A Look Back on 2024 Through U.S. Census Bureau Data

Reviewing a Year of Demographic and Economic Shifts

December 26, 2024

Written by:

America Counts Staff

As we close out 2024, we look back at a year of U.S. Census Bureau surveys and releases that told rich stories about our nation’s changing demographics and economic trends.

Census Bureau data document how we’re changing as a country, from how and where we live to economic shifts, increased diversity and how disasters affect communities.

Let’s revisit some of the stories behind the statistics:

January

How Racially and Ethnically Diverse Is Your Neighborhood?

An interactive tool and new racial and ethnic diversity topic page allows you to explore the most diverse census tracts in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

How Racially and Ethnically Diverse Is Your Neighborhood?

Rising Cost of Child Care Services a Challenge for Working Parents

MLK Day: Only Federal Holiday Designated as National Day of Service

Improving Access to Funding for Indigenous Communities

Pandemic’s Impact on Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Revenue

How Racially and Ethnically Diverse Is Your Neighborhood?

An interactive tool and new racial and ethnic diversity topic page allows you to explore the most diverse census tracts in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

February

Legal Sports Betting a Growing Source of Tax Revenue for Many States

New York and many other states show growth in tax revenue from sports betting.

Legal Sports Betting a Growing Source of Tax Revenue for Many States

Natural Disasters Are Primary Reason Island Areas Residents Moved

Is the Gender Wage Gap the Same at Different Education Levels?

How Many U.S. Businesses Offer Health Coverage to Employees?

How Many U.S. Businesses Offer Health Insurance to Employees?

Legal Sports Betting a Growing Source of Tax Revenue for Many States

New York and many other states show growth in tax revenue from sports betting.

March

Seven Annual Economic Surveys Combined into One

The Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES) will provide key yearly measures of economic activity including business revenues, expenses, and assets.

Seven Annual Economic Surveys Combined into One

“Excess Mortality" During COVID-19 Varied by Race, Ethnicity, Geography

Four of Nation’s Fastest-Growing Metro Areas Are in Florida

Grandparents Living With Grandchildren

The Share of Coupled Households in Your County and the Nation

Seven Annual Economic Surveys Combined into One

The Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES) will provide key yearly measures of economic activity including business revenues, expenses, and assets.

April

How Parents Coped with the Infant Formula Shortage

The Household Pulse Survey shows the number of parents reporting difficulty getting infant formula decreased significantly between fall 2022 and summer 2023.

How Parents Coped with the Infant Formula Shortage

Where Do Immigrants Live?

Bridge Collapse Could Affect Over a Million People in Baltimore Area

Wealth by Race of Householder

Largest Annual Spike in Public School Spending in Over 20 Years

How Parents Coped with the Infant Formula Shortage

The Household Pulse Survey shows the number of parents reporting difficulty getting infant formula decreased significantly between fall 2022 and summer 2023.

May

Who Commuted on Baltimore’s Key Bridge?

Francis Scott Key Bridge commuters had long, early commutes and were concentrated in specific earnings and occupational categories.

Who Commuted on Baltimore’s Key Bridge?

From Great Resignation to Great Reshuffling

More People Moved Farther Away From City Centers Since COVID-19

Puerto Rico’s Foreign-Born Population Has Declined

How Many Young and Older Adults Lived Alone?

Who Commuted on Baltimore’s Key Bridge?

Francis Scott Key Bridge commuters had long, early commutes and were concentrated in specific earnings and occupational categories.

June

Over Half of Spouses in Same-Sex Marriages Tied the Knot After 2014

A new report provides characteristics and living arrangements of spouses in same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

Over Half of Spouses in Same-Sex Marriages Tied the Knot After 2014

Broadband Access in Tribal Areas Lags Rest of the Nation

Majority of Older Adults in Poverty in 2021 Lived Alone

Older Population Grew in Nearly All U.S. Metro Areas

Where You Can Get More House for the Money

Over Half of Spouses in Same-Sex Marriages Tied the Knot After 2014

A new report provides characteristics and living arrangements of spouses in same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

July

Helping El Salvador Conduct Its First Census in 17 Years

The U.S. Census Bureau’s International Programs Center has provided technical assistance for census counts in more than 100 countries.

Helping El Salvador Conduct Its First Census in 17 Years

Shifts in Childhood Environment Shrink “Race Gaps,” Widen “Class Gaps”

Hometown Heroes: Who Is Representing Team USA at the Summer Games in Paris?

Not All Racial and Ethnic Groups Are Aging At National Pace

2024 Paris Olympics: U.S. Population’s French Connection

Helping El Salvador Conduct Its First Census in 17 Years

The U.S. Census Bureau’s International Programs Center has provided technical assistance for census counts in more than 100 countries.

August

Who Lives in Homes They Own?

Detailed demographic and housing characteristics data from the 2020 Census released today include household statistics on nearly 1,500 race and ethnic groups.

Who Lives in Homes They Own?

How to Measure Disasters’ Impact on Supply Chains

Where Do Male and Female Same-Sex Couples Live?

Rethinking Urban and Rural Distinctions

Mental Health Struggles Among Older Adults During the Pandemic

Who Lives in Homes They Own?

Detailed demographic and housing characteristics data from the 2020 Census released today include household statistics on nearly 1,500 race and ethnic groups.

September

How COVID-19 Changed Older Adults’ Work and Lifestyle

New data visualization shows differences in older adults’ work and lifestyle patterns from 2019 to 2022.

How COVID-19 Changed Older Adults’ Work and Lifestyle

Supplemental Poverty Measure Below Official Poverty Rate in 32 States

Median Household Income Increased in 2023 for First Time Since 2019

Health Coverage for Working-Age Adults Rose in Every State Since 2013

Largest Annual Real Increase in Gross Rental Costs Since 2011

How COVID-19 Changed Older Adults’ Work and Lifestyle

New data visualization shows differences in older adults’ work and lifestyle patterns from 2019 to 2022.

October

Measuring Weather’s Impact on Business

The Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) now collects data on the impact of extreme weather events on business sales.

Measuring Weather’s Impact on Business

How Do Power Outages Affect Households?

U.S. Divorce Rates Down, Marriage Rates Stagnant From 2012-2022

A Profile of the Nation’s Hispanic-Owned Businesses

Hurricane Helene’s Impact on the Socially Vulnerable in North Carolina

Measuring Weather’s Impact on Business

The Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) now collects data on the impact of extreme weather events on business sales.

November

Impact of Changes to the North American Industry Classification System

The latest NAICS brings significant changes to how the Census Bureau disseminates its estimates by industry.

Impact of Changes to the North American Industry Classification System

A Profile of the Nation’s Veteran-Owned Businesses

Share of U.S. Coupled Households With Children Declined in 2023

U.S. Volunteerism Rebounding After COVID-19 Pandemic

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Private and Public Employment

Impact of Changes to the North American Industry Classification System

The latest NAICS brings significant changes to how the Census Bureau disseminates its estimates by industry.

December

Who Manages the Nation’s Airports?

We link two sets of data from the 2022 Census of Governments: the number of airport authorities and air transportation financial data.

Who Manages the Nation’s Airports?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Many Businesses

Rising Home Equity Boosted Household Wealth During Pandemic

U.S. Population Grows at Fastest Pace in More Than Two Decades

Who Manages the Nation’s Airports?

We link two sets of data from the 2022 Census of Governments: the number of airport authorities and air transportation financial data.

Related Statistics

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Related Information

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Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the U.S.: 2010 Census and 2020 Census

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Top Fastest-Growing Cities

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Percent Change in County Population: July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023