Heat-related deaths jumped from 911 in 2019 to 1,156 in 2020. They increased again in 2021 to 1,602 and again in 2022 to 1,713.

The end of stimulus and child tax credits in 2021 combined with high inflation in 2022 added up such that by June 2023, more than 1 in 3 American households was having difficulty paying for usual household expenses, up from 28% in June 2021.

From 2017-21, at least 1 in 4 renters in several Southern states (Louisiana: 29%, Florida: 29%, West Virginia: 25%, Mississippi: 25%, and South Carolina: 25%) paid at least half of their total household income toward housing costs.

In the South, 25% of adults who were past-due on rent or mortgage feared that eviction or foreclosure was likely. Among Southern states, fears are highest in AL (48%), WV (48%), and MS (34%).

In June 2023, 12% of Americans reported that their household sometimes or often went hungry. In the South, it was 13%. Three Southern states had the highest rate of food insecurity: LA (19%), MS (18%), and AR (17%).

Southerners have borne the brunt of climate disasters, with 76% of Southerners living in a county that has had a disaster since March 2020, compared to 64% of non-Southerners.

Despite strong job growth, Americans remain pessimistic about the economy.[1] Many observers point to recent spikes in groceries and gasoline prices as the source of this pessimism. But tuition, health care, and rent costs have also risen steeply since 2005.

The differential undercount of renters in the 2020 Census increased to 1.5%, up from 1.1% in 2010, according to the Post-Enumeration Survey, a Census Bureau field test of census accuracy.

At least 1 in 4 renters in several Southern states (LA, FL, WV, MS, and SC) used half or more of their total household income toward housing costs from 2017-2021.

31% of Southerners (27% of non-Southerners) who are past-due on rent or mortgage fear that eviction or foreclosure is likely. Among Southern states, fears are highest in KY (44%), GA (42%), AL (41%), and TN (41%).

In March 2023, 11% of Americans reported that their household sometimes or often went hungry. In the South, it was 12%. Two Southern states had the highest rate of food insecurity: AL (14.6%) and FL (14.1%).

A multitude of coinciding factors make it difficult for Americans to have accessible and affordable food options. In the South, 13% of households sometimes or often went hungry. Food insecurity was most severe in Mississippi (20%), Kentucky (16%), Texas (15%), Georgia (15%), Louisiana (14%), and West Virginia (14%).

35% of Americans who are past-due on rent or mortgage fear that eviction or foreclosure is likely. Among Southern states, fears are particularly high in Mississippi (50%), West Virginia (50%), Florida (47%), and South Carolina (44%).

From 2017-21, at least 1 in 4 renters in several Southern states (Louisiana: 29%, Florida: 29%, West Virginia: 25%, Mississippi: 25%, and South Carolina: 25%) paid at least half of their total household income toward housing costs. Black and Hispanic renters hold the highest share of those who spend a significant portion of their income on rent.

Extreme weather events tend to cause the longest electric power interruptions. From 2013 to 2021, Louisiana had the highest cumulative hours (183) of power interruptions of all states, and West Virginia had the third highest hours of interruptions (111).

Over the last three years, climate disasters have compounded the nation’s misery. Southerners have been most likely to experience a disaster, with 75% of Southerners living in a county that has had a disaster since March 2020 compared to 64% of non-Southerners.

A multitude of coinciding factors make it difficult for Americans to have accessible and affordable food options. In the South, 12% of households sometimes or often went hungry. Food insecurity was most severe in Louisiana (20%), Mississippi (19%), Arizona (16%), and Arkansas (15%).

In May 2022, the median rent in the U.S. reached a record high of $2,002 per month. As housing prices have increased, so has the fear of losing one’s home. 1 in 3 Americans who are past-due on rent/ mortgage fear that eviction or foreclosure is likely.

In 2021, 31% of renters in Florida and 30% in Louisiana paid at least half of their total household income toward housing costs. West Virginia and Mississippi were close behind at 28%.

As early as 1988, the National Council on Public Works Improvements concluded that the nation’s infrastructure was barely adequate for needs of the day, and would not be sufficient for future population and job growth. More recent state-by-state report cards gave Mississippi a grade of “D.” Similarly, West Virginia’s report card (D) revealed that half of its treated water was lost through leaks in its struggling system. Louisiana received the lowest grade in the nation (D-).