Mapping Social Wellness: A New Resource for Chicago’s Older Adults

Developed by the Mather Institute in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, the tool relies on a survey of over 4,000 residents combined with public data on walkability, economic stability, and access to gathering spaces. While factors like poverty and crime rates play a role, the data reveals that social wellness does not adhere to traditional geographic or wealth-based divides. Instead, the findings emphasize that stability, homeownership, and mutual trust among neighbors are often stronger predictors of a connected community.

Cate O’Brien, chief transformation officer at the Mather Institute, notes that the map is intended to supplement, not replace, local knowledge. Organizations are encouraged to pair this quantitative data with resident feedback to determine what interventions will be most effective. The project highlights surprising success stories like Chatham, which scored 8.14 out of 10, demonstrating that high levels of social wellness can thrive outside of the city's most affluent neighborhoods. Meanwhile, areas like Beverly and Jefferson Park stand out for their specific combination of safety, accessible transit, and established cultural hubs. The interactive resource is free to the public and aims to provide community leaders with the empirical evidence needed to secure funding and drive localized advocacy.