American Communities Project

The percentage of Americans with a bachelor’s degree has more than doubled to roughly 36%. And the country has grown much older. In 1976, the median age in the United States was about 28, according to one estimate. Today, it is just under 39, according to the U.S. Census.

Understanding the U.S. Population’s Seismic Changes Since the Bicentennial – American Communities Project Culture Understanding the U.S. Population’s Seismic Changes Since the Bicentennial by Dante Chinni June 30, 2026 July 4th marks the 250th birthday for the United States, a significant milestone for any nation and a time to think about where it’s going … and where it’s been. The USA is a very...

As the federal government remains at odds over a landmark housing bill, a new American Communities Project analysis of median home prices from the American Community Surveys in 2024 and 2010 shows how differently communities have been experiencing price increases over the past 15-plus years. This more granular, community-level analysis illustrates how the long-running geographic and economic divides in housing endure.

In Rising Home Values from 2010 to 2024, Geographic Divides Endure – American Communities Project Economics In Rising Home Values from 2010 to 2024, Geographic Divides Endure by Ari Pinkus June 25, 2026 Since the housing crash sparked the Great Recession almost 20 years ago, home values have been an uneven concern for Americans. As high home prices are felt in more places and younger generations...

The biggest question going into the 2026 election season is who will control the U.S. Senate next January. The ACP’s typology offers insights into the voter landscapes in the six or seven states that will likely determine that answer.

Communities to Watch in U.S. Senate Races This Fall – American Communities Project Politics Communities to Watch in U.S. Senate Races This Fall by Dante Chinni June 17, 2026 Midterm elections can be complicated. The top races in different states can vary — in some it’s the U.S. House, in others the U.S. Senate or Governor. That can make the individual races feel very different...

Unemployment in March 2026 was up nationally and in six of the American Communities Project’s 15 community types compared with March 2025. But, perhaps more to the point, the number of people who were “employed” in the same data dropped in all 15 community types and fell by more than 750,000 nationally.

Unemployment Data Show the Labor Force Shrinking Across Communities – American Communities Project Economics Unemployment Data Show the Labor Force Shrinking Across Communities by Dante Chinni June 03, 2026 The big economic story of President Trump’s second term has been inflation, but the news around unemployment has not been good either, as we have noted on this site. The latest data from Mar...

In Los Angeles, the dramatic, destructive, and expensive fires were not the only big events of 2025. President Trump had railed against this city and other cities as dirty, and dangerous. Soon after his January inauguration, the President activated National Guard troops, and sent them into American cities on patrol. Los Angeles was, if you will, a demonstration project. When 4,000 Guardsmen and -women, and 700 U.S. Marines hit the streets in the spring, they were met with weeks of protests, lawsuits, and steady opposition from state and local politicians.

The Far-Reaching Effects of Increased Immigration Enforcement in LA – American Communities Project Diversity The Far-Reaching Effects of Increased Immigration Enforcement in LA by Ray Suarez May 11, 2026  As I noted at the beginning of this look back at a wrenching year for Los Angeles, the dramatic, destructive, and expensive fires were not the only big events of 2025. President Trump had ...

To understand how escalating gas prices are hitting everyday Americans, the American Communities Project reached out to residents around the country and found they are coping by strategic planning and fill-ups with varying levels of anxiety, trying to balance their pocketbooks with what matters most to them.

How High Gas Prices Are Affecting Everyday Americans Across Communities – American Communities Project Economics How High Gas Prices Are Affecting Everyday Americans Across Communities by Ari Pinkus May 04, 2026 As the conflict with Iran continues, skyrocketing gas prices in United States are the topic of conversation — and consternation — for Americans of all backgrounds and geographies. After p...