The mission of the US Census Bureau is to serve “as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and economy.”
The decennial census is a constitutionally mandated count of the population of the US which is conducted by the government every ten years. The count is used for apportioning Congressional seats, as well as many other purposes, such as demographic research, allocating funding, and informing public policy.
The American Community Survey (ACS) includes nearly all of the topics covered in the 2010 Census. The ACS is a continuous survey that provides information on jobs and occupations, educational attainment, veterans, and more. The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a sponsored survey by both the US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPS is a primary source for labor statistics. We used these surveys along with raw 2010 Census data and current US Bureau of Labor Statistics to show how the strength of the population within each state. The first presents findings on state population density and urbanization and the second presents a study on unemployment rates and median household incomes.
The first graphic is a representation of state population density. The bars in this graph represent that total square miles of each state and the marked line represents the total average population density per square mile. Texas clearly dominates the pack in total square miles and has the lowest population density, averaging about 96 people per square mile. California, the second largest state has the median population density, averaging 239 people per square mile. Florida comes in as the third largest state, but the second highest population density behind New York, which has the median state size but the highest population density.
Research does not suggest that a state’s size alone has any correlation to its strength. However, much research suggests that increased density promotes a multitude of problems for its population. A Swedish study of over four million Swedes observed whether a high level of urbanization (which correlates with density) is associated with an increased risk of developing psychosis and depression. They found that the rates for psychosis (such as schizophrenia) were 70% greater for the denser areas and there was a 16% greater risk of developing depression. Research on the effects of high-density populations on children find considerable restrictions in children’s physical activity leading to more frequent health, mental, and behavioral problems.
The second picture of state population observes civilian employment. We collected US Bureau of Labor Statistics on statewide unemployment rates and measured it with the median household income of each state. This graph illustrates both the amount of employment within a state and the average person’s amount of personal wealth within each state.
While all of the states measured at least between 6% and 4% population unemployment there is considerable variance among median household incomes. Texas and Virginia lead in levels of employment with the lowest percentage of unemployment. California and New York both show convergence between unemployment and median household income. California has the highest unemployment rate but the second highest median household income. The largest divergence among the states is in Virginia with the largest median household income and the lowest rates of unemployment. Florida has the fourth highest rate of unemployment and the lowest median household income.
To observe the unemployment trends of each state, we measured each state’s reported rate of unemployment for each month from January 2014 to March 2016. What we can see here is a general decline in unemployment. Virginia (the orange line) shows the most fluctuations with dips and spikes nearly every six months.
We shortened the time span down to just the last six months and can observe the most recent activity among the six states in this study. California, Florida, and Texas have each experienced a measure of decline in unemployment. Ohio, however shows increases in unemployment. New York has remained relatively constant with the exception of December 2015. Virginia shows the highest degree of inconsistency of employment with a change nearly every month over the last six months.
While most economic studies focus on gross domestic product, Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate and economist, says it doesn’t reveal much about the quality of life and economic well-being. He suggests looking at median household income. Income, which includes resources earned from work, returns on investment, and government transfers and benefits (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and unemployment insurance), is a key determinant of living standards. Median household income is perhaps the single most widely used measure of income in the census because it represents the median citizen.
We took this investigation a step further to explore the highest years of median household income among our six states. This table shows not only the peak years of each state but also the rate of decline from the peak year to the current 2014 estimates. Ohio and Texas have the highest rate of decline since their peak years. Florida is close behind with a 14% decline since its peak year in 2006. All three states have decline more the double that of Virginia, New York, and California. New York has the most consistent level of median household income observable. Its peak year was in 1989 and compared to the 2014 estimates has only experiences 6.5% decline.
Although the objective of this study is to compare Florida with California, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia, the measure of median household income speaks volumes when all fifty US states are measured against each other. This table presents the winners and losers of the 21st century. While Virginia is ranks in at number 8 in the nation and New York ranks at 27, their rankings have only a 3 place difference from their 2000 rank. Texas has the most growth between 2000 and 2014 rising 7 places to the 28th place. California fell 3 places but still ranks number 15 in the nation. Florida ranks the lowest among the states in this study at number 43, falling 9 places since 2000. Ohio, while not the lowest in this study, ranks at number 36, but has fallen 17 places since 2000.
