"The latest edition of this reference-shelf standby, compiled from data collected from U.S. government and state sources, provides statistical information and analysis of trends on the economies and population of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The chapters, arranged alphabetically by state, survey population, income, economy, housing, education, and government, with text analyzing the accompanying statistical tables and graphs. In addition to state-ranking and statistical tables, the book offers a narrative analysis of state population and economic trends. This remains an excellent statistical source for large public and academic libraries." -- Booklist "This fifth edition charts market forces, the decline of agriculture and manufacturing, effects of the recession, migration, and other trends affecting state (and District of Columbia) demographics. Building on previous editions, the data items obtained from federal agencies are updated through 2010, and in some cases 2011 and 2012.
This edition sketches recent voting patterns as well. This work serves as a go-to resource for ranking states by 25-plus characteristics including population, demographic/age composition, poverty, education, and more. Each state entry includes information on population; marital status; income, migration, and language; households; income and poverty; health insurance coverage; employment; education; voter participation; crime; and government finance. Continuity across chapters is assured as each relies on identical sets of federal data sources. Each state's content, data, and illustrations (tables and graphs) comprise approximately nine pages. Every introductory page includes a 'Facts and Figures' section listing the state song, state nickname, and other information; an 'At a Glance' section features highlights. For example, the North Dakota entry notes the state's population increase, marriages, population lacking health care, number of eligible voters voting, and the total worth of agricultural exports. State data are presented along with national data so that readers may contextualize each state's growth, decline, and/or neutrality.
The index makes specific data immediately accessible. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through researchers; general readers." -- Choice Reviews.