Statistics on More Than 40 Social, Economic and Housing Topics Provide Comprehensive Profile of Communities Nationwide
SEPT. 17, 2015 — Between 2013 and 2014, the majority of metropolitan areas saw an increase in the percentage of people covered by health insurance, according to statistics released today from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, the nation’s most comprehensive information source on American households. The 2014 American Community Survey provides statistics on over 40 social, economic and housing topics for U.S. communities with populations of 65,000 or more.
Between 2013 and 2014, all 50 states and the District of Columbia saw an increase in the percentage of people covered by health insurance.
“American Community Survey statistics inform us of how communities evolve and change, allowing us to see the effects of everything from natural disasters to new laws and policies,” Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson said. “Each new year of statistics provides fresh information for the public to use and compare with the year before, helping to tell America’s story and that of communities from Boston to Honolulu and everywhere in between.”
The percentage of people with private health insurance increased in 18 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas between 2013 and 2014. The Miami metro area, which had one of the lowest rates of private health insurance, had one of the largest percentage point increases from 50.5 percent in 2013 to 54.7 percent in 2014. On the other hand, the Boston metro area, which had one of the highest rates, saw a 1.1 percentage point decrease from 76.7 percent in 2013 to 75.6 percent.
Between 2013 and 2014, 22 of the 25 largest metro areas saw an increase in the percentage of people covered by public health insurance. The largest change was in the Portland, Ore., metro area with a 5.6 percentage point increase from 27.1 percent in 2013 to 32.7 percent in 2014.
Below are highlights of the local-level health insurance, income and poverty statistics that complement the national-level statistics released Wednesday from the Current Population Survey. For more information on the topics included in the American Community Survey, ranging from educational attainment to computer use to commuting, please visit census.gov.
The percentage of people covered by Medicaid, a subtype of public coverage, increased in 19 of the 25 largest metro areas. The Portland, Ore., metro area had the largest increase, going from 14.3 percent in 2013 to 19.8 percent in 2014.
The 2010-2014 American Community Survey five-year statistics, available for all geographic areas regardless of population size, down to the block group level, will be released on Dec. 10.
The American Community Survey provides a wide range of important statistics about all communities in the country. The American Community Survey gives communities the current information they need to plan investments and services. Retailers, homebuilders, fire departments, and town and city planners are among the many private- and public-sector decision makers who count on these annual results. Visit the Stats in Action page to see some examples.
These statistics would not be possible without the participation of the randomly selected households throughout the country in the survey.
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Note: Statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling error. All comparisons made in the reports have been tested and found to be statistically significant at the 90 percent confidence level, unless otherwise noted. Please consult the tables for specific margins of error. For more information, go to //www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/code-lists.html.
Changes in survey design from year to year can affect results. See //www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/news/data-releases/2014.html for more information on changes affecting the 2014 statistics. See //www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/guidance/comparing-acs-data/2014.html for guidance on comparing 2014 American Community Survey statistics with previous years and the 2010 Census.