Whoever really said, "There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies and statistics" (a maxim variously attributed to Benjamin Disraeli, Alfred Marshall or Mark Twain) -- was spot-on. But the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey provides a trustworthy set of stats, and it's unfailingly interesting. Here's a snapshot of Mecklenburg County:
Total population -- 2005: 780,618, 2000: 695,454
Occupied housing units -- 2005: 320,229, 2000: 273,416
Percent owner-occupied -- 2005: 64.1, 2000: 62.3
Percent renter-occupied -- 2005: 35.9, 2000: 37.7
Percent over age 25 with bachelor's degree -- 2005: 39.0, 2000: 37.1
Per capita income poverty level -- 2005: $29,555, 2000: $27,352 *
Percent, families below poverty level -- 2005: 8.8, 2000: 6.6 *
Percent, individuals below poverty level -- 2005: 11.3, 2000: 9.2 *
Median housing mortgage costs -- 2005: $1,277, 2000: $1,193
*1999 figures included in 2000 profile