From the bustling streets of California to the shifting demographics in New York, the 2020 Census reveals a nation of 331 million people that is growing, aging, and becoming more diverse in fascinating ways.
Key Takeaways
- The total population of the United States as enumerated in the 2020 Census was 331,449,281 persons.
- The U.S. population grew by 7.4% from 275,230,000 in 2010 to 331,449,281 in 2020 according to decennial census data.
- California's population was 39,538,223 as of April 1, 2020, per the 2020 Census.
- The median age of the U.S. population was 38.9 years in 2022 according to Census Bureau estimates.
- 50.5% of the U.S. population was female as of July 1, 2022 per Census data.
- 6.3% of the U.S. population identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2010 Census.
- The median household income in the United States was $74,580 in 2022 according to ACS data.
- Per capita income in the U.S. stood at $41,261 in 2022.
- Poverty rate for U.S. population was 11.5% in 2022.
- Owner-occupied housing unit rate was 65.4% in 2022 ACS.
- Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $281,900 in 2022.
- Median gross rent: $1,268 per month in 2022.
- High school graduate or higher (25+): 89.2% of U.S. population in 2022.
- Bachelor's degree or higher (25+): 34.3% in 2022 ACS.
- Graduate/professional degree: 13.2% of population 25+ in 2022.
The 2020 Census details a growing, diverse U.S. population of over 331 million people.
Demographic Characteristics
- The median age of the U.S. population was 38.9 years in 2022 according to Census Bureau estimates.
- 50.5% of the U.S. population was female as of July 1, 2022 per Census data.
- 6.3% of the U.S. population identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2010 Census.
- Non-Hispanic White population was 57.8% of total U.S. population in 2020 Census.
- Black or African American alone made up 12.4% of U.S. population in 2020.
- Asian population constituted 6.0% of U.S. total in 2022 ACS estimates.
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone were 1.3% of U.S. population in 2022.
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone accounted for 0.3% in 2022.
- Two or more races increased to 10.2% of U.S. population in 2020 Census.
- Foreign-born persons were 13.9% of U.S. population in 2022 ACS.
- Veterans numbered 16,293,778 in the U.S. civilian population aged 18+ in 2022.
- Persons under 18 years were 21.7% of U.S. population in 2022.
- Persons 65 years and over comprised 17.3% in 2022 Census estimates.
- U.S. population density was 93.7 people per square mile in 2020.
- Households with children under 18 were 29.8% in 2022 ACS.
- Never married persons aged 15+ were 34.5% in 2022.
- The proportion of U.S. population speaking a language other than English at home was 22.3% in 2022.
- Limited English proficiency affected 8.2% of population aged 5+ in 2022.
- Disability prevalence among civilian noninstitutionalized population was 12.7% in 2022.
- Same-sex married couples numbered 727,000 in 2022 ACS data.
- Grandparents living with grandchildren under 18 were 7.0% of grandparents in 2022.
- Place of birth for U.S. population: 86.1% native in 2022.
- Region of birth for foreign-born: Asia 31.2% in 2022 ACS.
- U.S. population identifying as LGBTQ+ estimated at 7.1% aged 18+ in recent Census-linked surveys.
- Mobility: 8.7% of U.S. population moved between 2021-2022.
Demographic Characteristics Interpretation
The portrait of America is a forty-year-old, slightly more female than male, increasingly less monochrome, and still stubbornly suburban tapestry where nearly one in ten of us changed addresses last year, proving that while the face of the nation is maturing and diversifying, a restless spirit remains a core part of the character.
Economic Indicators
- The median household income in the United States was $74,580 in 2022 according to ACS data.
- Per capita income in the U.S. stood at $41,261 in 2022.
- Poverty rate for U.S. population was 11.5% in 2022.
- 9.1% of families were in poverty in 2022 Census estimates.
- Labor force participation rate was 62.2% for population 16+ in 2022.
- Unemployment rate averaged 3.6% in 2022 per CPS data linked to Census.
- Mean household income was $106,270 in 2022 ACS.
- Homeownership rate was 65.8% of U.S. households in 2022.
- 48.6% of workers aged 16+ drove alone to work in 2022.
- Public transportation to work used by 4.6% in 2022.
- Worked at home: 17.9% of employed population in 2022.
- Median earnings for male full-time workers: $61,622 in 2022.
- Median earnings for female full-time workers: $51,226 in 2022.
- Health insurance coverage: 91.7% of population in 2022.
- Uninsured rate: 8.3% in 2022 Census data.
- Private health insurance: 65.4% coverage in 2022.
- Public health insurance: 37.9% in 2022 ACS.
- Income inequality Gini index: 0.410 for U.S. households in 2022.
- Households earning $100,000+: 34.2% in 2022.
- Food stamps/SNAP recipients: 12.4% of population in 2022.
- Occupations: Management/professional 41.5% in 2022.
- Industries: Educational/health services 15.8% employment in 2022.
Economic Indicators Interpretation
While the median household earns a solid $74,580, the stubborn chasm between a $106,270 mean income and an 11.5% poverty rate reveals an economy where prosperity is widespread but profoundly uneven, leaving millions behind despite near-full employment.
Educational Attainment
- High school graduate or higher (25+): 89.2% of U.S. population in 2022.
- Bachelor's degree or higher (25+): 34.3% in 2022 ACS.
- Graduate/professional degree: 13.2% of population 25+ in 2022.
- Less than 9th grade: 5.0% aged 25+ in 2022.
- 9th to 12th grade no diploma: 6.5% in 2022.
- High school graduate incl. equivalency: 26.3% in 2022.
- Some college no degree: 19.8% aged 25+ in 2022.
- Associate's degree: 9.3% in 2022 ACS.
- Bachelor's degree: 21.1% of population 25+.
- Enrolled in school population 3+: 16.4% in 2022.
- Nursery/preschool enrollment: 5.9% aged 3-4 in 2022.
- College/university undergrad: 7.8% aged 18-24 in 2022.
- Graduate/professional school: 1.6% in 2022.
- Educational attainment by sex: Males bachelor's+ 34.1%, females 35.4% in 2022.
- By race: Non-Hispanic White bachelor's+ 36.8% in 2022.
- Black bachelor's+ 24.8%, Asian 56.7% aged 25+ in 2022.
- Hispanic bachelor's+ 16.5% in 2022 ACS.
- Field of bachelor's degree: Business 19.2% in 2022.
- STEM fields: 22.4% of bachelor's degrees in 2022.
- Language spoken at home by education level correlates with higher English proficiency at 95% for college grads.
- School enrollment by poverty: 85.2% enrolled among poor children 5-17.
- Attainment by nativity: Foreign-born 32.1% bachelor's+ vs 34.5% native.
- By age 25-34: 37.7% bachelor's+ in 2022.
- 35-44: 35.2% bachelor's or higher.
- 45-64: 32.1%, 65+: 23.4% bachelor's+ in 2022.
Educational Attainment Interpretation
America’s educational landscape is a story of broad high school completion masking a sharply tiered system, where advanced degrees and racial disparities reveal both progress and deep inequities beneath a veneer of near-universal basic attainment.
Housing Data
- Owner-occupied housing unit rate was 65.4% in 2022 ACS.
- Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $281,900 in 2022.
- Median gross rent: $1,268 per month in 2022.
- 35.4% of housing units built in 2000 or later by 2022.
- Households with broadband internet: 89.2% in 2022.
- Single-family homes detached: 63.2% of occupied units in 2022.
- Multi-unit structures (5+): 13.8% in 2022 ACS.
- Mobile homes: 6.5% of housing stock in 2022.
- Median number of rooms per house: 6.1 in 2022.
- Occupied housing units: 128,456,284 in 2022 estimates.
- Vacant housing units: 15.0% of total inventory in 2022.
- Renters spending 35%+ of income on rent: 47.8% in 2022.
- Homeowners with mortgage: 59.2% of owners in 2022.
- Median year housing built: 1978 for owner-occupied in 2022.
- Plumbing facilities lacking: 0.2% of occupied units in 2022.
- Complete kitchen facilities: 98.8% of occupied housing in 2022.
- Housing units with telephone service: 96.5% in 2022.
- Selected monthly owner costs as % income 35%+: 24.3% for mortgaged owners.
- Housing tenure by age: 79.3% owners aged 65+ in 2022.
- Bedrooms: 1 bedroom units 9.2% of occupied in 2022.
- Occupancy status: Seasonal/recreational vacant: 4.1% in 2022.
Housing Data Interpretation
It seems the modern American dream is a 1978-built, six-room house with broadband internet, where nearly half of renters are financially strained and a quarter of homeowners with mortgages are also feeling the squeeze, painting a picture of a housing market that is both remarkably connected and remarkably stressed.
Population Statistics
- The total population of the United States as enumerated in the 2020 Census was 331,449,281 persons.
- The U.S. population grew by 7.4% from 275,230,000 in 2010 to 331,449,281 in 2020 according to decennial census data.
- California's population was 39,538,223 as of April 1, 2020, per the 2020 Census.
- Texas recorded a population of 29,145,505 in the 2020 Census.
- Florida's 2020 Census population stood at 21,538,187 residents.
- New York's population declined to 20,201,249 in 2020 from 19,378,102 in 2010.
- The population of Pennsylvania was 12,964,056 according to the 2020 Census.
- Illinois had 12,549,689 residents in the 2020 Census.
- Ohio's 2020 Census count was 11,785,935.
- Georgia population reached 10,711,908 in 2020.
- North Carolina's population was 10,439,388 per 2020 Census.
- Michigan recorded 10,077,331 residents in 2020.
- New Jersey had 9,288,994 people in the 2020 Census.
- Virginia's population was 8,631,393 as of 2020 Census.
- Washington's 2020 Census population was 7,705,281.
- Arizona counted 7,151,502 residents in 2020.
- Tennessee's population grew to 6,910,840 in 2020.
- Massachusetts had 7,029,917 people per 2020 Census.
- Indiana's 2020 count was 6,785,528.
- Missouri population was 6,154,913 in 2020.
- Maryland recorded 6,177,224 residents in 2020 Census.
- Wisconsin had 5,893,718 people in 2020.
- Colorado's population was 5,773,714 per 2020 Census.
- Minnesota counted 5,706,494 in 2020.
- South Carolina's 2020 population was 5,118,425.
- Alabama had 5,024,279 residents in 2020 Census.
- Louisiana population stood at 4,657,757 in 2020.
- Kentucky recorded 4,505,836 in 2020 Census.
- Oregon's 2020 count was 4,237,256.
- Oklahoma had 3,959,353 people per 2020 Census.
Population Statistics Interpretation
While holding steady at over 331 million souls, America's 2020 headcount reveals a subtle but telling westward and southern shuffle, with California reigning supreme yet sweating Texas's rapid approach, Florida basking in its growth, and New York left to ponder a lone, conspicuous decline.