Unlocking Insights: Key Trends from the American Community Survey (ACS)

The 2022 American Community Survey (ACS), released by the U.S. Census Bureau in September 2023, provides comprehensive data on the nation's social, economic, and housing characteristics for that reference year. Drawing from a sample of over 3.5 million households, the ACS offers annual estimates that capture recent changes influenced by the COVID-19 recovery, inflation, and migration patterns. This report synthesizes key findings, highlighting trends in demographics, labor markets, income, education, housing, health insurance, and public assistance. All data cited herein are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's ACS 2022 1-Year Estimates, accessible via data.census.gov.

In 2022, the U.S. population reached 333,287,557, reflecting a modest year-over-year growth of 1,332,386 people, or 0.4 percent. Median household income, measured in 2022 dollars, was $74,580, returning to pre-pandemic levels in real terms. Income inequality, as measured by the Gini index of household income, stood at 0.486. Despite income gains, the official poverty rate remained at 11.5 percent, representing approximately 38.1 million individuals, with children under 18 experiencing a higher poverty rate of 16.0 percent. Poverty rates varied across racial and ethnic groups, with Black alone at 17.1 percent, Hispanic or Latino (any race) at 16.8 percent, and Non-Hispanic White alone at 8.1 percent.

The United States continued to diversify, with Non-Hispanic White alone representing 58.9 percent of the population, down from 60.1 percent in 2021. Hispanic or Latino residents comprised 19.1 percent, Black or African American alone 13.6 percent, and Asian alone 6.3 percent. The median age nationally was 38.9 years, and 17.3 percent of the population was 65 years or older. Veterans made up 5.9 percent of civilian adults. These figures illustrate both gradual aging and increasing racial and ethnic diversity across the country.

The civilian labor force for those aged 16 and older was approximately 164.4 million, with an overall labor force participation rate of 62.2 percent. Among prime working-age adults (25–54), the participation rate was 83.3 percent. The national unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. Of employed civilians, 39.8 percent worked in management, business, science, and arts occupations, while 16.9 percent were employed in service occupations. Self-employed workers accounted for 10.1 percent of employed civilians, and public sector employment represented 14.2 percent. These figures reflect a labor force that is gradually shifting toward higher-skill occupations, with persistent but slowly narrowing gaps across industries and demographics.

Educational attainment has continued to improve, with 89.3 percent of adults aged 25 and older having graduated from high school or higher. Approximately 34.0 percent of adults held a bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational attainment varied significantly across racial and ethnic groups: 56.0 percent of Asian adults, 37.5 percent of Non-Hispanic White adults, 24.0 percent of Black adults, and 17.7 percent of Hispanic adults had attained at least a bachelor’s degree. These disparities highlight ongoing differences in access to higher education, which in turn influence employment opportunities and income potential.

Homeownership in 2022 was 65.7 percent, and 30.0 percent of households spent 30 percent or more of their income on housing costs. Median gross rent was $1,268, and median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage were $1,762. These housing figures indicate a moderate improvement in affordability compared to earlier years, but cost pressures remain significant, particularly for lower-income households.

Approximately 91.7 percent of the population had health insurance coverage in 2022. Private coverage accounted for 65.4 percent, while public coverage reached 37.3 percent. Some individuals were covered by both private and public plans. The uninsured rate was 8.3 percent nationally, with disparities by ethnicity: 17.5 percent of Hispanic residents were uninsured, compared with 5.5 percent of Non-Hispanic White residents. Health coverage patterns highlight both progress and continuing gaps, particularly among minority populations.

The United States experienced its slowest annual population growth in decades, at just 0.4 percent, indicating a moderate demographic expansion. Median household income has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, while poverty persists, particularly among children and minority groups. The population is becoming increasingly diverse, and educational attainment is improving, though gaps remain across racial and ethnic lines. Housing cost burdens and uninsured rates have improved slightly but continue to be higher for Hispanic and lower-income households.

For analysts, the 2022 ACS 1-Year Estimates provide a detailed lens into demographic and labor market trends that influence economic and financial forecasting. Slower population growth may signal moderation in consumer demand, while rising educational attainment among younger cohorts indicates a gradual shift toward a more skilled workforce. Income and poverty data reveal persistent disparities that can affect spending patterns and labor supply segmentation. Housing and health insurance trends also provide early signals of regional pressures that may influence labor mobility, cost structures, and sectoral demand. Taken together, these indicators offer analysts actionable insights into labor supply constraints, market segmentation, and emerging economic opportunities.

All figures are drawn directly from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2022 1-Year Estimates (released September 14, 2023). Key tables include: B01001, B01001A–I, B01003 (Population & Demographics), B19013, B19001, B17001, B19083 (Income & Poverty), B23025, C24010, B24080 (Labor Force), S1501 (Education), B25003, B25077, B25091 (Housing), S2701 (Health Insurance).