Most Americans Believe They Can Shape Their Future—New Gallup Study Shows Communities Help Determine Whether They Can

A new Gallup study commissioned by the Walton Family Foundation found that most Americans believe they can shape their own future, but confidence varies significantly based on where people live, with strong communities, economic opportunity and local support systems playing a major role in whether people feel empowered to succeed.

These findings highlight the growing importance of place-based trust and opportunity, creating relevance for education, financial services, healthcare and community-focused organizations that can strengthen local engagement, economic mobility and long-term stability.