THE STATS

United States · 49 indicators · 1976 → 2026

Fifty years of American life in numbers — work, money, housing, wealth, school, health, crime, family, government, and energy — every series pulled straight from the agency that publishes it. No vibes, just the data.

50 YearsSince 200010 Years5 Years1 Year
┊ dashed lines mark 1979 Oil shock & inflation peak · 1987 Black Monday crash · 1991 Gulf War recession · 2001 Dot-com bust & 9/11 · 2008 Global financial crisis · 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

Economy & Work

Unemployment Ratepercent, annual average · FRED UNRATE
4.3%2026 thru Jun
−3.4 pts since 1976
7.7% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Underemployment (U-6)percent, annual average · 1994–2026 · FRED U6RATE
8.0%2026 thru Jun
−2.9 pts since 1994
10.9% then
Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Labor Force Participationpercent, annual average · FRED CIVPART
61.8%2026 thru Jun
+0.2 pts since 1976
61.6% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Real GDP Growthpercent per year · FRED A191RL1A225NBEA
2.1%2025
−3.3 pts since 1976
5.4% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Labor Productivityindex, 2017 = 100 · FRED OPHNFB
119.82026 thru Mar
+149% since 1976
48.1 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
CPI Inflationpercent per year · FRED CPIAUCSL
3.3%2026 thru Jun
−2.5 pts since 1976
5.8% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Real Median Household Income2024 dollars · 1984–2024 · FRED MEHOINUSA672N
$83,7302024
+39% since 1984
$60,420 then
Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Manufacturing Jobsemployees, annual average · FRED MANEMP
12.60M2026 thru Jun
−28% since 1976
17.54M then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
New Business Applicationsapplications per year · 2005–2025 · FRED BABATOTALSAUS
5.64M2025
+125% since 2005
2.50M then
Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Money & Debt

Revolving Consumer Creditbillions of dollars, year-end · FRED REVOLSL
$1,351B2026 thru May
+8088% since 1976
$17B then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Student Loan Debtbillions of dollars, year-end · 2006–2024 · FRED SLOAS
$1,777B2024
+241% since 2006
$521B then
Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Personal Saving Ratepercent of disposable income · FRED PSAVERT
3.4%2026 thru May
−8.2 pts since 1976
11.6% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Household Debt Service Ratiopercent of disposable income · 2005–2026 · FRED TDSP
11.2%2026 thru Dec
−3.7 pts since 2005
14.9% then
Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Federal Debt to GDPpercent of GDP · FRED GFDEGDQ188S
122.6%2026 thru Dec
+89 pts since 1976
33.5% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Federal Funds Ratepercent, annual average · FRED FEDFUNDS
3.64%2026 thru Jun
−1.4 pts since 1976
5.04% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
30-Year Mortgage Ratepercent, annual average · FRED MORTGAGE30US
6.34%2026 thru Jul
−2.5 pts since 1976
8.87% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Stock Market (NASDAQ)index, annual average of daily closes · FRED NASDAQCOM
24,4592026 thru Jul
+27077% since 1976
90 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Cost of Living

Median Home Sale Pricedollars, annual average · FRED MSPUS
$409,6002026 thru Mar
+826% since 1976
$44,225 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
RentCPI index, 1982-84 = 100 · FRED CUUR0000SEHA
4452026 thru Jun
+628% since 1976
61 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Homeownership Ratepercent of households, annual average · FRED RHORUSQ156N
65.2%2026 thru Mar
+0.5 pts since 1976
64.7% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Housing Startsunits per year · FRED HOUST
1.36M2026 thru Jun
−12% since 1976
1.53M then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Regular Gasoline Pricedollars per gallon, annual average · 1990–2026 · FRED GASREGW
$3.742026 thru Jul
+188% since 1990
$1.30 then
Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Electricity Pricedollars per kilowatt-hour · 1978–2026 · FRED APU000072610
$0.1942026 thru Jun
+322% since 1978
$0.046 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Wealth & Inequality

Income Inequality (Gini)Gini index, 0-100 · 1976–2024 · FRED SIPOVGINIUSA
41.82024
+6.2 pts since 1976
35.6 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Top 1% Wealth Sharepercent of household net worth · 1989–2026 · FRED WFRBST01134
31.6%2026 thru Dec
+8.7 pts since 1989
22.9% then
Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Poverty Ratepercent of people, all ages · 1989–2024 · FRED PPAAUS00000A156NCEN
12.1%2024
−0.7 pts since 1989
12.8% then
Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Education

College Attainmentpercent of adults 25 and over · 1976–2024 · Census Bureau, CPS Historical Table A-2
38.7%2024
+24 pts since 1976
14.7% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
College TuitionCPI index, 1982-84 = 100 · 1978–2026 · FRED CUSR0000SEEB
9112026 thru Jun
+1423% since 1978
60 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Health

Life Expectancy at Birthyears at birth, both sexes · 1976–2024 · CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics
79.02024
+6.1 yrs since 1976
72.9 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Health Spendingpercent of GDP · 1980–2024 · CMS National Health Expenditure Accounts, via CDC/NCHS Data Query System
18.0%2024
+9.1 pts since 1980
8.9% then
Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Suicide Rateage-adjusted deaths per 100,000 · 2000–2024 · CDC/NCHS, age-adjusted
13.72024
+32% since 2000
10.4 then
Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Drug Overdose Deathsage-adjusted deaths per 100,000 · 2000–2024 · CDC/NCHS, age-adjusted
23.12024
+273% since 2000
6.2 then
Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Adult Smoking Ratepercent of adults, current cigarette smokers (crude) · 2000–2024 · CDC National Health Interview Survey
9.9%2024
−13 pts since 2000
23.3% then
Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Crime & Justice

Violent Crime Rateoffenses per 100,000 people · 1976–2024 · FBI Crime Data Explorer, reported violent crime
363.92024
−22% since 1976
467.8 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Property Crime Rateoffenses per 100,000 people · 1976–2024 · FBI Crime Data Explorer, reported property crime
1,769.02024
−63% since 1976
4,819.5 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Homicide Rateoffenses per 100,000 people · 2000–2025 · FBI Crime Data Explorer, reported homicide
4.32025
−26% since 2000
5.8 then
Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Imprisonment Ratesentenced prisoners per 100,000 residents · 1978–2023 · BJS National Prisoner Statistics
3602023
+175% since 1978
131 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Family & Society

Marriage Ratemarriages per 1,000 population · 1976–2023 · CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics System
6.12023
−38% since 1976
9.9 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Divorce Ratedivorces per 1,000 population (reporting states) · 1976–2023 · CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics System
2.42023
−52% since 1976
5.0 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Total Fertility Ratebirths per woman (total fertility rate) · 1976–2024 · CDC/NCHS, Births: Final Data
1.602024
−8% since 1976
1.74 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Births to Unmarried Motherspercent of all US births · 1976–2015 · CDC/NCHS National Vital Statistics System
40.3%2015
+25 pts since 1976
14.8% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08
Population Growthpercent per year · FRED B230RC0A052NBEA
0.54%2025
−0.4 pts since 1976
0.97% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
HappinessCantril ladder score (0-10) · 2006–2025 · World Happiness Report (Gallup World Poll)
6.972025
−0.2 pts since 2006
7.18 then
Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Government & Democracy

Trust in Governmentpercent trusting the federal government · Pew Research Center, Public Trust in Government 1958-2025
17%2025
−16 pts since 1976
33% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Voter Turnoutpercent of voting-age population, presidential elections · 1976–2024 · Census Bureau, CPS Voting and Registration, Table A-1
59.3%2024
+0.1 pts since 1976
59.2% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Federal Deficitpercent of GDP (negative = deficit) · FRED FYFSGDA188S
−5.8%2025
−1.9 pts since 1976
−3.9% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20

Energy & Environment

CO2 Emissionsmillion metric tons per year · EIA Monthly Energy Review, Table 11.1
4,9042025
+4% since 1976
4,695 then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Renewable Share of Energypercent of total US energy consumption · EIA Monthly Energy Review, Tables 1.1 and 10.1
9.2%2025
+5.5 pts since 1976
3.7% then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
US Average Temperaturedegrees Fahrenheit, annual mean · NOAA NCEI, Climate at a Glance
54.63°2025
+3.2°F since 1976
51.46° then
Oil shock & inflation peak (1979)’79Black Monday crash (1987)’87Gulf War recession (1991)’91Dot-com bust & 9/11 (2001)’01Global financial crisis (2008)’08COVID-19 pandemic (2020)’20
Deep dives
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