A recent study by SmartAsset analyzed the 50 states by the number of minutes per day residents spend on three key activities: socializing, volunteering, and helping people outside their own homes. The study used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey, extracted from IPUMS, over the most recent available four-year period.

Methodology

For each state, SmartAsset calculated the average daily minutes residents spent on these three activities. The three measures were then equally weighted and summed to produce a total time value used to rank the states. The results offer a behavioral snapshot of where residents spend the most time engaging with others in their communities.

The study provides insights into the ways in which Americans connect with each other, varying widely by state. Factors such as time spent socializing, volunteering, and helping others can shape how friendly a place feels. While the study does not provide a direct ranking of the friendliest states, it offers a unique perspective on community engagement across the country.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.