2007 Statistical Report

Thanks to Wendie for pointing out this article about the Census Bureau's 2007 Statistical Abstract of the United States.

Some of the statistics I found most interesting:

Americans spent more of their lives than ever — about eight-and-a-half hours a day — watching television, using computers, listening to the radio, going to the movies or reading. Adolescents and adults now spend, on average, more than 64 days a year watching television. 13 million created a blog.

Americans are getting fatter, but now drink more bottled water per person than beer.

More Americans were born in 2004 than in any years except 1960 and 1990. Meanwhile, the national divorce rate, 3.7 divorces per 1,000 people, was the lowest since 1970.

And, of course, one thing Americans produce more of is solid waste — 4.4 pounds per day, up from 3.7 pounds in 1980. What a delightful job it must be to work for the Census Bureau!