Our Census picture

An interesting aspect of the newly released U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 U.S. Statistical Abstract is that the number of text messages sent on cell phones has more than doubled from 48 billion in 2007 to 110 billion in 2008.

Known as "Uncle Sam’s Almanac," the abstract has been published since 1878 — before automobiles, airplanes and motion pictures had even been invented.

“Contained in the 129th edition are more than 1,400 tables of social, political and economic facts which collectively describe the state of our nation and the world,” notes a statement from the bureau. “Included are 53 new tables, covering topics such as worldwide space launch events this decade, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, the type of work flexibility provided to employees, employment status of veterans and road fatalities by country.”

Stats also come from other governmental agencies and private organizations. The data are generally for the most recent year or period available by summer 2009. Most of the data are national-level, but some tables present state- and even city- and metropolitan-level data as well.

THE FINER ABSTRACT POINTS
• The number of daily newspapers declined from 1,480 in 2000 to 1,408 in 2008. Likewise, the average number of daily newspapers sold dropped from  55.8 million copies in 2000 to 48.6 million in 2008.

• In 2007, the average consumer spent $1,110 on telephone services. Residential telephone and pay phone services made up 43% of total expenditures, with cell phone service comprising 55% and phone cards and pager services making up the remaining  2%.

• In 2008, there were more than 270 million cell phone subscribers; they paid an average monthly bill of $50 with the average call lasting 2.5 minutes.

• In 2008, 8,263 mass layoff events were reported, up from 5,363 in 2007. This situation occurs when an employer has at least 50 unemployment insurance claims lasting at least 31 days filed against them.

• In 2008, retail sales decreased for the first time in this decade: from a high of  $3,995 trillion in 2007 to $3,960 trillion. Sales of consumer electronics are expected to drop nearly 8% in 2009, from a total of $178 billion in 2008 to a projected $165 billion.

• In 2008, 37 percent of employers allowed all or most employees to periodically change starting and quitting times. Eight percent of employees were permitted to compress the workweek by working longer hours on fewer days, 8% to share jobs, 57% to return to work gradually after childbirth or adoption and 47% to take an extended career break for caregiving and other personal or other family reasons.

• Of the 69 worldwide orbital space launches in 2008, 41 were noncommercial and 28 commercial. The U.S. conducted 15 total launches, Russia 26, China 11 and Europe six.

• Residential electric energy prices in 2007 ranged from 20.72 cents per kilowatt-hour in Hawaii to 4.92 cents in Idaho. Alaska and four states in the Northeast also had prices above 16 cents per kilowatt-hour.