Participation in community affairs is influenced by demographic characteristics such as socioeconomic status and education and by environmental factors that make public activity appealing. Education and socioeconomic status correlated positively with community activity in Birmingham, but environmental factors such as population size and housing stock explained participation more fully. Areas that physically resembled tightly bound communities motivated neighborhood participation to overcome low socioeconomic status and low educational level, which often negatively influence community involvement. Community development projects concentrating on improving neighborhood identity may encourage community participation. 1 table and 17 references. (Author abstract modified)