NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties. For more information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survey Methodology.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2006 there were 111.6 million households in United States. The average household size was 2.6 people.

Families made up 67 percent of the households in United States. This figure includes both married-couple families (50 percent) and other families (17 percent). Nonfamily households made up 33 percent of all households in United States. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE: Thirteen percent of the people living in United States in 2006 were foreign born. Eighty-seven percent was native. Of those born in United States, 59 percent was born in their state of residence.

Among people at least five years old living in United States in 2006, 20 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 62 percent spoke Spanish and 38 percent spoke some other language; 44 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY: In 2006, 83 percent of the people at least one year old living in United States were living in the same residence one year earlier; 10 percent had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 4 percent from another county in the same state, 3 percent from another state, and 1 percent from abroad.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

EDUCATION: In 2006, 84 percent of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 27 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Sixteen percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

The total school enrollment in United States was 79.1 million in 2006. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment was 8.9 million and elementary or high school enrollment was 49.8 million children. College or graduate school enrollment was 20.5 million.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

DISABILITY: In United States, among people at least five years old in 2006, 15 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 6 percent of people 5 to 15 years old, to 12 percent of people 16 to 64 years old, and to 41 percent of those 65 and older.

INDUSTRIES: In 2006, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in United States were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 21 percent, and Manufacturing, 12 percent.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 34 percent; Sales and office occupations, 26 percent; Service occupations, 17 percent; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 13 percent; and Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations, 10 percent. Seventy-nine percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 14 percent was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 7 percent was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

TRAVEL TO WORK: Seventy-six percent of United States workers drove to work alone in 2006, 11 percent carpooled, 5 percent took public transportation, and 5 percent used other means. The remaining 4 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 25 minutes to get to work.

INCOME: The median income of households in United States was $48,451. Eighty percent of the households received earnings and 17 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-seven percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $13,877. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source.

POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS: In 2006, 13 percent of people were in poverty. Eighteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 10 percent of people 65 years old and over. Ten percent of all families and 29 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

POPULATION OF United States: In 2006, United States had a total population of 299.4 million - 152.0 million (51 percent) females and 147.4 million (49 percent) males. The median age was 36.4 years. Twenty-five percent of the population was under 18 years and 12 percent was 65 years and older.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

For people reporting one race alone, 75 percent was White; 13 percent was Black or African American; 1 percent was American Indian and Alaska Native; 4 percent was Asian; less than 0.5 percent was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 6 percent was Some other race. Two percent reported Two or more races. Fifteen percent of the people in United States was Hispanic. Sixty-six percent of the people in United States was White non-Hispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006, United States had a total of 126.3 million housing units, 12 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 67 percent was in single-unit structures, 26 percent was in multi-unit structures, and 7 percent was mobile homes. Twenty-five percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006, United States had 111.6 million occupied housing units - 75.1 million (67 percent) owner occupied and 36.5 million (33 percent) renter occupied. Six percent of the households did not have telephone service and 9 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Thirty-eight percent had two vehicles and another 20 percent had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,402, nonmortgaged owners $399, and renters $763. Thirty-seven percent of owners with mortgages, 16 percent of owners without mortgages, and 50 percent of renters in United States spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006