Special Report

All Special Report Articles

Newest first · Page 632

States Profiting the Most From Sin

Smoking, drinking, gambling, and other vice-like habits are widely believed to be harmful — not just to the individuals who drink, smoke, or gamble, but to society at large. Some states levy so-called “sin…

Thomas Frohlich · 10 years ago

51 Counties With the Highest Unemployment

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.7% last May, the lowest level in more than eight years and down from 5.5% the year before. The U.S. economy has been steadily recovering from the Great…

Evan Comen · 10 years ago

Hardest States to Buy a Gun

Born from a violent revolution, the U.S. constitution ensures that gun ownership is a fundamental right. Today, there are more than 7.5 million gun stores in the United States, and 29.1% of American adults…

Sam Stebbins · 10 years ago

Stores Pokemon Trainers Visit the Most

Since its release, Nintendo’s Pokémon Go has been downloaded by Americans tens of millions of times and is set to surpass the success of other mobile games by any number of metrics. The game…

Thomas Frohlich · 10 years ago

7 Cities Losing Their Doctors

As the U.S. population continues to grow — and age — demand for health care services is expected to increase. Along with demographic changes, the number of Americans with health insurance has also increased…

Sam Stebbins · 10 years ago

17 Counties Where People Die Old

Americans are living longer than they ever have before, as life expectancy has risen in recent years to 78.5 years. While the nation’s life expectancy has improved, the country gained ground much slower than most high-income…

Mike Sauter · 10 years ago

37 Counties Where People Die Young

Life expectancy in the United States has increased steadily over the course of the past century. Longer lifespans are perhaps the ultimate bellwether of progress as they are largely due to medical advancements and…

Thomas Frohlich · 10 years ago

Oldest County in Every State

While octogenarians make up a relatively small share of the total population, some parts of America have significantly higher shares.

Evan Comen · 10 years ago

States With the Most Americans on Disability

More than 10 million Americans received Social Security disability benefits in 2014. These benefits — paid to disabled workers, disabled widows and widowers, and some other disabled adults — totaled $11.4 billion per month…

Steven M. Peters · 10 years ago

America’s Best Companies to Work For

Americans work 34.4 hours per week on average, spending more time at work than employees of any other developed country in the world. Employed full-time, the average U.S. adult works 47 hours per week.…

Thomas Frohlich · 10 years ago

Cities With the Best (and Worst) Health Insurance Coverage

When compared to European countries and other developed nations such as New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, The United States stands out as the only nation without a publicly financed universal health care system. Around…

Steven M. Peters · 10 years ago

The Most Expensive City in Each State

The average American household spends $53,495 each year on food, clothing, shelter, entertainment, and other expenses. To put that in perspective, the typical U.S. household income is $53,576. These costs usually rise over time with…

Thomas Frohlich · 10 years ago

American Cities With Booming (and Shrinking) Incomes

The American workforce earned 2.9% more income in 2014 than in the previous year. As the American economy continues to recover from the Great Recession, more people are able to find jobs. While total…

Evan Comen · 10 years ago

Cities Adding the Most Jobs in Every State

The improved U.S. labor market has attracted more people to the labor force — defined as those who are employed and those actively seeking work. Because jobs have been added at twice the pace…

Thomas Frohlich · 10 years ago