The 2011 American Economy – Part Two

For the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing with you a total of 50 startling facts about the 2011 U.S. economy. Last week I shared with you the first 10 and this week, the list continues. Even though most American’s have become frustrated with this economy, I know that my students have the ability to not only survive but to thrive in these times. I’m sharing these numbers with you not to scare you, but to prove to you that while things seem bad for you, they could always be worse.
Hopefully many of you will use the list below as a tool to help you share the reality of the U.S. economic crisis with your family and friends. And if any of them need help, send ‘em my way.

11. Back in 1980, less than 30% of all jobs in the United States were low income jobs. Today, more than 40% of all jobs in the United States are low income jobs.

12. Back in 1969, 95 percent of all men between the ages of 25 and 54 had a job. In July, only 81.2 percent of men in that age group had a job.

13. One recent survey found that one out of every three Americans would not be able to make a mortgage or rent payment next month if they suddenly lost their current job.

14. The Federal Reserve recently announced that the total net worth of U.S. households declined by 4.1 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2011 alone.

15. According to a recent study conducted by the BlackRock Investment Institute, the ratio of household debt to personal income in the United States is now 154 percent.

16. As the economy has slowed down, so has the number of marriages. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, only 51 percent of all Americans that are at least 18 years old are currently married. Back in 1960, 72 percent of all U.S. adults were married.

17. The U.S. Postal Service has lost more than 5 billion dollars over the past year.

18. In Stockton, California home prices have declined 64 percent from where they were at when the housing market peaked.

19. Nevada has had the highest foreclosure rate in the nation for 59 months in a row.

20. If you can believe it, the median price of a home in Detroit is now just $6000.