© 2006 POPULATION REFERENCE BUREAU Linda A. Jacobsen Director, Domestic Programs Population Reference Bureau 300 MILLION AND COUNTING Overview: Challenges

© 2006 POPULATION REFERENCE BUREAU

Linda A. JacobsenDirector, Domestic ProgramsPopulation Reference Bureau

300 MILLION AND COUNTINGOverview:

Challenges and Prospects


Sources: Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League.

There have been major changes in the location of U.S. teams in the major professional sports leagues in 1967 ...


Note: New Orleans and Oklahoma City share an NBA franchise.

Sources: Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League.

... To their present location.


The U.S. population has increased by 78 million since 1970, and is projected to reach 420 million by 2050.

Population in millions

Source: U.S. Census Bureau.


Households have grown faster than population in every decade since 1960.



Fewer households have married couples with children.

Percent distribution of U.S. households, by type


HOUSEHOLD TYPE 1970 2005

Married couples with children 39 22

Married couples without children 31 28

Single parents with children 6 10

Other family 6 7

Living alone 18 27

Other nonfamily 2 6


Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970 Census of Population and 2005 population estimates.

Since 1970, U.S. population growth has been unevenly distributed, with growth in the South and West, and loss in much of the Great Plains.


Population will continue to be more concentrated in the South and West.

Percent of total population



Half of the population lives in the suburbs of metropolitan areas.

Percent of population in metropolitan areas



Children will still outnumber the elderly through 2050.

Percent of total U.S. population by age



The U.S. population is projected to reach majority minority soon after 2050.

Percent of total U.S. population by race/ethnicity



By 2030, half of all children will be members of a racial or ethnic minority.

Percent of children younger than age 18



But, almost three-fourths of the elderly will still be non-Hispanic whites in 2030.

Percent of population ages 65 and over



The number of foreign-born has reached an all-time high, but the percent foreign-born is lower than it was in 1910.



Percent of immigrants admitted to the United States

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2004 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (2005).

The largest share of immigrants to the U.S. still comes from Latin America, but the share coming from Asia has increased substantially since the 1960s.


Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990 decennial census.

In 1990, almost half of all U.S. counties had less than 1% foreign-born, and only one-tenth had 5% or more.


Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 decennial census.

By 2000, only one-fourth of U.S. counties had less than 1% foreign-born, and one in five had 5% or more.


These changes in the size, composition, and location of the population pose significant challenges for the U.S.

• Environment – Land – Water – Energy– Air

• Education system

• Healthcare system

• Political system


Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from U.S. Census Bureau.

U.S. population trends since 1970 have translated into greater political power for the South and West.


Since 1974, poverty rates for children have exceeded those for older Americans.

Percent living in poverty

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys.


Decreases in the rates of child poverty have not closed the gap between minority and white children.

Percent living in poverty

Sources: Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, and U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys.

Documents

© 2006 POPULATION REFERENCE BUREAU Linda A. Jacobsen Director, Domestic Programs Population Reference Bureau 300 MILLION AND COUNTING Overview: Challenges