The United States at 250: How the Country Has Changed in the Past 50 Years
Ahead of the nation’s birthday, Pew Research Center identified some prominent trends across key areas of American life: demographics, work, family and economics.
Economy & Work
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When it comes to raising the minimum wage, most of the action is in cities and states, not Congress
The $7.25 federal minimum wage is used in just 21 states, which collectively account for about 40% of all U.S. wage and salary workers.
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A majority of Americans expect it will be at least a year before life returns to the way it was before COVID-19
Just 9% of the public says it will be less than six months before most public activities operate about as they did before the outbreak.
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Long-term unemployment has risen sharply in U.S. amid the pandemic, especially among Asian Americans
About four-in-ten unemployed workers had been out of work for more than six months in February 2021, about double the share in February 2020.
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Broad Public Support for Coronavirus Aid Package; Just a Third Say It Spends Too Much
More Americans say the Biden administration made a “good faith” effort working with the opposition than say the same of GOP leaders.
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Amid a pandemic and a recession, Americans go on a near-record homebuying spree
The number of American homeowners increased by an estimated 2.1 million over the past year, according to the Census Bureau.
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A Year Into the Pandemic, Long-Term Financial Impact Weighs Heavily on Many Americans
About a year since the coronavirus recession began, there are some signs of improvement in the U.S. labor market, and Americans are feeling somewhat better about their personal finances than they were early in the pandemic.
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A Year of U.S. Public Opinion on the Coronavirus Pandemic
The biggest takeaway may be the extent to which the decidedly nonpartisan virus met with an increasingly partisan response.
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In Their Own Words, Americans Describe the Struggles and Silver Linings of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The outbreak has dramatically changed Americans’ lives and relationships over the past year. We asked people to tell us about their experiences – good and bad – in living through this moment in history.
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Most Americans Support Tough Stance Toward China on Human Rights, Economic Issues
Fewer adults have confidence in Joe Biden to handle the U.S.-China relationship than other foreign policy issues.
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Unemployed Americans are feeling the emotional strain of job loss; most have considered changing occupations
About half of U.S. adults who are currently unemployed and are looking for a job are pessimistic about their prospects for future employment.
