This study uses data from the Canadian Social Survey (2021 to 2024) to explore the experiences of youth (aged 15 to 29) and their sense of belonging to their community across the urban and rural divide. Specifically, it describes the characteristics of youth who are most likely to experience a “somewhat strong” or “very strong” sense of belonging to their local community. It also examines the relationship between having a strong sense of belonging and other indicators related to social supports and well-being in both urban and rural settings.

• Nearly two-thirds of youth aged 15 to 19 reported a strong sense of belonging to their local community (63%), while less than half of those aged 20 to 24 (47%) and 25 to 29 (43%) reported that they felt this way.
• Rural youth were more likely to report a strong sense of belonging to their local community (59%), compared with those living in urban centres (50%).
• A strong sense of belonging is associated with positive general health and mental health among youth—96% of those with a strong sense of belonging also reported being in good physical health, and 86% reported positive mental health. By comparison, 87% of youth with a weaker sense of belonging reported being in good physical health, and 59% reported positive mental health.