NOTE. Data are limited to the household population and exclude the population living in institutions, college dormitories, and other group quarters. For information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survey Methodology.

POPULATION OF United States: In 2005, United States had a household population of 288.4 million - 147.1 million (51 percent) females and 141.3 million (49 percent) males. The median age was 36.4 years. Twenty-five percent of the population were under 18 years and 12 percent were 65 years and older.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

For people reporting one race alone, 76 percent were White; 12 percent were Black or African American; 1 percent were American Indian and Alaska Native; 4 percent were Asian; less than 0.5 percent were Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 6 percent were Some other race. Two percent reported Two or more races. Fifteen percent of the people in United States were Hispanic. Sixty-seven percent of the people in United States were White non-Hispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2005 there were 111.1 million households in United States. The average household size was 2.6 people.

Families made up 67 percent of the households in United States. This figure includes both married-couple families (50 percent) and other families (17 percent). Nonfamily households made up 33 percent of all households in United States. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were comprised of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE: Twelve percent of the people living in United States in 2005 were foreign born. Eighty-eight percent were native. Of those born in United States, 59 percent were born in their state of residence.

Among people at least five years old living in United States in 2005, 19 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 62 percent spoke Spanish and 38 percent spoke some other language; 45 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY: In 2005, 84 percent of the people at least one year old living in United States were living in the same residence one year earlier; 10 percent had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 3 percent from another county in the same state, 2 percent from another state, and 1 percent from abroad.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

EDUCATION: In 2005, 84 percent of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 27 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Sixteen percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

The total school enrollment in United States was 75.9 million in 2005. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment was 8.8 million and elementary or high school enrollment was 49.1 million children. College or graduate school enrollment was 18.0 million.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

DISABILITY: In United States, among people at least five years old in 2005, 15 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 6 percent of people 5 to 15 years old, to 12 percent of people 16 to 64 years old, and to 40 percent of those 65 and older.

INDUSTRIES: In 2005, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in United States were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 21 percent, and Manufacturing, 12 percent.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 34 percent; Sales and office occupations, 26 percent; Service occupations, 16 percent; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 13 percent; and Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations, 10 percent. Seventy-eight percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 15 percent were Federal, state, or local government workers; and 7 percent were Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

TRAVEL TO WORK: Seventy-seven percent of United States workers drove to work alone in 2005, 11 percent carpooled, 5 percent took public transportation, and 4 percent used other means. The remaining 4 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 25.1 minutes to get to work.

INCOME: The median income of households in United States was $46,242. Eighty percent of the households received earnings and 17 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-seven percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,371. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source.

POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS: In 2005, 13 percent of people were in poverty. Eighteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 10 percent of people 65 years old and over. Ten percent of all families and 29 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005, United States had a total of 124.5 million housing units, 11 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 67 percent were in single-unit structures, 26 percent were in multi-unit structures, and 7 percent were mobile homes. Twenty-three percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2005, United States had 111.1 million occupied housing units - 74.3 million (67 percent) owner occupied and 36.8 million (33 percent) renter occupied. Five percent of the households did not have telephone service and 9 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Thirty-eight percent had two vehicles and another 20 percent had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,295, nonmortgaged owners $369, and renters $728. Thirty-five percent of owners with mortgages, 15 percent of owners without mortgages, and 49 percent of renters in United States spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.

Source: American Community Survey, 2005