The US Census Bureau just released the latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, providing a statistical portrait of the characteristics of the nation’s population in 2008. According to the new snapshot, one-in-four people in Texas (24.1 percent) lacked health insurance in 2008, the highest rate in the nation. At the other end of the spectrum, fewer than one-in-20 Massachusetts residents (4.1 percent) lacked coverage.

Health insurance coverage was one of three new topics (PDF) added to the ACS for 2008. Every question on the ACS is included either because the data are required to satisfy one or more federal laws, regulations or court decisions, or are needed to manage federal programs and allocate more than $400 billion of federal tax dollars annually to states and local communities.

The ongoing survey of approximately 3 million addresses every year provides one of the most complete pictures of our population available. It covers more than 40 topics such as income, educational attainment, housing, family structure and more. All survey responses are strictly confidential and protected by law.

Access the Complete Database (Searchable) via American FactFinder.

Highlights

• Health Insurance Coverage
  + By state, the uninsured rate for children ranged from 2.1 percent (Massachusetts) to 20.2 percent (Nevada). (See detailed table B27001.)
• Marriage
  + The percentage of women 15 and over who have never married was 28.1 percent in 2008, up from 27.6 percent in 2007 and 27.3 percent in 2006. (See: data profile for the U.S.)
• Commute to Work
  + The percentage of workers who drove alone to work decreased slightly between 2007 and 2008 — from 76.1 percent in 2007 to 75.5 percent in 2008. (See: U.S. data profile.)
• Other Categories in the Extensive Highlights Package Include:
  + Income
  + Citizenship and Year of Naturalization
  + Service-Connected Veteran Disability Status and Ratings
  + Multigenerational Households
  + Housing

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