CB02-FF.13
August 19, 2002
Labor Day 2002: Sept. 2
Who Do We Celebrate Today?
138.8 million
The number of people age 16 and over in the nation's labor force, according
to Census 2000. This number, which represents 64 percent of all adults, increased
by 13.6 million since the 1990 census. Among the nation's workers in 2000 were:
- 74.3 million men -- 71 percent of all men and
- 64.5 million women - 58 percent of all women.
71
Percentage of people age 16 and over in the labor force in Alaska, Minnesota
and New Hampshire in 2000. These three states, along with Colorado, were the
only ones in the nation to top 70 percent. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
Our Jobs
$37,057 and $27,194
As measured in Census 2000, the 1999 median earnings for male and female
full-time, year-round workers. Among men, workers in New Jersey had the highest
annual earnings ($46,368); among women, those in Connecticut topped the list
($33,318). (Women in the District of Columbia, a state equivalent, had median
earnings of $36,361.) <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
- "9 to 5?" Not for the 31 percent of workers 16 and over who worked more than 40 hours a week in 2000. And certainly not for the 8 percent who worked 60 or more hours a week. At the other end of the spectrum, 23 percent worked fewer than 35 hours a week. <http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/01statab/labor.pdf>
- According to Census 2000, 34 percent of employed, civilian workers were in management, professional and related occupations; 27 percent were in sales and office jobs; and 15 percent each in service occupations and production, transportation and material-moving jobs. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
8.6 million
Number of people who indicated in Census 2000 they were self-employed.
These people comprised 7 percent of all workers. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
7.6 million
Number of workers who held down more than one job in 2000. These workers
comprised 6 percent of all employed people 16 and over. <http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/01statab/labor.pdf>
3.5 years
The median amount of time that employed wage and salary workers
16 and over in 2000 had been with their current employer. About 1-in-4 of these
workers had worked for 10 or more years for their current employer. <http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/01statab/labor.pdf>
25.8 million
Number of employed people 16 and over who at the time of Census 2000
worked in educational, health and social services industries. These workers comprised
20 percent of all workers. Another 18.3 million, or 14 percent, worked in manufacturing
industries and 15.2 million, or 12 percent, in retail trade. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
- Some states had a much larger share of workers in certain industries than the national average in 2000. For instance, in Indiana and Michigan, 23 percent of employed people worked in manufacturing industries, compared with 14 percent for the nation as a whole. And in Nevada and Hawaii, 26 percent and 16 percent, respectively, worked in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services industries, compared with 8 percent nationally. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
4.2 million
Number of people who indicated in Census 2000 that they usually
worked at home. The 1990 census counted 3.4 million who did so. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
The Journey to Work
25.5
The average time in minutes it takes to get to work, according to Census
2000 - 3.1 minutes longer than in 1990. Commuters in New York, New Jersey and
Maryland faced average commutes of 30 minutes or more, while those in North Dakota,
South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Iowa, Kansas and Alaska enjoyed commutes
of under 20 minutes. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
76
Percentage of workers 16 and over who drove alone to work, according
to Census 2000, up from the 1990 census, when it was 73 percent. In 2000, 83
percent of commuters in Alabama, Michigan and Ohio drove to work alone, a higher
rate than all other states. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
12
Percentage of workers who carpooled to work at the time of Census
2000, down slightly from 13 percent in 1990. Hawaii, where 19 percent carpooled
in 2000, had the nation's highest rate. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
5
Percentage of workers who took public transportation to work, according
to Census 2000, a decline of about half a percentage point from 1990. In the
District of Columbia and New York state, mass transit was a popular way to get
to work, with 33 percent and 24 percent of commuters, respectively, using this
mode of transportation. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/demoprofiles.html>
The preceding facts come from Census 2000 and the Statistical Abstract of
the United States. The data are subject to sampling variability and other sources
of error. Previous 2002 Census Bureau Facts for Features:
African American History Month (February), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Women's
History Month (March), St. Patrick's Day (March 17), Census Bureau Centennial
(March 6), Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May), Older Americans Month
(May), Mother's Day (May 12), Father's Day (June 16), the Fourth of July, 12th Anniversary
of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26) and Back to School (August). Questions
or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office
(tel [301] 763-3030; fax [301] 457-3670; e-mail: <pio@census.gov>).
available free from Adobe.
