Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Disparities in Gun Ownership
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
59% Know Someone Who Had an Abortion
Most Americans personally know someone who has had an abortion, according to a Pew Research Center survey fielded in March—prior to the leaking of the Supreme Court's draft opinion in a case challenging Roe v. Wade. "Personally know" is defined as a close friend, family member, or themselves.
There are surprisingly few differences by demographic characteristic in the share of Americans who personally know someone who has had an abortion. At least 50 percent of every demographic segment—with the exception of the youngest adults—personally know someone who has had an abortion.
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Prepare to be Shocked
How common is it for young people to be pulled into the criminal justice system by the time they are adults? This is the question posed by a study published in the journal, Demographic Research. The authors of the study analyzed data from the Transition to Adulthood Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to determine the cumulative risk of arrest from childhood to age 26 by race and Hispanic origin, gender, and parental education. The findings are shocking...
| high school | some college | college or more | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MALES | |||
| Black | 60% | 65% | 39% |
| Non-Hispanic white | 39% | 38% | 24% |
| FEMALES | |||
| Black | 28% | 31% | 10% |
| Non-Hispanic white | 24% | 19% | 12% |
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Just 51% of Births Are to Non-Hispanic Whites
Non-Hispanic whites still account for the majority of births in the United States, but just barely. Fifty-one percent of the women who gave birth in 2020 were non-Hispanic white. Given that some of these non-Hispanic white mothers are intermarried—meaning their partner is of another race or Hispanic origin—the minority share of the nation's newborns is likely above 50 percent.
The non-Hispanic white share of births has fallen by 8 percentage points over the past two decades. The Black share has fallen slightly, while the Asian and Hispanic shares have grown...
| 2020 | 2010 | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Asian | 6.1 | 6.2 | 4.9 |
| Black | 14.7 | 14.7 | 14.9 |
| Hispanic | 24.0 | 23.6 | 20.1 |
| Non-Hispanic white | 51.0 | 54.1 | 58.2 |
Monday, May 03, 2021
Huge Voter Turnout in 2020
We knew voter turnout was big in 2020. What we didn't know until now was which demographic segments were responsible for the big turnout. And the answer is—all of them.
The answer comes from the Voting and Registration Supplement to the Current Population Survey which, according to the Census Bureau, "is the most comprehensive data source available on the social and demographic composition of the electorate in federal elections." The bureau fields the supplement after each mid-term and presidential election to track the demographics of voters. The 2020 supplement was fielded November 15-24, shortly after the presidential election. The supplement asked respondents if they had registered to vote in the November 3 election, whether they had voted, and if not why not.
Overall, 155 million American citizens aged 18 or older reported voting in the November 2020 election—66.8 percent of the electorate. This is the highest voting rate since 1992 (Bill Clinton versus George H.W. Bush), when 67.7 percent voted.
Voter participation increased in every race and Hispanic origin group in 2020, with record levels of voting by Asians, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites. Although Black voter participation was higher in 2020 than in most other election years, it did not set a record. The 62.6 percent Black voter participation rate in 2020 ranked third behind 2008 and 2012 when Barack Obama was running for president.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Black Homeownership in 2020 Is below 2000 Level
The overall homeownership rate was lower in 2020 than in 2000, according to the Census Bureau's Housing Vacancy Survey. But a look at homeownership rates by race and Hispanic origin reveals that Blacks lost ground between 2000 and 2020 while Asians, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites made gains...
| 2020 | 2000 | change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 66.6% | 67.4% | -0.8 |
| Asians | 60.3 | 52.8 | 7.5 |
| Blacks | 45.3 | 47.2 | -1.9 |
| Hispanics | 50.1 | 46.3 | 3.8 |
| Non-Hispanic whites | 75.0 | 73.8 | 1.2 |
Monday, November 02, 2020
The Changing Demographics of Voters
The nation's electorate is changing in every way. It is getting older, becoming more diverse, and is increasingly educated. Pew Research Center recently analyzed the demographics of registered voters and compared the results to voters in the past...
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Blacks Are More than Twice as Likely as Whites to Know Someone Who Died from Covid-19
Twenty-two percent of all Americans know someone who died from Covid-19, according to PRRI's 2020 American Values Survey. Blacks are more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to know someone who died...
Monday, October 19, 2020
Inheritances Fuel Wealth Disparity
The median net worth of Black householders under age 35 was just $600 in 2019, according to the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). This is just a fraction of the $25,400 median net worth of non-Hispanic white householders in the age group. The wealth gap does not disappear with age...
| Black | non-Hispanic white | |
|---|---|---|
| Under age 35 | $600 | $25,400 |
| Aged 35 to 54 | $40,100 | $185,000 |
| Aged 55-plus | $53,800 | $315,000 |
One reason for the wealth gap between Blacks and non-Hispanic whites is disparity in the intergenerational transmission of wealth, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Board. Non-Hispanic white households are much more likely than Black households to receive financial gifts that boost their net worth—such as funds to pay for college or help buying a house. Non-Hispanic whites are also much more likely than Blacks to receive an inheritance.
A substantial 30 percent of non-Hispanic white households have already received an inheritance, according to the 2019 SCF. Only 10 percent of Black households have received one. Non-Hispanic white households are also more likely than Black households to expect an inheritance in the future—17 versus 6 percent. These inheritances are often the seed money that helps parents gift their children with college tuitions and downpayments. And so it goes.
Source: Federal Reserve Board, Disparities in Wealth by Race and Ethnicity in the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Covid-19 Recession Endangers Black Wealth
First, the good news. The median net worth of Black households climbed 33 percent between 2016 and 2019, after adjusting for inflation. This was a much bigger increase than the 18 percent rise in the median net worth of all households during those years and far surpassed the 3 percent increase in the median net worth of non-Hispanic white households.
There's more good news. The wealth gap between non-Hispanic whites and Blacks narrowed between 2016 and 2019. Non-Hispanic white households had 10 times the wealth of Blacks in 2016. They had only 8 times the wealth in 2019.
Now for the bad news. The median net worth of Black households was just $24,100 in 2019. Sure, this is 33 percent more than in 2016, but it isn't much of a buffer during a pandemic.
Monday, August 03, 2020
Teleworking During the Coronavirus Pandemic
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has added five questions to the monthly Current Population Survey, which collects the government's official employment data. The BLS first added the questions in May and plans to continue asking them each month for the foreseeable future. Besides teleworking, respondents are also being asked whether they are unable to work because their employer has closed or lost business, whether they are being paid if they are missing work, and whether the pandemic has prevented them from looking for a job.
The 31 percent who reported teleworking in June was little different from the 35 percent who said they had done so in May. The characteristics of those who are teleworking because of the pandemic are not surprising, but nevertheless striking. Teleworking rises steeply as education increases...
Percent of the employed who teleworked for pay in the past 4 weeks due to the coronavirus, by education, June 2020
4.8% of those without a high school diploma
12.6% of high school graduates only
22.3% of those with some college
48.0% of those with a bachelor's degree
63.3% of those with a graduate degree
By race and Hispanic origin, Asians are far more likely to telework than other race and Hispanic origin groups. This is because Asians are the most educated workers and also the ones most likely to work in management and professional occupations. Hispanics are least likely to telework because they are the least-educated workers and also least likely to be managers or professionals...
Percent of the employed who teleworked for pay in the past 4 weeks due to the coronavirus, by race and Hispanic origin, June 2020
48.5% of Asians
30.8% of non-Hispanic whites
25.7% of Blacks
21.1% of Hispanics
By age, there are few differences in teleworking with one exception. Workers under age 25 are far less likely to telework (15 percent) than those aged 25 to 54 (35 percent) or aged 55 or older (30 percent).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Supplemental Data Measuring the Effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic on the Labor Market
Monday, July 13, 2020
Americans Are Increasingly Skeptical of the Police
Only 35 percent of the public thinks police do a good/excellent job of using the right amount of force. Fully 64 percent think police performance by this measure is only fair or poor. In 2016, Americans were more evenly split on this question, with a larger 45 percent rating police use of force good/excellent and a smaller 54 percent saying it was only fair/poor.
Similarly, when it comes to treating race and ethnic groups equally, only 34 percent think the police are doing a good/excellent job, far below the 47 percent who felt this way in 2016. When asked what kind of job police are doing holding themselves accountable for misconduct, only 31 percent say good/excellent, well below the 44 percent of 2016.
Regardless of race or Hispanic origin, most Americans agree that police performance is below par on these three measures. Blacks are especially likely to think so, and the majority of non-Hispanic whites agree.
Police are doing only fair/poor job of using the right amount of force
87% of Blacks
70% of Hispanics
57% of non-Hispanic whites
Police are doing only fair/poor job of treating racial/ethnic groups equally
90% of Blacks
73% of Hispanics
57% of non-Hispanic whites
Police are doing only fair/poor job of holding themselves accountable for misconduct
86% of Blacks
65% of Hispanics
65% of non-Hispanic whites
Source: Pew Research Center, Majority of Public Favors Giving Civilians the Power to Sue Police Officers for Misconduct
Thursday, July 02, 2020
1.1 Million Fewer Children in the United States
Percent change in population under age 18 by race and Hispanic origin, 2010–19
| percent change | |
|---|---|
| Asians | 15.7% |
| Blacks | 0.9% |
| Hispanics | 8.8% |
| Non-Hispanic whites | -7.8% |
The non-Hispanic white share of the nation's children fell from 54 to 50 percent between 2010 and 2019.
Source: Demo Memo analysis of the Census Bureau's 2019 Population Estimates
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
The Generations by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2019
Generation X most closely mirrors the race and Hispanic origin composition of the population as a whole. Generations younger than Gen X are more diverse than the national average, while those older than Gen X are less diverse.
Although Hispanics outnumber Blacks in the population as a whole, Blacks outnumber Hispanics among Boomers and Older Americans. The Asian share of the population is highest in the Millennial generation at 8.4 percent.
Percent Distribution of the Population by Generation, Race, and Hispanic Origin, 2019
| total | Asian | Black | Hispanic | non-Hispanic white | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 100.0% | 7.0% | 14.7% | 18.5% | 60.1% |
| Recession generation (0-9) | 100.0 | 7.4 | 18.3 | 26.0 | 49.6 |
| Generation Z (10-24) | 100.0 | 7.3 | 17.4 | 24.0 | 52.1 |
| Millennials (25-42) | 100.0 | 8.4 | 15.7 | 20.7 | 55.5 |
| Generation X (43-54) | 100.0 | 7.3 | 13.9 | 18.0 | 60.8 |
| Boomers (55-73) | 100.0 | 5.4 | 11.7 | 10.8 | 71.6 |
| Older Americans (74-plus) | 100.0 | 4.8 | 8.9 | 8.1 | 77.7 |
Note: Numbers may not add to 100 percent because Asians and Blacks are those who identify themselves as being of the race alone or in combination with other races, Hispanics may be of any race, and not all races are shown.
Source: Demo Memo analysis of the Census Bureau's National Population by Characteristics: 2010–2019
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Population by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2019
The number of non-Hispanic whites under age 30 declined by 1.7 million between 2016 and 2019, in part because of the ongoing baby bust. The number aged 65 or older climbed by 3.1 million during those years as Boomers filled the age group.
Population by race and Hispanic origin, 2019 (numbers in 000s)
Total: 328,240 (100.0%)
Asian: 22,862 (7.0%)
Black: 48,221 (14.7%)
Hispanic: 60,572 (18.5%)
Non-Hispanic white: 197,310 (60.1%)
Note: Asians and Blacks are those who identify themselves as being of the race alone or in combination with other races. Hispanics may be of any race. Not all races are shown.
Source: Census Bureau, National Population by Characteristics, 2010–2019
Monday, June 15, 2020
6% of Adults Have Attended a Protest in the Past Month
Monday, June 01, 2020
Covid-19 Wreaks Economic Havoc
The percentage of Americans who report a loss of employment income since March 13 exceeds 50 percent in every age group under age 55...
Percent experiencing a loss of employment income for self or other household member
Total 18-plus: 48%
Aged 18 to 24: 58%
Aged 25 to 39: 54%
Aged 40 to 54: 56%
Aged 55 to 64: 49%
Aged 65-plus: 27%
By race and Hispanic origin, 60 percent of Hispanics have experienced a loss of employment income. The figure is 55 percent for Blacks, 47 percent for Asians, and 44 percent for non-Hispanic Whites.
Most adults with household incomes below $50,000 have experienced a loss of employment income since March 13. The figure falls as household income rises. But even among those in the most affluent households—with incomes of $200,000 or more—a substantial 31 percent have lost employment income during the pandemic.
Source: Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey: May 14—May 19
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Black Homeownership Lower in 2019 than in 1999
Homeownership Rate by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1999 to 2019
| total | Asian | Black | Hispanic | NH White | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 64.6% | 57.7% | 42.1% | 47.5% | 73.3% |
| 2010 | 66.9 | 58.9 | 45.4 | 47.5 | 74.4 |
| 2004 | 69.0 | 59.8 | 49.1 | 48.1 | 76.0 |
| 1999 | 66.8 | 53.1 | 46.3 | 45.5 | 73.2 |
| 1999 to 2019 | -2.2 | 4.6 | -4.2 | 2.0 | 0.1 |
The U.S. homeownership rate peaked in 2004 at 69.0 percent. Between 2004 and 2019, the Black rate fell 7.0 percentage points, much greater than the decline in the homeownership rate of Asians (-2.1), Hispanics (-0.6), or non-Hispanic Whites (-2.7).
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Why Is the White Working Class Declining?
What is the cause of the decline in the white working class? In the Fed analysis, the researchers looked at two potential causes. First, they examined the rise in "deaths of despair," which are deaths due to suicide, alcohol, or drugs. While the death rate from these causes has tripled among the white working class in recent years, these deaths explain less than 1 percent of the decline in working class whites, according to the calculations.
Then the researchers examined educational attainment. Bullseye! The number of non-Hispanic whites with a four-year college degree tripled between 1976 and 2019. The surge in educational attainment is resulting in a loss of about 1 million working class whites each year and explains most of the decline.
"To the extent that the decline of the white working-class population in recent years is due to rising college degree attainment, this population change can be viewed positively," the researchers conclude.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, The White Working Class: Declining Mostly Due to Rising College Attainment
Monday, January 27, 2020
Non-Hispanic White Share of Public School Students by Urbanicity
Non-Hispanic white share of public elementary and secondary school students
20.2% in large cities (city population of 250,000 or more)
32.6% in mid-sized cities (city population of 100,000 to 250,000)
46.0% in small cities (city population below 100,000)
47.8% in large suburbs (suburb of city with 250,000 or more population)
59.9% in mid-sized suburbs (suburb of city with population of 100,000 to 250,000)
63.6% in small suburbs (suburb of city with population below 100,000)
67.1% in fringe towns (urban cluster 10 miles or less from an urbanized area)
64.8% in distant towns (urban cluster 10 to 35 miles from an urbanized area)
58.3% in remote towns (urban cluster 35-plus miles from an urbanized area)
65.9% in fringe rural areas (not in an urban cluster, less than 5 miles from an urbanized area)
79.3% in distant rural areas (not in an urban cluster, 5 to 25 miles from an urbanized area)
73.1% in remote rural areas (not in an urban cluster, 25-plus miles from an urbanized area)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, School Choice in the United States, 2019