A new poll finds that nearly 1.7 million Hoosier adults, or thirty-six out of every one hundred, are regular volunteers, slightly higher than the national rate of 29 percent, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Conducted by the Star/WTHR (Channel 13), the survey of more than a thousand Indiana residents found that 56 percent of volunteers in the state gave nine hours or less a month, while 21 percent managed to give 20 or more hours. The poll also found that individuals between the ages of 35 and 54, those with college degrees, and people who earn $50,000 to $75,000 annually were the most likely to volunteer.

According to the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana ranks 19th nationally in the percentage of its residents who volunteer. Utah leads the nation, with a 50 percent rate, while neighboring states Michigan ranked 20th, Ohio ranked 24th, Illinois ranked 27th, and Kentucky ranked 28th.

The latest national survey from Independent Sector found that the typical volunteer donates fifty-two hours a year, at an average hourly rate of $17.55. At that rate, Indiana volunteers contribute more than $1.5 billion in services annually. And that doesn't take into account the thousands of individuals who give their time outside of structured organizations. "A Little League baseball coach might not think they are volunteering," said Julie Hatcher, associate director of IUPUI's Center for Service and Learning, "but those of us trying to research this would see that as giving of time, talent, or resources for the public good."