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Demographics

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Enrollment

Approximately 22 million U.S. households were participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as of April 2020. The program, formerly known as food stamps, provides assistance to low-income individuals to purchase food.

Census Return Rates for U.S. Counties

For the 2020 Census, the overall final national self-response return rate was 67.0%. But the rate varied significantly among counties across the country.

City Renter Population Data

Renter populations in select cities have increased in comparison to their respective owner-occupied housing populations.

Population Density by City

There is a large variation in population density across the country. In general, jurisdictions in the Northeast tend to have the highest densities.

Economy and Finance

Metro Area Wages by Occupation

Workers in the top-paying occupations in most areas often earn more than $200,000, while those at the opposite end of the pay scale frequently earn an annual wage of less than $20,000. Wages vary considerably not only by profession, but also across metro areas.

Industry and Occupation by Age

Examining industry and occupation by workers age 55 years and older can help gauge the labor force effects of retiring baby boomers.

Housing Affordability

View data on the percent of households that spend 30% or more of the household income on housing expenses as a proxy of affordability of housing.

Prime Working-Age Population by County

Many jurisdictions across the country are experiencing aging populations as a large segment of Baby Boomers continue to retire.

Education

School Enrollment of 3- and 4-Year-Olds by State and Race

About one-half of all children ages 3 and 4 years are enrolled in school, mostly in preschool, according to the latest Department of Education statistics. Enrollment varies significantly by state, from an estimated 27.5% in North Dakota to 66.3% in Connecticut.

What is the Best Degree for Millennials? Anything in Public Service

Millennials have been described in many ways, but no one can deny their lust for social change and betterment. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics, tracking the number of persons completing degrees in the public service, shows this to be true.

Public School Revenue Sources by State

The sources of funding for elementary and secondary education varies from state to state.

Educational Attainment Data for Metro Areas

Across the country, educational attainment gradually climbed in recent years. In particular, The Census Bureau reported a sharp increase in those earning master's and doctorate degrees over the past decade.

Public Service and Government

State Rates of Imprisonment: 1978-2017

State incarceration rates were a fairly stable phenomenon until the 1970s, at which point incarceration rates began to skyrocket, peaking in 2008. These increases in incarceration occurred simultaneously with rising state crime rates, but continued unabated as crime rates leveled-off in the 1990s.

Federal Employment Totals by State

There were approximately 2.8 million federal employees nationwide in 2018, according to the Labor Department. The U.S. Postal Service — a quasi-public entity — employs about 600,000 workers, more than any other federal agency.

State Prison Overcrowding and Capacity Data

Prison overcrowding has become a growing social problem in the United States as state incarceration rates increased from the 1970s, peaking in 2008.

Federal Funding for State Governments

States receive funding from the federal government. Montana and Wyoming were most reliant on the federal government for general fund revenues.

Transportation

Vehicle Availability for U.S. Metros

In the United States, 8.7% of occupied housing units have no vehicle available. This varies across all households in U.S. metros areas, ranging from 30.0% in New York City to 2.7% in Provo-Orem, Utah, metro.