Percentage who are gay/lesbian according to the American public: 25%.
Percentage who are gay/lesbian according to government surveys: 4%.
Source: Gallup and Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the United States: Data from the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Smartphone Ownership by Age
Percentage of people who own a smartphone by age...
12 to 17: 33%
18 to 24: 45%
25 to 34: 50%
35 to 44: 39%
45 to 54: 26%
55 to 64: 19%
65-plus: 6%
Source: Arbitron, The Infinite Dial 2011: Navigating Digital Platforms
12 to 17: 33%
18 to 24: 45%
25 to 34: 50%
35 to 44: 39%
45 to 54: 26%
55 to 64: 19%
65-plus: 6%
Source: Arbitron, The Infinite Dial 2011: Navigating Digital Platforms
Monday, May 30, 2011
Food Desert Locator
That's desert (empty wasteland), not dessert (yummy goodness). Yes, there are many, many food deserts in the United States--neighborhoods with high concentrations of low-income people who are far from a grocery store. At this site you can access an interactive map of the United States that reveals our many food deserts by state and local area down to the census tract level. A food desert is defined as a census tract in which at least one-third of the residents live more than one mile (in an urban area) or more than 10 miles (in a rural area) from a supermarket or large grocery store.
Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, Food Desert Locator
Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, Food Desert Locator
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Why Crime is Down
Last week the FBI released its preliminary crime report for 2010, showing--once again--a decline in violent crime (murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault). The rate of violent crime today is lower than at any time since the early 1970s, and nobody can figure out why. With the large millennial generation now in the most crime-prone age group (40 percent of people arrested are aged 15 to 24) and unemployment stubbornly high, most believed crime would rise rather than fall.
Some say crime is down because so many criminals have been locked up. Others say crime is down because policing has become smarter and more effective. But the steep decline in crime throughout the United States begs for a deeper, sociological explanation.
This is what I think caused the decline in crime: helicopter parents. Yes, you can thank those obnoxious, overbearing parents because--over the past few decades--they have succeeded in transforming the teenage and young adult milieu. The rate of violent crime peaked in 1991. The young adults of that year were born in the late 1960s and early 1970s--just before the baby-boom generation became the nation's parents en masse. Boomers had fewer children and focused more on the success of each one, keeping their teenagers busy with supervised after-school activities. At age 18, they shipped them off to college where they spent their free time drinking and hooking up rather than hanging out on street corners. When they graduated from college into a job market that, by all accounts, should be turning the desperately unemployed into criminals, boomers welcomed them back into their homes and kept them out of trouble.
Surprise. The baby-boom generation managed to do something right.
Some say crime is down because so many criminals have been locked up. Others say crime is down because policing has become smarter and more effective. But the steep decline in crime throughout the United States begs for a deeper, sociological explanation.
This is what I think caused the decline in crime: helicopter parents. Yes, you can thank those obnoxious, overbearing parents because--over the past few decades--they have succeeded in transforming the teenage and young adult milieu. The rate of violent crime peaked in 1991. The young adults of that year were born in the late 1960s and early 1970s--just before the baby-boom generation became the nation's parents en masse. Boomers had fewer children and focused more on the success of each one, keeping their teenagers busy with supervised after-school activities. At age 18, they shipped them off to college where they spent their free time drinking and hooking up rather than hanging out on street corners. When they graduated from college into a job market that, by all accounts, should be turning the desperately unemployed into criminals, boomers welcomed them back into their homes and kept them out of trouble.
Surprise. The baby-boom generation managed to do something right.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
The Mystery of Happiness
Surveys consistently show that Americans aged 65 or older are happier than younger adults. The 2010 General Social Survey, for example, found that 33 percent of people aged 65 or older were "very happy" compared with 28 percent of younger adults. The GSS measures happiness by asking a single, simple question. Other surveys probe people's feelings of happiness more extensively, by measuring it throughout the day and during a variety of activities. These studies confirm the greater happiness of older Americans. Why?
Entire books are devoted to this topic. One of them (Measuring the Subjective Well-Being of Nations: National Accounts of Time Use and Well-Being) solves the mystery.
To get at what makes people happy, well known Princeton economist Alan B. Krueger (the editor of the book) and author of one of the chapters (along with Daniel Kahneman, David Schkade, Norbert Schwarz, and Arthur A. Stone), measures the percentage of time in which people's feelings of sadness, stress, or pain exceed their feelings of happiness--all by demographic characteristic and activity. The results show that people aged 65 or older spend only 16 percent of their time with feelings of sadness, stress, or pain greater than their feelings of happiness. In contrast, people aged 25 to 64 feel bad rather than good a larger 20 percent of the time. By controlling for activity, the researchers nailed it: older Americans are happier because they spend more time engaging in activities that generate happiness (socializing, relaxing, gardening). Working-age adults must work, after all. Most of the happiness gap between older and younger adults is due to differences in their daily activities.
Entire books are devoted to this topic. One of them (Measuring the Subjective Well-Being of Nations: National Accounts of Time Use and Well-Being) solves the mystery.
To get at what makes people happy, well known Princeton economist Alan B. Krueger (the editor of the book) and author of one of the chapters (along with Daniel Kahneman, David Schkade, Norbert Schwarz, and Arthur A. Stone), measures the percentage of time in which people's feelings of sadness, stress, or pain exceed their feelings of happiness--all by demographic characteristic and activity. The results show that people aged 65 or older spend only 16 percent of their time with feelings of sadness, stress, or pain greater than their feelings of happiness. In contrast, people aged 25 to 64 feel bad rather than good a larger 20 percent of the time. By controlling for activity, the researchers nailed it: older Americans are happier because they spend more time engaging in activities that generate happiness (socializing, relaxing, gardening). Working-age adults must work, after all. Most of the happiness gap between older and younger adults is due to differences in their daily activities.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Language of School Children
Percentage of American children aged 5 to 17 who speak a language other than English at home: 21%.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, The Condition of Education 2011
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, The Condition of Education 2011
Census Surprise: More Renters
What's up with this? According to new 2010 census data released yesterday, the nation has many more renters--and fewer homeowners--than estimated.
Compared to the March 2010 Current Population Survey estimates, the April 1, 2010 census counted 3.6 million more renter-occupied housing units and 2.8 million fewer owner-occupied housing units. The homeownership rate for the March-April 2010 time period was lower than estimated--just 65.1 percent according to the census rather than the 67.0 percent estimated by surveys. As economist Tom Lawler says on Calculated Risk, "From a demographer's standpoint, these are HUGE differences." He's right, it is huge. Expect heads to roll and thinking about the housing market to be revised--downward.
Interestingly, average household size according to the 2010 census (2.58 people) was little different from the estimated number (2.59).
Compared to the March 2010 Current Population Survey estimates, the April 1, 2010 census counted 3.6 million more renter-occupied housing units and 2.8 million fewer owner-occupied housing units. The homeownership rate for the March-April 2010 time period was lower than estimated--just 65.1 percent according to the census rather than the 67.0 percent estimated by surveys. As economist Tom Lawler says on Calculated Risk, "From a demographer's standpoint, these are HUGE differences." He's right, it is huge. Expect heads to roll and thinking about the housing market to be revised--downward.
Interestingly, average household size according to the 2010 census (2.58 people) was little different from the estimated number (2.59).
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Schizophrenic or Generational?
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently called the public "schizophrenic" about Facebook--admiring it for its social capabilities and at the same time fearing it for invading their privacy.
This is no mental health problem. It is a generational problem. Take a look at the percentage of Americans who have a personal profile page on a social networking site, according to Arbitron research (The Infinite Dial 2011: Navigating Digital Platforms):
12-17: 76%
18-24: 80%
25-34: 68%
35-44: 63%
45-54: 45%
55-64: 31%
65 + : 15%
Also note that the average age of the politicians grandstanding about Facebook for their aged constituents is 56.7 (Congress) and 62.2 (Senate).
This is no mental health problem. It is a generational problem. Take a look at the percentage of Americans who have a personal profile page on a social networking site, according to Arbitron research (The Infinite Dial 2011: Navigating Digital Platforms):
12-17: 76%
18-24: 80%
25-34: 68%
35-44: 63%
45-54: 45%
55-64: 31%
65 + : 15%
Also note that the average age of the politicians grandstanding about Facebook for their aged constituents is 56.7 (Congress) and 62.2 (Senate).
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
College: Expensive Insurance
Why parents send their children to college, according to PayPal founder Peter Thiel in Forbes:
It’s basically a way to buy insurance to make sure your kids don’t fall out of the middle or upper middle class. The broader social questions we should be asking is why has the cost of insurance gone up so much…. our society has become less stable, if you don’t do things the exact right way, if you deviate, you get whacked.
Getting the News
Where college graduates get most of their news...
Internet: 42%
Television: 27%
Newspaper: 21%
Radio: 10%
Source: General Social Survey
Internet: 42%
Television: 27%
Newspaper: 21%
Radio: 10%
Source: General Social Survey
No Health Insurance by State
States with the smallest percentage of people without health insurance...
States with the largest percentage of people without health insurance...
Source: Census Bureau, Health Insurance Coverage by State
| Massachusetts | 4.4% |
| Hawaii | 8.2% |
| Minnesota | 8.8% |
| Wisconsin | 9.5% |
| Vermont | 9.9% |
States with the largest percentage of people without health insurance...
| Texas | 26.1% |
| Florida | 22.4% |
| New Mexico | 21.7% |
| Nevada | 20.8% |
| Georgia | 20.5% |
Source: Census Bureau, Health Insurance Coverage by State
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Mass Transit Blues
No matter how high gas prices climb, the 52 percent majority of Americans say they will not use mass transit as their main source of transportation, according to a Gallup poll.
This is not snobbery, but necessity. Fully 46 percent of households in the United States do not have public transportation in their area, according to the American Housing Survey. They have no choice but to keep pumping no matter how high the price.
This is not snobbery, but necessity. Fully 46 percent of households in the United States do not have public transportation in their area, according to the American Housing Survey. They have no choice but to keep pumping no matter how high the price.
Mobility Rate High for Young Renters
Percentage of renters aged 20 to 24 who moved in the past year: 46%.
Source: Census Bureau, Geographic Mobility, 2009 to 2010
Source: Census Bureau, Geographic Mobility, 2009 to 2010
Monday, May 23, 2011
Homeowner Mobility Rate Unchanged
The mobility rate of the nation's homeowners remained at the record low of 5.2 percent in 2009-10, unchanged from the rate of 2008–09. In data released this morning, the Census Bureau's figures show a nation of movers paralyzed by the collapse of the housing market.
Among renters, 29.0 percent moved in 2009-10, down slightly from the 29.6 percent who moved between 2008-09. Renter mobility has changed little over the past decade--it peaked at 30.8 percent in 2001–02.
During the past decade, homeowner mobility has been as high as 8.1 percent. That was in 2001-02, a year when nearly 16 million homeowners moved. In 2009-10, only 10.8 million homeowners moved.
Source: Census Bureau, Geographic Mobility, 2009 to 2010
Among renters, 29.0 percent moved in 2009-10, down slightly from the 29.6 percent who moved between 2008-09. Renter mobility has changed little over the past decade--it peaked at 30.8 percent in 2001–02.
During the past decade, homeowner mobility has been as high as 8.1 percent. That was in 2001-02, a year when nearly 16 million homeowners moved. In 2009-10, only 10.8 million homeowners moved.
Source: Census Bureau, Geographic Mobility, 2009 to 2010
Americans Still Stuck
The nation's geographic mobility rate barely changed as the United States emerged from the Great Recession. According to data released this morning, only 12.51 percent of Americans aged 1 or older moved between 2009 and 2010, almost identical to the 12.49 percent who moved between 2008–09--during the depths of the recession.
More details later.
Source: Census Bureau, Geographic Mobility, 2009 to 2010
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Real Estate Industry Is Aging--Fast
The collapse of the housing market is transforming the National Association of Realtors, the professional association of the real estate industry. According to demographic research produced by Nikolai Kolding, a partner in the real estate consulting group REAL Trends, the median age of NAR members is rising rapidly, climbing from 51 to 56 between 2006 and 2011. Behind the aging of NAR is its changing demographics. Not only is total membership shrinking, but the biggest declines are occurring among younger members.
Overall, NAR's membership fell 21 percent between 2006 and 2011, says Kolding, from 1.36 million to 1.07 million. By age group, the changes look like this...
under age 35: -50%
35 to 44: -45%
45 to 54: -32%
55 or older: +4%
Kolding comments: "The industry is very rapidly aging in part due to the fact that younger sales agents appear to be leaving the business in droves....this may be greatly hurting an industry that is trying to relate to an ever-younger pool of potential buyers."
As a profession, the real estate industry is not alone in coping with enormous demographic change as younger adults look elsewhere for economic opportunity. According to unpublished tables from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median age of the overall labor force climbed from 40.8 in 2006 to 42.0 in 2010 (the latest data available) because of the aging of the baby-boom generation. Some occupations are aging more rapidly, however, as younger adults shy away from uncertainty. The median age of bookkeepers, for example, climbed from 45.2 to 47.7 between 2006 and 2010. Postmasters aged from 51.5 to 53.5, travel agents from 46.0 to 48.5, and bridge and lock tenders aged by nearly 10 years--from 46.7 to 56.6. Bottom line: The age composition of occupations can change rapidly depending on perceived economic opportunity.
In his monthly newsletter, Kolding offers advice to the real estate industry: "We believe brokers would be well served building the rental and property management businesses to prepare for the growing proportion of the population that will rent rather than buy. Many of the companies we deal with that have strong rental and brokerage units tell us that the rental division often attracts a younger professional who, in time, moves on to the brokerage side. It would seem that expanding your rental business could potentially address two challenges at once."
Overall, NAR's membership fell 21 percent between 2006 and 2011, says Kolding, from 1.36 million to 1.07 million. By age group, the changes look like this...
under age 35: -50%
35 to 44: -45%
45 to 54: -32%
55 or older: +4%
Kolding comments: "The industry is very rapidly aging in part due to the fact that younger sales agents appear to be leaving the business in droves....this may be greatly hurting an industry that is trying to relate to an ever-younger pool of potential buyers."
As a profession, the real estate industry is not alone in coping with enormous demographic change as younger adults look elsewhere for economic opportunity. According to unpublished tables from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median age of the overall labor force climbed from 40.8 in 2006 to 42.0 in 2010 (the latest data available) because of the aging of the baby-boom generation. Some occupations are aging more rapidly, however, as younger adults shy away from uncertainty. The median age of bookkeepers, for example, climbed from 45.2 to 47.7 between 2006 and 2010. Postmasters aged from 51.5 to 53.5, travel agents from 46.0 to 48.5, and bridge and lock tenders aged by nearly 10 years--from 46.7 to 56.6. Bottom line: The age composition of occupations can change rapidly depending on perceived economic opportunity.
In his monthly newsletter, Kolding offers advice to the real estate industry: "We believe brokers would be well served building the rental and property management businesses to prepare for the growing proportion of the population that will rent rather than buy. Many of the companies we deal with that have strong rental and brokerage units tell us that the rental division often attracts a younger professional who, in time, moves on to the brokerage side. It would seem that expanding your rental business could potentially address two challenges at once."
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Very Cool Interactive Map
Want to know 2010 census details about housing in your area? Check out the Census Bureau's interactive map that allows you to click and zoom in on any state, county, or place in the United States and get owner-occupied, renter-occupied, vacant, for rent, and for sale housing unit counts.
Population by race, ethnicity, age, and sex are also on tap at the site. Note that data for 13 states are still to come. The final state release (for Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia) and national totals are scheduled for Thursday, May 26.
Population by race, ethnicity, age, and sex are also on tap at the site. Note that data for 13 states are still to come. The final state release (for Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia) and national totals are scheduled for Thursday, May 26.
How Many Kids?
Average number of children born in lifetime to American women
by race and Hispanic origin...
Asian: 1.96
Black: 2.03
Hispanic: 2.73
Non-Hispanic white: 1.78
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Preliminary Data for 2009
by race and Hispanic origin...
Asian: 1.96
Black: 2.03
Hispanic: 2.73
Non-Hispanic white: 1.78
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Preliminary Data for 2009
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Word of God
Percentage of Americans who believe the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word: 34%.
Source: General Social Survey
Source: General Social Survey
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