PART 1: Demographic Trends in the US and Growing Ethnic
Diversity
As the US population has changed during the last 30 years
and since the beginning of the 21st Century the changes have been
more rapid. As the US population continues to age, it is becoming more
ethnically diverse. What was a trend towards more single heads of households
and smaller households, since the start of the global recession as the middle
class lose their jobs and then their housing shared households have increased.
Most recently, nearly half of those under 18 are ethnic minorities. The share of the U.S. population that is of
working age is falling, leaving fewer potential workers and fewer potential
entrepreneurs. At the same time the rate of female labor participation is no
longer rising. Current forecasts indicate that by 2050 all racial categories
will be in the minority.
Meanwhile the population is rapidly aging placing a
greater burden for health and medical services on an already costly and burden
system. More are retiring each day adversely impacting the social service
system. Retirement investment plans used to invest into the US economy is now
being used to enable retirees to live. As the same time there are fewer and
fewer younger members of the work force to feed the social security system and
retirement programs to support retirees.
These indicators in themselves appear not to have a
significant impact on the decline of the middle class, but serves as a base
line for future changes. However, US census estimates based on individual income
suggest personal poverty rates are
higher among adults residing in shared households.
The following selected demographic trends are focused on:
o Today’s Family Makeup
o Life Expectancy
o America’s Aging
Population
o US Birth Rate and
Child Birth Costs
o Increased
Diversity in the Middle Class
o Urban vs. Rural
o A Nation of
Immigrants
These demographic trends are only the first of a dozen
areas following this part that are supported in detail and discussed.
To understand the changes in US demographics and its
impact on the middle class please go to the website of the Center for Community Futures and click on the PDF file that shows the trends in US demographics along with supporting data, charts and graphics.
You are also welcome to make comments or add your
observations in the comment section below.
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