🏁 Axios Finish Line: Friendship in America

Plus: River view | Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Circle   Axios Finish Line By Mike Allen and Erica Pandey and Jim VandeHei ·Oct 31, 2023 Oct 31, 2023 Welcome back! Smart Brevity™ count: 261 words ... 1 min. Copy edited by Amy Stern.     1 big thing: Friendship in America Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios   The share of Americans who say they feel lonely remains high — but many also say they have close friends to lean on. By the numbers: A small minority — 8% — of Americans say they have no close friends, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. 53% say they have between one and four confidants, and a stunning 38% say they have five or more close friends. 🧮 Why it matters: We place a great deal of value on friendship. 61% of Americans say having close friends is extremely or very important to live a fulfilling life, Pew notes. Compare that with the 23% who say being married is important and the 24% who say having money is important. Zoom in: Our network of close friends seems to grow with age. 49% of those 65 and older said they had five or more close friends, compared with 32% of people younger than 30. 👀 What to watch: As America becomes more diverse, so are its friendships. 70% of adults 65 or older say their close friends share their race or ethnicity. But just 53% of 18- to 29-year-olds say the same. Go deeper: Read our Finish Line newsletter on the power of intergenerational friendships.     A message from Circle USDC comes to Chile     Latin America has evolved into a hub for digital finance, and demand for trusted digital dollars is growing. The positive news: Circle is teaming up with Mercado Pago to bring USDC to Chile, enabling millions to leverage the benefits of a secure and transparent digital dollar. Learn more.     🏞️ View from the trail Photo: Mike R. Reader Mike R. sends us this photo he snapped while walking along the C&O Canal Towpath, which runs from Cumberland, Md. to D.C. "This is my favorite part, where Seneca Creek meets the Potomac River, looking out across to Virginia."   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: