Demographics

Back of the Envelope

Population

US population in 2010 was 308.7 million people

• California population in 2010: 37 million people
• Texas population in 2010: 25 million people
• New York population in 2010: 19 million people
• Florida population in 2010: 18 million people

116 million households

Slightly more females than males (males 49% and change, females 51% and change)

Percent of people in the United States who are under 5: around 7%

Percent of people in the United States who are under 18: around 25%

Percent of people in the United States who are "adults" approaching/at middle age (18-44): around 40%

Percent of people in the United States who are older, but not elderly (45-64): around 20%

Percent of people in the United States who are elderly (65+): around 15%

NOTE: Growth rate of 65+ is higher (20% in past 10 years) than any other age groups (roughly 12% each in past 10 years)

Percent of population with a disability: 9%

Percent of population foreign-born: 13%

Percent of population with HS degree or higher: 86%

Percent of population with bachelors degree or higher: 30%

Percent of population in labor force: 63% (percent of females in labor force: 58%)

Percent of population in poverty: 13.5%

Education

In the United States, ~30% of population has a Bachelors degree

Not surprisingly, per-state percentages are highest in New England:

• 34% in New York
• 35% in New Hampshire
• 36% in Vermont
• 36% in Virginia
• 40.5% in Massachusetts
• 38% in Maryland

But Colorado is also higher than average:

• 38% in Colorado

Lowest percentages of people with Bachelors degree are in Appalachia and the South:

• 19% in West Virginia
• 20% in Mississippi
• 21% in Arkansas
• 22% in Louisiana

Economics

Total per-capita retail sales, 2012 dollars: about $13,500 (that's a grand whopping total for retail sales of $4.22 TRILLION dollars)

Median income, 2015 dollars: $53,900

States with highest percentages of population in poverty:

• 22% in poverty in Mississippi
• 20% in poverty in New Mexico
• 19% in poverty in Louisiana
• 19% in poverty in Arkansas
• 18% in poverty in West Virginia

Also, percent of population in poverty in the most populated states:

• 15% in poverty in New York
• 15% in poverty in California
• 16% in poverty in Texas
• 16% in poverty in Florida

The absolute cheapest state to live in? Oklahoma. Median rent is $720.

United States Census

Source for year 2000/2010 data: https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-03.pdf

Source for year 2016 data: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045216

Year 2016

Total population in 2016 was ~323 million people.

Breakdowns below are by percent of population.

Gender

Breakdown by gender:

• Males: 49.2%
• Females: 50.8%

Age

Breakdown by age:

• Under 18: 24%
• 18 to 44, plus 45 to 64 (no intermediate breakdown): 62%
• 65 and up: 15.2%

Breaking that down just a bit further:

Under 18 crowd:

• Under 5 years old: 6%
• 5 to 17 years old: 17%

Year 2010

Total population in 2010 was ~310 million people.

Breakdowns below are by percent of population.

Gender

Breakdown by gender:

• Males: 49.2%
• Females: 50.8 %

Age

Breakdown by age:

• Under 18: 24%
• 18 to 44: 35%
• 45 to 64: 26%
• 65 and up: 13%

Breaking that down just a bit further:

Under 18 crowd:

• Under 5 years old: 6.5% (still, about 7%)
• 5 to 17 years old: 18%

18 to 44 crowd:

• 18 to 24 years old: 10%
• 25 to 44 years old: 26%

Year 2000

Total population in 2010 was ~280 million people.

Breakdowns below are by percent of population.

Gender

Breakdown by gender:

• Males: 49.1%
• Females: 50.9 %

Age

Breakdown by age:

• Under 18: 26%
• 18 to 44: 40%
• 45 to 64: 22%
• 65 and up: 12%

Breaking that down just a bit further:

Under 18 crowd:

• Under 5 years old: 7%
• 5 to 17 years old: 19%

18 to 44 crowd:

• 18 to 24 years old: 10%
• 25 to 44 years old: 30%

References

Year 2000/2010 US census data: https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-03.pdf

Year 2016 US census data: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045216

State-specific census data dashboard: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/US/PST045216