From the US Census Bureau:

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Veterans

21.2 million
Number of military veterans in the United States in 2012.
Source: 2010-2012 American Community Survey http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/DP02/0100000US

1.6 million
Number of female veterans in the United States in 2012.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21001/0100000US

11.3%
Percent of black veterans in 2012. Additionally, 5.7 percent were Hispanic; 1.3 percent were Asian; 0.8 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.2 percent were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and 79.6 percent were non-Hispanic white. (The numbers for blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, and non-Hispanic whites cover only those reporting a single race.)
Source: 2012 American Community Survey http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/S2101

9.6 million
Number of veterans 65 and older in 2012. At the other end of the age spectrum, 1.8 million were younger than 35.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21001/0100000US

When They Served

7.4 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans in 2012. Moreover, there were 5.4 million who served during the Gulf Wars (representing service from August 1990 to present); 1.6 million who served in World War II (1941-1945); 2.3 million who served in the Korean War (1950-1953); and 5.3 million who served in peacetime only.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21002

54,117
Number of living veterans in 2012 who served during the Vietnam era and both Gulf War eras and no other period. Other living veterans in 2012 who served during three wars: The number who served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam era, 50,004, was not statistically different than the number who served during the Vietnam era and both Gulf War eras.

Living veterans in 2012 who served during two wars and no other period:

933,315 served during both Gulf War eras.
307,376 served during both Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) and Vietnam era.
209,183 served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam era.
113,269 served during both World War II and the Korean War.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21002

Where They Live

3
Number of states with 1 million or more veterans in 2012. These states were California
(1.9 million), Texas (1.6 million) and Florida (1.6 million).
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/S2101/0100000US.04000

13.6%
Percent of people 18 years and older in Alaska who were veterans in 2012; this is the highest percentage of veterans of any state. Montana followed with 12.7 percent.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/R2101.US01PRF

Education

26.7%
Percent of veterans 25 and older with at least a bachelor’s degree in 2012. In comparison,
29.1 percent of the total population had a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21003

29.2%
Percent of veterans 25 and older with a high school diploma in 2012, compared with the 28.0 percent of the population as a whole.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21003

Income

$36,264
Annual median income of veterans in 2012, compared with $26,278 for the population as a whole.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/05_EST/B21004

On the Job

8.7 million
Number of veterans 18 to 64 in the labor force in 2012.
Source: 2012 American Community Survey
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/C21005

Service Connected Disabilities

3.6 million
Number of veterans with a service-connected disability rating in 2012. Of this number, 881,981 had a rating of 70 percent or higher. A “service-connected” disability is one that was a result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Severity of one’s disability is scaled from 0 to 100 percent, and eligibility for compensation depends on one’s rating.

Voting

14.7 million
Number of veterans who voted in the 2012 presidential election. Seventy percent of veterans cast a ballot in the presidential election.
Source: Table 13. Reported Voting and Registration, by Sex, Veteran Status, and Age: November 2012
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2012/tables.html

12.4 million
Number of veterans who voted in the 2010 congressional election. Fifty-seven percent of veterans voted in the 2010 congressional election.
Source: Table 13. Reported Voting and Registration, by Sex, Veteran Status, and Age: November 2010
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2010/tables.html

Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts and vampires. Today, Halloween has evolved into a celebration characterized by child-friendly activities, such as costumes, trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns.

Trick or Treat!

41.1 million
The estimated number of potential trick-or-treaters in 2012 — children age 5 to 14 — across the U.S. Of course, many other children — older than 14 and younger than 5 — also go trick-or-treating.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html

115 million
Number of occupied housing units across the nation in second quarter 2013 — all potential stops for
trick-or-treaters.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership, Table 8
http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtabs.html

93.3%
Percentage of households with residents who considered their neighborhood safe in 2011. In addition, 79.5 percent said there was no place within a mile of their homes where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States, 2011, http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-570.pdf

1,148
Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2011, employing 35,538 people. California led the nation in the number of chocolate and cocoa manufacturing establishments, with 122, followed by Pennsylvania, with 109.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

440
Number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced nonchocolate confectionary products in 2011. California led the nation in this category, with 56.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

Where to Spend Halloween?

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood are:

Tombstone, Ariz. (estimated population 1,358)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US0474400

Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (estimated population 3,339)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US1770161

[Note: There is also obviously Sleepy Hollow, NY where the real Legend of Sleepy Hollow story by Washington Irving was based. It used to be part of Tarrytown – kj]

Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (estimated population 6,827)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US3735720

Casper, Wyo. (estimated population 57,813)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US5613150

Scarville, Iowa (estimated population 71)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Population Estimates
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2012/PEPANNRES/1620000US1971040

Spooktacular Fun

4,575
The number of motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) where one could possibly enjoy a horrorfest. California (537), Texas (296), New York (272) and Florida (206) had the most of such establishments. There were 244 drive-in motion picture theaters in 2011 – Ohio, with 24, had the most.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

47,800
Acres of pumpkins harvested in the U.S. in 2012, with a total estimated production value of $148.9 million. Of the top six pumpkin-producing states, Illinois led the country by producing an estimated 556.3 million pounds of this vined gourd, followed by California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan. Pumpkins are frequently carved as decorations around Halloween.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service
http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/VegeSumm/VegeSumm-01-29-2013.pdf

$165 million
The estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of private nonresidential construction spending on theme/amusement parks for June 2013. Halloween events at theme/amusement parks can be frighteningly fun. For more information about construction spending, please visit: http://www.census.gov/constructionspending
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Manufacturing and Construction Statistics
http://www.census.gov/construction/c30/xls/privsatime.xls

1,197
The number of costume rental and formal wear establishments; they had 6,936 paid employees (for pay period including March 12) across the nation in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns
http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

$1.1 billion
Dollar value of U.S. fresh apples exported in 2012. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $284 million worth. Whether bobbing for or dipping in caramel, apples can be a fun treat around Halloween.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Statistics
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/index.html

Who You Gonna Call?

89%
Percent of all households that had a cellular phone in 2011 compared with only 36 percent in
1998. The percentage of households with a cellular phone only (no landline) rose from less than 1 percent in 1998 to 28 percent in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States, 2011, http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-570.pdf

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1989 by Congress to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Population

53 million
The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2012, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 17 percent of the nation’s total population.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

1.1 million
Number of Hispanics added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012. This number is
close to half of the approximately 2.3 million people added to the nation’s population during this period.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
National Characteristics: Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic origin
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2012/index.html, See first bullet under “Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin”

2.2%
Percentage increase in the Hispanic population between 2011 and 2012.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
National Characteristics: Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic origin
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2012/index.html, See first bullet under “Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin”

128.8 million
The projected Hispanic population of the United States in 2060. According to this projection, the Hispanic population will constitute 31 percent of the nation’s population by that date.
Source: Population Projections
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb08-123.html

2nd
Ranking of the size of the U.S. Hispanic population worldwide, as of 2010. Only Mexico
(112 million) had a larger Hispanic population than the United States (50.5 million).
Source: International Data Base
http://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/informationGateway.php

65%
The percentage of Hispanic-origin people in the United States who were of Mexican background in 2011. Another 9.4 percent were of Puerto Rican background, 3.8 percent Salvadoran, 3.6 percent Cuban, 3.0 percent Dominican and 2.3 percent Guatemalan. The remainder was of some other Central American, South American or other Hispanic/Latino origin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey: Table B03001
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table

States and Counties

Florida
The state with the highest median age, 34, within the Hispanic population.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
State Characteristics: Median Age by Race and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2012/index.html

10 million
The estimated population for those of Hispanic-origin in Texas as of July 1, 2012.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
State Characteristics: Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2012/index.html

8
The number of states with a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2012 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
State Characteristics: Population by Race and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2012/index.html

More than 50%
The percent of all the Hispanic population that lived in California, Florida, and Texas as of July 1, 2012.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
State Characteristics: Population by Race and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2012/index.html

47%
The percentage of New Mexico’s population that was Hispanic as of July 1, 2012, the highest of any state.
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
State Characteristics: Population by Race and Hispanic Origin
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb13-112.html

14.5 million
The Hispanic population of California. This is the largest Hispanic population of any state as well as the largest numeric increase within the Hispanic population since July 1, 2011 (232,000).
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb13-112.html

4.8 million
The Hispanic population of Los Angeles County, Calif., in 2012. This is the highest of any county and the largest numeric increase since 2012 (55,000).
Source: 2012 Population Estimates
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb13-112.html

21
Number of states in which Hispanics were the largest minority group. These states were Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Source: American FactFinder: United States DP-1
http://factfinder2.census.gov

Families and Children

11.6 million
The number of Hispanic family households in the United States in 2012.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1 http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html

62.3%
The percentage of Hispanic family households that were married couple households in 2012.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1 http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html

60.4%
The percentage of Hispanic married-couple households that had children younger than 18 present in 2012.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html

65.7%
Percentage of Hispanic children living with two parents in 2012.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table C9 http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html

45.3%
Percentage of Hispanic married couples with children under 18 where both spouses were employed in 2012.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table FG-1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html

Spanish Language

37.6 million
The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2011. This is a 117 percent increase since 1990 when it was 17.3 million. Those who hablan español en casa constituted 12.9 percent of U.S. residents 5 and older. More than half of these Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.”
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey: Table B16001 http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B16001&prodType=table and Language Use in the United States: 2007
http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/acs-12.pdf

74.3%
Percentage of Hispanics 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey: Table B16006 http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B16006&prodType=table

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$38,624
The median income of Hispanic households in 2011.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, Table A
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

25.3%
The poverty rate among Hispanics in 2011, down from 26.5 percent in 2010. Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, Table B
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

30.1%
The percentage of Hispanics who lacked health insurance in 2011.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, Table C-2
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb12-172.html

Education

63.2%
The percentage of Hispanics 25 and older that had at least a high school education in 2011. Source: American Community Survey: 2011 Table S0201 (crossed with Hispanic origin) <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table

13.2%
The percentage of the Hispanic population 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or
higher in 2011.
Source: American Community Survey: 2011 Table S0201 (crossed with Hispanic origin) <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table

3.7 million
The number of Hispanics 25 and older who had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2011.
Source: American Community Survey: 2011 Table S0201 (crossed with Hispanic origin) <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table

1.2 million
Number of Hispanics 25 and older with advanced degrees in 2011 (e.g., master’s, professional, doctorate).
Source: American Community Survey: 2011 Table S0201 (crossed with Hispanic origin) <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?fpt=table

14.5%
Percentage of students (both undergraduate and graduate students) enrolled in college in 2011 who were Hispanic.
Source: School Enrollment Data Current Population Survey: October 2011, Table 1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2011/tables.html

22.5%
Percentage of elementary and high school students that were Hispanic in 2011.
Source: School Enrollment Data Current Population Survey: October 2011, Table 1
http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2011/tables.html

Foreign-Born

36.2%
Percent of the Hispanic population that was foreign-born in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table: S0201
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_09_1YR_S0201&prodType=table

Jobs

67.4%
Percentage of Hispanics or Latinos 16 and older who were in the civilian labor force in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table: S0201 (Hispanic)
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_S0201&prodType=table

19.2%
The percentage of civilian employed Hispanics or Latinos 16 and older who worked in management, business, science, and arts occupations in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table: S0201 (Hispanic)
http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_1YR/S0201//popgroup~400

Voting

8.4%
The percentage of voters in the 2012 presidential election who were Hispanic. Hispanics comprised 7 percent of voters in 2010.
Source: News Release: Census Bureau Reports Hispanic Voter Turnout Reaches Record High for Congressional Election
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/voting/cb11-164.html and Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2012: Table 2
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/publications/p20/2012/tables.html

Serving our Country

1.2 million
The number of Hispanics or Latinos 18 and older who are veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey: Table B21001I
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B21001I&prodType=table

Businesses

Source for statements in this section: Statistics for All U.S. Firms by Industry, Gender, Ethnicity, and Race for the U.S., States, Metro Areas, Counties, and Places: 2007, Table SB0700CSA01
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=SBO_2007_00CSA01&prodType=table Data for 2012 are being collected.

2.3 million
The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in 2007, up 43.6 percent from 2002.

$350.7 billion
Receipts generated by Hispanic-owned businesses in 2007, up 58.0 percent from 2002.

23.7%
The percentage of businesses in New Mexico in 2007 that were Hispanic-owned, which led all states. Florida (22.4 percent) and Texas (20.7 percent) were runners-up.

The Buckeye Singles Council started “National Singles Week” in Ohio in the 1980s to celebrate single life and recognize singles and their contributions to society. The week is now widely observed during the third full week of September (Sept. 15-21 in 2013) as “Unmarried and Single Americans Week,” an acknowledgment that many unmarried Americans do not identify with the word “single” because they are parents, have partners or are widowed. In this edition of Facts for Features, unmarried people include those who were never married, widowed or divorced, unless otherwise noted.

Single Life

103 million
Number of unmarried people in America 18 and older in 2012. This group made up 44.1 percent of all U.S. residents 18 and older.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012
Table A1

53.6%
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older who were women in 2012; 46.4 percent were men.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

62%
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older in 2012 who had never been married. Another 24 percent were divorced, and 14 percent were widowed.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

17 million
Number of unmarried U.S. residents 65 and older in 2012. These seniors made up 16 percent of all unmarried people 18 and older.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

87
Number of unmarried men 18 and older for every 100 unmarried women in the United States in 2012.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

56 million
Number of households maintained by unmarried men and women in 2012. These households comprised 46 percent of households nationwide.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A2

33 million
Number of people who lived alone in 2012. They comprised 27 percent of all households, up from 17 percent in 1970.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table H1 and HH-4

Parenting

36%
Percentage of women age 15 to 50 with a birth in the last 12 months, as of 2011, who were widowed, divorced or never married.
Source: 2011 American Community Survey Table DP02

40%
Percentage of opposite-sex, unmarried-partner couples in 2012 that lived with at least one biological child of either partner.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table UC3

804,000
Number of unmarried grandparents who were responsible for most of the basic care of a co-resident grandchild in 2011. Twenty-nine percent of co-resident grandparents responsible for their grandchildren were unmarried.
Source: 2011 American Community Survey Table B10057

Unmarried Couples

6.7 million
Number of unmarried-partner households in 2011. Of this number, 605,000 were same-sex households.
Source: 2011 American Community Survey Table B11009

Voters

39%
Percentage of voters in the 2012 presidential election, who were unmarried, compared to 24 percent of voters in the 1972 presidential election.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2012 Table 9

35%
Percentage of voters in the 2010 November election who were unmarried.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2010 Table 9

Education

32.1%
Percentage of unmarried people 25 and older in 2012 who had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest level of attainment.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2012 Table 2

26%
Percentage of unmarried people 25 and older in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree or more education.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2012 Table 2

In 1970, Marian McQuade initiated a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation, declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. This day has been celebrated every year since in honor of our nation’s grandparents. The Census Bureau presents updates of statistics about their role and responsibilities in our society.

7 million
The number of grandparents whose grandchildren under age 18 were living with them in 2011. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10050

Grandparents as Caregivers

2.7 million
The number of grandparents responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2011. Of these caregivers, 1.7 million were grandmothers and 1.0 million were grandfathers. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10056

594,000
The number of grandparents responsible for grandchildren under age 18 and whose income was below the poverty level in the past 12 months compared with the 2.1 million grandparent caregivers whose income was at or above the poverty level. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10059

$45,526
Median income for families with grandparent householders responsible for grandchildren under age 18. Among these families, where a parent of the grandchildren was not present, the median income was $33,627. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10010

1.9 million
The number of married (including separated) grandparents responsible for caring for their grandchildren. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10057

1.7 million
The number of grandparents in the labor force responsible for own grandchildren under age 18. Among them, 338,000 were 60 years or older. Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10058

657,000
The number of grandparents who had a disability and were responsible for their grandchildren. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10052

1.9 million
The number of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren who were living in owner-occupied housing, compared with 844,000 that were living in renter-occupied housing. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011, American Community Survey, Table B10061

505,000
The number of foreign-born grandparents responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18. This contrasts with 2.2 million native-born grandparent caregivers. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10053

2.1 million
The number of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren, who speak only English. Another 255,000 speak another language, but speak English “very well”; 414,000 speak another language and speak English less than “very well.” Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10054 http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B10054&prodType=table

Grandchildren

5.5 million
The number of children under 18 living with a grandparent householder in 2011. Nearly half, 48 percent or 2.6 million, were under age 6. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B10001

10%
Percentage of children in the U.S. living with a grandparent in 2012, totaling 7.1 million. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012, Table C4

2.7 million
The number of children living with both grandmother and grandfather in 2012. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012, Table C4

It’s Official

14,821
The number of nursery, garden center and farm supply businesses with paid employees in the U.S. in 2011. The forget-me-not was named the official flower of National Grandparents Day by the National Grandparents Day Council. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/

59,458
The number of musicians, singers and related workers employed full time, year-round, in 2011. “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa” was named the official song of National Grandparents Day in 2004 by the National Grandparents Day Council. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B24124

The first observance of Labor Day was likely on Sept. 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City for a parade. That celebration inspired similar events across the country, and by 1894 more than half the states were observing a “workingmen’s holiday” on one day or another. Later that year, with Congress passing legislation and President Grover Cleveland signing the bill on June 29, the first Monday in September was designated “Labor Day.” This national holiday is a creation of the labor movement in the late 19th century — and pays tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

Who Are We Celebrating?

155.7 million
Number of people 16 and over in the nation’s labor force in May 2013.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table A-1

Our Jobs

Largest Occupations, 2012 (Number of employees)
Retail salespeople 4,340,000
Cashiers 3,314,010
Combined food preparation and serving workers (including fast food), 2,943,810
Office clerks, general 2,808,100
Registered nurses 2,633,980
Waiters and waitresses 2,332,020
Customer service representatives 2,299,750
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand 2,143,940
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping 2,097,380
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal 2,085,680

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment and wages for the largest and smallest occupations, May 2012

Largest Occupations, 1910 (Number of employees)
Farmers (owners and tenants) 6,132,000
Farm laborers, wageworkers 2,832,000
Farm laborers, unpaid family workers 2,514,000
Operatives and kindred workers, manufacturing 2,318,000
Laborers, nonmanufacturing industries 2,210,000
Laborers, manufacturing 1,487,000
Salesmen and sales clerks, retail trade 1,454,000
Housekeepers, private household – living out 1,338,000
Managers, officials, and proprietors, retail trade 1,119,000
Mine operatives and laborers, crude petroleum and 907,000

Source: Statistical Abstract, Bicentennial Edition: Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970, Chaper D: Labor, Part 1, Page 20 of pdf, Series D 233-682. Detailed Occupation of the Economically Active Population: 1900 to 1970 http://www2.census.gov/prod2/statcomp/documents/CT1970p1-05.pdf

Note: 1910 data are not for comparison to current OES data since the two data sources are not comparable.

847,516
The number of paid employees (for pay period including March 12) who worked for a gasoline station in the U.S. in 2011. Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a holiday in February 1887. Oregon (9,634 paid gasoline station employees), along with New Jersey (15,734 paid gasoline station employees), are the only states without self-service gasoline stations.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns

15.9 million
The number of wage and salary workers age 16 and over represented by a union in 2012. This group includes both union members (14.4 million) and workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union contract (1.6 million).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table 1

14.5 million
Number of female workers 16 and over in service occupations in 2011. Among male workers 16 and over, 11.2 million were employed in service-related occupations.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table C24010

1.9%
Percentage increase in employment in the U.S. between December 2011 and
December 2012. Employment increased in 287 of the 328 largest counties (large counties are defined as having employment levels of 75,000 or more).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

7.4%
Percentage increase over the year in employment in Elkhart, Ind., between December 2011 and December 2012, compared with national job growth of 1.9 percent. Within Elkhart, the largest employment increase occurred in manufacturing, which gained 5,479 jobs over the year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Another Day, Another Dollar

$48,202 and $37,118
The 2011 real median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, Table A-4

Fastest Growing Jobs

70%
Projected percentage growth from 2010 to 2020 in the number of personal care aides (607,000). Analysts expect this occupation to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (711,900).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employee Benefits

84.7%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2011. Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011, derived from Table 7

Say Goodbye to Summer

Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.

25,448
The number of shoe stores for back-to-school shopping in 2011. Other choices of retail establishments abound: there were 28,128 family clothing stores, 7,093 children and infants clothing stores, 8,144 office supply and stationery stores, 8,407 bookstores and 8,625 department stores.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns

21,227
The number of sporting goods stores nationwide in 2011. In U.S. sports, college football teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 County Business Patterns

48,548
The number of travel agents employed full time, year-round in 2011. In addition, there were 15,067 tour and travel guides employed full time, year-round nationwide, according to the 2011 American Community Survey. On a weekend intended to give U.S. workers a day of rest, many climb into their drivers’ seats or board an airplane for a quick end of the summer getaway.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B24124

The Commute to Work

5.7 million
Number of commuters who left for work between midnight and 4:59 a.m. in 2011. They represented 4.3 percent of all commuters.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B08132

4.3%
Percentage of workers 16 and over who worked from home in 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B08128

76.4%
Percentage of workers 16 and over who drove alone to work in 2011. Another 9.7 percent carpooled and 2.8 percent walked from home.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table S0801

25.5 minutes
The average time it took workers in the U.S. to commute to work in 2011. Maryland and New York had the most time-consuming commutes, averaging 32.2 and 31.5 minutes, respectively.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table R080