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Facts for Features: Super Bowl 50: Feb. 7, 2016

Press Release Number CB16-FF.05

*Revised: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016*

Note: The national median household income statistic has been revised. Please disregard the previous version of this Facts for Features.

Super Bowl 50 will be played Feb. 7 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The first Super Bowl was played on Jan. 15, 1967, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with the Green Bay Packers beating the Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 35-10. This will be the second time the NFL’s championship game will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the last one, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins 38-16 at Stanford Stadium in 1985.

To commemorate this year’s golden anniversary Super Bowl, the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts looking at how life has changed from 1967 to 2016 and examining the demographics of the host metropolitan area, as well as the metro areas represented by the two participants — the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.

Go to <//www.census.gov/quickfacts/> for more statistics about the cities involved. Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are statistically significant at the 0.10 level.

Embeddable graphic

How Things Have Changed

U.S. Population

1967: 197.5 million
2016
: 322.8 million
Sources: Estimates of the Population of the United States by Age, Sex and Race: April 1, 1960, to July 1, 1973
<https://www.census.gov/prod/1/pop/p25-519.pdf>

Monthly Population Estimates for the United States: April 1, 2010, to December 1, 2016
<//www.census.gov/popest/data/national/totals/2015/files/NA-EST2015-01.csv>

Population of Santa, Clara, Calif., site of Super Bowl 50

April 1, 1970: 86,118
July 1, 2014: 122,192
Sources: 1970 Census
<//www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf>
U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2014 Population Estimates
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPANNRSIP.US12A>

World Population

1967: 3.5 billion
2016
: 7.3 billion
Source: Census Bureau, International Data Base
<//www.census.gov/population/international/data/worldpop/table_population.php>

Median Sales Price of a New Single-Family Home

1967: $22,700
2016
: $282,800 (as of 2014)
Note: Sales prices shown are not adjusted for inflation or other factors.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Median and Average Sales Prices of New Homes Sold in United States: 1963-2015
<https://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/uspricemon.pdf>

Cost of a Gallon of Regular Gas

1967: 33 cents ($2.13 in 2015 dollars)
2016: $1.86 (as of Jan. 25, 2016)
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Gasoline and Diesel Retail Prices
<//www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_w.htm>

Price of Milk

1967: $1.03 gallon ($7.32 in 2015 dollars)
2016
: $3.31 gallon (as of 2015)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index
<//data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/surveymost?ap>

Cost of a First-Class Stamp

1967: 5 cents (36 cents in 2015 dollars)
2016: 49 cents
Source: U.S. Postal Service
<https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class-mail.htm>

Median Age at First Marriage

1967: 23.1 men; 20.6 women
2016
: 29.2 men; 27.1 women (as of 2015)
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
<//www.census.gov/population/socdemo/hh-fam/ms2.pdf>
U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B12007>

Number of Foreign-Born People

1967: 9.6 million (as of 1970: They comprised 4.7 percent of the total population, and Italy was the leading country of origin.)
2016
: 42.4 million (as of 2014: They comprised 13.3 percent of the total population, and Mexico was the leading country of origin.)
Sources: Historical Census Statistics on the Foreign-Born Population of the United States: 1850 to 2000
<//www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0081/twps0081.pdf>
U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B05006>

Average Household Size

1967: 3.28 people
2016
: 2.54 people (as of 2015)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (Households by Size: 1960 to Present)
<//www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/households.html>

Number of People Age 65 and Older

1967: 19.1 million
2016
: 46.2 million (as of 2014)
Sources: Estimates of the Population of the United States by Age, Sex and Race: April 1, 1960, to July 1, 1973
<https://www.census.gov/prod/1/pop/p25-519.pdf >
U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 Population Estimates
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPAGESEX>

Median Age of the Population

1967: 28.1
2016
: 37.7 (as of 2014)
Sources: Estimates of the Population of the United States by Age, Sex and Race: April 1, 1960, to July 1, 1973
<https://www.census.gov/prod/1/pop/p25-519.pdf >
U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 Population Estimates
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPAGESEX>

Life Expectancy at Birth

1967: 70.5 years
2016
: 78.8 years (as of 2013)
Sources: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
<//www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/CT1970p1-03.pdf>
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
<//www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm>

Percentage of Women in the Labor Force, Age 16 and Older

1967: 41.1%
2016
: 56.7% (as of 2015)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey
<//data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNU01300002?from_year=1967&periods_option=specific_periods&periods=Annual+Data>

Percentage of the Population, Age 25 and Older, who had at Least a High School Diploma

1967: 51.1%
2016
: 88.3% (as of 2014)
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 1967 Current Population Survey
<//www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/1967/p20-169.pdf>
U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 Current Population Survey
<//www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2014/tables.html>

Median Annual Household Income

1967: $7,143 ($44,282 in 2014 dollars)
2016: $53,657 (as of 2014)
Sources: 1968 and 2015 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements. 
Table H5.
//www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/household/2014/h05.xls

Most Popular Baby Names for Boys and Girls

1967: Michael and Lisa
2016: Noah and Emma (as of 2014)
Source: Social Security Administration, Most Popular Baby Names
<https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html>

Active-Duty Military Personnel

1967: 3.4 million
2016
: 1.3 million (as of Nov. 30, 2015)
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 1969 Statistical Abstract
<//www2.census.gov/library/publications/1969/compendia/statab/90ed/1969-05.pdf>
Department of Defense
<https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dwp/dwp_reports.jsp>

Denver Broncos

21st

Where Denver ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous metropolitan areas. The estimated population of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo., metro area on July 1, 2014, was 2,754,258. The Denver area gained 54,508 people from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014. At the time of the Broncos’ first season in 1960, the 1960 Census population for the city of Denver was 493,887.
Sources: Vintage 2014 Population Estimates, 1960 Census <//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPANNCHG.US24PR>
<//www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html>

40.8%

Percentage of Denver metro area residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2014; 89.7 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 30.1 percent and 86.9 percent.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1501/0100000US|310M200US19740>

20.6%

Percentage of Denver metro area residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 21.1 percent. These figures are not statistically different.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1601/0100000US|310M200US19740>

$66,870

Median household income for the Denver metro area. The national median was $53,657.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1901/0100000US|310M200US19740>

$276,800

Median home value of owner-occupied homes in the Denver metro area. The national median was $181,200.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B25077/0100000US|310M200US19740>

27.4 minutes

Average amount of time it took Denver metro area residents to get to work; 76.3 percent of the metro area’s workers drove to work alone, 8.8 percent carpooled and 4.5 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took an average of 26.0 minutes to get to work.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0801/0100000US|310M200US19740>


Carolina Panthers

22nd                                       

Where Charlotte ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous metropolitan areas. The estimated population of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C., metro area on July 1, 2014, was 2,380,314. The Charlotte area gained 42,975 people from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014. At the time of the Panthers’ first season in 1995, the July 1, 1995, estimated population for the city of Charlotte was 473,355.
Sources: Vintage 2014  Population Estimates, Population Estimates for the Years 1994-1999
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/PEPANNCHG.US24PR>
<https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/1990s/SU-99-07.html>

32.9%    

Percentage of Charlotte metro area residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2014; 88.1 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 30.1 percent and 86.9 percent.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1501/0100000US|310M200US16740>

13.3%

Percentage of Charlotte metro area residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 21.1 percent.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1601/0100000US|310M200US16740>

$53,549                  

Median household income for the Charlotte metro area. The national median was $53,657. These figures are not statistically different.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1901/0100000US|310M200US16740>

$169,400

Median home value of owner-occupied homes in the Charlotte metro area. The national median was $181,200.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B25077/0100000US|310M200US16740>

26.1 minutes

Average amount of time it took Charlotte metro area residents to get to work; 81.0 percent of the metro area’s workers drove to work alone, 9.4 percent carpooled and 1.9 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took an average of 26.0 minutes to get to work, which is not statistically difference from the Charlotte metro area’s time.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0801/0100000US|310M200US16740>

Host Site

122,192

Population of Santa Clara, Calif., location of Levi’s Stadium where Super Bowl 50 will be played.
Source: QuickFacts, Vintage 2014 Population Estimates
<//www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045214/0669084,00>

219th                              

Where Santa Clara ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. Santa Clara is part of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., metropolitan area.
Source: Vintage 2014 Population Estimates
<//www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2014/index.html>

34th                                

Where the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., metropolitan area ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous metro areas. The estimated population of the San Jose metro area on July 1, 2014, was 1,952,872. The San Jose metro area gained 24,171 people from July 1, 2013, to July 1, 2014.
Source: Vintage 2014 Population Estimates
<//www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2014/index.html>

47.5%            

Percentage of San Jose metro area residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2014; 87.2 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 30.1 percent and 86.9 percent. The high school graduation figures are not statistically different.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1501/0100000US|310M200US41940>

51.8%            

Percentage of San Jose metro area residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national figure was 21.1 percent.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1601/0100000US|310M200US41940>

$96,481                  

Median household income for the San Jose metro area. The national median was $53,657.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1901/0100000US|310M200US41940>

$735,400

Median home value of owner-occupied homes in the San Jose metro area. The national median was $181,200.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B25077/0100000US|310M200US41940>

27.0 minutes

Average amount of time it took San Jose metro area residents to get to work; 76.2 percent of the metro area’s workers drove to work alone, 10.4 percent carpooled and 4.0 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it also took an average of 26.0 minutes to get to work.
Source: 2014 American Community Survey
<//factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S0801/0100000US|310M200US41940>

The following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series:

Black (African American) History Month (February)
Super Bowl
Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)
Women's History Month (March)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/
      St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Earth Day (April 22)
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
Older Americans Month (May)
Mother's Day
Hurricane Season Begins (June 1)
Father's Day
The Fourth of July (July 4)
Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act (July 26)
Back to School (August)
Labor Day
Grandparents Day
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Unmarried and Single Americans Week
Halloween (Oct. 31)
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Thanksgiving Day
The Holiday Season (December)

Editor’s note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; or e-mail: pio@census.gov.

Page Last Revised - December 16, 2021
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