Key stats, graphs, and maps on economic and social policy
Data Cards
In 10 years, the population of America’s 100 largest metros grew from 182 million to 197 million
The 100 largest metropolitan areas grew at a rate of 1.41 percent per year, which is rapid among advanced industrial nations.
The US gained 6.2 million fewer jobs after the Great Recession than the 1980s recession
Weak job growth after the recession has contributed to historically high rates of long-term (more than six months) unemployment.
Atlanta’s underground commercial sex economy was valued at
$290 million in 2007
In 2007, Atlanta’s underground sex economy was nearly 2.5 times bigger than the 2013 payroll of the Atlanta Falcons.
$53,850: The average total debt among Americans with a credit file in 2013
That number was substantially higher for people with a mortgage ($209,768) than people without a mortgage ($11,592).
57% of student debt holders are worried they may be unable to repay
Women, the underemployed, and people with low incomes or financially dependent children are more likely to have repayment anxiety.
20% to 50%: The variation in how much money trickles down to local public sectors
Research indicates that more money in a local public sector appeared to increase a government’s effectiveness.
