1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. US Government Info

Census and Statistics

Articles on the U.S. Census, statistics and demographics from all sectors of American society and business.
Census 2010
Census 2010 will take place beginning in February 2010 and be completed by the end of July. Learn more about Census 2010 and why responding to Census 2010 is important to you, your family and you community.
What do Census Takers Do?
Americans who, for whatever reason, do not complete and return a Census questionnaire can expect a personal visit from a census taker. What do census takers really do?
State Abbreviations – Official USPS State Abbreviations
State abbreviations and US Possession abbreviation recognized by the U.S. Postal Service.
Coal Mining Fatalities Increased Sharply in 2006
The plight of the six miners trapped in Utah's Crandall Canyon Mine ads tragic emphasis to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing that fatal work injuries in coal mining more than doubled in 2006 partially due to the Sago, West Virginia mine disaster.
2007 U.S. Corn Crop Predicted Largest in History
The 2007 U.S. corn crop is expected to be the largest in human history, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Production Report.
The U.S. Census Bureau
There are a lot of people in the United States, and it's not easy keeping track of them all. But one agency tries to do just that: the U.S. Census Bureau.
Census Reports on Linguistic Isolation in U.S.
The U.S. Census Bureau has released nationwide and state-level data from Census 2000 on who does and does not speak English in the United States. The data, broken down by type of household, age of householder, education and income, details a phenomenon the Census Bureau calls "linguistic isolation."
U.S. Women's Earnings Declined in 2003
Median annual earnings for women who worked full-time, year-round in 2003 declined by 0.6 percent from 2002, to $30,700, according to data just released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The drop was the first decline in women's earnings since 1995.
Halloween Facts from the U.S. Census
Don’t be scared now, but according to U.S. Census Bureau goblin counters, the first recorded Halloween celebration in the United States took place in 1921 in Anoka, Minn. Today, as many as 36.4 million potential “trick-or-treaters” -- 5- to 13-year-olds – don scary disguises or ones “that may bring on smiles” as they go door-to-door among about 106 million occupied housing units in search of treats.
Census Reports Many U.S. Cities See Huge Daily Population Swings
Does your city seem more crowded on weekdays than at night or on weekends? It very well may be, according to first-ever estimates of daytime populations just released by the Census Bureau.
Jobs to Die For: Fatal Work Injuries Up in 2004
It's a grim job, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports total of 5,703 fatal work injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2004, an increase of 2 percent from the total of 5,575 fatal work injuries reported for 2003.
Number of "Majority-Minority" States Grows
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Texas has now joined Hawaii, New Mexico and California as "majority-minority" state, in which the combined population of minorities exceeds the majority population.
Still More Boys Than Girls Being Born
Where are the boys? Right here in the U.S.A. where, for the 63rd year in a row, more boys than girls were born. Exactly 94,232 more boys than girls were born in the U.S. during 2004, according to a new CDC report.
U.S. School Enrollment Exceeds Baby-Boomer Days
The 49.5 million U.S. elementary and high school students enrolled in 2003 has surpassed the previous all-time high of 48.7 million set in 1970 when the baby-boomers were in school, according to a report just released by the Census Bureau.
Median U.S. Home Values Still Soaring
Both median home values across the U.S., along with the proportion of homes valued at $1 million or more is continuing a meteoric rise, according to data just release by the Census Bureau.
Education Greatly Boosts Women's Earnings: Report
Women who graduated from college earned about 76 percent more than women with only a high school diploma in 2004, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Census Offers Statistics on Older Americans
On July 1, 2004, 12 percent of all Americans were 65 and over. By 2050, people 65 and over will comprise an impressive 21 percent of the U.S. population, reports the Census Bureau.
Many U.S. Jobs Have Become Less Male-dominated
Many occupations once dominated by men have seen a great increase in numbers of women workers since 1983, according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
College Degree Nearly Doubles Annual Earnings
Just in case you still had some doubts, the U.S. Census Bureau has released data proving the substantial value of a college education in the United States. Workers 18 and over sporting bachelors degrees earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915.
Americans Now Spend Over 100 Hours a Year Commuting
At an nationwide average drive-time of about 24.3 minutes, Americans now spend more than 100 hours a year commuting to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Yes, that's more than the average two weeks of vacation time (80 hours) taken by many workers during a year.
Just Like America, the Census is Changing
The days of having to wait a decade for updated census figures will soon be behind us, thanks to a new survey the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing in January to 250,000 households a month across the nation.
Americans Have Donated $18 Million to Tsunami Relief
As of Noon on December 29, 2004. just three days after a powerful tsunami impacted countries in southern Asia and eastern Africa, Americans have generously contributed approximately $18 million to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which supports both immediate and long term relief efforts for disaster victims in countries outside the United States.
How Americans Spend an Average Day
On an "average day" in 2003, persons in the U.S. age 15 and over slept about 8.6 hours, spent 5.1 hours doing leisure and sports activities, worked for 3.7 hours, and spent 1.8 hours doing household activities. During the remaining 4.8 hours, Americans ate, drank, went to school and shopped. So, say the results of the latest American Time Use Survey.
Labor Day 2004 Study of Attitudes Toward Work & Leisure
Unhappy with your job? You may be surprised to find that you are in the minority of U.S. workers, who typically express a high level of satisfaction with their jobs. With Labor Day serving as a natural time to assess the state of the American worker, the American Enterprise Institute has released a compilation of hundreds of poll questions that have been asked about how workers view their jobs since the 1930s.
Pay Gap Between Men and Women Getting Worse, Census Data Shows
The workplace pay gap between men and women, once thought to be narrowing, has only been getting worse, according to an analysis of recently released census data conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.
Majority of Newly Poor Americans are Children
The overwhelming majority of newly poor Americans are children, according to an analysis by the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) of recently released U.S. Census Bureau data.
Census Shows Number of Uninsured, Poverty Rate Both Climb
The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that the number of uninsured Americans rose by 1.4 million to 15.6 percent, or 45 million, in 2003, up from 15.2 percent in 2002, the third straight annual increase. Meanwhile, the nation’s poverty rate also climbed to 12.5 percent last year, from 12.1 percent in 2002.
2004 CIA World Factbook Available From NTIS
The CIA World Factbook, a popular Central Intelligence Agency reference manual, provides a wealth of information on over 260 separate nations and other entities, listed alphabetically, in over 700 pages. There are also 11 terrain maps and three world maps included. The CIA World Factbook 2004 is available from the National Technical Information Service.
U.S. High School Graduation Rate Hits All-time High
An all-time high 85 percent of U.S. adults age 25 and over had completed at least high school in 2003, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Also in 2003, 27 percent of adults age 25 and over had a college degree, another record.
Interesting Facts About US Housing
About 7.2 million homeowners took out home equity lines of credit last year, up 12 percent from 2001 when 6.4 million such credit lines were established. That's just one of the interesting facts and statistics reported in the latest edition of the American Housing Survey (AHS), sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
'National Map' Illustrates Urban Growth in U.S.
Urban planners call it "sprawl," the often uncontrolled transformation of farmlands, wetlands, forests and deserts that composed the American landscape in the early 20th century into mushrooming metropolitan areas of urbanization. Now a new publication "Urban Growth in American Cities," provides a measured, scientific view of urbanization in 16 metropolitan areas.
Adults, Older People and Children: Latest Estimates
How many of us are there and where do we live? Nationally, there were 217.8 million people age 18 and over; 35.9 million people age 65 and over; and 53.3 million children ages 5 to 17 as of July 1, 2003, according to estimates just released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Why Women Still Make Less than Men: GAO Reports
Despite a sense of continued progress toward gender equality in the workplace, the federal government confirms that the workplace earnings gap between men and women still persists today and tries to figure out why. 
World's Population Tops 6.2 Billion: Census
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the world's population topped 6.2 billion in 2002 -- a net increase of about 200,000 people a day. However, the rate of population increase continues to drop steadily, say analysts.
U.S. Foreign-Born Population Hits 33 Million
The foreign-born population of the United States exceeded 33 million in 2002, slightly more than the entire population of Canada, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's latest American Community Survey.
The Lucky Kids of Naperville
According to the U.S. Census, among cities with at least 100,000 people, children living in Naperville, Ill. have the best chance of living the "American dream."
Nearly 1-in-5 Speak Foreign Language at Home
Nearly 47 million people -- about 1-in-5 U.S. residents -- age 5 and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000, according to the Census Bureau. The figures represented an increase of 15 million people since the 1990 census.
1 Out Of 32 Americans Under Correctional Supervision
While 1 out of every 142 Americans is now actually in prison, 1 out of every 32 of us is either in prison or on parole from prison, according to yet another report on Americans behaving badly from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Women of Color Making Gains in US Workforce
Women of color now comprise 14.5 percent of the American workforce, according to a new study from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). While African American women continue to represent the highest rate of employment, the most dramatic improvement in employment was among Hispanic women.
U.S. Birth Rate Hits All-Time Low
Continuing a 12-year decline, the U.S. birth rate has dropped to the lowest level since national data have been available, according to the CDC. Teen birth rates have also reached an all-time low.
Women Closing Some Gender Gaps: Census
Though not by leaps-and-bounds, women are steadily closing some of the gender gaps in American society, according to the Census Bureau.
America, How You Have Changed!
100 years ago, most Americans were men under 23 who lived in the country. Today, most are women over 35 who live in town. Just a few of the fascinating changes during the last century reported by the Census Bureau.
Census 2000: Fast Fact Finder
The easiest way to find the most current data from Census 2000 as it is approved for publication by the Department of Commerce.
Census 2000: Apportionment and Representation
Find out how census data is used to determine each state's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and to draw state Congressional Districts.
The Geography of U.S. Diversity - Census 2000
Mapping Census 2000: The Geography of U.S. Diversity uses data from the Census 2000 redistricting (Public Law 94-171) summary files released last March. Topics covered include total population, race and ethnicity and population under age 18. (All are PDF files.)
U.S. Median Age Now Highest Ever
The median age in America has reached its highest point ever at 35.3 years, up from 32.9 years in 1990, while growth of the 65-and-over population slowed. More interesting Census 2000 profile report facts from your About Guide.
The Lone American Grows in Number, Census 2000 Shows
Is America becoming a country of loners? In 1940, less than 8 percent of all Americans lived alone. Today, almost 26 percent live by themselves. Census 2000 figures reflect significant changes in the makeup of the "average" American family. From your About Guide.
Women in the U.S. – 1999-2000
The Census Bureau observes Women's History Month 2000 by releasing a fascinating set of data profiling the representation of US Women in areas such as education, income, jobs, voting, computer use, sports and more. From your About Guide.
Census: 1 in 5 Americans Has Disability
Nearly 20 percent – 1 in 5 – Americans reported having some level of disability according to 1997 data just released by the Census Bureau. Less than 50 percent had health insurance. From your About Guide.
ChildStats.gov
This web site offers easy access to federal and state statistics and reports on children and their families, including: population and family characteristics, economic security, health, behavior and social environment,and education.
E-STATS - Measuring the Electronic Economy
E-Stats is the U.S. Census Bureau's Internet site devoted exclusively to "Measuring the Electronic Economy." It features recent and upcoming releases, information on methods, classification systems, and background papers.
Educational Statistics - National Center For
The primary federal source for data related to education in the United States and other nations.
Census Bureau Map Gallery
Like maps? Like demographic data? You'll love this site. Maps to view, download, and buy (not expensive).
Census Bureau Population Clocks
Accurate counts of US and World population. Dynamic Version (NetScape only) provides rapid updates. Java Version provides true real-time updates. Fascinating!
Economic Statistics
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Gross State Product (GSP), national personal income figures, and more.
FedStats
Statistics from over 70 government agencies. Many agencies provide statistical reports in the form of downloadable .PDF files only.
Justice (Crime) Statistics
From the Bureau of Justice -- crimes and victims, drugs and crime, firearms and crime, law enforcement, corrections, more.
Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the home of the CPI - Consumer Price Index. Also stats on employment, labor force, job injuries, and many more workforce-related items.
Transportation Statistics
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics provides stats on aviation, fatal accidents, international travel, and highway statistics archives for 1994 and 1995.

Explore US Government Info

About.com Special Features

What is a Recession?

Sure, we're all talking about it, but what, exactly, defines a recession? More >

Weird Breaking News

A daily look at some of the oddest (and dumbest) crimes around. More >

  1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. US Government Info
  4. Census and Statistics

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.