Nextdoor, the neighbourhood network, today released the results of new research underscoring the increasing importance of neighbourhood connections. The study, which examined the relationship Canadians have with their neighbourhood now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed: 

• 61 per cent of Canadian adults say their neighbourhood is one of their most important communities;

• 71 per cent have recently felt it is more important to build connections in their neighbourhood than outside of their local community;

• 58 per cent are more inclined to give back to their neighbourhood; 

• 81 per cent have made it more of a priority to support local businesses.

A renewed sense of appreciation for the neighbourhood, that will likely continue going forward,  was strongest among Canadians living in Quebec (76%), Atlantic Canada (72%) and Ontario (71%), while the desire to give back to their neighbourhood was strongest in Ontario (65%), and British Columbia (63%), both of which came in higher than the national average (58%). 

Similarly, these Canadian trends remain consistent across global neighbourhoods. Around the world, half of people have been more inclined to give back to their neighbourhood since the pandemic and report that the neighbourhood is now one of their most important communities compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of people globally (53%) also shared that they recently feel they can rely more on their neighbours and local community.

“At Nextdoor, we’ve always known that the neighbourhood is central to our lives. Canadians have a well-deserved reputation for being some of the kindest and most welcoming people. Our mission is to make  it easy for neighbours to receive trusted information, give and get help locally, and build meaningful real-world connections with those nearby. It’s been our guiding principle since our launch in Canada in 2019,” says Christopher Doyle, Managing Director for Nextdoor Canada. “These new Canadian neighbour insights highlight the increasing shift to local, and shows that the neighbourhood has become one of the most important communities — a trend that is here to stay.”

More than 276,000 neighbourhoods in 11 countries around the world turn to Nextdoor to build connections, stay informed and get things done in their local communities. Neighbours throughout Canada use Nextdoor to get the word out quickly about a lost pet, find trustworthy recommendations for everything from babysitters to snow plowing services, connect with their favourite local businesses, buy, sell or giveaway free items, find local vaccine information, and so much more.

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*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc on behalf of Nextdoor.  Total sample size was 14,904 of which 1002 were Canadian adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between August 31, 2021 - September 17, 2021.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US, UK, AU, NL, SE, IT, DN, CA, FR, ES Adults adults (aged 18+).

About Nextdoor, Inc.

Nextdoor is where you connect to the neighbourhoods that matter to you so you can belong. Our purpose is to cultivate a kinder world where everyone has a neighbourhood they can rely on. Neighbours around the world turn to Nextdoor daily to receive trusted information, give and get help, get things done, and build real-world connections with those nearby — neighbours, businesses, and public services.

We believe connecting with others is a universal human need. That truth, and the reality that neighbourhoods are among the most important communities in our lives, have been guiding principles for Nextdoor since the beginning.

Today, neighbours rely on Nextdoor in more than 275,000 neighbourhoods around the world, including the United States,, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, and Canada, with many more to come.