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• $35,000 to $49,999: 48,423
• $50,000 to $74,999: 58,165
• $75,000 to $99,999: 33,531
• $100,000 to $149,999: 40,958
• $150,000 to $199,999: 13,831
• $200,000 or more: 14,322
• Median Household income: $50,215
• Median Per Capita Income: $29,555
• Families below poverty level: 8.8 percent
• Individuals below poverty level: 11.3 percent
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
— Shugart
SINGLE-SOMETHINGS
U.S. Census Bureau data not only plays a role in congressional redistricting and whatnot, but it also provides the average citizen with a handy way to measure oneself against the masses.
This year, the chronicling agency of American habits released its annual roundup of America's living arrangements. Here's a selection, but if you go to www.census.gov you can get more information, including marital status by age, sex, personal earnings, race and Hispanic origin.
Percentage of people never married:
Ages 20-24: 81.1
25-29: 50.3
30-34: 28.7
35-39: 19.9
• Among males:
Ages 20-24: 86.7
25-29: 57.4
30-34: 33.4
35-39: 23.3
• Among females:
Ages 20-24: 75.3
25-29: 43.1
30-34: 24.0
35-39: 16.7
— Shugart
BUSH BLUNDERS
Any president's State of the Union address goes through multiple drafts to convey a careful, and hopefully eloquent, message. After such a carefully scripted event, Creative Loafing thought it appropriate to revisit a few of President Bush's remarks made without the benefit of speechwriters.
"Scott, sometimes you're the commander-in-chief. Sometimes you're the educator-in-chief, and a lot of times, you're both when it comes to war." -- Jan. 14, 2007, in response to the query, how can you escalate the war when so many people in this country seem to be against it?
"Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die." -- speaking with reporters about the war Dec. 7, 2006
"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and our guest read it." -- appearing with British Prime Minister Tony Blair Dec. 7, 2006
Sources: CBS News, Slate.com, and About.com
— Shugart
CIRCUS RUCKUS
The Humane Society of the United States wants people to avoid circuses that use wild animals in their performances -- such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, according to a press release. Their suit, filed six years ago with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Welfare Institute, and The Fund for Animals, alleges cruelty that violates the U.S. Endangered Species Act:
• Abusive training methods
• Animal confinement
• Abusive discipline
• Separation of baby elephants from their mothers
Ringling Bros. doesn't buy the complaints. "Ringling Bros. is committed to providing to each of our animals the highest standards of care in all respects as demonstrated by the level of resources and time that we devote to their proper handling, training and veterinary care," a company official wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
— Shugart
CHARLOTTE AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
What might a typical phone book have looked like at the turn of the century in Charlotte? Here's an idea. For more on Charlotte between 1900 and 1910, check out www.cmstory.org.
Car dealerships; 3
Carriage and wagon dealers: 5
Saloons: 15
Fire insurance companies: 65
Insurance agents: 54
Secret and benevolent societies: 41
Newspapers: 13
Drugstores: 20
Lawyers: 30
Telephone and telegraph companies: 5
Restaurants: 14
Shoemakers: 27
Hotels: 8
Urban manufacturers: 115
Dressmakers: 36
Tailors: 11
Real estate agents: 19
Butchers: 27
Barbers: 29
Policemen: 23
Firemen: 29
Source: The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
— Servatius
