Letcher County, KY

County

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Population

22,676

1.46% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

Median Age

42.2

Poverty Rate

32.4%

Median Household Income

$29,856

1.44% 1-year decline

Median Property Value

$58,500

Number of Employees

6,993

0.921% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Letcher County, KY had a population of 22.7k people with a median age of 42.2 and a median household income of $29,856. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Letcher County, KY declined from 23,011 to 22,676, a -1.46% decrease and its median household income declined from $30,293 to $29,856, a -1.44% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Letcher County, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (97.5%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (0.851%), White (Hispanic) (0.406%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.388%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.251%). 0% of the people in Letcher County, KY speak a non-English language, and 99.8% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Letcher County, KY are Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology (18 degrees awarded in 2019).

In 2018, the median property value in Letcher County, KY was $58,500, and the homeownership rate was 75.5%. Most people in Letcher County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Letcher County, KY was 2 cars per household.

Letcher County, KY borders Harlan County, KY, Knott County, KY, Perry County, KY, Pike County, KY, and Wise County, VA.

United States Kentucky

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Kentucky. 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 Kentucky, 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 Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (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 Kentucky.

Start Year

Y-Axis

-5.78%

Year-over-year decline

Employment change between November 2019 and November 2020

As of November 2020, there are 145M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a -5.78% decrease in employment when compared to November 2019.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Kentucky 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 Letcher County, KY went to Donald J. Trump with 79.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (16.9%), followed by Other (3.27%). The most partisan county was Leslie County, KY with 89.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 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 (79.8%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (16.9%)
Democratic Party
Other (3.27%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 79.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (16.9%), followed by Other (3.27%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

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 Letcher County, KY

79.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Kentucky

Leslie County, KY
89.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Jackson County, KY
88.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Martin County, KY
88.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Kentucky was Leslie County, KY with 89.4% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from Kentucky

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

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

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

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 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 Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Letcher County, KY is home to a population of 22.7k people, from which 99.8% are citizens. As of 2018, 0.445% of Letcher County, KY residents were born outside of the country (101 people).

In 2018, there were 115 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (22.1k people) in Letcher County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 193 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 92 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Letcher County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
22.1k ± 30
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
193 ± 74.3
White (Hispanic)
92 ± 41

0.772%

Hispanic Population

175 people

0.772% of the people in Letcher County, KY are hispanic (175 people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.445%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

101 people

0.521%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

120 people

As of 2018, 0.445% of Letcher County, KY residents (101 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 Letcher County, KY was 0.521%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 1.1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 18.9

In 2018, the median age of all people in Letcher County, KY was 42.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 42, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Letcher County, KY are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Letcher County, KY residents was 42.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
31,769 ± 4,360 people
India
12,409 ± 2,731 people
Cuba
11,319 ± 2,609 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 31,769 Kentucky residents, followed by India with 12,409 and Cuba with 11,319.

Citizenship

99.8%

2018 Citizenship

99.6%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 99.8% of Letcher County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Letcher County, KY was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
358 ± 110
Korea
78 ± 53
Gulf War (1990s)
70 ± 60

Letcher County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.59 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Letcher County, KY is $29,856. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Letcher County, KY was Census Tract 9505 with a value of $34,737, followed by Census Tract 9504.01 and Census Tract 9506, with respective values of $33,441 and $30,091.

Males in Kentucky have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,437. The income inequality in Kentucky (measured using the Gini index) is 0.456, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Letcher County, KY employs 6.99k people. The largest industries in Letcher County, KY are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,638 people), Educational Services (918 people), and Retail Trade (733 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($63,500), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($63,205), and Information ($48,347).

Wages

Median Household Income

$29,856

2018 value

± $2,344

-1.44%

1 Year Growth

± 12%

Households in Letcher County, KY have a median annual income of $29,856, 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 $30,293 in 2017, which represents a -1.44% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Letcher County, KY 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 Kentucky.

$59,994

Average Male Salary in Kentucky

± $1,633

$44,437

Average Female Salary in Kentucky

± $1,156

In 2019, full-time male employees in Kentucky made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Kentucky

Asian
$58,983 ± $10,861
White
$46,691 ± $986
American Indian
$38,377 ± $15,879

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Kentucky workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.26 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Kentucky.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Letcher County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.456

2019 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.456

2018 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2019, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.114% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky 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)

Census Tract 9505
Census Tract 9504.01
Census Tract 9506

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Letcher County, KY was Census Tract 9505 with a value of $34,737, followed by Census Tract 9504.01 and Census Tract 9506, with respective values of $33,441 and $30,091.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

32.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Letcher County, KY (7.27k out of 22.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 25 - 34.

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
7,166 ± 523
Two Or More
59 ± 102
Hispanic
57 ± 102

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Letcher County, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

6.99k

2018 Value

± 593

-0.921%

1 Year decline

± 12.2%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Letcher County, KY declined at a rate of -0.921%, from 7.06k employees to 6.99k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Letcher County, KY, are Sales & Related Occupations (723 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (705 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (641 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Letcher County, KY.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Letcher County, KY, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (723 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (705 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (641 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Letcher County, KY has an unusually high number of residents working as Health Technologists & Technicians (2.92 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (2.04 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.82 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Letcher County, KY, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($105,000), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($76,528), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($75,208).

Industries

Employment by Industries

6.99k

2018 Value

± 593

-0.921%

1 Year decline

± 12.2%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Letcher County, KY declined at a rate of -0.921%, from 7.06k employees to 6.99k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Letcher County, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,638 people), Educational Services (918 people), and Retail Trade (733 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Letcher County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Letcher County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Letcher County, KY, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,638 people), Educational Services (918 people), and Retail Trade (733 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Letcher County, KY has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (13.6 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.69 times), and Educational Services (1.42 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Letcher County, KY, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($63,500), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($63,205), and Information ($48,347).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $71.4B, followed by Base metals ($17.1B) and Gasoline ($17.1B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky.

$282B

2015 Value in Kentucky

$398B

Projected 2045 Value in Kentucky

41.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound Kentucky trade was $282B. This is expected to increase 41.4% to $398B by 2045.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Ohio
$22.9B
Indiana
$19.1B
Tennessee
$16.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Ohio with $22.9B, followed by Indiana with $19.1B and Tennessee and $16.7B.

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

Education

In 2019, universities in Letcher County, KY awarded 18 degrees. The student population of Letcher County, KY is skewed towards women, with 3 male students and 32 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Letcher County, KY are White (17 and 94.4%), followed by Two or More Races (1 and 5.56%), Asian (0 and 0%), and Black or African American (0 and 0%).

The largest universities in Letcher County, KY by number of degrees awarded are Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology (18 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Letcher County, KY are General Cosmetology (18 and 100%) and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (0 and 0%).

The median tuition costs in Letcher County, KY 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

General Cosmetology
18 degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Letcher County, KY was General Cosmetology with 18 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Letcher County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

18 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2019, the Letcher County, KY institution with the largest number of graduating students was Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology with 18 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 0 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Letcher County, KY, which is 0 times less than the 18 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Letcher County, KY by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
17 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
1 degrees awarded
Asian
0 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Letcher County, KY was White students. These 17 degrees mean that there were 17 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 1 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Letcher County, KY was $58,500 in 2018, which is 0.255 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $58,500 to $58,500, a 0% change. The homeownership rate in Letcher County, KY is 75.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Letcher County, KY have an average commute time of 24.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Letcher County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$58,500

2018 Median

± $4,337

$58,500

2017 Median

± $3,434

In 2018, the median property value in Letcher County, KY stayed at to $58,500 from the previous year's value of $58,500.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Letcher County, KY 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 Letcher County, KY the largest share of households have a property value in the $40k - $50k range.

Household Income

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

$29,856

Median Household Income

± $2,344

9.89k

Number of Households

± 678

In 2018, the median household income of the 9.89k households in Letcher County, KY declined from $29,856 from the previous year's value of $30,293.

The following chart displays the households in Letcher County, KY 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 Letcher County, KY distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Letcher County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

75.5%

2018 Homeownership

74.2%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 75.5% of the housing units in Letcher County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.2%.

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

Commute Time

24.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Letcher County, KY have a shorter commute time (24.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 2.15% of the workforce in Letcher County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2018

Drove Alone (85.5%)
Carpooled (6.12%)
Worked At Home (3.73%)

In 2018, 85.5% of workers in Letcher County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (6.12%) and those who worked at home (3.73%).

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

Health

94.6% of the population of Letcher County, KY has health coverage, with 28.9% on employee plans, 39.5% on Medicaid, 15.8% on Medicare, 9.86% on non-group plans, and 0.605% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Kentucky was $8,004 in 2014. This is a 6.11% increase from the previous year ($7,543).

Primary care physicians in Letcher County, KY see 1369 patients per year on average, which represents a 14.2% decrease from the previous year (1596 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2694 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1268 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Knott County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21%). Additionally, Owsley County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,369 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Letcher County, KY

Primary care physicians in Letcher County, KY see an average of 1,369 patients per year. This represents a 14.2% decrease from the previous year (1,596 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Letcher County, KY 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 Kentucky.

$8,004

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Kentucky

$4,551

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,016

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,368

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Kentucky (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.11%, from $7,543 to $8,004.

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

Health Care Coverage

5.41%

Uninsured

28.9%

Employer Coverage

39.5%

Medicaid

15.8%

Medicare

9.86%

Non-Group

0.605%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Letcher County, KY declined by 32.6% from 8.03% to 5.41%.

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