Idaho ranks fifth in volunteerism

Idaho ranks fifth in the nation in volunteering, according to the latest report on volunteerism by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“Idahoans take great pride in giving back to their communities as volunteers,” said Gov. Butch Otter, in a statement from the Idaho Department of Labor. “That’s why anyone who has spent any time at all here should understand why Idaho is in the top five nationally for volunteerism. It’s a big part of who we are.”

The annual “Volunteering and Civic Life in America” report showed Idaho with 34.1 percent of the population volunteering in 2015. Utah ranked first in the report with 43 percent. Boise ranked 11th of 75 mid-sized cities with 34.8 percent of residents volunteering.

The report showed 382,220 Idahoans volunteered in 2015. That equates to 37.5 volunteer hours per capita, totaling more than 53 million hours of service. The services contributed were valued at $1.1 billion. More than half of the volunteers also donated $25 or more to charity.

A total of 62.6 million Americans volunteered 7.9 billion hours. The services rendered are valued at more than $184 billion.

Generation X (ages 33-44) had the highest volunteer rate of all age groups at 28.9 percent. One of four teenagers volunteered in 2015, according to the report.

To find ways to volunteer, visit ServeIdaho.gov.