Time Use Is Different on Thanksgiving

The intrepid researchers at the USDA's Economic Research Service analyzed more than a decade of data from the American Time Use survey to zero in on a single day—Thanksgiving. Then they compared time use on Thanksgiving with time use on an average weekend day...

Food preparation and cleanup
Thanksgiving: 128 minutes
Average weekend day: 34 minutes

Eating and drinking
Thanksgiving: 89 minutes
Average weekend day: 71 minutes

Socializing
Thanksgiving: 148 minutes
Average weekend day: 64 minutes

Watching television/movies
Thanksgiving: 209
Average weekend day: 192

Shopping
Thanksgiving: 17 minutes
Average weekend day: 34 minutes

Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Yes, Thanksgiving Really Is a Day of Cooking

123 Million Home Improvement Projects

American homeowners tackled 123 million home improvement projects in the past two years, according to the 2015 American Housing Survey. The 62 percent majority of projects were done by professionals (median expense $2,000) and 38 percent were do-it-yourselfers (median expense $600). These are the 10 most common projects and their median expense...

Number of professional home improvement projects (and median expense)
1. Water heater/dishwasher/disposal: 9.3 million ($700)
2. HVAC: 8.9 million ($3,400)
3. Flooring/carpeting: 7.2 million ($2,246)
4. Roofing: 6.6 million ($6,000)
5. Windows/doors: 5.6 million ($2,000)
6. Plumbing: 4.3 million ($525)
7. Bath remodel: 3.4 million ($5,000)
8. Electrical: 3.2 million ($900)
9. Security system: 2.9 million ($300)
10. Driveways/walkways: 2.7 million ($2,000)

Number of do-it-yourself home improvement projects (and median expense)
1. Water heater/dishwasher/disposal: 6.5 million ($400)
2. Flooring/carpeting: 4.8 million ($800)
3. Plumbing: 4.8 million ($250)
4. Landscaping/sprinkler systems: 3.6 million ($500)
5. Bath remodel: 3.1 million ($1,500)
6. Windows/doors: 3.1 million ($600)
7. Kitchen remodel: 2.1 million ($3,000)
8. Fencing/walls: 2.1 million($600)
9. Electrical: 1.8 million ($240)
10. Insulation: 1.7 million ($400)

Source: Census Bureau, 2015 American Housing Survey

Steep Decline in Households with Children

In 2016, only 27.6 percent of the nation's households included children under age 18, according to the Census Bureau. Not only is this a record low, but it is more than 21 percentage points (!) lower than the 48.7 percent of 1960.

Households with own children under age 18
2016: 27.6%
2010: 30.0%
2000: 33.0%
1990: 34.6%
1980: 38.4%
1970: 45.4%
1960: 48.7%

Source: Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements

Who Gets Hurt Playing Sports?

More than 8.5 million Americans aged 5 or older are injured each year while playing sports or participating in recreational activities, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. These are not minor bumps and bruises but medically attended injuries affecting a substantial 3.4 percent of the population.

• The 61% majority of the injured are male.
• Most of the injured are aged 5 to 14 (37%) or 15 to 24 (28%).
• Most injuries occur at school (23%) or sport facility/athletic field/playground (35%).
• Among males, the three most common activities causing injury are football (12%), basketball (12%), and aerobics/exercising/weight training (8%).
• Among females, the three most common activities causing injury are gymnastics/cheerleading (11%), aerobics/exercising/weight training (8%), and cycling (7%).
• Falling is the most common cause of injury (28%), followed by overexertion (17%).
• Sprains/strains are the most common injury (41%), followed by fractures (20%).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Statistics Reports, Sports- and Recreation-Related Injury Episodes in the United States, 2011-2014

New Record High Median Age at First Marriage

Young adults are waiting longer than ever to marry. The median age at first marriage climbed to yet another record high in 2016, according to the Census Bureau. Men and women are marrying at an older age than ever before based on data going back to 1890. Here is how the median age at first marriage has grown since 2000...

Women: median age at first marriage
2016: 27.4
2015: 27.1
2010: 26.1
2005: 25.3
2000: 25.1

Men: median age at first marriage
2016: 29.5
2015: 29.2
2010: 28.2
2005: 27.1
2000: 26.8

Source: Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements—Marital Status

24% Earn Money in Gig Economy

Nearly one in four American adults earned money in the digital commerce ("gig") economy in the past year, according to a Pew Research Center survey: 18 percent earned money by selling goods online (such as Ebay), 8 percent earned money by selling their labor through a digital platform (such as Uber), and 1 percent rented out their property on a home-sharing site (such as Airbnb).

Percent earning money in past year by selling goods online
Aged 18 to 29: 23%
Aged 30 to 49: 27%
Aged 50 to 64: 12%
Aged 65-plus: 7%

Percent earning money in past year by selling labor through digital platform
Aged 18 to 29: 16%
Aged 30 to 49: 10%
Aged 50 to 64: 4%
Aged 65-plus: 2%

Among those participating in digital commerce, the importance of gig earnings varies greatly. The 56 percent majority of those who earned money by selling their labor through a digital platform say their earnings are important or essential. Among those who earned money by selling goods online, the figure was only 20 percent.

Source: Pew Research Center, Gig Work, Online Selling and Home Sharing

Mobility Rate Hits New Low in 2015–16

The geographic mobility rate fell to a new all-time low in 2015–16, according to the Census Bureau. Only 11.2 percent of U.S. residents aged 1 or older as of March 2016 had moved in the previous 12 months. This rate is is well below the previous low of 11.5 percent recorded in 2013–14. Behind the decline is a fairly large drop in the percentage of renters who moved.

Among people living in owned homes, 5.1 percent moved from one house to another between 2015 and 2016, higher than the all-time low of 4.7 percent in 2010–11. Among people living in rented homes, the mobility rate fell to an all-time low of 22.9 percent in 2015–16.

Mobility rate of total U.S. residents
2015–16: 11.2% (all-time low)
2010–11: 11.6%
2000–01: 14.2%

Mobility rate of people in owner-occupied homes
2015–16: 5.1%
2010–11: 4.7% (all-time low)
2000–01: 7.4%

Mobility rate of people in renter-occupied homes
2015–16: 22.9% (all-time low)
2010–11: 26.1%
2000–01: 30.3%

Source: Census Bureau, CPS Historical Migration/Geographic Mobility Tables

Back to the 1950s: One Explanation for the Election

If there is any explanation for this year's election result, it may be this: the rising economic power of women and resistance by men (and women) who want to go back to the way things used to be. The nostalgic are legion. According to PRRI's 2016 American Values Survey, the 51 percent majority of the public thinks American culture and way of life have mostly changed for the worse since the 1950s—including 56 percent of whites, 57 percent of people aged 65 or older, and 68 percent of Republicans. One of the defining characteristics of the 1950s, of course, was women's economic dependence on men. Today, men are increasingly dependent on women, as documented in these income trends since 2000...

• Even before the Great Recession, men's incomes were on the decline: Men's median income fell 2.7 percent between 2000 and 2007, after adjusting for inflation. Women's median income climbed 8.2 percent during those years. 
• The Great Recession hurt both men and women: The median income of men and women fell 6 percent between 2007 and 2013.
• But women are recovering much faster: Women's median income grew three times faster than men's between 2014 and 2015—a 6.8 percent increase for women versus a 2.2 percent increase for men. 
• Women are gaining relative to men: In 2015, the median income of women was 64 percent as high as the median income of men, up from 57 percent in 2000 and a record high. Among full-time workers, women's median earnings were 80 percent as high as men's in 2015, up from 73 percent in 2000 and a record high. Among dual-income couples, the percentage of wives who earn more than their husbands climbed from 23 percent in 2000 to 29 percent in 2015, just 0.1 percentage point shy of 2013's record high.

According to PRRI's survey, a substantial 47 percent of all men and 32 percent of all women disagree that the country would be better off if we had more women in political office. Among Republicans, fully 62 percent disagree—including the majority of Republican women. A vote against the female presidential candidate was a vote against men's growing economic dependence on women.

Source: PRRI, 2016 American Values Survey, and Census Bureau, Income Data Tables

When Did You Move Into Your House?

This is when, according to the 2015 American Community Survey...

Year householder moved into current house
2000 or later: 71.4%
   2015 or later: 7.4%
   2010–2014: 35.8%
   2000–2009: 28.2%
Before 2000: 28.6%
   1990–1999: 14.0%
   1980–1989: 6.8%
   Before 1980: 7.8%

Source: Census Bureau, 2015 American Community Survey

Trends in Median Earnings of Men by Education

The Great Recession was devastating to men's earnings. But their earnings were in decline well before the Great Recession, regardless of educational attainment. They hit bottom in 2012.

Percent change in median earnings of men, 2000 to 2012 (in 2015 dollars)
High school graduate only: –14.2%
Some college, no degree: –14.1%
Associate's degree: –11.5%
Bachelor's degree or more: –7.7%

Since 2012, the median earnings of men have grown. Men with no more than a high school diploma are among those who have made the biggest gains.

Percent change in median earnings of men, 2012 to 2015 (in 2015 dollars)
High school graduate only: 2.5%
Some college, no degree: 1.0%
Associate's degree: 0.1%
Bachelor's degree or more: 3.9%

Among non-Hispanic white men, those without a college degree have seen their earnings grow much faster than men with a college degree.

Percent change in median earnings of non-Hispanic white men, 2012 to 2015 (in 2015 dollars)
High school graduate only: 6.6%
Some college, no degree: 6.2%
Associate's degree: 2.5%
Bachelor's degree or more: 3.8%

Source: Census Bureau, Current Population Survey

Average Household Spending on Marijuana

For years, the Consumer Expenditure Survey has listed marijuana among its hundreds of detailed spending categories. And for years, Americans have reported virtually no spending on marijuana—until now.

In 2015, the average household spent $3.57 on marijuana. That doesn't sound like much, but it's an average and includes both marijuana buyers and those who would never in their wildest dreams purchase marijuana. The $3.57 spent by the average household on marijuana is about what the average household spends on everyday products and services such as artificial sweeteners, towing charges, and decorative pillows.

Households headed by young adults—people under age 30—spent an average of $20.04 on marijuana in 2015, more than five times the average. Households headed by people aged 30 or older spent much less—an average of 75 cents. Young adults spent more on marijuana than they spent on books or newspapers. Their spending on marijuana was almost equal to their spending on video game software.

These estimates are based on the tiny fraction of households that reported spending on marijuana during an average week of 2015. Consequently, the numbers should be taken with a big grain of salt. But as a growing number of states legalize the recreational use of marijuana, we could see marijuana spending become as common as spending on tobacco or alcohol.

Source: Demo Memo analysis of the 2015 Consumer Expenditure Survey

Gen Xers Spend the Most

Who are the biggest spenders—Millennials, Gen Xers, or Boomers? The answer: Gen Xers, of course, because they're in their peak earning years and have the highest incomes. In 2015, Gen X households spent $66,981, Boomer households $59,646, and Millennials $47,113, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey. But Millennial and Boomer households spend more than Gen X households on a number of categories, including these...

Millennials spend more than Gen Xers on rent, household personal services (mostly day care), and clothes for children under age 2.

Boomers spend more than Gen Xers on property tax, other lodging (mostly hotels and motels), landline phone service, reading material, new cars and trucks, and pets.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CE Experimental Research Tables, Generational Tables

The Rise of the 55-Plus Homeowner

A lot has happened to the nation's homeowners in the past few years. There are fewer of them, for one thing. The total number of homeowners fell by more than 1 million between 2006 (the peak year) and 2015. But the loss occurred only because of the steep decline in homeowners under age 55, the number falling by 7.8 million (down 18 percent) as younger adults became increasingly unwilling or unable to buy a home.

In contrast, the number of homeowners aged 55 or older expanded by 6.4 million (up 20 percent) between 2006 and 2015, thanks to the aging of the baby-boom generation. The 52 percent majority of homeowners are aged 55 or older, up from just 43 percent in 2006.

Source: Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, Historical Tables

Self-Reported Inactivity Among Older Americans

"During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?"

That was the question posed by the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. More than one in four (27.5 percent) of Americans aged 50-plus were admittedly inactive, with inactivity highest among the least educated...

Percent of people aged 50-plus who reported no physical activity in past month
44.1% of those without a high school diploma
34.7% of high school graduates only
24.6% of those with some college
14.2% of college graduates

Source: CDC, Physical Inactivity among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older—United States, 2014

Only 43% of the Obese Know It

More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight and more than one-third are obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Not surprisingly, the public is concerned about these numbers. Fully 81 percent consider overweight/obesity to be a very or extremely serious health problem, according to a recent survey. But here's the catch that might prevent those affected from taking action: most of the obese (those with a body mass index of 30kg/m^2 or higher) do not know it...

What the obese think about their weight
9% say their weight is about right
47% say they are overweight, but not obese
43% say they are obese

Source: American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the National Opinion Research Center, Obesity Rises to Top Health Concern for Americans, But Misperceptions Persist

College Freshmen Lack Confidence in Computer Skills

The American Freshman survey has long recorded the supersized confidence of college freshmen. Compared to the average person their age, the great majority of freshmen rate themselves above average in academic ability, intellectual self-confidence, competitiveness, drive to achieve, and leadership ability, to name just a few. But they admit to having some shortcomings. Fewer than half of college freshmen say they are above average in these abilities...

Percent rating self above average

Artistic ability: 28.2%

Computer skills: 32.6%

Spirituality: 37.2%

Public speaking: 40.5%

Risk-taking: 43.4%

Self confidence (social): 46.6%

Writing ability: 47.9%

Mathematical ability: 49.0%

Source: Cooperative Institutional Research Program at the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2015

Houses vs. Cars: The Urban-Rural Divide

Millions of Americans live in far-flung suburbs and rural areas, thanks to the automobile, but that freedom comes at a cost. Rural households must devote a substantial 22.8 percent of their household budget to transportation. For urban households, the figure is a mere 16.5 percent.

Percent of household spending devoted to transportation
Urban households: 16.5%
Rural households: 22.8%

But there's a flip side to that equation. By living in remote locations, rural residents spend less on housing. In 2015, rural households devoted 26.8 percent of their spending to housing compared with a larger 33.4 percent for urban households.

Percent of household spending devoted to housing
Urban households: 33.4%
Rural households: 26.8%

Combined, rural households devote 49.6 percent of their average annual expenditures to housing and transportation. For urban residents, the figure is an almost identical 49.9 percent.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Urban and Rural Household Spending in 2015

The Cost of Employer-Provided Health Insurance

With so much attention being paid to the rising cost of Obamacare premiums, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that most Americans (56 percent) are covered by employment-based health insurance. If you want to understand trends in the cost of health insurance for the majority of Americans, you won't find a better source than the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Insurance Component Chartbook 2015. The Chartbook details the cost of health insurance benefits provided by private- and public-sector (state and local government) employers. The Chartbook examines trends in costs for single coverage, employee-plus-one, and families. These are the trends in single coverage costs over the past decade...

Total premium for single coverage
2015: $5,963
2005: $3,991
Change: +49%

Employee contribution for single coverage
2015: $1,255
2005:    $723
Change: +74%

Annual individual deductible
2015: $1,541
2005:    $652
Change: +136%

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Insurance Component Chartbook 2015

Median Household Income Stable in September 2016

Median household income in September 2016 stood at $57,616, according to Sentier Research—not significantly different from the August 2016 median, after adjusting for inflation. The September 2016 median was 0.8 percent higher than the September 2015 median and 9.6 percent above the $52,576 median of August 2011, which was the low point in Sentier's household income series. 

"Median annual household income in 2016 has not been able to maintain the momentum that it achieved during 2015," says Sentier's Gordon Green. Despite the flattening, however, Sentier notes that "there has been a general upward trend in median household income since the post-recession low point reached in August 2011." Sentier's median household income estimates are derived from the Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Survey.

Median household income in September 2016 was 2.2 percent higher than the median of June 2009, which marked the end of the Great Recession. It was not significantly different from the median of December 2007, the start of the Great Recession. The September 2016 median was 0.8 percent below the median of January 2000. The Household Income Index for September was 99.2 (January 2000 = 100.0).

Source: Sentier Research, Household Income Trends: September 2016

One In Four Children Has Immigrant Parent

Twenty-four percent of American children under age 18 have at least one parent who is an immigrant, according to an Urban Institute report, up from 21 percent in 2006. Most children with an immigrant parent were born in the United States, making them U.S. citizens.

The children of immigrants "account for all growth in the child population between 2006 and 2014," notes the report. Between 2006 and 2014, the number of children with an immigrant parent grew 12 percent, while the number with two native-born parents fell 3 percent.

Source, Urban Institute, Demographic Trends of Children of Immigrants

First-Time Homebuyer Watch: 3rd Quarter 2016

Homeownership rate of householders aged 30 to 34, third quarter 2016: 45.6%

The homeownership rate of households headed by people aged 30 to 34 increased in the third quarter of 2016. Unfortunately, the increase was not much to write home about. The 45.6 percent third-quarter homeownership rate was above the all-time low of 44.8 percent in the second quarter of 2016, but still 1.2 percentage points below the 46.8 percent of a year ago. Is this uptick the beginning of a rise in homeownership for the age group or just another bobble? The age group's homeownership rate has been falling fairly steadily for almost a decade.  

Historically, homeownership became the norm in the 30-to-34 age group—rising above 50 percent. But beginning in 2007, the homeownership rate of 30-to-34-year-olds went into a tailspin. In the second quarter of 2011, the rate fell below 50 percent for the first time. It's been stuck there ever since. The new age of first-time home buying is 35 to 39, but even this age group has been slipping toward the 50-percent threshold. In the third quarter of 2016 the homeownership rate of 35-to-39-year-olds was 55.6 percent, not far above the all-time low of 55.1 percent recorded in the second quarter of 2015. The homeownership rate of 35-to-39-year-olds peaked in the first quarter of 2007 at 65.7 percent.

Nationally, the homeownership rate was 63.5 percent in the third quarter of 2016, not much different from the 63.7 percent of a year earlier.

Source: Census Bureau, Housing Vacancy Survey

Death by Injury: The Storyboard

If you ever wondered how many Americans are killed by firearms each year, then the new Injury Mortality Data Visualization is for you. With a few clicks of the mouse, you too can be an expert on death by injury "mechanism" (poisoning, motor vehicle, firearm, drowning, falling, burning, etc.) and "intent" (accident, suicide, homicide, or legal intervention), by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.

Although the number of firearm deaths in the United States climbed from 28,874 in 1999 to 33,599 in 2014, the rate of death was the same in both years—10.31 deaths per 100,000 population. Firearms ranked third as a mechanism of injury death in 2014, after poisoning (51,966) and motor vehicles (33,736). In 1999, motor vehicle deaths were in first place, firearms second, and poisoning third. Poisoning claimed the number-two position in 2004 and rose to number one in 2008 as deaths by poisoning (i.e. drug overdoses) more than doubled in the 1999 to 2014 time period. The death rate from poisoning climbed from 7.07 to 16.19 per 100,000 population during those years.

The firearm death rate is greatest among Black men aged 15 to 24, at 73.06 deaths per 100,000 population—more than seven times higher than the overall rate. The poisoning death rate is greatest among non-Hispanic White men aged 25 to 44, at 46.35 deaths per 100,000 population—almost three times higher than the rate for the population as a whole.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Injury Mortality: United States, 1999–2014

Why Ohio Is Not a Bellwether

Once upon a time, the preferences of Ohio's voters might have been predictive of election results. Not this time. Ohio's demographics differ from the nation's demographics in three important ways, disqualifying the state from being a predictor of the 2016 election outcome...

1. Less diverse: 79 percent of Ohio's population is non-Hispanic White, much greater than the 61 percent for the nation as a whole. Ohio is as diverse as the United States was way back in 1980, when Ronald Reagan was elected president. Only 3 percent of Ohio residents are Hispanic versus 18 percent nationally.

2. Less urban: 76 percent of Ohio's population lives in a metropolitan area, well below the 86 percent share nationally. Ohio is as metropolitan as the United States was in 1980, when the rural renaissance was in full swing and inner cities were actually struggling. Now nonmetro areas are losing population and cities are resurgent.

3. Less educated: Only 26 percent of Ohio residents aged 25 or older have a bachelor's degree, substantially lower than the 33 percent for the nation as a whole. Ohio is as educated as the U.S. population was in 2000, when George Bush was elected president. With education dividing voters more than ever, Ohio's lower level of education is yet another reason the state is not a bellwether this election year.

Source: Demo Memo analysis of Census Bureau data

Most Believe in (at least one) Conspiracy Theory

Most Americans believe in at least one conspiracy theory, according to Chapman University's 2016 Survey of American Fears. When respondents were asked whether they believe the government is concealing what it knows about the 9/11 attacks, the JFK assassination, the existence of extraterrestrials, global warming, plans for a one world government, Obama's birth certificate, the origins of the AIDs virus, the death of Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, or the moon landing, a stunning 74 percent of the public believes there's a government cover up of at least one of them. Only 26 percent do not believe in any of the nine proffered theories.

The most popular conspiracy theory—believed by the 54 percent majority of the public—is a government cover up of what really happened in the 9/11 attacks. Least popular among the nine is a cover up of what really happened in the moon landing, believed by "only" 24 percent. Those most likely to believe in conspiracy theories, say the researchers, are Republicans who are employed and have relatively low incomes and levels of education.

"The tendency to believe in conspiracies is related to a host of beliefs and behavior," the researchers report. "Conspiracy theorists tend to be more pessimistic about the near future, more fearful of government, less trusting of other people in their lives and more likely to engage in actions due to their fears, such as purchasing a gun."

Source: Chapman University, Chapman University Survey of American Fears, What Aren't They Telling Us?

College Enrollment Declined in 2015

College enrollment fell again in 2015, according to the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. Only 19.1 million students were enrolled in college in 2015—74,000 fewer than in 2014 and 1.2 million fewer than in 2010. College enrollment has been declining since 2011.

Almost all of the enrollment decline is occurring at two-year schools. Behind the decline is the improving economy, luring two-year students back into the job market.

College enrollment in 2015 (and change since 2010)
Total enrollment: 19.1 million (–1,174,000, a 5.8% decline)
Two-year schools: 4.7 million (–1,187,000, a 20.1% decline)
Four-year schools: 10.7 million (+266,000, a 2.5% increase)
Graduate schools: 3.7 million (–253,000, a 6.5% decline)

Source: Census Bureau, School Enrollment

Who's Afraid of Clowns?

Not many of us are afraid of clowns, according to the Chapman University Survey of American Fears. Only 7.8 percent of adults report being "afraid" or "very afraid" of clowns, which places this fear close to the bottom of the 79 things that frighten Americans—ahead of only "others talking about you behind your back" (6.8%). Of course, Chapman University fielded its survey last April, months before the first clown sightings and subsequent mass hysteria.

According to the Chapman survey, the number-one fear is of corrupt government officials. Fully 60.6 percent of Americans are "afraid" or "very afraid" of public corruption. Also ranking among the top 10 fears...

41.0% are afraid of a terrorist attack
39.9% are afraid of not having enough money for the future
38.5% are afraid of terrorism
38.5% are afraid of government restrictions on firearms and ammunition
38.1% are afraid of people they love dying
37.5% are afraid of economic/financial collapse
37.1% are afraid of identity theft
35.9% are afraid of people they love becoming seriously ill
35.5% are afraid of the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare

Interestingly, more people are afraid of Obamacare (35.5%) than of high medical bills (33.1%). More are afraid of public speaking (25.9%) than of dying (19.0%). And more are afraid of whites no longer being the majority in the U.S. (17.9%) than of 17 other items including computers replacing people in the work force, germs, zombies, strangers, ghosts, and clowns.

Source: Chapman University Survey of American Fears, America's Top Fears 2016

Measuring Rides and Rooms

Another day, another study of the gig economy—whose presence can be felt, but whose size and shape remain a mystery. That's because the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not measured what it calls "alternative work arrangements" since 2005 (it will do so again in 2017). To fill the gap, a number of economists have attempted to measure the gig economy by adding questions about alternative work to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Survey of Consumer Expectations and to RAND's American Life Panel.

Now researchers at the Brookings Institution have mined the Census Bureau's data on nonemployer firms (the majority are self-employed, unincorporated sole proprietors), and they find a rapid rise in these small businesses over the past few years—particularly in the transportation (rides, such as Uber and Lyft) and accommodation (rooms, such as Airbnb) industries. Most of the gig growth in these industries has taken place in the 25 largest metro areas, with 92 percent of rides growth and 70 percent of rooms growth taking place in the top 50 metro areas. But—and surprisingly—the analysis also shows that rides and rooms gigging has not yet cut into payroll (traditional) employment.

"These data lend credence to the contention that Uber and Airbnb are meeting unmet consumer demand or stimulating new demand through innovative service offerings," the researchers conclude. "Yet it is still early," they caution.

Source: Brookings Institution, Tracking the Gig Economy: New Numbers

Occupations Dominated by Men

Men accounted for 53 percent of employed workers in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the male share of workers by occupation ranges from a low of just 1.4 percent (see this post) to a high of 100 percent (after rounding). Here are the 10 occupations in which men account for the largest share of employed workers...

Occupations with the largest share of male workers
100.0% of heavy vehicle service technicians
99.9% of bus and truck mechanics
99.8% of cement masons
99.4% of automotive body repair workers
99.3% of pipe layers and plumbers
99.3% of brickmasons
98.8% of electrical power-line installers and repairers
98.7% of construction helpers
98.5% of automotive service technicians
98.4% of drywall installers

Source: Demo Memo analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Occupations Dominated by Women

Women accounted for 47 percent of employed workers in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the female share of workers by occupation ranges from a low of less than 0.5 percent to a high of nearly 99 percent. Here are the 10 occupations in which women account for the largest share of employed workers...

Occupations with the largest share of female workers
98.6% of speech-language pathologists
96.8% of preschool and kindergarten teachers
96.4% of dental hygienists
94.9% of childcare workers
94.6% of dietitians
94.5% of secretaries
94.2% of hairdressers
94.1% of dental assistants
92.1% of word processors and typists
91.4% of teacher assistants

Source: Demo Memo analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

Most Support Legalizing Marijuana Use

The 57 percent majority of Americans think the use of marijuana should be legal, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Only the oldest continue to oppose it...

Marijuana use should be legal
71% of Millennials
57% of Gen Xers
56% of Boomers
33% of older Americans

Source: Pew Research Center, Support for Marijuana Legalization Continues to Rise

Fewer Births Expected

One of these days the baby bust will end, but it might not be anytime soon. Women aged 15 to 44 in 2013-15 expect to have an average of 2.2 children in their lifetime—down from 2.4 children expected by their counterparts in 2006-10—according to the National Survey of Family Growth. Among childless women aged 15 to 24, fully 86 percent expect to have children someday. Among childless women aged 25 to 34, the figure is 77 percent.

But when will they have children? Will it be in the next year or two, causing a baby boom? Or will their childbearing stretch out over years, lengthening the baby bust. It looks like it will be a stretch. When childless women are asked when they expect to have their first child, only 12 percent say it will be within two years, 29 percent say in two to five years, and the largest share—36 percent—say more than five years from now.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Birth Expectations of U.S. Women Aged 15-44

Non-Hispanic Whites Are a Minority of Public School Students

The non-Hispanic White share of students in the nation's public elementary and secondary schools slipped below the 50 percent mark in 2014, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By 2024, non-Hispanic Whites will account for only 45.6 percent of public school students...

Non-Hispanic White share of public elementary and secondary students
2024: 45.6%
2016: 48.7%
2010: 52.4%
2000: 61.2%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Projections of Education Statistics to 2024

The Disgruntled White Working Class

When asked whether America's best days are ahead of us or behind us, a substantial 47 percent of working-class whites (defined as those without a college degree) say our best days are behind us. A much smaller 28 percent of college-educated whites feel the same, according to a Kaiser/CNN poll. But working-class whites are no monolith, the survey finds. The percentage of working-class whites who think America's best days are behind us varies greatly by demographic characteristic...

Working-class whites who think America's best days are behind us
61% of Evangelical Christians
59% of Republicans
58% of rural residents
47% of suburban residents
42% of those with no religion
41% of urban residents
25% of Democrats

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation/CNN Working-Class Whites Poll

News Delivery Preferences of Young and Old

The 42 percent plurality of young adults prefer reading rather than watching the news. Most young adult readers prefer to read news online (81%) rather than in print (10%), according to a Pew survey. In contrast, the 58 percent majority of people aged 65 or older prefer watching rather than reading the news, and among older watchers television is by far the preferred medium (89%).

News delivery preferences of 18-to-29
Reading: 42%
Watching: 38%
Listening: 19%

News delivery preferences of 65-plus
Reading: 27%
Watching: 58%
Listening: 10%

Interestingly, among the 10 percent of older Americans who prefer listening to the news, 48 percent prefer listening to television while a smaller 43 percent prefer listening to radio.

Source: Pew Research Center, Younger Adults More Likely Than Their Elders to Prefer Reading News

Number of Times Married

Percent distribution of Americans aged 15 or older by number of times they have married...

34% never married
50% married once
13% married twice
  4% married three or more times

Source: Census Bureau, American FactFinder, 2015 American Community Survey

New Analysis Reveals Working Class Decline

Everyone knows the working class has been falling behind. A new Sentier Research analysis of trends in wage and salary income by age over time shows how far behind the working class has fallen. For the purposes of the study, Sentier defined the working class as white men with a high school diploma and no further education.

Sentier analyzed trends in wage and salary income for cohorts of white men as they aged from 1996 to 2014. The researchers examined trends for the working class (men with a high school diploma and no further education) and for college-educated men (with a bachelor's degree or more education). Among men with a bachelor's degree, wage and salary income per capita grew 23 percent between 1996 (when they were aged 25 to 44) and 2014 (when they were aged 43 to 62), after adjusting for inflation. Among men with no more than a high school education, wage and salary income fell 9 percent as they aged over the time period.

Wage and salary income per capita for college-educated men (2014$)
Aged 43 to 62 in 2014: $94,601
Aged 25 to 44 in 1996: $77,209
Difference: +23%

Wage and salary income per capita for men with a high school diploma (2014$)
Aged 43 to 62 in 2014: $36,787
Aged 25 to 44 in 1996: $40,362
Difference: –9%

Source: Sentier Research, Comparing Earnings of White Males by Education for Selected Age Cohorts

Climate Change: "What, me worry?"

The results are in: On average, Americans just shrug their shoulders about global climate change, according to a Pew Research Center Survey. Only about a third of adults care a great deal about climate change, and fewer than half believe global warming is mostly due to human activity. The Pew survey also reveals the origin of this "What, me worry?" attitude—the country is of two minds when it comes to climate change. Republicans are highly skeptical and Democrats are deeply worried. Average those extremes, and it looks like Americans don't care much about the issue...

Attitudes of Americans toward global climate change
36 percent say they care a great deal about the issue of climate change
38 percent think people reducing their carbon footprint will make a big difference
41 percent think climate change is very likely to cause sea levels to rise and erode shore lines
42 percent think climate change is very likely to make storms more severe
48 percent think Earth is warming mostly due to human activity
49 percent think international agreements to limit carbon emissions will make a big difference

Source: Pew Research Center, The Politics of Climate

Pet Health Care Spending Looks Very Human

Americans love their pets. They love them so much that spending on pet health care mirrors spending on human health care. "Many features of the American pet health care sector are, qualitatively, remarkably similar to those of the American human health care sector," reports a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper. Here are the similarities...

• Spending on pet and human health care surged between 1996 and 2012. Human spending grew 50 percent and pet spending grew 60 percent during those years, after adjusting for inflation. 
• For both types of health care, spending rises with household income. 
• The number of human health care providers (physicians) and pet health care providers (veterinarians) soared between 1996 and 2013—a 40 percent increase in physicians and a near doubling in veterinarians.
• At the end of life, spending spikes for both pets and humans.

These similarities suggest, say the researchers, that the rapidly rising cost of human health care may have less to do with health insurance and government involvement (as some theorize) and more to do with "deeper primitives"—such as our desire to keep alive those we love, regardless of the cost.

Source: National Bureau of Economic Research, Is American Pet Health Care (Also) Uniquely Inefficient?, Working Paper 22669 ($5)

Who Prepares Meals?

When asked whether they are the person in their household who usually prepares meals, here's what men and women aged 18 or older said...

Women
74.0% said yes
15.9% said no
10.1% said meal preparation is split equally

Men
33.7% said yes
51.5% said no
14.7% said meal preparation is split equally

Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Americans' Eating Patterns and Time Spent on Food: The 2014 Eating and Health Module Data

Median Household Income Stable in August 2016

Median household income in August 2016 stood at $57,380, according to Sentier Research, which was not significantly different from the July 2016 median, after adjusting for inflation. The August 2016 median was 0.6 percent higher than the August 2015 median and 9.5 percent above the $52,424 median of August 2011, which was the low point in Sentier's household income series. 

"There has been a general upward trend in median household income since the post-recession low point reached in August 2011," reports Sentier. Its median household income estimates are derived from the Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Survey.

Median household income in August 2016 was 2.1 percent higher than the median of June 2009, which marked the end of the Great Recession. It was not significantly different from the median of December 2007, the start of the Great Recession. The August 2016 median was 0.9 percent below the median of January 2000. The Household Income Index for August was 99.1 (January 2000 = 100.0).

Source: Sentier Research, Household Income Trends: August 2016

Long-Term Job Decline

In 2016, one-third (33.8 percent) of employed men aged 25 or older had been with their current employer for 10 or more years, almost the same percentage as two decades earlier in 1996 (33.1 percent). By age group, however, things have changed. Long-term employment has declined for men of prime working age and increased among men aged 60-plus as older workers postpone retirement.

Percentage of men with current employer 10-plus years, 2016 
(and percentage point change 1996-2016)
Aged 25 to 29: 3.4% (+0.1)
Aged 30 to 34: 13.2% (–2.4)
Aged 35 to 39: 25.1%  (–5.4)
Aged 40 to 44: 34.8% (–6.9)
Aged 45 to 49: 44.4% (–6.4)
Aged 50 to 54: 50.4% (–4.5)
Aged 55 to 59: 53.4% (–2.3)
Aged 60 to 64: 55.5% (+5.1)
Aged 65-plus: 54.6% (+7.0)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employee Tenure in 2016

New Survey of Alternative Workers

Every year the Bureau of Labor Statistics plumbs Current Population Survey data to estimate the number of self-employed American workers, and every year for many years that number has been declining. In 2015, only 6.4 percent of workers aged 16 or older were self-employed, down from 7.4 percent a decade earlier. Now two economists are calling that number—and the downward trend—into question. That's just one of the eyebrow-raising findings in a new survey of alternative work arrangements.

Apparently economists have been frustrated with the lack of an update for the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Contingent Worker Survey (CWS), last fielded in 2005. (Here is the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's attempt to update the numbers earlier this year.) That's because so much has happened in the 10-plus years since the BLS last asked Americans about "gig" work, or what the BLS calls alternative work arrangements. So economists Lawrence F. Katz and Alan B. Krueger decided to do something about it. They fielded a version of the CWS as part of the RAND American Life Panel in 2015. Their goal was to determine the number of Americans aged 18 or older whose main job was independent contractor or freelancer (the self-employed), contract worker, on-call worker, or temporary help agency worker.

They found the motherlode—millions of workers and a rapidly growing workforce that may account for most of the nation's labor force growth over the decade. Fully 15.8 percent of workers in 2015 had an alternative work arrangement, up from 10.7 percent in 2005. The number of alternative workers grew from 15.0 million to 23.6 million during those years—a 57 percent increase. A comparison of alternative and traditional work force growth shows alternative workers increasing by 8.6 million between 2005 and 2015 and traditional workers increasing by just 0.5 million. Wow.

Which brings us back to that 6.4 percent (and falling) self-employment rate in Current Population Survey data. Katz and Krueger find a significantly larger 8.4 percent self-employment rate. IRS data backs up their claim of growing rather than shrinking numbers of self-employed. "Understanding the reasons underlying the divergent trends between the IRS and CPS data on self-employment should be a priority for future research," state the authors.

Much more information about alternative workers in 2015 is available in the NBER working paper, The Rise and Nature of Alternative Work Arrangements in the United States, 1995-2015, Working Paper 22667 ($5)

Who Shops for Groceries?

When asked whether they are the person in their household who usually does the grocery shopping, here's what men and women aged 18 or older reported...

Women
71.3% said yes
17.2% said no
11.5% said grocery shopping was split equally

Men
35.2% said yes
46.1% said no
18.7% said grocery shopping was split equally

Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Americans' Eating Patterns and Time Spent on Food: The 2014 Eating and Health Module Data

Fast Food Purchases in Past 7 Days

Among Americans aged 15 or older, the 58 percent majority purchased prepared food from a deli, carry-out, fast-food restaurant, or food delivery service in the past seven days. Here are the percentages by age...

Purchased fast food in past 7 days
Aged 15 to 17: 52.1%
Aged 18 to 24: 67.4%
Aged 25 to 64: 60.9%
Aged 65-plus: 42.3%

Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Americans' Eating Patterns and Time Spent on Food: The 2014 Eating and Health Module Data

11.1 Million Undocumented Immigrants

The number of undocumented immigrants in the United States has been stable for the past few years, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of American Community Survey data. In 2014, there were an estimated 11.1 million undocumented immigrants in the country, down from a peak of 12.2 million in 2007. Here are a few of the findings from Pew's comprehensive examination of the unauthorized immigrant population in 2014...

• Unauthorized immigrants have been in the U.S. a median of 13.6 years.
• Just over half are from Mexico (5.8 million). 
• The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has fallen since peaking at 6.9 million in 2007, while the number from other countries has grown. 
• Unauthorized immigrants account for 26% of the nation's 43.6 million foreign-born.
• Most unauthorized immigrants live in six states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.

Source: Pew Research Center, Overall Number of U.S. Unauthorized Immigrants Holds Steady Since 2009

How Many Have Dementia?

Half of nursing home residents have Alzheimer's or dementia, according to a government report on long-term care. But most people with dementia live in their community. Overall, 10 percent of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older who are not living in a nursing home have dementia. Here are the percentages by age...

Percent with dementia*
Aged 65 to 69: 3.6%
Aged 70 to 74: 4.8%
Aged 75 to 79: 9.9%
Aged 80 to 84: 15.3%
Aged 85 to 89: 24.0%
Aged 90-plus: 36.2%

* Among non-nursing home population
Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Older Americans 2016: Key Indicators of Well-Being

Telephone Spending Trends, 2000 to 2015

The average household spent about as much on cell phone service in 2015 as it spent on landline service in 2000, after adjusting for inflation...

Cell phone service (in 2015 dollars)
$1,023 in 2015
   $164 in 2000

Landline service (in 2015 dollars)
   $324 in 2015
$1,043 in 2000

Source: Demo Memo analysis of the Consumer Expenditure Surveys

Median Household Income by State, 2015

Median household income varies greatly by state. Maryland has the highest median household income—36 percent above the national median of $55,775, according to the 2015 American Community Survey. Mississippi has the lowest—27 percent below the national median.

States with the highest median household income, 2015
$75,847 in Maryland
$75,628 in Washington, DC
$73,486 in Hawaii
$73,355 in Alaska
$72,222 in New Jersey

States with the lowest median household income, 2015
$45,215 in Kentucky
$44,765 in Alabama
$42,019 in West Virginia
$41,995 in Arkansas
$40,593 in Mississippi

Source: Census Bureau, 2015 American Community Survey

1 Million Fewer Married Couples with Children

The number of married couples with children under age 18 fell by 1 million between 2010 and 2016, according to Census Bureau data, the only household type to decline during those years. Behind the decline is the postponement of marriage and childbearing by young adults.

Married couples with children under age 18
2016: 25.1 million (20% of households)
2010: 26.1 million (22% of households)

Source: Census Bureau, Current Population Survey

Trust in Mass Media Has Plummeted

Americans' trust in the mass media has fallen to a new low, reports Gallup. From a high of 72 percent in 1976, the percentage of Americans who say they have a fair amount/great deal of trust in the mass media fell to just 32 percent in 2016. A major reason for the all-time low, says Gallup, is plummeting trust among Republicans...

Fair amount/great deal of trust in mass media in 2016 (and 2015)
Democrats: 51% (55%)
Independents: 30% (33%)
Republicans: 14% (32%)

Source: Gallup, Americans' Trust in Mass Media Sinks to New Low

Median Home Value Rises in 2015

Home values are rising, according to America's homeowners. The median value of owned homes climbed by a substantial 7.2 percent between 2014 and 2015, after adjusting for inflation. The nation's homeowners estimated their home's value to be a median of $194,500 in 2015, according to the American Community Survey. This is 10 percent more than the post-Great Recession low of $176,931 in 2013, but still 12 percent below the all-time high of $222,108 in 2007.

Median housing value, 2007 to 2015 (in 2015 dollars)
2015: $194,500
2014: $181,415
2013: $176,931
2012: $177,458
2011: $182,921
2010: $195,543
2009: $204,606
2008: $217,529
2007: $222,108

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Median Earnings of Women Hit All-Time High in 2015

The median earnings of women who work full-time reached an all-time high of $40,742 in 2015. In contrast, men's earnings peaked in 1973. Among full-time workers, women earned 80 percent as much as men in 2015, up from 57 percent in 1973.

Median earnings of men who work full-time (in 2015 dollars)
2015: $51,212
2014: $50,441
2007: $51,570
2000: $51,269
1973: $53,356 (peak year)

Median earnings of women who work full-time (in 2015 dollars)
2015: $40,742 (peak year)
2014: $39,667
2007: $40,126
2000: $37,796
1973: $30,217

Source: Census Bureau, Historical Income Tables: People

5.2% Increase in Median Household Income in 2015

After seven long years of decline and stagnation, median household income finally registered a statistically significant gain in 2015, and it was a big one. The $56,516 median household income of 2015 was a substantial 5.2 percent higher than the 2014 median, after adjusting for inflation. The gains were enjoyed by both young and old...

Median household income in 2015 (and % change 2014-15; in 2015 dollars)
Under age 25: $36,108 (4.2%)
Aged 25 to 34: $57,366 (5.6%)
Aged 35 to 44: $71,417 (7.0%)
Aged 45 to 54: $73,857 (4.2%)
Aged 55 to 64: $62,802 (3.5%)
Aged 65-plus: $38,515 (4.3%)

Source: Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2015

Decline in Nursing Home Residents

The number of nursing home residents has fallen steadily since 1997 as home health care and residential care options have expanded. Between 1997 and 2014, the number of nursing home residents fell 9 percent—despite a 26 percent increase in the 65-plus population and a 57 percent increase in the number of people aged 85-plus.

Fewer nursing home residents
2014: 1,369,000
2010: 1,396,000
2005: 1,436,000
2000: 1,480,000
1997: 1,503,000

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Long-Term Care Providers and Services Users in the United States: Data from the National Study of Long-Term Care Providers, 2013-2014, and Health United States, 2015

Health Insurance by Region, 2016

Only 11.9 percent of adults aged 18 to 64 were without health insurance when interviewed by the National Health Interview Survey in January-March 2016. This is down from 20.4 percent in 2013, the year before implementation of the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges. Health insurance coverage of working-age adults varies greatly by region...

Percent of 18-to-64-year-olds without health insurance, January-March 2016
  5.9% in New England states
  7.8% in East North Central states
  8.0% in Middle Atlantic states
  9.1% in West North Central states
10.7% in Pacific states
11.7% in East South Central states
12.2% in Mountain states
14.9% in South Atlantic states
24.2% in West South Central states

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January-March 2016

The Food Dollar: 50% Devoted to Restaurants

When Americans buy food, they devote most of their budget to convenience, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. Half of the average household's food budget is devoted to the most convenient food of all—restaurant meals. Another 26 percent is spent on ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook foods. Only 5 percent of the food dollar is spent on basic ingredients. Here's how the average American household allocates its food spending...

Distribution of household spending on food by food convenience type
Fast-food restaurants: 27 percent. Defined as meals and snacks at establishments where customers order and pay for food at a counter.
Sit-down restaurants: 23 percent. Defined as meals and snacks at establishments where customers order and pay for food from waitstaff.
Ready-to-eat food: 18 percent. Defined as meals and snacks intended to be consumed as is, requiring no preparation beyond opening a container such as yogurt, candy, flavored milk, etc.
Complex ingredients: 18 percent. Defined as processed food usually composed of multiple ingredients such as bread, pasta, lunch meat, cereal, etc.
Ready to cook food: 8 percent. Defined as meals and snacks that require minimal preparation involving heating, cooking, or adding hot water such as frozen pizza, pudding mixes, soup, etc.
Basic ingredients: 5 percent. Defined as raw or minimally processed food usually composed of a single ingredient such as milk, rice, butter, fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables.

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, U.S. Households' Demand for Convenience Foods

Spending by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2015

Regardless of race or Hispanic origin, households spent more in 2015 than in 2014 after adjusting for inflation. The 2014–15 rise in average household spending was almost identical for Blacks, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Whites (4.5 to 4.6 percent), while the increase for Asians was more muted (1.3 percent).

Average household spending is still below the 2006 peak, but Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites have almost closed the gap...

Average household spending in 2015 (and % change 2006–15; in 2015 dollars)
Average household: $55,978 (–1.6%)
Asian households: $63,672 (–5.9%)
Black households: $40,372 (–0.7%)
Hispanic households: $47,663 (–5.8%)
Non-Hispanic White households: $60,072 (–0.5%)

Source: Demo Memo analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey

Median Household Income Stable in July 2016

Last month Sentier Research played a leading role in a New York Times story about a potential rise in median household income after years of stagnation following the Great Recession. Sentier's monthly estimates have shown median household income to be significantly higher in 2015 than in 2014, after adjusting for inflation. Next week we will find out whether Sentier and the Times are right about this, when the Census Bureau releases the official 2015 income estimates.

Meanwhile, Sentier is halfway through 2016 with its median household income estimates, and the story is still positive. Median household income in July 2016 stood at $57,190. This was not significantly different from the June 2016 median, after adjusting for inflation, but it was 1.7 percent higher than the July 2015 median and 9.3 percent above the $52,320 median of August 2011—the low point in Sentier's household income series. 

"There has been a general upward trend in median household income since the post-recession low point reached in August 2011," reports Sentier. Its median household income estimates are derived from the Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Survey.

Median household income in July 2016 was 2.0 percent higher than the median of June 2009, which marked the end of the Great Recession. It was not significantly different from the median of December 2007, the start of the Great Recession. The July 2016 median was 1.1 percent below the median of January 2000. The Household Income Index for July was 98.9 (January 2000 = 100.0).

Source: Sentier Research, Household Income Trends: July 2016

Reading Books in 2016

Average household spending on books plummeted between 2010 and 2015, falling 41 percent after adjusting for inflation. But don't despair—reading books remains hugely popular, according to a Pew Research Center survey.  Fully 73 percent of Americans aged 18 or older read a book in the past year. Among all Americans (including nonreaders), the median number of books read in the past year is 4, and the average is 12.

Percent who read a book in the past 12 months
Any book: 73%
Print book: 65%
E-book: 28%
Audio book: 14%

Although young adults have a reputation for all things electronic, in fact they are far more likely to read a print book than an e-book. Among 18-to-29-year-olds, 72 percent read a print book in the past year and 35 percent read an e-book. Among people aged 65 or older, the figures are 61 and 19 percent, respectively.

Source: Pew Research Center, Book Reading 2016

Age Distribution of American Businesses

The Census Bureau's new Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs is a welcome addition to business statistics, providing more timely information on U.S. businesses and business owners. Rather than waiting for economic census updates every five years, the new survey will provide economic and demographic characteristics of businesses and their owners annually in the years between the economic census—thanks to a public-private partnership with the Census Bureau, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the Minority Business Development Agency. Data on the characteristics of businesses and the gender, ethnicity, and race of business owners are available for the nation, states, and 50 largest metropolitan areas.

U.S. firms with paid employees by age of firm, 2014
Total firms: 5,437,782 (100.0%)
Less than 2 years: 481,981 (8.9%)
2 to 3 years: 723,679 (13.3%)
4 to 5 years: 519,712 (9.6%)
6 to 10 years: 1,146,177 (21.1%)
11 to 15 years: 2,398,315 (44.1%)
16 or more years: 167,917 (3.1%)

Source: Census Bureau, Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs

Households Give Thumbs Up to Economy in 2015

The Feds may be uncertain about the direction of the economy, but Americans are giving it a thumbs up. The average household boosted its spending on a wide variety of products and services between 2014 and 2015, after adjusting for inflation. Many long-languishing discretionary categories (apparel, furniture, etc.) got a welcome infusion of cash, while some necessities (gasoline, electricity, etc.) eased their grip on the household budget...

Spending gains, 2014-15 (in 2015 dollars)
Furniture: 29.6%
New cars and trucks: 25.1%
Alcoholic beverages: 11.1%
Reading material: 10.5%
Women's clothes: 8.0%
Food away from home: 7.8%
Entertainment: 4.1%

Spending declines, 2014-15 (in 2015 dollars)
Gasoline: –15.4%
Drugs: –12.7%
Natural gas: –4.2%
Mortgage interest: –3.3%
Vehicle insurance: –3.1%
Electricity: –1.7%

Source: Demo Memo analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey

Big Boost in Spending in 2015

The average household spent $55,978 in 2015, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey, a substantial 4.5 percent more than in 2014 after adjusting for inflation. Spending in 2015 was still 1.6 percent below the peak-spending year of 2006, but the gap is closing. Every age group gained ground in 2015. For households headed by 45-to-54-year-olds and people aged 65-plus, spending has never been higher...

Average household spending in 2015 (% change since peak-spending year of 2006, in 2015$)
Average household: $55,978 (–1.6%)
Under age 25: $32,797 (–1.0%)
Aged 25 to 34: $52,062 (–6.9%)
Aged 35 to 44: $65,334 (–3.3%)
Aged 45 to 54: $69,753 (+3.1%)
Aged 55 to 64: $58,781 (–1.6%)
Aged 65-plus: $44,664 (+8.4%)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey

Changes in Time Use: 2005 to 2015

Americans are less likely to read on an average day than they were 10 years ago, according to a Demo Memo analysis of the American Time Use Survey. Only 21 percent of people aged 15 or older read for personal interest as a primary activity on an average day in 2015, down from 27 percent in 2005. But more used a computer for leisure (excluding playing games) in 2015 than in 2005. More also played games (including computer games).

Declining Participation: percent participating on average day in 2015 (and 2005)
Working: 42.1% (44.5%)
Shopping: 40.4% (41.4%)
Reading: 21.1% (26.8%)
Caring for children: 20.3% (21.7%)
Telephone calls: 13.6% (15.2%)
Lawn/garden/houseplant care: 9.8% (10.4%)
Attending sports/recreational events: 0.7% (1.3%)

Growing Participation: percent participating on average day in 2015 (and 2005)
Participating in sports/exercise/recreation: 20.4% (17.5%)
Caring for animals/pets: 17.0% (13.6%)
Computer use for leisure (except games): 13.0% (9.3%)
Playing games (including computer): 11.2% (9.0%)
Health-related self-care: 7.0% (6.1%)
Receiving medical services: 3.6% (3.3%)
Job search and interviewing: 1.3% (1.0%)

What's behind these changes? The aging of the population is one factor. Others include the ongoing baby bust and a shift in leisure preferences from reading to surfing the internet.

Note: Primary activities are those respondents identify as their main activity. 
Source: Demo Memo analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Is...Declining?

That's right. Fruit and vegetable consumption fell by 27 pounds per capita during the past decade—from 299 pounds per person in 2003 to 272 pounds per person in 2013, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. But only three items account for most of the decline: orange juice, potatoes, and head lettuce.

So who isn't eating their vegetables? Most Americans have cut back, according to USDA researchers. Children (aged 2 to 19) and men (aged 20 or older) ate fewer vegetables in 2007-08 (the latest data available by demographic characteristic) than in 1994-98. Women, in contrast, are eating more vegetables—except for potatoes and tomatoes. Vegetable consumption (except potatoes) has also increased among the college educated.

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, A Closer Look at Declining Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Using Linked Data Sources

Non-Hispanic Whites Decline in Northeast and Midwest

The non-Hispanic White population in the United States grew by just 0.3 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to Census Bureau population estimates. In the Northeast and Midwest, the non-Hispanic White population declined...

Percent change in non-Hispanic Whites by region, 2010 to 2015
Northeast: –2.2%
Midwest: –0.6%
South: 1.7%
West: 1.4%

Source: Demo Memo analysis of Census Bureau population estimates, American Factfinder

Driving Troubles of Older Americans

Getting from here to there is a growing problem for many as they age. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft may solve this problem in the future. The potential market is huge. One in four Americans aged 65 or older reports having trouble getting places, according to the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. One in five has given up driving altogether, and one in three drives only in the daytime. Here are the percentages by age...

Has trouble getting places
65 to 74: 18.5%
75 to 84: 26.5%
85-plus: 44.6%

Limits driving to daytime
65 to 74: 24.8%
75 to 84: 39.2%
85-plus: 55.3%

Has given up driving altogether
65 to 74: 11.3%
75 to 84: 21.2%
85-plus: 46.5%

Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Older Americans 2016: Key Indicators of Well-Being

Early Retirement Peaked in 1995

Baby-Boom men aren't opting for early retirement like their fathers did. Early retirement peaked in 1995, when the labor force participation rate of men aged 62 to 64 (born in 1931-33) fell to an all-time low of 45.0 percent. Today, a larger 55.8 percent of men aged 62 to 64 (born in 1951-53) are in the labor force. Although higher than it was, the current labor force participation rate of men aged 62 to 64 is still well below the rate of the early 1960s, when three out of four were in the labor force.

Labor force participation rate of men aged 62 to 64

2015: 55.8%

2005: 52.5%

1995: 45.0%

1990: 46.5%

1980: 52.6%

1970: 69.4%

1963: 75.8%

Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Older Americans 2016: Key Indicators of Well-Being

Educational Attainment of Hispanics

Hispanics are the least educated population segment in the United States. More than one-third of Hispanics aged 25 or older (35 percent) do not have a high school diploma, according to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics. This compares with only 16 percent of Blacks, 14 percent of Asians, and 8 percent of non-Hispanic Whites. Among Hispanics, the percentage without a high school diploma varies greatly by ethnicity...

Percent of Hispanics without a high school diploma by ethnic origin
15% of South Americans
21% of Cubans
23% of Puerto Ricans
32% of Dominicans
41% of Mexicans
48% of Salvadorans

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups 2016

Educational Attainment of Asians

Asians are the mostly highly educated population segment in the United States. More than half of Asians aged 25 or older (52 percent) have a bachelor's degree, according to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics. This compares with 33 percent of non-Hispanic Whites, 19 percent of Blacks, and 14 percent of Hispanics. Among Asians, the percentage with a bachelor's degree varies greatly by ethnicity...

Percent of Asians with a bachelor's degree by ethnic origin
73% of Asian Indians
54% of Koreans
52% of Chinese
49% of Japanese
48% of Filipinos
28% of Vietnamese

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups 2016

Sexual Identity of High School Students

More than 1 in 10 high school students identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or "not sure," according to a government survey. The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey asked a representative sample of students in grades 9 through 12 about their sexual identity with these results...

Sexual identity of high school students
Heterosexual: 88.8%
Gay or lesbian: 2.0%
Bisexual: 6.0%
Not sure: 3.2%

Among high school girls, 84.5 percent identify themselves as heterosexual or straight. Among high school boys, the figure is 93.1 percent.

Source: CDC, Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Related Behaviors among Students in Grades 9–12—United States and Selected Sites, 2015

Internet Use: Urban vs. Rural

As internet use has become the norm over the years, the gap in internet use between urban and rural residents has remained the same, according to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Among Americans aged 3 or older in 2015, 75 percent of those in urban areas used the internet—6 percentage points greater than the 69 percent among rural residents. The same-sized gap existed as far back as 1998, says the NTIA. That's when the NTIA began to collect data on internet use through the biennial Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. In the olden days of 1998, 34 percent of urban residents and 28 percent of rural residents used the internet.

Interestingly, the rural-urban gap almost disappears among people with a college degree (88% urban vs. 87% rural). But the gap in internet use widens with less education: 4 percentage points for those with some college (84% urban vs. 80% rural), 6 percentage points for those with a high school diploma only (69% urban vs. 63% rural), and 7 percentage points for those without a high school diploma (59% urban vs. 52% rural).

Urban residents are also more likely to use every type of internet-connected device...

2015 device use by urban (and rural) residents aged 3 or older
Smartphone: 54% (45%)
Laptop computer: 48% (39%)
Desktop computer: 35% (29%)
Tablet computer: 30% (24%)

Source: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, The State of the Urban/Rural Digital Divide

4.6 Million Information Technology Workers

The number of Americans employed in information technology has increased 10-fold in the past four-plus decades, according to a Census Bureau report. Only 450,000 workers were employed in IT in 1970. By 2014 the number was 4.6 million, accounting for 2.9 percent of the work force.

There are big differences between IT workers and the labor force as a whole. IT workers are younger: the 55 percent majority are aged 25 to 44 versus 43 percent of all workers. IT workers are less likely to be female: only 25 percent are women versus 47 percent of all workers. Perhaps the biggest difference is in earnings: IT workers earn more than average, and their earnings are growing. Men who work full-time in IT saw their earnings grow 9 percent between 1970 and 2014, after adjusting for inflation. In contrast, earnings fell 12 percent for male workers overall. Women's earnings increased regardless of occupation during those years. In 2014, women in IT earned 80 percent more than the average working woman and 43 percent more than the average working man.

Median earnings of men who work full-time (and % increase since 1970; in 2014 dollars)
IT occupations: $80,895 (+9%)
All occupations: $49,150 (–12%)

Median earnings of women who work full-time (and % increase since 1970; in 2014 dollars)
IT occupations: $70,385 (+23%)
All occupations: $39,055 (+23%)

Source: Census Bureau, Occupations in Information Technology

41% of Full-Service Restaurants Are Ethnic

What is the single most popular type of restaurant in the United States? Fast-food restaurants serving hamburgers, of course. There are 53,000 of them, according to the 2012 economic census. They account for 23.6 percent of the nation's 225,000 fast-food restaurants with employees. After hamburgers are sandwich/sub shops (18.5%), pizza (15.8%), Chinese (10.0%), and Mexican (8.8%).

What's the most popular type of full-service restaurant in the United States? The answer is "other ethnic"—a category that includes Thai, Indian, Cambodian, Japanese, Ethiopian, and all other ethnic restaurants except Mexican, Italian, and Chinese. There are 31,000 "other ethnic" restaurants, accounting for 13.5 percent of the nation's 232,000 full-service restaurants with employees. Second in popularity is Mexican (9.4%) followed by Italian (9.2%) and Chinese (8.6%). The four ethnic categories account for a substantial 41 percent of the nation's full-service restaurants.

Source: Census Bureau, 2012 Economic Census

Healthy Heart Scores by Occupation

How do you determine the cardiovascular health of Americans by occupation? You measure seven different cardiovascular health metrics (not smoking, physically active, healthy diet, and normal blood pressure, blood glucose, weight, and cholesterol) of a representative sample of the population and then analyze those metrics by occupation using 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.

It's not an easy task, but the results are enlightening. Of all workers, one in ten (9.6 percent) have the poorest cardiovascular health—defined as meeting only two or fewer of the seven metrics. By occupation, community and social service workers are most likely to come up short, at 14.6 percent. Transportation and material moving workers had the second poorest performance, with 14.3 percent at greatest risk of cardiovascular disease. At the other extreme, only 5.0 percent of workers in farming, forestry, and fishing, 5.9 percent of workers in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media, and 7.7 percent of workers in production fell into the poorest cardiovascular health category.

Source: CDC, Cardiovascular Health Status by Occupational Group—21 States, 2013

Population Change, 2014 to 2015

The U.S. population grew by 2.5 million between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015, according to the Census Bureau. International migration accounted for 46 percent of the gain. Natural increase (births minus deaths) accounted for 54 percent.

Population change, 2014-15
Total increase: 2,511,419
Natural increase: 1,360,891
Net migration: 1,150,528

Source: Census Bureau, Population Estimates, National Characteristics: Vintage 2015

Smartphones: #1 Online Device

How Americans go online is changing. Those changes are being documented by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration as it analyzes the biennial Computer and Internet Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Among Americans aged 3 or older who go online at home, these are the devices they used in 2015 and 2011...

Go online at home using device, 2015 (and 2011)
Smartphone: 53% (27%)
Laptop computer: 46% (42%)
Desktop computer: 34% (45%)
Tablet computer: 29% (6%)
TV-connected device: 27% (14%)
Wearable device: 1% (0%)

Source: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Evolving Technologies Change the Nature of Internet Use and Majority of Americans Use Multiple Internet-Connected Devices, Data Shows

Height by Race and Hispanic Origin, 2011-14

You can't blame Americans' growing weight on an increase in height because we aren't getting any taller. The average woman aged 20 or older is 63.7 inches tall and her male counterpart is 69.2 inches in height, according to 2011-14 data from the National Center for Health Statistics. The heights of men and women are almost identical to what they were in 1999-2002.

Men's average height by race and Hispanic origin (in inches)
Asian: 67.0
Black: 69.5
Hispanic: 67.4
Non-Hispanic White: 69.7

Women's average height by race and Hispanic origin (in inches)
Asian: 61.8
Black: 64.2
Hispanic: 62.0
Non-Hispanic White: 64.1

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2011-2014

Average Weight by Age, 2011-2014

The average woman weighed 168.5 pounds in 2011-14, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, five-plus pounds more than the 163.3 of 1999-2002. The average man weighed 195.7 pounds in 2011-14, also five-plus pounds more than the 190.4 pounds of 1999-2002. These numbers come from weigh-ins of a representative sample of the population performed in mobile examination units across the country. Weight peaks among men in their forties and women in their fifties...

Men's average weight by age (pounds)
Aged 20-plus: 195.7
Aged 20 to 29: 186.8
Aged 30 to 39: 198.8
Aged 40 to 49: 201.7
Aged 50 to 59: 199.5
Aged 60 to 69: 199.7
Aged 70 to 79: 189.3
Aged 80-plus: 174.6

Women's average weight by age (pounds)
Aged 20-plus: 168.5
Aged 20 to 29: 161.8
Aged 30 to 39: 172.9
Aged 40 to 49: 173.1
Aged 50 to 59: 174.4
Aged 60 to 69: 168.8
Aged 70 to 79: 165.8
Aged 80-plus: 141.9

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2011-2014

11% Have Private Long-Term Care Insurance

Only 11 percent of adults aged 65 or older have private, long-term care insurance, according to an Urban Institute analysis of Health and Retirement Study data. Even among older Americans with a net worth of $1 million or more, only 25 percent have insurance...

People aged 65-plus with private, long-term care insurance by net worth
Less than $50,000: 3%
$50,000 to $99,999: 4%
$100,000 to $499,999: 8%
$500,000 to $999,999: 20%
$1,000,000 or more: 25%

Source: Urban Institute, Who Is Covered by Private Long-Term Care Insurance?

Hate-Related Words at School

One in four teenagers aged 12 to 18 saw hate-related graffiti at school in 2013, according to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics. Seven percent say they were called a hate-related word. The percentage of students who have experienced hate-related graffiti or hate-related words has declined over the past decade...

Percent seeing hate-related graffiti at school
2013: 25%
2003: 36%

Percent called a hate-related word at school
2013: 7%
2003: 12%

Among those who were called hate-related words in 2013, 50 percent said the words were about their race, 29 percent their ethnicity, 18 percent their religion, 16 percent their sexual orientation, 15 percent their gender, and 12 percent their disability. (Note: numbers sum to more than 100 percent because students could report being called more than one hate-related word).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Trends in Hate-Related Words at School Among Students Ages 12 to 18

Where Americans Get Their Food

Americans get their food from a wide variety of places, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. During an average week, most of us get food from large grocery stores and restaurants. More than one-third of us acquire food at the homes of friends or family. Overall, households average 11 separate "food acquisition events" per week.

These findings come from the government's National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS), which collected data over a seven-day reporting period in 2012-13. The survey categorizes food acquisition events into nine venues. USDA researchers examined how often households acquire food from each venue...

• Large grocery stores: 87 percent of households acquire food from large grocery stores during an average week. Those who visit large grocery stores make 2.8 trips to the store, spending an average of $45 at each visit (including nonfood items).
• Restaurants: 85 percent of households acquire food from restaurants during an average week. Those who get food from restaurants do so 5.4 times a week (twice as often as going to a large grocery store) and spend $25 per visit (including tips). 
• Convenience stores: 42 percent of households acquire food from convenience stores, dollar stores, pharmacies, etc. during an average week. Those who do average 2.2 visits a week and spend $5 per visit. 
• Family and friends: 37 percent of households acquire food from family or friends during an average week. Those who acquire food from this source do so an average of 2.7 times a week. Almost all of this food (95 percent) is free.
• Work: 22 percent of households acquire food at work during an average week, and those who do average 3.5 events a week. Seventy percent of this food is free.
• Small specialty food stores: 18 percent of households acquire food from small and specialty food stores during an average week, visiting 1.4 times.
• Schools: 14 percent of households acquire food at school or day care during an average week, doing so an average of 6.3 times a week.
• Own production: 6 percent of households acquire food from their own or other's hunting, fishing, or gardening during an average week. Those who acquire food through their own or other's production do so 1.9 times a week.
• Food banks/Meals on Wheels: 1 percent of households acquire food from food banks or Meals on Wheels during an average week. Those who obtain food from this source do so 1.7 times a week.

Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, Where Households Get Food in a Typical Week: Findings from USDA's FoodAPS

Who Claims Social Security at Age 62?

Are those who claim Social Security benefits early—at age 62—and receive a reduced benefit for life better or worse off than those who wait? That question was posed by the Center for Retirement Research in an analysis of data from the Health and Retirement Study. The answer: those who claim at age 62 are a mixture of the "disadvantaged," described as those with little education and poor job prospects, and the "advantaged" who have at least some college and more financial resources such as defined-benefit pension plans. The results of the study show...

• Most Americans have gotten the message and are waiting to claim Social Security, which will boost their retirement income. The percentage of households claiming Social Security at age 62 has fallen from 52 percent among the cohort of beneficiaries born in 1931-36 to 47 percent among those born in 1942-47. 
• Despite the decline in early claiming, nearly half of households still claim early. And the 66 percent majority are not prepared for retirement, the study finds—meaning their projected retirement income is not high enough to meet the recommended replacement rate. About 80 percent of the disadvantaged are unprepared. Among the advantaged, a smaller 40 percent are unprepared because many have the additional stable income provided by a defined-benefit pension plan.

"The results are discouraging," say the researchers, because they reveal the importance of defined-benefit plans to retirement preparedness. "These plans may persist in the public sector, but are not coming back in the private sector. The challenge is whether 401(k)s can be enhanced enough to fill that gap."

Source: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Are Early Claimers Making a Mistake?

Characteristics of Households with Negative Wealth

Fourteen percent of American households have negative wealth—meaning their debts exceed their assets, according to researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Analyzing 2015 data from the Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations, the researchers compared the characteristics of negative wealth households to households with nonnegative wealth, finding such things as...

Households with negative wealth (vs. households with nonnegative wealth)
Average age of householder is 43 (versus 51)
Average annual household income of $39,077 (versus $86,309)
19% are homeowners (versus 75%)
24% are Black or Hispanic (versus 17%)
24% are single mothers (versus 6%)
18% experienced worsening health in past year (versus 11%)

Among households with smallest amount of negative wealth (less than $12,400), credit cards account for the largest share of debt. That's not so for households with greater negative wealth. For those with negative wealth between $-12,500 and -$46,300, student loans are the largest component of debt and account for 40 percent of the total. For those with the most negative wealth (-$47,500 or more), student loans account for an even larger 47 percent of the total.

"Given the importance of student debt in explaining negative household wealth," the researchers conclude, "it is likely that the steady growth in student debt and borrowing, combined with the very slow rate of student loan repayment...has materially contributed and will continue to contribute to negative household wealth and wealth inequality."

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Liberty Street Economics, Which Households Have Negative Wealth?

Student Loan Debt by Race and Hispanic Origin

Thirty-one percent of Americans aged 25 to 55 have student loan debt, according to an Urban Institute analysis of the Federal Reserve Board's 2014 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking. Seven percent have debt for a child's or grandchild's education. Blacks are significantly more likely than other race/Hispanic origin groups to have student loan debt, and their loans are larger. But they are not significantly more likely to have debt for a child's or grandchild's education.

Percent of 25-to-55-year-olds with any student loan debt
Blacks: 39.2%
Hispanics: 29.6%
Non-Hispanic Whites: 30.5%
Other race/ethnicity: 23.8%

Percent of 25-to-55-year-olds with student loan debt for child's/grandchild's education
Blacks: 9.1%
Hispanics: 7.6%
Non-Hispanic Whites: 6.9%
Other race/ethnicity: 3.9%

Average amount of all student loan debt for 25-to-55-year-olds with debt
Blacks: $43,725
Hispanics: $32,075
Non-Hispanic Whites: $31,367
Other race/ethnicity: $27,106

Source: Urban Institute, Racial and Ethnic Differences in Family Student Loan Debt