Hawaiians live longer, on average.
If state and local governments acted like they had in the last five recessions, they would have added at least 1.4 million jobs since 2007. Instead, they cut more than 700,000.
The number of workers aged 55 and up is about to surpass the number of workers aged 24 to 34 for the first time ever.
In 2011, Asia had more millionaires than North America for the first time ever.
The U.S. consumed less total energy in 2011 than it did in 2000, but paid more for it.
The IRS estimates that illegal tax-evasion reduced government tax revenue by $450 billion in 2006 (the most recent year calculated). That's roughly equal to what the government spends annually on Medicare.
The average monthly mortgage payment on a median-price home in October, assuming a 10% down payment, fell to $720 at prevailing rates, down from nearly $1,270 at the end of 2005.
The inflation-adjusted median net worth of American families in 2010 hit the lowest level since 1969.
In 2012, the Greek stock market (ATHEX Index) outperformed the Chinese stock market (Shanghai Composite) by 48%.
The International Energy Agency predicts that the U.S. will become the world's largest oil-producer by 2020, overtaking Saudi Arabia.
The share of an average U.S. household budget going toward gas in 2012 was nearly 4%, tying for the highest level in almost three decades.
From 2001 to 2007, new-home construction outpaced household formation by more than 3 million homes.
An average couple will pay $155,000 in 401(k) fees over their careers, reducing an average account balance from $510,000 to $355,000.
From 1943 to 1980, the annual incomes of the bottom 90% of Americans doubled in real terms, while the average income of the top 1% grew 23%.
Family income is 8% lower than it had been 13 years earlier, at its peak in 2000.
In the 1960s, wages and salary income made up more than 50% of GDP. By 2011, it was less than 44%, as dividends, interest, and capital gains made up a growing share of the nation's income.
