Census Bureau

US homeowners and renters face rising housing costs, with property taxes up 31% and insurance premiums up 72% since 2019. Half of renters are cost-burdened, and high mortgage rates and inflation are keeping households from moving. Local governments are seeking solutions as construction slows and vacancies rise.

Trump officials are limiting the Census Bureau's methods to protect privacy when releasing statistics, potentially reducing new public data for redistricting and other uses. This push aims to cut 'statistical noise' but may result in less available data.

Texas is experiencing significant population growth and economic expansion, with residents generating higher wealth per capita despite the influx. The state added 419,000 residents between 2024-2025, achieved $2.9 trillion in economic output in 2025, and created over 82,000 jobs, driven by low taxes and business-friendly policies.

Texas is experiencing significant population growth and rising economic output per resident, with nearly 419,000 new residents added in 2024-2025 and $2.9 trillion in economic output in 2025. The state's economy is expanding faster than its population, driven by job creation, low taxes, and business-friendly policies.

The article ranks U.S. states by the earnings gap between adults with a bachelor's degree and those with some college or an associate degree. California has the largest gap (58.5%), while South Dakota has the smallest (17.1%), with urban states showing wider disparities than rural economies reliant on industries like agriculture and manufacturing.

Construction spending on data centers surpassed public spending on transportation, according to the April construction-spending report from the Census Bureau. This marks a notable milestone in infrastructure investment priorities.

The Carolinas are experiencing a population boom due to high-paying job opportunities and relative affordability, with North Carolina seeing the highest net domestic migration in 2023 and South Carolina being the fastest-growing state by percentage. The region's diverse employment landscape and lower living costs have created a powerful draw for those living in more expensive coastal hubs. This growth comes as several traditionally blue states struggle to return to pre-pandemic population levels.

U.S. consumers showed resilience with strong retail sales and employment data, supported by rising wages and a low-layoff job market. However, challenges like rising energy prices, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility could impact future consumer spending.