Local News Fact Sheet | Pew Research Center
Pew Knight Initiative
The Pew-Knight Initiative helps new analysis on how Americans take up civic data, kind beliefs and identities, and interact of their communities.
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy truth tank that informs the general public in regards to the points, attitudes and tendencies shaping the world. Knight Foundation is a social investor dedicated to supporting knowledgeable and engaged communities. Learn more >
The panorama of native information within the United States has modified considerably in current many years as Americans have been turning away from print and television and towards digital media. This truth sheet examines Americans’ experiences and preferences in the case of native information, from information beginning in 2016.
The truth sheet is a part of the Pew-Knight Initiative, a analysis program funded collectively by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Attention to native information
Attention to native information has declined since 2016, mirroring tendencies in consideration to nationwide information and news in general. In 2025, 21% of Americans say they comply with native information very carefully, down from 37% in 2016.
Americans’ consideration to native information
% of U.S. adults who say they comply with native information very carefully
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Americans’ consideration to native information
% of U.S. adults who say they comply with native information very carefully
| Date | % |
|---|---|
| 2016-02-01 | 37% |
| 2017-03-01 | 33% |
| 2018-11-01 | 31% |
| 2024-01-01 | 22% |
| 2025-03-01 | 23% |
| 2025-12-01 | 21% |
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Sources of native information
Americans flip to a spread of sources for his or her native information, and whereas some conventional native information sources corresponding to TV and radio stay widespread, rising numbers get native information in different methods.
About two-thirds of Americans (65%) say they not less than generally get information from their native TV information station – down barely from the 70% who mentioned the identical in 2018, although this stays some of the in style sources of native information. Americans’ use of native newspapers is reducing, too: 36% of U.S. adults say they get information from their native every day paper not less than generally in 2025, in contrast with 43% in 2018.
Rising shares of Americans are getting native information not less than generally from on-line boards or dialogue teams (52%, up from 38% in 2018), in addition to from native authorities businesses or officers (40%, up from 30%).
The sharpest progress in utilization got here from different online-only sources. As of 2025, 42% of U.S. adults say they get information not less than generally from a supply that publishes on-line solely (and was not included in any of the opposite classes), greater than double the share that used these sources in 2018 (15%).
Where Americans get native information
% of U.S. adults who say they usually or generally get native information and data from …
Note: “News influencers” was requested for the primary time in 2025.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Where Americans get native information
% of U.S. adults who say they usually or generally get native information and data from …
| Group | Group | 2018 | 2024 | 2025 | Difference 2018-2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily newspapers | Local every day newspaper | 43% | 33% | 36% | -7 |
| TV information stations | Local TV information station | 70% | 64% | 65% | -5 |
| Radio stations | Local radio station | 56% | 52% | 52% | -4 |
| Non-daily newspapers | Other neighborhood or specialised newspaper (past the every day newspaper) | 33% | 30% | 33% | 0 |
| Community or neighborhood publication or listserv | Community or neighborhood publication or listserv | 33% | 31% | 37% | +4 |
| Local organizations, e.g., church buildings, faculty teams or political teams | Local organizations, corresponding to church buildings, faculty teams, or political teams | 35% | 39% | 40% | +5 |
| Local authorities businesses or officers | Local authorities businesses or officers, corresponding to metropolis council places of work or libraries | 30% | 35% | 40% | +10 |
| Online boards or dialogue teams, e.g., neighborhood Facebook teams or Nextdoor | Local on-line boards or dialogue teams, corresponding to neighborhood Facebook teams or Nextdoor | 38% | 52% | 52% | +14 |
| Other online-only sources | A information supply that publishes on-line solely, and isn’t included in any of the earlier classes | 15% | 33% | 42% | +27 |
| News influencers | Individuals who’ve a big following on social media and infrequently submit about information or political or social gadgets, generally known as “news influencers” | NA | NA | 36% |
Note: “News influencers” was requested for the primary time in 2025.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Many U.S. adults additionally get native information from individuals of their neighborhood, corresponding to household, associates and neighbors. About three-quarters of Americans (72%) say they usually or generally get information from different native residents, up barely from the 66% who mentioned the identical in 2018.
A 2024 Pew Research Center study discovered that individuals who get information from different native residents mostly achieve this by phrase of mouth.
Getting information from household, associates, and neighbors
% of U.S. adults who say they __ get native information and data from different native residents corresponding to associates, household and neighbors
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Getting information from household, associates, and neighbors
% of U.S. adults who say they __ get native information and data from different native residents corresponding to associates, household and neighbors
| Year | NET Often/ Sometimes | Often | Sometimes | Hardly ever | Never |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72% | 14% | 58% | 21% | 7% |
| 2024 | 73% | 18% | 55% | 20% | 6% |
| 2018 | 66% | 17% | 49% | 24% | 9% |
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
What platforms do Americans use for native information?
More U.S. adults nonetheless desire tv than some other pathway to native information, despite the fact that the share who categorical this choice has decreased from 41% in 2018 to 34% in 2025. Meanwhile, the share of U.S. adults who say they like social media websites and information web sites or apps for native information has elevated barely since 2018.
Local platform preferences
% of U.S. adults who say they like __ for getting native information and data
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Local platform preferences
% of U.S. adults who say they like __ for getting native information and data
| Year | A print newspaper | Radio | Television | A social media website | A information web site or app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 13% | 8% | 41% | 15% | 23% |
| 2024 | 9% | 9% | 32% | 23% | 26% |
| 2025 | 8% | 8% | 34% | 20% | 28% |
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
The proliferation of digital platforms as native information sources might be seen even in the way in which Americans now work together with conventional information retailers, like native TV information and native every day newspapers.
Slightly over half of those that say they get information from native TV (56%) say they primarily flip to a station on conventional tv for that information, a decline since 2018, when 76% used a TV. The remaining 43% say they primarily get their native TV station’s information on-line, whether or not from the station’s web site, app, emails or social media posts.
The method Americans get the information from their native newspapers has moved even additional in a digital course. About two-thirds of those that say they get information from native every day newspapers (68%) primarily get that information on-line, in contrast with 43% in 2018.
How U.S. adults entry native TV information
Among U.S. adults who get information from native TV, % who primarily get that information on …
Note: “NET Online” consists of those that say they get information from the TV station’s web site, app, or electronic mail, or from the station’s social media posts. Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
How U.S. adults entry native TV information
Among U.S. adults who get information from native TV, % who primarily get that information on …
| Year | The station on TV | NET Online |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 56% | 43% |
| 2024 | 62% | 37% |
| 2018 | 76% | 22% |
Note: “NET Online” consists of those that say they get information from the TV station’s web site, app, or electronic mail, or from the station’s social media posts. Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
How U.S. adults entry native every day newspapers
Among U.S. adults who get information from native every day newspapers, % who primarily get that information from …
Note: “NET Online” consists of those that say they get information on the newspaper’s web site, app, or electronic mail, or from the newspaper’s social media posts. Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
How U.S. adults entry native every day newspapers
Among U.S. adults who get information from native every day newspapers, % who primarily get that information from …
| Year | The newspaper’s print model | NET Online |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30% | 68% |
| 2024 | 31% | 66% |
| 2018 | 54% | 43% |
Note: “NET Online” consists of those that say they get information on the newspaper’s web site, app, or electronic mail, or from the newspaper’s social media posts. Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Paying for native information
A majority of U.S. adults (57%) nonetheless say their native information retailers are doing not less than considerably properly financially. But 39% say they aren’t doing properly – up from 24% who mentioned the identical in 2018.
Perceived monetary well being of native information retailers
% of U.S. adults who assume their native information retailers are doing __ financially
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Perceived monetary well being of native information retailers
% of U.S. adults who assume their native information retailers are doing __ financially
| Year | NET Very/Somewhat properly | NET Not too/Not in any respect properly |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 57% | 39% |
| 2024 | 63% | 33% |
| 2018 | 71% | 24% |
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
The overwhelming majority of Americans (88%) say they haven’t paid or given cash to any native information supply previously yr, whether or not by subscribing, donating or changing into a member. Just 12% say they’ve executed this.
Share of U.S. adults who pay for native information
% of U.S. adults who say they’ve __ previously yr
Note: Respondents had been requested if they’d “directly paid or given money to any local news sources by subscribing, donating, or becoming a member.” Those who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Share of U.S. adults who pay for native information
% of U.S. adults who say they’ve __ previously yr
| Year | Paid for native information | Not paid for native information |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12% | 88% |
| 2024 | 15% | 85% |
| 2018 | 14% | 84% |
Note: Respondents had been requested if they’d “directly paid or given money to any local news sources by subscribing, donating, or becoming a member.” Those who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
When those that have not paid for native information previously yr are requested why, half say the primary purpose they don’t pay for native information is as a result of they will discover loads of it totally free. About three-in-ten (29%) say their primary purpose is that they’re not sufficient to pay for it. Another 10% say it’s too costly, and 9% say that the information accessible to them will not be adequate to pay for. These shares have largely stayed regular since 2018.
Why U.S. adults don’t pay for native information
Among U.S. adults who haven’t paid or given cash to any native information supply previously yr, % who say the primary purpose they didn’t pay is …
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Why U.S. adults don’t pay for native information
Among U.S. adults who haven’t paid or given cash to any native information supply previously yr, % who say the primary purpose they didn’t pay is …
| Year | Can discover loads of free native information | Not sufficient in native information to pay for it | It’s too costly | The information supplied will not be adequate to pay for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50% | 29% | 10% | 9% |
| 2024 | 49% | 30% | 8% | 10% |
| 2018 | 49% | 26% | 12% | 10% |
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
How vital is native information?
A big majority of U.S. adults (80%) say that native information retailers are not less than considerably vital to the well-being of their local people. There has been a current decline within the share of Americans who say their native information retailers are extraordinarily or very vital: 34% say this in 2025, in contrast with 44% who mentioned the identical a yr prior.
Importance of native information retailers
% of U.S. adults who say native information retailers are __ to the well-being of their local people
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Importance of native information retailers
% of U.S. adults who say native information retailers are __ to the well-being of their local people
| Year | Extremely vital | Very vital | Somewhat vital | Not too vital | Not in any respect vital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12% | 32% | 41% | 12% | 3% |
| 2025 | 8% | 26% | 47% | 14% | 4% |
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
How many Americans have spoken with an area journalist?
About 1 / 4 (23%) of Americans say they’ve ever spoken with an area journalist, roughly the identical because the portion who mentioned this in 2016. Americans with a university diploma or extra usually tend to have executed this (30%) than these with a highschool diploma or much less (17%).
Interactions with native journalists
% of U.S. adults who say they …
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Interactions with native journalists
% of U.S. adults who say they …
| Year | Have spoken with an area journalist | Have by no means spoken with an area journalist |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23% | 76% |
| 2024 | 22% | 78% |
| 2018 | 21% | 78% |
| 2016 | 26% | 74% |
Note: Respondents who didn’t reply will not be proven.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Local information behaviors and attitudes by demographics
Following native information by demographics
% of U.S. adults in every demographic group who say they comply with native information very carefully
| U.S. adults | 21% |
| Men | 21% |
| Women | 22% |
| Ages 18-29 | 15% |
| 30-49 | 17% |
| 50-64 | 23% |
| 65+ | 32% |
| HS or much less | 25% |
| Some school | 19% |
| College+ | 20% |
| White | 20% |
| Black | 34% |
| Hispanic | 21% |
| Asian* | 14% |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 21% |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 22% |
* Estimates for Asian adults are consultant of English audio system solely.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults embody those that report being just one race and will not be Hispanic; Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Local information platform use by demographics
% of U.S. adults in every demographic group who say they usually or generally get native information and data from … (scroll to proper for extra platforms)
| TV information stations | Radio stations | Online boards or teams, e.g., Facebook teams or Nextdoor | Other online-only sources | Local govt. businesses and officers | Local organizations, e.g., church buildings, faculty teams or political teams | Newsletters/Listservs | News influencers | Daily newspapers | Non-daily newspapers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 65% | 52% | 52% | 42% | 40% | 40% | 37% | 36% | 36% | 33% |
| Men | 63% | 51% | 46% | 43% | 36% | 37% | 33% | 33% | 35% | 31% |
| Women | 67% | 53% | 57% | 41% | 43% | 43% | 40% | 40% | 37% | 35% |
| Ages 18-29 | 48% | 36% | 54% | 48% | 38% | 37% | 31% | 51% | 29% | 31% |
| 30-49 | 60% | 54% | 60% | 47% | 43% | 40% | 38% | 45% | 36% | 34% |
| 50-64 | 74% | 61% | 49% | 42% | 39% | 38% | 38% | 29% | 35% | 33% |
| 65+ | 78% | 54% | 40% | 31% | 39% | 43% | 40% | 19% | 42% | 34% |
| HS or much less | 70% | 55% | 50% | 38% | 38% | 40% | 36% | 39% | 35% | 32% |
| Some school | 67% | 54% | 57% | 45% | 41% | 40% | 36% | 38% | 35% | 33% |
| College+ | 58% | 47% | 48% | 45% | 42% | 39% | 39% | 32% | 37% | 34% |
| White | 64% | 51% | 51% | 40% | 38% | 38% | 35% | 31% | 35% | 33% |
| Black | 76% | 56% | 51% | 46% | 46% | 47% | 38% | 45% | 41% | 36% |
| Hispanic | 66% | 56% | 55% | 48% | 41% | 42% | 42% | 48% | 34% | 34% |
| Asian* | 59% | 44% | 46% | 42% | 43% | 32% | 38% | 40% | 37% | 33% |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 65% | 53% | 53% | 42% | 37% | 44% | 38% | 36% | 32% | 32% |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 65% | 51% | 51% | 44% | 44% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 40% | 35% |
* Estimates for Asian adults are consultant of English audio system solely.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults embody those that report being just one race and will not be Hispanic; Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Local information platform choice by demographics
% of U.S. adults in every demographic group who say they like __ for getting native information and data (scroll to proper for extra preferences)
| A print newspaper | Radio | Television | A social media website (corresponding to Facebook or TikTok) | A information web site or app | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 8% | 8% | 34% | 20% | 28% |
| Men | 8% | 9% | 33% | 20% | 30% |
| Women | 9% | 7% | 36% | 21% | 25% |
| Ages 18-29 | 7% | 8% | 10% | 41% | 30% |
| 30-49 | 6% | 8% | 22% | 27% | 36% |
| 50-64 | 6% | 10% | 45% | 11% | 27% |
| 65+ | 14% | 8% | 60% | 3% | 14% |
| HS or much less | 8% | 7% | 43% | 21% | 19% |
| Some school | 7% | 9% | 34% | 23% | 26% |
| College+ | 10% | 9% | 24% | 17% | 39% |
| White | 10% | 9% | 34% | 16% | 29% |
| Black | 4% | 6% | 40% | 25% | 23% |
| Hispanic | 4% | 7% | 34% | 28% | 25% |
| Asian* | 8% | 8% | 23% | 27% | 34% |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 9% | 10% | 35% | 20% | 25% |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 7% | 7% | 31% | 22% | 31% |
* Estimates for Asian adults are consultant of English audio system solely.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults embody those that report being just one race and will not be Hispanic; Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Importance of native information by demographics
% of U.S. adults in every demographic group who say native information retailers are not less than considerably vital to the well-being of their local people
| U.S. adults | 80% |
| Men | 79% |
| Women | 82% |
| Ages 18-29 | 77% |
| 30-49 | 80% |
| 50-64 | 81% |
| 65+ | 83% |
| HS or much less | 77% |
| Some school | 83% |
| College+ | 82% |
| White | 80% |
| Black | 83% |
| Hispanic | 82% |
| Asian* | 84% |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 75% |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 86% |
* Estimates for Asian adults are consultant of English audio system solely.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults embody those that report being just one race and will not be Hispanic; Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Dec. 8-14, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Paying for native information by demographics
% of U.S. adults who’ve paid for native information previously yr
| U.S. adults | 12% |
| Men | 11% |
| Women | 13% |
| Ages 18-29 | 11% |
| 30-49 | 9% |
| 50-64 | 9% |
| 65+ | 19% |
| HS or much less | 9% |
| Some school | 9% |
| College+ | 17% |
| White | 13% |
| Black | 11% |
| Hispanic | 9% |
| Asian* | 12% |
| Rep/Lean Rep | 8% |
| Dem/Lean Dem | 17% |
* Estimates for Asian adults are consultant of English audio system solely.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults embody those that report being just one race and will not be Hispanic; Hispanic adults are of any race.
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults performed Aug. 18-24, 2025.
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE
Find out extra
This truth sheet was compiled by Research Analyst Naomi Forman-Katz, Research Assistant Joanne Haner and Senior Researcher Elisa Shearer. Associate Digital Producer Justine Coleman, Associate Director of Design and Production Peter Bell and Research Analyst Christopher St. Aubin additionally contributed.
Here are the questions used for this analysis, the topline and the survey methodology from the survey performed in August 2025.
Here are the questions, topline and methodology from the survey performed in December 2025.
Follow these hyperlinks for associated analysis:
This is a Pew Research Center evaluation from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a analysis program funded collectively by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Find associated reviews on-line at https://www.pewresearch.org/pew-knight/.