In Harm's Way: Hurricanes, Population Trends, and Environmental Change
This year's devastating tropical storms show how population growth and socioeconomic conditions can magnify environmental disasters. (October 2004)

Study Finds U.S. Manufactured-Home Owners Face 'Quasi-Homelessness'
Rising housing costs in rural America have put homeownership beyond the reach of many working-poor families. Owning a manufactured home (also known as a mobile home) in a rural trailer park is often touted to these families as an affordable "next best thing," and a step toward conventional home ownership. (October 2004)

A Demographic Portrait of Asian Americans

 Authors Yu Xie and Kimberly Goyette document demographic and economic characteristics of the rapidly growing Asian American population, highlighting important differences between Asian and non-Asian Americans, and among Asian Americans of different backgrounds. The following excerpt is from the report "A Demographic Portrait of Asian Americans"; published by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Population Reference Bureau. (October 2004)

Women, Men, and Work

 This report describes changes in women's and men's paid and unpaid labor and assesses how women's and men's work lives have changed over the past three decades. This article is an excerpt from the report, "Women, Men, and Work"; published by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Population Reference Bureau. (October 2004)

Immigration and a Changing America

 Authors Mary M. Kritz and Douglas T. Gurak focus on three issues: the historical context for contemporary immigration to America; the policy, economic, and social forces that shape immigration today; and the demographic, sociocultural, and economic diversity of America's foreign-born population. The following excerpt is from the report "Immigration and a Changing America," published by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Population Reference Bureau. (October 2004)

Gender Inequality at Work

 This report tracks changes in work-related gender inequality in the 1990s, placing them in the context of trends over the last 50 years in educational attainment, work experience, politics, and attitudes. The following excerpt is from the report "Gender Inequality at Work"; published by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Population Reference Bureau. (October 2004)

The Lives and Times of the Baby Boomers

 Authors Hughes and O'Rand describe baby boomers at midlife, linking current circumstances to life histories. Baby boomers are compared to cohorts born earlier in the 20th century, and the authors offer a set of expectations for the boomers' future. The following excerpt is from the report "The Lives and Times of the Baby Boomers"; published by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Population Reference Bureau. (October 2004)

Labor Market Performance, Poverty, and Income Equality in Appalachia (PDF: 1.65MB)
This report attempts to answer the question: "How has Appalachia fared over the last 30 years relative to other areas that historically faced similar conditions of economic distress?" The report also discusses why disparities between Appalachia and historically similar areas have occurred. (September 2004)

A 'New Diversity': Race and Ethnicity in the Appalachian Region (PDF: 1.04MB)
This report looks at the post-1990 diversity of Appalachia, examining its geographic concentrations, its contributing factors, and its breakdown by racial and ethnic minority group. The study also analyzes how Appalachia’s increased racial and ethnic diversity affects selected economic and social developments in the region. The study concludes with an examination of the potential implications of these growing trends. (September 2004)

Strengthening Rural Families: America's Rural Children (PDF: 111KB)
Children in rural America face significant educational, social, and economic challenges, just as their urban counterparts do; yet policymakers have focused primarily on improving conditions for families living in cities. This brochure provides an overview of the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the 14 million children who live in rural America. (September 2004)