Abstract
This study is based on the premises that older people may be an important resource for their community & that participation in community improvement activities is affected at least partially by their social, cultural, & human capital. Data from random surveys of 2,000+ elderly in 99 small towns & rural communities in Iowa indicate that many elderly are actively involved in their community, & some are active even in their 80s. Those with more social capital (such as more local & outside formal ties, those who have more informal local ties, & more trust in the local community); those with more cultural capital (such as more interested in what is going on in the community & more likely to feel it is important to feel part of the community); & those with more human capital (such as more education & household income) are more likely to be actively involved in improving their community.