In the hundreds of North American communities we know about, most members range in age from 30 to 60, with some in their 20s, some 60 and older, and many children. Most communitarians are hippies. On the political spectrum, communitarians tend to be left of center. In terms of lifestyle choices, they tend to be hard working, peace loving, health conscious, environmentally concerned, and family oriented. Philosophically they tend toward a way of life which increases the options for their own members without limiting the choices of others.
All intentional communities are out in the boondocks.
Most intentional communities are organized around a particular religion or common spiritual practice. Many communities which formerly followed one leader or a small group of leaders have changed in recent years to a more democratic form of governance. Community members all think alike. Still, disagreements are a common occurrence in most communities, just as in the wider society. The object of community is not so much to eliminate conflict as to learn to work with it constructively.