Roanoke College poll finds trust among Virginians remains low 

A Roanoke College survey conducted in August has found that a third of Virginians believe that most people can be trusted. That’s one observation from the latest Virginia Trust Index Report conducted by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research (IPOR). 

“Less than a majority believe that most people are fair and helpful,” reads an announcement of the results. “Forty-eight percent believe that most people would try to be fair rather than take advantage of you, a value slightly higher than the national share of 44 percent.” 

The poll is based on one conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago that asks participants three questions on perceptions on the trustworthiness of others. From IPOR’s announcement:

1. Do you think most people would try to take advantage of you if they got a chance, or would they try and be fair?  
2. Would you say that most of the time people try to be helpful, or that they are mostly just looking out for themselves?  
3. Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you can’t be too careful in dealing with people?  

Since asking the questions in 1972, NORC has documented trust has eroded with 46 percent believing most people could be trusted that year. That number is now at 26 percent nationwide as released in a 2023 report. 

IPOR has been asking the questions since 2017 and have noted a steady decline over time with a slight increase in trust during the initial year of the pandemic. 

“The steady decline in trust after May 2021 likely reflects growing frustrations with continued COVID-19-related restrictions such as mask mandates, a divide over newer vaccine mandates and general political discord,” the announcement continues. 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the October 9, 2024 edition of the newsletter. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.