Does your New Year’s resolution include an exercise program? If so, you could be joining more than 79 million Americans who take a brisk walk – the nation’s No. 1 sports activity – to keep in shape, according to the 125th edition of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006 issued today.

     Are you a dog lover, or prefer the company of cats? Among other interesting facts, the abstract finds America’s most popular pet is the dog, with 36 percent of households owning at least one.

     The Statistical Abstract dates back to 1878. This year’s edition includes historical tables, as well as 80 new tables on topics as diverse as pet ownership and bathroom remodeling. Overall, the book features 1,375 tables on social, political and economic facts about the United States, and the latest available international statistics.

     Some highlights:

Exercise and Entertainment

• During 2003, slightly more than 3 million people, 80 percent of whom were female, participated in kickboxing.

• Nearly 78 million people read books in the last year.

• More than 68 million people barbecued at least once in the past 12 months and more than 10 million barbecued two or more times a week.

Home Sweet Home

• In 2003, American households spent a yearly average of $40,820, with $13,430 going for housing; $7,780 for transportation; $5,340 for food; and almost $400 for alcohol.

• In 2004, the median income of buyers of second homes to be used for vacations was $71,000, and the median age of the buyer was 55 years.

• Bathroom remodeling was highly popular in 2004, with nearly 16 million U.S. homeowners making this improvement.

Employment

• Wage and salary workers had been with their employer for a median of four years in 2004. Nearly 1-in-10 employees had been with the same employer 20 or more years.

Travel

• In 2004, almost 698 million passengers boarded U.S. scheduled airline planes, up from 666 million in 2000. Revenue per passenger mile for U.S. scheduled airlines declined from 13.5 cents in 2000 to 11.7 cents in 2004.

     The Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006 may be obtained by calling the U.S. Government Printing Office at (202) 512-1800 (ISBN: 0-16-073978-0, $39.00 for the hardbound edition; and ISBN: 0-16-074007-X, $35.00 for the softbound edition) or order online at <http://bookstore.gpo.gov/>.

     It also may be obtained by calling the National Technical Information Service at (800) 553-6847 (PB2006-965301, $39.00 for the hardbound edition; and PB2006-965801, $35.00 for the softbound edition) or order online at <http://www.ntis.gov/>.

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