Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2020 Population

1.34M

0.263% 1-year growth

2020 Median Age

36.5

0.551% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

17.3%

1.5% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$53,896

1.29% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$161,300

5.98% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

619,412

0.291% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Memphis, TN-MS-AR had a population of 1.34M people with a median age of 36.5 and a median household income of $53,896. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Memphis, TN-MS-AR grew from 1.34M to 1.34M, a 0.263% increase and its median household income grew from $53,209 to $53,896, a 1.29% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (47.2%), White (Non-Hispanic) (42.8%), White (Hispanic) (2.6%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.16%), and Other (Hispanic) (2.11%).

None of the households in Memphis, TN-MS-AR reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.8% of the residents in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are University of Memphis (4,621 degrees awarded in 2020), Northwest Mississippi Community College (1,693 degrees), and Southwest Tennessee Community College (221485) (1,113 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was $161,300, and the homeownership rate was 59.8%.

Most people in Memphis, TN-MS-AR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was 2 cars per household.

Memphis, TN-MS-AR borders Blytheville, AR, Clarksdale, MS, Forrest City, AR, Helena-West Helena, AR, Jonesboro, AR, and Oxford, MS.

About the photo: The Memphis Arches, the Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River at sunset, looking west toward Arkansas.

Photo by Jeremy Sorrells

Population & Diversity

Memphis, TN-MS-AR is home to a population of 1.34M people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2020, 5.32% of Memphis, TN-MS-AR residents were born outside of the country (71.5k people).

In 2020, there were 1.1 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (634k people) in Memphis, TN-MS-AR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 575k White (Non-Hispanic) and 34.9k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.8%

2020 Citizenship

96.7%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 96.8% of Memphis, TN-MS-AR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Memphis, TN-MS-AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
634k ± 1.33k
White (Non-Hispanic)
575k ± 1.69k
White (Hispanic)
34.9k ± 2k

5.64%

Hispanic Population

75.8k people

5.64% of the people in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are hispanic (75.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Memphis, TN-MS-AR as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
169,509 ± 16,676 people
India
37,980 ± 7,874 people
El Salvador
23,901 ± 5,890 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas was Mexico, the natal country of 169,509 Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas residents, followed by India with 37,980 and El Salvador with 23,901.

Foreign-Born Population

5.32%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

71.5k people

5.35%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

71.6k people

As of 2020, 5.32% of Memphis, TN-MS-AR residents (71.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was 5.35%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Memphis, TN-MS-AR compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
24,305 ± 1,110
Gulf War (2001-)
14,358 ± 1,239
Gulf War (1990s)
13,398 ± 1,055

Memphis, TN-MS-AR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.69 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Memphis, TN-MS-AR employs 619k people. The largest industries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are Health Care & Social Assistance (86,442 people), Transportation & Warehousing (76,083 people), and Retail Trade (65,523 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($66,343), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($65,396), and Utilities ($62,063).

Males in Mississippi have an average income that is 1.41 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,621. The income inequality in Mississippi (measured using the Gini index) is 0.45, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

619k

2020 Value

± 7,031

−0.291%

1 Year decline

± 1.53%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Memphis, TN-MS-AR declined at a rate of −0.291%, from 621k employees to 619k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (77,747 people), Sales & Related Occupations (58,008 people), and Management Occupations (56,225 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Memphis, TN-MS-AR.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

619k

2020 Value

± 7,031

−0.291%

1 Year decline

± 1.53%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Memphis, TN-MS-AR declined at a rate of −0.291%, from 621k employees to 619k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (86,442 people), Transportation & Warehousing (76,083 people), and Retail Trade (65,523 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Memphis, TN-MS-AR, though some of these residents may live in Memphis, TN-MS-AR and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,351

Median earning men ± $522

$31,803

Median earning women ± $332

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,655), Public Administration ($57,818), and Manufacturing ($49,770).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($46,438), Public Administration ($41,642), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($41,566).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

10,701
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
7,244
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
5,679
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$12.2M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$8.67M
Manufacturing
$7.36M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi to other states, or from other states to Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi product (by dollars) was Electronics with $84.6B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($79.1B) and Mixed freight ($74.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

$144B

2020 Value in Arkansas

$271B

Projected 2050 Value in Arkansas

87.8% growth

$182B

2020 Value in Mississippi

$374B

Projected 2050 Value in Mississippi

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Arkansas trade was $144B. This is expected to increase 87.8% to $271B by 2050.

Comparatively, total outbound Mississippi trade was $182B. This is expected to increase 105% to $374B by 2050.

Total outbound Tennessee trade was $498B. This is expected to increase 111% to $1.05T by 2050.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi to other states, or from other states to Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$51B
Georgia
$44.8B
Alabama
$40.5B

In 2020, the top outbound Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $51B, followed by Georgia with $44.8B and Alabama and $40.5B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

Roger Wicker, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, John Boozman, and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing the state of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senators Elections

US Senators from Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Roger Wicker

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on December 31, 2007
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Trent Lott.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Senator from Mississippi

Assumed office on April 9, 2018
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Thad Cochran.

Marsha Blackburn

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Bill Hagerty

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

John Boozman

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tom Cotton

Senator from Arkansas

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Roger Wicker, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, John Boozman, and Tom Cotton are the senators currently representing Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas

Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Memphis, TN-MS-AR awarded 14,067 degrees. The student population of Memphis, TN-MS-AR in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 20,879 male students and 37,405 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are White (6,349 and 46.1%), followed by Black or African American (5,476 and 39.7%), Hispanic or Latino (585 and 4.24%), and Unknown (530 and 3.85%).

The largest universities in Memphis, TN-MS-AR by number of degrees awarded are University of Memphis (4,621 and 32.8%), Northwest Mississippi Community College (1,693 and 12%), and Southwest Tennessee Community College (221485) (1,113 and 7.91%).

The most popular majors in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are Liberal Arts & Sciences (867 and 6.16%), General Studies (845 and 6.01%), and Registered Nursing (753 and 5.35%).

The median tuition costs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are $13,305 for private four year colleges, and $8,799 and $16,761 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, the percentage of applicants admitted was 68.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 24.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 58,284 (35.8% men and 64.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 58,284 students enrolled in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, 35.8% men and 64.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 24,408 records, of which 58.7% were women and 41.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
316 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
475 degree-majors awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
343 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was General Business Administration & Management with 316 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Memphis, TN-MS-AR according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Memphis
4,621 degrees awarded
Northwest Mississippi Community College
1,693 degrees awarded
Southwest Tennessee Community College (221485)
1,113 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Memphis with 4,621 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 5,271 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, which is 0.599 times less than the 8,796 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,349 degrees mean that there were 1.16 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 5,476 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($13,320) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 2-year ($1,625) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Measure

In 2020, 0.769% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.705% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (3.2M), Some college (2.3M), and Secondary Education (1.61M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was $161,300 in 2020, which is 0.702 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $152,200 to $161,300, a 5.98% increase. The homeownership rate in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 59.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Memphis, TN-MS-AR have an average commute time of 24.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $53,896. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was Williamson County, TN with a value of $111,196, followed by Wilson County, TN and Madison County, MS, with respective values of $78,962 and $71,621.

Housing

Property

$161,300

Median Property Value 2020

±$1,654

$302,305

Median Property Taxes

±$4,557

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Memphis, TN-MS-AR the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Memphis, TN-MS-AR compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

59.8%

Homeownership

2020

65.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 59.8% of the housing units in Memphis, TN-MS-AR were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 59.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Memphis, TN-MS-AR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Memphis, TN-MS-AR was Williamson County, TN with a value of $111,196, followed by Wilson County, TN and Madison County, MS, with respective values of $78,962 and $71,621.

The following map shows all of the counties in Memphis, TN-MS-AR colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,896

Median Household Income

± $575

506k

Number of Households

± 6,370

In 2020, the median household income of the 506k households in Memphis, TN-MS-AR grew to $53,896 from the previous year's value of $53,209.

The following chart displays the households in Memphis, TN-MS-AR distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Memphis, TN-MS-AR is from Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.445

2019 Wage GINI in Mississippi

0.463

2020 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.465

2019 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.45

2020 Wage GINI in Arkansas

0.451

2019 Wage GINI in Arkansas

In 2020, the income inequality in Mississippi was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.17% growth from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Mississippi was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Mississippi in comparison to the national average.

In the same year, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.463 and income inequality had a 0.436% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

The income inequality in Arkansas was 0.45 and income inequality had a 0.101% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Arkansas was lower than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed more evenly in Arkansas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (83.8%)
Carpooled (9.4%)
Worked At Home (4.14%)

In 2020, 83.8% of workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.4%) and those who worked at home (4.14%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Memphis, TN-MS-AR have a shorter commute time (24.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.31% of the workforce in Memphis, TN-MS-AR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Memphis, TN-MS-AR compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Memphis, TN-MS-AR distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Memphis, TN-MS-AR have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Memphis, TN-MS-AR (228k out of 1.32M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

88.6% of the population of Memphis, TN-MS-AR has health coverage, with 46.7% on employee plans, 19.3% on Medicaid, 9.4% on Medicare, 11.6% on non-group plans, and 1.63% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Arkansas was $7,408 in 2014. This is a 6.91% increase from the previous year ($6,929).

Per capita personal health care spending in Mississippi was $7,646 in 2014. This is a 3.86% increase from the previous year ($7,362).

Primary care physicians in Mississippi see 1890 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0529% increase from the previous year (1889 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2051 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 591 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in Tennessee see 1396 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1396 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1801 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 634 patients per year.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

1,890 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Mississippi

1,396 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Tennessee

1,507 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Arkansas

Primary care physicians in Mississippi see an average of 1,890 patients per year. This represents a 0.0529% increase from the previous year (1,889 patients).

Primary care physicians in Tennessee see an average of 1,396 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,396 patients).

Primary care physicians in Arkansas see an average of 1,507 patients per year. This represents a 0.333% increase from the previous year (1,502 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.5% under 18 years, 21.7% between 18 and 34 years, 38% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.4% were men and 53.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.4%

Uninsured

46.7%

Employer Coverage

19.3%

Medicaid

9.4%

Medicare

11.6%

Non-Group

1.63%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Memphis, TN-MS-AR declined by 6.5% from 12.2% to 11.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Memphis, TN-MS-AR changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.