Gaffney, SC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2019 Population

56,895

0.324% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

39.3

1.55% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

19.4%

5.38% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$36,883

2.92% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$101,500

6.51% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

23,119

3.8% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Gaffney, SC had a population of 56.9k people with a median age of 39.3 and a median household income of $36,883. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Gaffney, SC grew from 56,711 to 56,895, a 0.324% increase and its median household income grew from $35,836 to $36,883, a 2.92% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (72.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (20%), White (Hispanic) (2.75%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.08%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.11%). 0% of the households in Gaffney, SC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

98.4% of the residents in Gaffney, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC are Limestone College (488 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Gaffney, SC was $101,500, and the homeownership rate was 68.9%. Most people in Gaffney, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaffney, SC was 2 cars per household.

Gaffney, SC borders Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, Forest City, NC, Shelby, NC, and Spartanburg, SC.

United States South Carolina

Diversity

Gaffney, SC is home to a population of 56.9k people, from which 98.4% are citizens. As of 2019, 2.4% of Gaffney, SC residents were born outside of the country (1.37k people).

In 2019, there were 3.63 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.4k people) in Gaffney, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 11.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.57k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
41.4k ± 27
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
11.4k ± 358
White (Hispanic)
1.57k ± 379

4.36%

Hispanic Population

2.48k people

4.36% of the people in Gaffney, SC are hispanic (2.48k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.4%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

1.37k people

2.05%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

1.16k people

As of 2019, 2.4% of Gaffney, SC residents (1.37k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaffney, SC was 2.05%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 4.4

In 2019, the median age of all people in Gaffney, SC was 39.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 39, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Gaffney, SC are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Gaffney, SC residents was 39.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
64,736 ± 6,206 people
India
14,943 ± 2,997 people
Honduras
11,181 ± 2,593 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 64,736 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 14,943 and Honduras with 11,181.

Citizenship

98.4%

2019 Citizenship

98.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 98.4% of Gaffney, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Gaffney, SC was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,223 ± 176
Gulf War (2001-)
466 ± 162
Gulf War (1990s)
445 ± 118

Gaffney, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.62 times greater than any other conflict.

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.

Y-Axis

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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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

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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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Economy

Median household income in Gaffney, SC is $36,883. In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Gaffney, SC was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $74,127, followed by Charleston County, SC and Berkeley County, SC, with respective values of $71,531 and $69,398.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $43,921. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.461, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Gaffney, SC employs 23.1k people. The largest industries in Gaffney, SC are Manufacturing (6,087 people), Retail Trade (3,573 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,442 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($118,008), Utilities ($48,456), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($45,521).

Wages

Median Household Income

$36,883

2019 value

± $2,887

2.92%

1 Year Growth

± 9.67%

Households in Gaffney, SC have a median annual income of $36,883, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $35,836 in 2018, which represents a 2.92% annual growth.

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

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$60,300

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,526

$43,921

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,088

In 2019, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-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 MSA level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in South Carolina

Asian
$57,024 ± $9,306
White
$51,354 ± $1,131
American Indian
$44,350 ± $16,152

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.11 times more than White 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 Gaffney, SC is from South Carolina.

0.461

2019 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2018 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.461 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.211% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaffney, SC was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $74,127, followed by Charleston County, SC and Berkeley County, SC, with respective values of $71,531 and $69,398.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

19.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaffney, SC (10.8k out of 56k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 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
7,126 ± 665
Black
3,076 ± 464
Hispanic
882 ± 280

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

23.1k

2019 Value

± 1,204

3.8%

1 Year growth

± 7.1%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Gaffney, SC grew at a rate of 3.8%, from 22.3k employees to 23.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaffney, SC, are Production Occupations (3,828 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,126 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,254 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (3,828 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,126 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (2,254 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Gaffney, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.92 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (2.26 times), and Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.84 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($80,377), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($62,135), and Management Occupations ($61,538).

Industries

Employment by Industries

23.1k

2019 Value

± 1,204

3.8%

1 Year growth

± 7.1%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Gaffney, SC grew at a rate of 3.8%, from 22.3k employees to 23.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaffney, SC, are Manufacturing (6,087 people), Retail Trade (3,573 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,442 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Gaffney, SC, though some of these residents may live in Gaffney, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Gaffney, SC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (6,087 people), Retail Trade (3,573 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,442 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other MSAs, Gaffney, SC has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (2.63 times higher than expected), Utilities (2.07 times), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.72 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Gaffney, SC, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($118,008), Utilities ($48,456), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($45,521).

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 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $38.2B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($32.1B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

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.

$285B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

115% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $285B. This is expected to increase 115% to $613B by 2050.

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
$30.1B
Georgia
$22.4B
Texas
$13.2B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $30.1B, followed by Georgia with $22.4B and Texas and $13.2B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 75.6% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. 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

Voting results are not available for Gaffney, SC. Showing the available data for South Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.11%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for South Carolina

55.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
75.6% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
74.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
73% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 75.6% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. 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.

Education

In 2020, universities in Gaffney, SC awarded 488 degrees. The student population of Gaffney, SC is skewed towards women, with 896 male students and 1,047 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaffney, SC are White (254 and 54.9%), followed by Black or African American (184 and 39.7%), Hispanic or Latino (14 and 3.02%), and Asian (5 and 1.08%).

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC by number of degrees awarded are Limestone College (488 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Gaffney, SC are Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (125 and 25.6%), Social Work (79 and 16.2%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (37 and 7.58%).

The median tuition cost in Gaffney, SC for private four year colleges is $25,200.

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations
116 degree-majorss awarded
Social Work
79 degree-majorss awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
26 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Gaffney, SC was Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations with 116 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Gaffney, SC according to their major.

Universities

Limestone College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

488 degrees awarded

$25,200

Median Private

In 2020, the Gaffney, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Limestone College with 488 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

201

Degrees Awarded to Men

287

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 201 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaffney, SC, which is 0.7 times less than the 287 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Gaffney, SC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
254 degrees awarded
Black or African American
184 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
14 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Gaffney, SC was White students. These 254 degrees mean that there were 1.38 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 184 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaffney, SC was $101,500 in 2019, which is 0.422 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $95,300 to $101,500, a 6.51% increase. The homeownership rate in Gaffney, SC is 68.9%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Gaffney, SC have an average commute time of 22.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Gaffney, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$101,500

2019 Median

± $5,500

$95,300

2018 Median

± $4,437

In 2019, the median property value in Gaffney, SC grew to to $101,500 from the previous year's value of $95,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Gaffney, 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 Gaffney, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

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

$36,883

Median Household Income

± $2,887

20.7k

Number of Households

± 1,010

In 2019, the median household income of the 20.7k households in Gaffney, SC grew to $36,883 from the previous year's value of $35,836.

The following chart displays the households in Gaffney, 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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

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

Rent vs Own

68.9%

2019 Homeownership

69.1%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 68.9% of the housing units in Gaffney, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 69.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Gaffney, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaffney, SC have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.62% of the workforce in Gaffney, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (84.7%)
Carpooled (12.3%)
Worked At Home (1.41%)

In 2019, 84.7% of workers in Gaffney, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.3%) and those who worked at home (1.41%).

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 Gaffney, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Gaffney, SC have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

89.5% of the population of Gaffney, SC has health coverage, with 40.4% on employee plans, 20.1% on Medicaid, 12.9% on Medicare, 14.6% on non-group plans, and 1.53% 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 South Carolina see 1494 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.267% decrease from the previous year (1498 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1767 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 546 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Williamsburg County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (23.4%). Additionally, Union County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,494 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Carolina

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see an average of 1,494 patients per year. This represents a 0.267% decrease from the previous year (1,498 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in South Carolina 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

10.5%

Uninsured

40.4%

Employer Coverage

20.1%

Medicaid

12.9%

Medicare

14.6%

Non-Group

1.53%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaffney, SC declined by 4.12% from 11% to 10.5%.

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