recent Community Impact Measure survey, gathering responses from 206 households. we’re excited to share the results and explore how they highlight Woonsocket’s continued growth as a family-friendly community.
What we heard from you
Overall Satisfaction
The vast majority of respondents — 82% — reported being satisfied with life in their community, and 81% said they would recommend Woonsocket to others as a good place to live.
Families Leading the Way
Households with children are the most enthusiastic about their neighborhoods. In fact, 61% of families with children said they would “definitely” recommend their community to others, compared to 40% of households without children.
Youth Believing in Their Power to Make Change
One of the most inspiring findings: young adults (ages 18–34) are the most likely to believe they can make a great deal of positive change in their community. That belief has grown significantly — from 31% in 2017 to 47% in 2024. This points to a rising generation eager to contribute and lead.
Neighborliness on the Rise for New Residents
After a pandemic-era dip, new Woonsocket residents (living here less than two years) are feeling more connected and supported, with 17% reporting high levels of neighborliness, up from just 5% in 2020.
A Beautiful, Well-Maintained Community
Residents also shared that they feel their neighborhoods are attractive and well-cared for. Our observations of 52 blocks and 111 parcels confirmed that 81% of streets are well-maintained and attractive, reflecting a sense of pride in place.
Where we still have work to do
While many signs point to positive momentum, residents also identified areas where improvement is needed:
- Perceived safety has declined, with only 57% feeling very safe during the day (down from 72% in 2017) and just 19% feeling very safe at night (down from 34%).
- Neighborliness among female respondents has decreased, indicating an area for deeper exploration and engagement.
Thank you for sharing your voice
This survey wouldn’t be possible without you, our neighbors, who shared honest feedback and ideas. Your voices shape how we move forward, and we’re grateful for your trust.
Want to help make positive change in Woonsocket?
Join us! Sign up for updates, get involved in community programs, or reach out to us at info@nwbrv.org.
Together, we’ll continue making Woonsocket a welcoming, thriving place for families to grow and flourish.
