FOR RELEASE: November 1, 2006

The population of the United States reached 300 million in October. In recognition of this milestone, the U. S. Census Bureau steps back in time by comparing contemporary life and statistics to those in the time periods in which the nation reached other noteworthy population milestones in 1967 (when the population reached 200 million) and in the year 1915 (when it reached 100 million).

Note: If data are not available for the specific year highlighted, the Census Bureau has provided data available closest to that year.

President
2006: George W. Bush
1967: Lyndon B. Johnson
1915: Woodrow Wilson

Cost for a gallon of regular gas
2006: $1.99
1967: 33 cents ($2.00 in 2006 dollars)
1915: 25 cents ($5.01 in 2006 dollars)

Price of milk
2006: $3.00 gallon
1967: $1.03 gallon ($6.24 in 2006 dollars)
1915: $ .36 gallon ($7.22 in 2006 dollars)

Cost of a first_class stamp
2006: 39 cents
1967: 5 cents
1915: 2 cents
Pop Culture
2006: iPods and “American Idol” reign supreme and cell phones are the rage.
1967: Color TV is the rage. “The Lucy Show,” “Andy Griffith” and “Gomer Pyle” are the top-rated television shows.
1915: The “Model T” and silent movies are the rage. Raggedy Ann, aspirin in tablet form and processed cheese are introduced. The milk carton is invented.

World Population
2006: 6.5 billion
1967: 3.5 billion
1915: 1.8 billion

Coming to America
2006: 34.3 million
Number of foreign-born people. They comprise 12 percent of the total population. Mexico is the leading country of origin.

1967: 9.7 million
Number of foreign-born people. They comprised 5 percent of the total population. Italy was the leading country of origin.

1915: 13.5 million
Number of foreign-born people. They comprised 15 percent of the total population. Germany was the leading country of origin. Data pertain to 1910. (Source: Historical )

Our Incredible Shrinking Households
Average household size.
2006: 2.6 people
1967: 3.3 people
1915: 4.5 people

Homeownership . . . the American Dream
Percentage of the nation’s householders who owned the home in which they lived.
2006: 68.9%
1967: 63.6%
1915: 45.9%

Median Age of the Population
2006: 36.2
1967: 29.5
1915: 24.1

Education
Percentage of the population, age 25 and older, who had at least a high school diploma.
2006: 85.2%
1967: 51.1%
1915: 13.5%

Our Love Affair with the Motor Vehicle
Number of motor vehicle registrations.
2006: 237.2 million
1967: 98.9 million
1915: 2.5 million

Please keep in touch with me on issues that are important to you. You may write Congressman Virgil Goode, 70 East Court Street, Room 215, Rocky Mount, VA 24151; or fax to 1-540-484-1459; or call toll-free to the Danville office, 1-800-535-4008.