New tool provides data to guide policies, programs, and investments that improve quality of life across the county
Annapolis, MD – Anne Arundel County today announced the launch of the Community Wellbeing (CW) Index, a collaborative project between the Office of Equity and Human Rights and ArundelStat. The CW Index provides comprehensive data to help policymakers, departments, and community leaders understand where disparities and gaps exist and to guide decisions that improve the lives of residents.
“The Community Wellbeing Index gives us a clearer picture of where barriers exist and where resources are needed most,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “With this tool, we can continue building policies and programs that ensure every resident has the opportunity to thrive.”
The CW Index was created to provide data across multiple indicators, highlighting areas of health, prosperity, security, and access at the census-tract level. Users can enter an address to see how their selected location performs on its own and relative to the rest of the County. By bringing this information together, the County can better identify where residents face barriers and develop targeted strategies to prevent and reduce inequities. It is also designed for use by community members and other decision makers who want to inform policies, programs, and service delivery.
Practical applications of the CW Index include helping identify where families struggle with access to childcare, where gaps in physical and mental health exist, and how homeownership rates vary across communities. By providing this level of detail, the CW Index serves as both an educational tool and a guide for critical decision-making.
The CW Index compiles data from trusted national and federal sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index, and others. To ensure comparability, metrics are standardized on a scale of 100. The tool will be updated annually as new data becomes available.
According to Asha Smith, Director of the Office of Equity and Human Rights, “Equity work should be data-driven. This is one more tool that residents, advocates, and leaders can use to evaluate needs, make recommendations, and allocate resources.”
“Being a good steward of public funds and resources is a responsibility of local governments,” added Elizabeth Funsch, Director of ArundeStat. “Tools like this index help decision makers to better understand where there are gaps and ensure resources are distributed in a manner that improves inequities across the county.”
The Office of Equity and Human Rights and ArundelStat will host a virtual public presentation on the Community Wellbeing Index on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at noon as part of the EngageArundel Webinar Series. This will offer residents and community partners an opportunity to learn more about the tool and how it can be used.
The Community Wellbeing Index is available online here. For questions regarding the data or the generation of the CW Index, please contact ArundelStat@aacounty.org.
