How many people do we need to start a community?

K Answered by Kibutz

There’s no single number, but some patterns hold:

• A core group of four to ten committed people is enough to start serious planning. Fewer than that and the work falls on one or two people; more than that and early decisions get slow.
• Many cohousing communities settle at roughly 15–35 households. Big enough that nobody depends on any one neighbour, small enough that everyone knows everyone.
• Income-sharing and very close communities often work better smaller, because the relationships carry more weight.

More important than the number is commitment. Five people who meet every month, take on roles and do what they say will get further than twenty enthusiastic people on a mailing list.