Census Bureau Releases 2010 Statistical Abstract Depicting the State of Our Nation
"How r u? The way we communicate is rapidly evolving, as evidenced by the fact that the number of text messages sent on cell phones has more than doubled from 48 billion in December 2007 to 110 billion in December 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010. [The original news release issued indicated the data on text messages sent pertained to the entire year; they actually pertain to only December of the reference years indicated above.]
The Statistical Abstract, aka “Uncle Sam’s Almanac,” perennially the federal government’s best-selling reference book, has been published since 1878 — before automobiles, airplanes and motion pictures had even been invented. Contained in the 129th edition are more than 1,400 tables of social, political and economic facts which collectively describe the state of our nation and the world. Included are 53 new tables, covering topics such as worldwide space launch events this decade, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, the type of work flexibility provided to employees, employment status of veterans and road fatalities by country.

The statistics come not only from the U.S Census Bureau but also from other governmental agencies and private organizations. The data are generally for the most recent year or period available by summer 2009. Most of the data are national-level, but some tables present state- and even city- and metropolitan-level data as well..."