U.S. Regional Population Losses Linked to High Unemployment

High unemployment rates are not just creating a drag on the U.S. economy, but are also linked to lagging population growth in economically distressed areas, according to a Population Reference Bureau analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Between 2007 and 2008, the population in distressed counties—areas with unemployment rates of 6 percent or more in 2007—grew 0.3 percent, compared with a 1.2 percent growth rate in areas with relatively low unemployment (less than 4 percent). Nationwide, the population grew 0.9 percent during 2007-2008.

Multi-Generational Housing Patterns

From AARP Policy & Research

While most respondents to this January 2009 survey of adults ages 18 and older said that moving in with a friend or family member was unlikely, among those who thought it was a possibility, one-third said that such a move would be due to a loss in income, while one-fifth said it would be due to a change in job status or a change in health status.

IIHS makes interactive state law maps available online

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is enhancing its online presentation of state laws by using interactive maps of the United States. The first such laws to be illustrated are motorcycle and bicycle helmet laws and automated enforcement laws, with additional state law maps becoming available. The maps provide geographic representations of the laws to illustrate the extent to which US states are addressing highway safety concerns.

GPO Publishes Its Annual Report for 2008

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) released the agency’s annual report for fiscal year (FY) 2008, which shows another year of increased revenue.

Statistics on the number of incorporations by state

On the International Association of Commercial Administrators website's page for annual jurisdictional accounts: under 2008 Annual Report, there is a link to a Search by Jurisdiction Online. From there, choose United States and, e.g. New York, choose BOS Annual Report, and Display Report. The page opens to show the number of corporations filed during the past two years, along with the total number on file as of the last two years. They also have full pdf files for previous years.

Unemployment

The State Labor Department estimates the unemployment numbers and rates for communities of 25,000 or more. You can find these here.

Census 2010: Assessing the Bureau's Strategy for Reducing the Undercount of Hard-to-Count Populations

On Monday, March 23, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Information Policy, Census and National Archives Subcommittee held a hearing entitled "Census 2010: Assessing the Bureau’s Strategy for Reducing the Undercount of Hard-to-Count Populations." Witnesses included:
· Mr. Thomas Mesenbourg, Acting Director, U.S. Census Bureau
· Mr. Robert Goldenkoff, Director of Strategic Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office
· Ms. Stacey Cumberbatch, City Census Coordinator, City of New York
· Mr. Jeff Tarakajian, Executive Vice President, DRAFTFCB

Member statements and witness testimony are available here.

Important financial info for consumers

The Federal Reserve Publications Catalog is a treasure chest of 100's of free brochures.
Sort by date to get the latest.

Important financial info for consumers

The Federal Reserve Publications Catalog is a treasure chest of 100's of free brochures.
Sort by date to get the latest.

NPR: Recession Adds To Hurdles Facing U.S. Census

A year from now, the U.S. will conduct its decennial population count. The findings are used to re-apportion congressional districts, disburse federal funding — even decide where new traffic lights go. But the economic crisis threatens to make this daunting task even harder. There is special concern about minority groups, which are traditionally hard to count.

Full audio here.

U.S. Unemployment Understated in Recent Data

As the nation struggles to get a sense of the depth of the current recession, a new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) demonstrates that the current unemployment rate is higher than conventionally measured and is already at roughly the same level as the high reached in 1982, the year with the highest unemployment rate since World War II.

Brookings Holds 2010 Census Forum

On March 18, 2009, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) co-ponsored "Politics, Policy and the 2010 Decennial Census," an engaging discussion of the plans and issues regarding the coming census. Andrew Reamer, Brookings Fellow and APDU President, served as host. The event’s panel, moderated by NPR news editor Ron Elving, included Robert Goldenkoff, Strategic Issues Director, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Terri Ann Lowenthal, a consultant specializing in the census; Frank Vitrano, Chief, Decennial Management Division, Census Bureau; and Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, NALEO.

Event transcript and presentations are available here.
The Washington Post’s view on the event is available at here.

Address canvassing

Public Libraries and Department of Labor Employment Centers

New York's unemployment numbers now show that 762,600 workers statewide are unemployed. Because of the tremendous need for assistance with employment and retraining information and assistance, the NYS Department of Labor (DOL) is interested in placing some DOL employees who could provide employment counseling, programs and training, to work in public libraries across New York.

The State Library and the public library systems are working with the DOL to assess interest and capacity for hosting such staff in public libraries. The public library systems are surveying member libraries this week and next and results will be shared with the Department of Labor as soon as results are complete.

Public Library Systems and public libraries continue to work individually in many regions of the state to collaborate on job/career information training and workshops for both library staff and the public.

For additional information on the survey please contact: Cassie Artale, New York State Library / Division of Library Development, 518/474-1479, cartale@mail.nysed.gov

Interim county population estimates for years in the 1980s

New York data appear starting at line 3920 of the Excel file.

Job Cuts by Major Companies

FIRST-QUARTER LAYOFFS: Selection Of Job Cuts By Major Companies, Dow Jones News Service

Pink Slips Layoff Tracker from Forbes

Top 100 Rated TV Shows Of All Time

In the US, by Rating through February 1, 2009.

I've been fascinated not by the big event stuff, such as the Super Bowls, Root, final episodes and the like but the sheer strength off regular season shows such as the Beverly Hillbillies, Bonanza and Gunsmoke.

Fire Statistics

This page contains statistics on fires that occur in the United States and analytical and topical reports that describe the national fire problem. Also included are statistics related to firefighters and fire departments. The U.S. Fire Administration is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

2009 Rosemary Award for Worst FOIA Performance Goes to FBI

From the report: The Federal Bureau of Investigation won the fifth annual Rosemary Award for the worst Freedom of Information Act performance by a federal agency. The FBI’s reports to Congress show that the Bureau is unable to find any records in response to two-thirds of its incoming FOIA requests on average over the past four years, when the other major government agencies averaged only a 13% "no records" response to public requests.

During fiscal year 2008, the FBI gave "no records" responses to 57% of the requests it processed, more than any other major agency. The Bureau only provided documents (most redacted) in less than 14% of cases — the lowest percentage of requests granted among the major agencies in the federal government. In 2007, the FBI responded with “no records” in 70% of its FOIA requests. In 2006, "no records" peaked at 74%; and in 2005, at 66% — the four-year average.

Economy at a Glance

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) produces Economy at a Glance pages at the national, regional, state, and metropolitan area levels. The data displayed in these pages are assembled from different surveys and programs conducted by BLS. The Economy at a Glance pages are refreshed with current data every time any of the source programs releases new statistics. This typically occurs 7-9 times per month.