Dorchester County, SC

County

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Population

155,474

2.48% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

Median Age

36.5

Poverty Rate

12.2%

Median Household Income

$61,698

5.13% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$186,300

4.96% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

73,015

3.54% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Dorchester County, SC had a population of 155k people with a median age of 36.5 and a median household income of $61,698. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Dorchester County, SC grew from 151,716 to 155,474, a 2.48% increase and its median household income grew from $58,685 to $61,698, a 5.13% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Dorchester County, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (64.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (25%), White (Hispanic) (3.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.65%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.9%). NaNk% of the people in Dorchester County, SC speak a non-English language, and 97.8% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dorchester County, SC are Charleston Cosmetology Institute (58 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Dorchester County, SC is $186,300, and the homeownership rate is 71.4%. Most people in Dorchester County, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 28.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Dorchester County, SC is 2 cars per household.

Dorchester County, SC borders Berkeley County, SC, Charleston County, SC, Colleton County, SC, and Orangeburg County, SC.

United States South Carolina Charleston-North Charleston, SC

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for South Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

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

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (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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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of South Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Dorchester County, SC went to Donald J. Trump with 55.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (38.4%), followed by Other (5.63%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.9%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (38.4%)
Democratic Party
Other (5.63%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (38.4%), followed by Other (5.63%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of South Carolina.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Dorchester County, SC

55.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
76.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
73.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
71.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in South Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

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 South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 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 South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Dorchester County, SC is home to a population of 155k people, from which 97.8% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.35% of Dorchester County, SC residents were born outside of the country (6.77k people).

In 2018, there were 2.58 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (100k people) in Dorchester County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 38.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.28k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Dorchester County, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
100k ± 228
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
38.9k ± 709
White (Hispanic)
5.28k ± 673

5.18%

Hispanic Population

8.06k people

5.18% of the people in Dorchester County, SC are hispanic (8.06k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Dorchester County, SC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.35%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

6.77k people

4.66%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

7.07k people

As of 2018, 4.35% of Dorchester County, SC residents (6.77k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dorchester County, SC was 4.66%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Dorchester County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Dorchester County, SC was 36.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Dorchester County, SC are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Dorchester County, SC residents was 36.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
68,828 ± 6,396 people
India
11,778 ± 2,661 people
Philippines
9,880 ± 2,438 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 68,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 11,778 and Philippines with 9,880.

Citizenship

97.8%

2018 Citizenship

97.9%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.8% of Dorchester County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Dorchester County, SC was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Dorchester County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
4,806 ± 510
Vietnam
4,358 ± 405
Gulf War (1990s)
3,141 ± 441

Dorchester County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.1 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Dorchester County, SC is $61,698. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Dorchester County, SC was Census Tract 108.17 with a value of $87,083, followed by Census Tract 108.19 and Census Tract 108.01, with respective values of $84,773 and $81,932.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,985. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Dorchester County, SC employs 73k people. The largest industries in Dorchester County, SC are Manufacturing (9,487 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,463 people), and Retail Trade (8,981 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($70,152), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,253), and Manufacturing ($53,699).

Wages

Median Household Income

$61,698

2018 value

± $1,894

5.13%

1 Year Growth

± 3.89%

Households in Dorchester County, SC have a median annual income of $61,698, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $58,685 in 2017, which represents a 5.13% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Dorchester County, SC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

$56,080

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,419

$40,985

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,018

In 2017, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in South Carolina

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$49,597 ± $53,271
Asian
$47,877 ± $7,789
White
$47,332 ± $1,044

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in South Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Dorchester County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.46

2017 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.456

2016 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2017, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.695% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 108.17
Census Tract 108.19
Census Tract 108.01

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Dorchester County, SC was Census Tract 108.17 with a value of $87,083, followed by Census Tract 108.19 and Census Tract 108.01, with respective values of $84,773 and $81,932.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Dorchester County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dorchester County, SC (18.7k out of 153k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 6 - 11.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
9,206 ± 803
Black
7,850 ± 851
Hispanic
1,451 ± 323

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Dorchester County, SC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

73k

2018 Value

± 2,094

3.54%

1 Year growth

± 3.96%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Dorchester County, SC grew at a rate of 3.54%, from 70.5k employees to 73k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dorchester County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,206 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,285 people), and Management Occupations (6,560 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, SC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, SC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,206 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,285 people), and Management Occupations (6,560 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dorchester County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.89 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.62 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.44 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Dorchester County, SC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($76,447), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($73,665), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($72,232).

Industries

Employment by Industries

73k

2018 Value

± 2,094

3.54%

1 Year growth

± 3.96%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Dorchester County, SC grew at a rate of 3.54%, from 70.5k employees to 73k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dorchester County, SC, are Manufacturing (9,487 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,463 people), and Retail Trade (8,981 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dorchester County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Dorchester County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Dorchester County, SC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (9,487 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,463 people), and Retail Trade (8,981 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dorchester County, SC has an unusually high number of Public Administration (1.54 times higher than expected), Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.31 times), and Manufacturing (1.29 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Dorchester County, SC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($70,152), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,253), and Manufacturing ($53,699).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Plastics/rubber with $15.9B, followed by Machinery ($15.2B) and Mixed freight ($11.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$163B

2015 Value in South Carolina

$244B

Projected 2045 Value in South Carolina

49.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound South Carolina trade was $163B. This is expected to increase 49.4% to $244B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$22.2B
Georgia
$13.4B
Tennessee
$5.71B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $22.2B, followed by Georgia with $13.4B and Tennessee and $5.71B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Dorchester County, SC awarded 58 degrees. The student population of Dorchester County, SC is skewed towards women, with 2 male students and 162 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dorchester County, SC are White (28 and 48.3%), followed by Black or African American (21 and 36.2%), Asian (3 and 5.17%), and Hispanic or Latino (3 and 5.17%).

The largest universities in Dorchester County, SC by number of degrees awarded are Charleston Cosmetology Institute (58 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Dorchester County, SC are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (22 and 37.9%), General Cosmetology (21 and 36.2%), and Nail Specialist & Manicurist (15 and 25.9%).

The median tuition costs in Dorchester County, SC are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor
0 degree-majorss awarded
Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist
22 degree-majorss awarded
Nail Specialist & Manicurist
15 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Dorchester County, SC was Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor with 0 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a < 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Dorchester County, SC according to their major.

Universities

Charleston Cosmetology Institute

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

58 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Dorchester County, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Charleston Cosmetology Institute with 58 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dorchester County, SC, which is 0.0175 times less than the 57 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Dorchester County, SC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
28 degrees awarded
Black or African American
21 degrees awarded
Asian
3 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Dorchester County, SC were to White students. These 28 degrees mean that there were 1.33 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 21 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Dorchester County, SC was $186,300 in 2018, which is 0.811 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $177,500 to $186,300, a 4.96% increase. The homeownership rate in Dorchester County, SC is 71.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Dorchester County, SC have an average commute time of 28.7 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Dorchester County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$186,300

2018 Median

± $4,084

$177,500

2017 Median

± $4,048

In 2018, the median property value in Dorchester County, SC grew to to $186,300 from the previous year's value of $177,500.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Dorchester County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dorchester County, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

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

$61,698

Median Household Income

± $1,894

54.5k

Number of Households

± 1,725

In 2018, the median household income of the 54.5k households in Dorchester County, SC grew to $61,698 from the previous year's value of $58,685.

The following chart displays the households in Dorchester County, SC 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.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Dorchester County, SC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dorchester County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

71.4%

2018 Homeownership

71.1%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 71.4% of the housing units in Dorchester County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Dorchester County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

28.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dorchester County, SC have a longer commute time (28.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 2.41% of the workforce in Dorchester County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Dorchester County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
85.6%
Carpooled
7.58%
Worked At Home
4.23%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Dorchester County, SC was Drove Alone (85.6%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.58%) and those who Worked At Home (4.23%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Dorchester County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Dorchester County, SC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

90.7% of the population of Dorchester County, SC has health coverage, with 46.3% on employee plans, 13.9% on Medicaid, 8.82% on Medicare, 16.5% on non-group plans, and 5.14% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in South Carolina was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in Dorchester County, SC see 2500 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.05% increase from the previous year (2474 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1671 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 822 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.1%). Additionally, Lee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,500 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Dorchester County, SC

Primary care physicians in Dorchester County, SC see an average of 2,500 patients per year. This represents a 1.05% increase from the previous year (2,474 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Dorchester County, SC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

$7,311

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in South Carolina

$4,235

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,491

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,298

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in South Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.15%, from $7,020 to $7,311.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

9.32%

Uninsured

46.3%

Employer Coverage

13.9%

Medicaid

8.82%

Medicare

16.5%

Non-Group

5.14%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dorchester County, SC declined by 12.9% from 10.7% to 9.32%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Dorchester County, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.