Study confirms 'Seattle Freeze' is real and rampant

SEATTLE -- The so-called "Seattle Freeze" has been the subject of debate, but one study found that there may be some truth to the rumor.

As SeattlePI.com reported, the "Greater Seattle Civic Health Index" found that while Seattleites donate to charity at a higher rate than the U.S. as a whole, they do not have a lot of interaction with neighbors.

According to the index, more than 59 percent of people in Seattle donate to charity, compared to the national average of 51 percent. In addition, Seattleites have a higher level of civic participation and they vote in higher numbers than the U.S. overall.

The index also found that confidence in schools and corporations is higher in Seattle than anyplace else in the U.S.

When it comes to talking to neighbors, however, the index ranked Seattle at 48th among 51 peer areas, and 37th for giving or receiving favors.

The index was put together for the Seattle CityClub and the National Conference on Citizenship. A spokesperson for CityClub told the PI that while the index proves that Seattlelites have great pride in their community, there is a lot of work to be done in building personal connections with neighbors.