The Daily Document

Even the Federal Government has a stake in the Love Holiday. The Census Bureau has pulled together a variety of statistics related to national holiday of love. For instance,

* Americans consume, per capita, 26 pounds in 2006 (Current Industrial Reports).

* 2.2 million is the number of marriages that take place annually, an average of 6,000 a day. (National Center for Health Statistics) Nearly 31,000 of those marriages occurred in Minnesota. The number in Nevada? 131,826.

* In 2002 there were 904 dating service establishments (2002 Economic Census).

* 120 is the number of single men (either never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages. Look at the number of single men 65 and older and the number drops to 34 single men every 100 single women of the same ages. (Families and Living Arrangements: 2006) Interested in just Minnesota data? Check out American Factfinder Social Characteristics for the state.

Image Source: NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

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Minnesota's caucus are over, but there are more state primaries and caucuses to come. Check out the Census Bureau's webpage detailing select population characteristics and 2004 voting information to provide background information into these upcoming events.

Minnesota's select population information

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Want to amaze your friends during the Big Game? Just drop a coupld statistics provided by the Census Bureau on the site of the game (University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona), and the two cities represented by New York Giants and the New England Patriots.

For instance, 246,531 is the population of Glendale on July 1, 2006. Glendale’s population climbed by 3,387 between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006. Glendale is now the 72nd most populous city in the nation (Population estimates). This is a significant rise from the 1970 population of 36,228 (Historical census reports)

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Details about all 50 states plus the District of Columbia can be mined from the 2002 Economic Census. According to the census, law offices are thriving in Washington, D.C., ranking the highest in receipts per resident at $15,839. Enough tortillas are manufactured in California to average $17 in annual shipments for every man, woman and child in the state. Residents of Washington state spent more at the dentist than residents of any other state ($374). Tennessee's musical groups and artists earned more on a per capita basis than any other state ($65). Bowling alleys grossed more than $25 per person in Wisconsin. Alaska led the nation in revenue per person for chiropractors' offices ($58). (Census Bureau News Release, January 28, 2008)

Using the 2002 Economic Census, the Census Bureau has compiled a new site detailing Top States by Industry. Results are compiled by state or can be searched by industry. Check out Minnesota's statistics and compare to a state in a warmer area like Hawaii . Minnesota industries ranked first in terms of sales or receipts per capita include medical, dental, and hospital equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers and general-line grocery merchant wholesalers. For Hawaii it is hotels (except casino hotels) and motels and clothing and clothing accessories stores.

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The Migration Policy Institute (MPI), an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC, has released aggregated data on the foreign-born populations in the United States. Data collected from the 1990 and 2000 Census, and the 2006 American Community Survey, are available for the United States and by state. Foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census, who were not United States citizens at birth.

Selected Minnesota statistics include:

* The foreign-born population of Minnesota changed by 30.2 percent between 2000 and 2006.
* In 2006, the foreign born represented 6.6 percent of Minnesota's total population.
* Of the foreign-born population in Minnesota, 12.9 percent were minors, 59.9 percent were of working age, and 15 percent were seniors.

The full Minnesota report can be found here.

MPI provides "analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at the local, national, and international levels." (MPI Website)

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The Census Bureau has released the 2008 online version of its best know annual statistical resource, The Statistical Abstract of the United States. The Abstract compiles statistics from across government agencies and groups the information by broad subject. Included topics are agriculture; education; geography & environment; labor force, employment, & earnings; transportation; elections; and health & nutrition. Although the main geographic area covered is the United States, the Statistical
Abstract also includes interntaionl statistics, and foreign commerse & aid. The source for each statistical table is also given so users can find additional information.

Here are just a couple examples of tables found in the Statistical Abstract:

Purchasing Power of the Dollar: 1950 to 2006

Movers by Type of Move and Reason for Moving: 2006

Top 10 U.S. Export Markets for Selected Commodities: 2006

Normal Monthly and Annual Precipitation - Selected Cities

Self-Described Religious Identification of Adult Population: 1990 and 2001

Expenditures Per Consumer Unit for Entertainment and Reading: 1985 to 2005

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An article in today's Minnesota Daily touches on a topic of concern to many researchers who use Census 2000 data for their research needs. In 2000 people filling out the census forms could choose multiple races instead of just one as with previous Census. This allowed for more detailed information on the racial makeup of the United States but has made comparison of data in other reporting systems almost impossible. Most data sources combine mulitracial responses into one catagory of "mulitracial". The article discusses Sociology Professor Carolyn Liebler's research in trying to change this so the nuances of our country's racial breakdown are not lost.

The Census Bureau is looking into these issues as well. Check out:

Questions and Answers for Census 2000 Data on Race
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/raceqandas.html

Racial and Ethnic Classifications Used in Census 2000 and Beyond
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/race/racefactcb.html

Race Data
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/race.html

American Factfinder (http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en) is the main source for Census 2000 data, including population counts, race and ancestry, age, sex, household income, and educational attainment. Data can be found for a variety of geographic areas. For example, here are some basic numbers for
Minnesota, Hennepin County, and Minneapolis.

Article: Nordine, Danielle. "University professor explores role of multiracial data." Minnesota Daily, November 13, 2007.

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Soon more than 4 million American businesses will be receiving the 2007 Economic Census reporting form. There are over 500 versions of the form, each geared towards a particular industry. The Census Bureau has created a website for the 2007 Economic Census process, http://business.census.gov where you can find more information about the Census process as well as some general industry snapshots and ratios.

The Economic Census occurs every five years and provides a comprehensive look at business in the United States at all geographic levels, from the nation to local cities, and by industry sector. Check out the 2002 Economic Census to see the types of information the Census collects.

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"New data released today from the U.S. Census Bureau provide the first social and economic characteristic profiles of the people living in group quarters - such as adult correctional facilities, college dorms and nursing homes - in nearly three decades."

In addition the most recent American Community Survey data includes profiles of more than 100 race and ethnic groups as well as over 70 ancestry groups.

Resources:

Census Bureau News Release

2006 American Community Survey

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