Brookings: Experts - William H. Frey

Big City Populations Survive the Housing Crunch

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New census numbers provide the first real glimpse of how America’s big cities appear now as the major survivors of the nation’s recent housing doldrums. William Frey concludes that it remains to be seen how unemployment will impact growth in these cities and their suburbs and how they will respond when the housing market eventually recovers.

Why Race Will Matter in Presidential Elections

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At an American Enterprise Institute and Brookings event William H. Frey discussed the importance of race-specific voting blocs and their increasing significance in upcoming presidential elections.

Getting Current: Recent Demographic Trends in Metropolitan America

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Changing demographics—where people live, educational attainment, aging of boomers, diversity in population growth, poverty rates—raises key policy and program issues for the new government in Washington. In view of that, the Metropolitan Policy Program has compiled and detailed important trends that are shaping the nation’s engines of economic growth and opportunity.

Bursting “Migration Bubble” Favors Coastal Metros, Urban Cores

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New Census estimates show that the most footloose nation in the world is now staying put. William Frey explains that America’s migration levels, like stock market values, have plummeted. And the usual suspects—formerly booming Arizona and Florida and hemorrhaging older cities like New York and Los Angeles—reveal this new demographic reversal.

Economy, Housing Woes Slow Migration, Census Shows

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New census estimates provide the first real glimpse of how migration and population growth may be responding to the housing slowdown, job losses, and broader recession. William Frey concludes that this economic downturn is not isolated to specific regions with slumping industries. Both Michigan and Florida lost migrants, while other states saw dramatic one-year drops in persons moving in. "We seem to be in a land of transitory limbo," he writes.

A Demographic Breakthrough for Democrats

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Democrats pushed out of their demographic rut during Tuesday’s election, according to new analysis by William Frey and Ruy Teixeira. The authors of ongoing political demographics reports on the “battleground states” write that the party’s appeal has extended to new growth regions and to demographic segments that eluded the party’s grasp in the last two presidential elections. America’s growing metropolitan identity, they found, is especially potent within the fast-growing battleground states.

The Political Geography of Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri: Battlegrounds in the Heartland

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this analysis of what they term “the battleground states,” William Frey and Ruy Teixeira crunch the demographic and voting numbers to determine which voters will decide the 2008 presidential contest in Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri.

The Political Geography of Virginia and Florida: Bookends of the New South

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Painting the Mountain States Blue

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Democrats plant their blue flag in America's newest, most geographically expansive "swing" region - the fast-growing, increasingly diverse, no-longer-reliably-Republican Intermountain West.

The Political Geography of the Intermountain West: The New Swing Region

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Long viewed as a GOP stronghold, the Intermountain West states have recently elected a number of Democrats in statewide races. In this analysis of what they term “the new swing region,” William Frey and Ruy Teixeira crunch the demographic and voting numbers to determine which voters where will decide the 2008 presidential contest in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The Census Projects Minority Surge

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New census projections target the U.S. population to reach “minority majority” status by the year 2042—the year when the white population dips to below half of the total. While this may seem a long way off, William Frey writes that the impending minority surge will impact the youth vote, workforce diversity and cradle-to-grave policies sooner than many anticipate.

Older Cities Hold On to More People, Census Shows

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

High gas prices and the housing market slowdown are reversing past population declines for older U.S. cities, new Census data show. William Frey writes that the South and interior West still contain most of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. But older cities like Boston, Chicago and St. Paul began adding residents again in the past year, as formerly hot destinations like Phoenix, Dallas and Las Vegas began to cool off.

The Political Geography of Pennsylvania: Not Another Rust Belt State

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the first in a series of reports on the demographic and political dynamics under way in 10 “battleground” states that will be crucial in deciding the 2008 election, the authors examine the political geography of Pennsylvania to explore whether the state will become more Democratic, remain closely divided or even go Republican for the first time in five elections.

Migration to Hot Housing Markets Cools Off

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Migration to America's fastest growing cities have tapered off in the last year, according to the latest Census data results. Would-be homebuyers in previously hot housing markets are unable to obtain the homes they desire, leaving them in limbo. William Frey examines the regions across America weathering the downturn.

Race, Immigration and America’s Changing Electorate

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William Frey presents findings on how race and immigration will impact the political geography of the presidential election in November. While conventional wisdom holds that black, Hispanic and Asian minorities are clustered in specific regions and locales, Frey’s research shows that this is changing dramatically. He examines how these race and ethnic groups differ from each other on key political issues and provides an assessment of their projected impact in key "purple" battleground states for future elections.

Housing Bust Shatters State Migration Patterns

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

William Frey's analysis of the new Census Bureau annual estimates of state population changes for 2006-7 shows that the sinking housing market has yanked back high-flying states like Nevada and Arizona. An even bigger tug in growth occurred in Florida, another housing-boom driven state. With credit harder to get and the disappearance of housing deals, the allure of these states appears to have dimmed.

Resettling New Orleans: The First Full Picture from the Census

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Using new Census data, we provide the first full picture of who lived in New Orleans and its region after the hurricanes of 2005, and what types of residents moved in, stayed, or remained displaced one year after the storm.

New Orleans, a 'Whole Other City'?

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Writing in the Times-Picayune, William Frey examines the demographics of New Orleans? recovery and warns that the clock is ticking on the return of middle class residents.

Mapping the Growth of Older America

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Aging baby boomers constitute this decade's fastest growing age group, expanding nearly 50 percent in size from 2000 to 2010. This group -- more highly educated, with more professional women, and more diverse than its predecessors -- will add new stresses .

America Should Be Economically Strategic About Her Future

Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Immigration reform needs to be more than a fixation on the nation's undocumented immigrants, writes William Frey in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. We must also give serious reflection to the overall structure of the system, for it is these immigrants w

Immigration Agreement

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

After weeks of negotiations with the White House, a bipartisan group of Senators announced what could be the largest overhaul of immigration reform law in more than 40 years. The compromise would offer quick legal status to the nation's 12 million undocumented workers while fortifying the border. William Frey talks with CBS Up to the Minute about the government's bi-partisan agreement on immigration.

The Third California: The Golden State's New Frontier

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Extending from the outer suburbs of greater Los Angeles to the foothills of the high mountains of Northern California, the "Third California" contains virtually all the state's fast-growing regions—from Riverside-San Bernardino in the south to the burgeoning suburbs around Sacramento. However, this growth comes with serious collective challenges on how to capitalize on job and population increases while addressing workforce and environmental concerns.

America's New Demographics: Regions, Metros, Cities, Suburbs and Exurbs

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation, William H. Frey discusses how demographic mega-trends are shaping the ""demographic personalities"" of the nation's regions, metropolitan areas, central cities, suburbs and exurbs in fundamental ways.

America's Regional Demographics in the '00s Decade

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In the first decade of the 21st Century, it is becoming clear that America’s demography will become far more multifaceted than we have known in the past. Two of the main demographic engines, propelling these changes, are discussed in this report.

U.S. Population Tops 300 Million and Shows Accelerating Growth

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Thirty-nine years after hitting the 200 million mark, the U.S. population reached 300 million Tuesday, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. A demographer discusses the significance of the figure and the accelerating growth trend.

A Country of Newcomers

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The truth is, it is immigration that is driving the growth of the U.S. population. In fact, odds are that the 300-millionth American will be the child of immigrants or an immigrant himself.

Finding Exurbia: America's Fast-Growing Communities at the Metropolitan Fringe

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the hullabaloo from political analysts, media, and local growth activists, just 6 percent of large metro area residents live in an exurb, and these exurbs vary from affordable housing havens, to ranchettes for the wealthy, to hopscotch project

Katrina and Rita Impacts on Gulf Coast Populations: First Census Findings

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

An analysis of the first U.S. Census Bureau data regarding the demographic impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the population of the Gulf Coast region.

The Silence Behind the US's Immigration Impasse

Tue, 02 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The urgency that brought immigration reform to Congress now, after decades of inaction, is prompted by a similar "silent majority" backlash that has now reached a demographic tipping point.

Immigration Goes Nationwide

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

At a briefing in the U.S. Capitol Building on "Immigration Policy: Federal Debates and Local Realities," William H. Frey showed the remarkable dispersal of the foreign born, Hispanic and Asian populations across US states, counties and metropolitan a

Diversity Spreads Out: Metropolitan Shifts in Hispanic, Asian, and Black Populations Since 2000

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This report reveals that in the first years of this decade, Hispanic, Asian, and black populations have continued to migrate to, and expand their presence in, new destinations.

City Can Lure Back Its Reluctant Migrants (New Orleans)

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The phrase ""demography is destiny"" is especially relevant here, as the destiny of New Orleans will surely be transformed by whatever population moves in.

Planning for New Orleans' Demographic Future

Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation, Bill Frey provides an overview of New Orleans' demographic dynamics before the hurricane hit, and makes the case that most current evacuees want to return and can recreate the demographic profile similar to the original city.

Metropolitan America in the New Century: Metropolitan and Central City Demographic Shifts Since 2000

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

A new analysis of Census data and estimates by William Frey examines post-2000 population change in the nation's central cities and metropolitan and micropolitan areas.

America's Emerging Demography

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Using newly released 2004 population statistics and projections to 2010 and 2030, Bill. Frey presents a roadmap for understanding emerging changes in demographically distinct regions of the country.

Migrant Policy Could Fracture America

Thu, 09 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The US Congress has before it an immigration bill that represents a large step towards long-overdue immigration reform.

Snow Belt to Sun Belt: The Migration of America's Voters

Mon, 06 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation, William Frey analyzes the latest data on where America's moving and highlights expected trends. During this decade, the South and West of the country (also known as the Sun Belt) are expected to grow at four times the rate of the North and Midwest. By the 2020's, the Sun Belt will grow at ten times the rate of the Snow Belt.

Electoral Edge

Sun, 05 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The projected sizes of all state populations presage a challenge for the Democrats.

The Electoral College Moves to the Sun Belt

Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

New population projections suggest that the nation's narrowly divided electoral map will shift dramatically by 2030, with important implications for both political parties.

The Democrats Must Woo a New Demographic

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT

The result of the US presidential election suggests it is the Bush Republican party that is building a bridge between America's past and future.

Tracking Metropolitan America into the 21st Century: A Field Guide to the New Metropolitan and Micropolitan Definitions

Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 GMT

An overhaul of the widely-recognized metropolitan classification system by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will refashion the both research and federal spending.

Older White Vote Still Powerhouse in White House Contest

Sun, 24 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the massive changes in American society, demographer William Frey argues in the Orlando Sentinel that the next president will be elected by the demographic staple of Americafs pastolder whites.

Up from Ultimate Urban Dystopia

Mon, 11 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT

At a low point a decade ago, Southern California now is growing fast, thanks to young newcomers.

Battling Battlegrounds

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

The populations of Florida and Ohio--two of the most critical ?battleground? states in the fall presidential election--reflect ?vastly different electorates moving inexorably in opposite demographic directions,? writes visiting fellow Bill Frey.

The New Great Migration: Black Americans' Return to the South, 1965-2000

Sat, 01 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

The years 1995-2000 completed the long-term reversal of black Americans' historic out-migration from the South, reports a new survey of census data by William Frey.

The New Migration Equation

Sun, 09 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

This commentary by William Frey in the Orlando Sentinel presents three new, demographically distinct regions--Melting Pots, New Sunbelt, and the Heartland-- as they are being defined by recent national migration patterns.

Metropolitan Magnets for International and Domestic Migrants

Wed, 01 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT

A new analysis of migration trends from Census 2000 by William Frey contrasts the metropolitan destinations for immigrants in the late 1990s to those for domestic migrants.

Boomers and Seniors in the Suburbs: Aging Patterns in Census 2000

Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

This Census survey reveals that the suburbs of major metropolitan areas are aging faster than the nation as a whole.

A Decade of Mixed Blessings: Urban and Suburban Poverty in Census 2000

Thu, 01 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT

This paper examines poverty rate trends in the nation's largest metropolitan areas over the 1990s, and finds highly uneven outcomes in a decade of strong economic growth.

City Families and Suburban Singles: An Emerging Household Story from Census 2000

Fri, 01 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

City Families and Suburban Singles: An Emerging Household Story from Census 2000

Melting Pot Suburbs: A Census 2000 Study of Suburban Diversity

Fri, 01 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Melting Pot Suburbs: A Census 2000 Study of Suburban Diversity

The New Urban Demographics: Race Space & Boomer Aging

Thu, 01 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by William H. Frey (Summer 2000)

Beyond Social Security: The Local Aspects of an Aging America

Tue, 01 Jun 1999 00:00:00 GMT

A report analyzing the aging demographics of the American population