EMBARGOED UNTIL: 10 A.M. EST, MARCH 26, 1997 (WEDNESDAY) Public Information Office CB97-48 301-457-3030/301-457-3670 (fax) 301-457-4067 (TDD) e-mail: pio@census.gov Statistical Information Staff Population Division 301-457-2422 Census Bureau Reports on the State of the Nation A report released today by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau provides an overview of major social and economic findings reported in 1996. The report, "How We're Changing--Demographic State of the Nation: 1997," P23-193, includes the following highlights: - Educational attainment levels continued to rise. Between 1985 and 1995, the gap between the proportion of Whites and African Americans ages 25 to 29 earning a high school degree disappeared. - There was a significant drop in both the number and percent of poor Americans from 1994 to 1995. This is the second year in a row that the number and percent of people in poverty have dropped. - For the first time in six years, households in the United States experienced an annual increase in real median income (from 1994 to 1995). - The homeownership rate was higher in 1995 than the previous year. - From 1988 to 1991, the proportion of preschoolers who were cared for in organized child care facilities declined, while child care by fathers increased. From 1991 to 1993, the proportion of preschoolers who were cared for in organized child care facilities rose again, while child care by fathers fell. - The proportion of children living with one parent more than doubled between 1970 and 1995. - The percentage of foreign-born in the United States in 1995 was double that in 1970. California had the largest number and concentration of foreign-born persons. - The percentage of people in the United States without health insurance did not change between 1994 and 1995, remaining at 15.4 percent. - More Americans participated in major means-tested assistance programs (such as food stamps and Medicaid) in 1993 than in 1987. The information in this demographic profile are from the Current Population Survey, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, and the Housing Vacancy Survey, as well as from independent population estimates and projections. As in all surveys, the data are subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. A faxed copy of the report may be obtained by calling the Public Information Office's Fax-on-Demand service at 301-457-4178 and requesting document number 1210 or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov/prod/www/titles.html#pop-X-The Census Bureau--pre-eminent collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States. In over 100 surveys annually and 20 censuses a decade, evolving from the first census in 1790, the Census Bureau provides official information about America's people, businesses, industries, and institutions.
