The Local Antidote: Why Americans Feel Less Divided Close to Home

National media fuels division, but Americans find common ground close to home

A new nationwide survey reveals that while national media and Beltway politics continue to fuel a sense of deep division, Americans are finding a surprising amount of common ground, and peace of mind, right in their own backyards. The data suggests that political divisiveness may be more a product of what we consume through our screens than how we actually live our lives.

Turning down the national volume

When Americans step away from the 24-hour news cycle, the national political temperature drops drastically. More than two-thirds of both self-identified Republicans and Democrats agree:

"When I turn off national cable news, step away from social media, and focus on what is happening locally in my own city or town, the world feels much less politically divided."

This shared reality cuts through the dominant narrative of a hopelessly fractured country. When we focus on our immediate surroundings rather than national feeds, the partisan rancor begins to fade.

The local news difference

The survey also highlights a stark contrast in how Americans view different tiers of media. In an era of deep skepticism toward mass media, local news remains the least biased, the least politically divisive and the most trusted source of information across the country.

While national news is increasingly seen as a wedge driving people apart, local media is viewed as a bridge. More than 7 in 10 Republicans, Democrats and independents alike agree:

"Unlike national news, which feels like it is constantly trying to make me angry, my local news provides information that helps me stay connected to my actual neighbors."

This tripartisan agreement underscores a critical reality: when public attention turns local, it becomes less divisive. Because local reporting focuses on shared, tangible realities, like school closures, zoning boards and community events, it bypasses the ideological traps of national discourse. That is what makes local journalism our most trusted anchor, reminding Americans of their shared communities rather than their political differences.

Looking out the front door

The data sends a clear, optimistic message: the fabric of our daily lives and local communities remains remarkably intact. Unity isn't something Americans have to invent; it's something they experience the moment they turn off the national noise and look out their front doors.

See the full survey toplines.