demographics

Hamilton Nolan · 05/19/16 09:50AM

New Census figures show that U.S. urban growth is slowing, “as a bulge of late-20s Americans reaches prime homebuying age and high urban real-estate costs are making suburbs and exurbs more attractive.” Good!!

Chinese Millennials Sound Like the Freaking Worst!

Hamilton Nolan · 08/14/15 09:30AM

Americans know that the newly empowered “millennial” generation is the greatest threat to our nation’s stability. But did you know that China’s millennial generation has the potential to be even worse?

Are You a Mad Men Superfan? Take Our Quiz!

Alex Pareene · 05/18/15 12:40PM

The critically acclaimed AMC original series Mad Men ended its run last night after seven seasons and 92 episodes of prestige period drama. Creator Matthew Weiner’s ode to the advertising industry in the middle of the 20th century was one of the most talked-about shows of the last decade, with each episode lovingly (and sometimes not-so-lovingly) dissected by a dedicated army of recappers, reviewers and television critics.

Where Inequality, Poverty, and Geography Meet

Hamilton Nolan · 11/19/14 02:21PM

American is an economically unequal country. It is also plagued by a great deal of poverty, particularly by the standards of rich, developed nations. Today, poverty and inequality are meeting in more American places than ever before.

The Breathtaking Cynicism of the Mia Love Lovefest

Hamilton Nolan · 11/06/14 01:04PM

Among the newly elected members of Congress this week was Mia Love, a freshman Congresswoman from Utah's Fourth District. She is a black female Mormon Republican. She is an instant superstar. She is the face of America's political cynicism.

Hamilton Nolan · 11/05/14 02:06PM

Between 2000 and 2010, New York City's black middle class declined significantly, while the high income white population grew significantly. Also: the city's single largest population cluster is "low-income Hispanic."

Cities Still Kicking Suburbs' Ass

Hamilton Nolan · 05/22/14 08:11AM

America's ongoing housing trends have been clear for years: upwardly mobile people are moving to cities, leaving our nation's crumbling suburbs to the deer and the underclass. The latest US Census figures show this trend continuing, DESPITE any propaganda you may hear from suburban apologists.

Hamilton Nolan · 10/29/13 08:26AM

The U.S. city with the highest income is San Jose, California; the city with the lowest income is Brownsville, Texas. And the most average city, for the 237th straight year: Springfield.

Most Households Bizarrely Still Have a Landline

Hamilton Nolan · 09/06/13 08:55AM

In the olden days, in order to make a phone call to someone farther than shouting distance, you had to stand in one place and speak into a receiver wired to a wall, and if someone called you, you had to dash from wherever you were to wherever the phone was anchored. Most people still do this, apparently??

The Broke European Countries Aren't Having Babies

Hamilton Nolan · 07/26/13 02:52PM

Goofus—the European countries that spent like drunken sailors and then saw everything evaporate in the recession— is so depressed he can't even get around to having a baby. But Gallant— the countries that were relative models of fiscal rectitude— has no trouble making babies, if you know what we mean.

Weep, Weep, for White America Is Dying

Hamilton Nolan · 06/13/13 09:07AM

Allow a single tear to trickle down your cheek and drop onto the sleeve of your pale yellow golf shirt, fellow white Americans, for the day that we feared has come. I'm not talking about the cancellation of the U.S. Open, though that is certainly a blow for whites. I'm talking about the very death of our proud but pale race.

Community Colleges Are Segregated and Unequal

Hamilton Nolan · 05/28/13 10:13AM

More than 40% of American college students are enrolled in a community college. The problems facing community colleges resemble the problems facing public schools more than the problems facing larger universities. In particular, racial segregation and inequality.