04cesregion

U.S. Region Highlights

Table 5: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey,
2004 Cash Contributions by Region of Residence

Table 6: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey,
2004 Major Category Expenditures by Region of Residence

•	What region of the U.S. gave most to charity?

People in the Midwest gave the highest portion of after-tax income to charitable contributions.

The South and West were tied for the next place on the list.

The Northeast was fourth.

•	Does that mean people in the Midwest gave the most money to charity?

People in the Midwest gave the most to charitable contributions, whether measured in dollars or as a portion of after-tax income.

•	Is it likely that people in the Midwest give more because it is less expensive to live there?

It is not less expensive to live in the Midwest when income and spending categories are taken into account.

The Consumer Expenditure Survey measured after-tax income and spending categories as well as to charitable causes contributions. Seven major spending categories that were measured included: Food; Housing; Apparel and services; Transportation; Health care; Entertainment; Personal insurance and pensions.

Regional Spending on Seven Major Categories as a Portion of After-Tax Income:

West: 81%

Midwest: 75%

South: 72%

Northeast: 71%

Table 5: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey,
2004 Cash Contributions by Region of Residence

Item	All consumer units	Northeast	Midwest	South	West
Number of consumer units (in thousands)	116,282	22,051	26,539	41,801	25,891
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income after taxes	$52,287	$58,673	$51,122	$49,079	$53,222
Average Annual Expenditures Cash Contributions Cash contributions to:
charities and other organizations	$157.51	$156.75	$279.00	$90.64	$141.58
church, religious organizations	565.11	293.21	618.65	634.10	630.43
educational institutions	46.06	45.46	87.71	26.74	35.06
Gifts to non-CU members of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds	24.97	14.24	27.47	17.84	43.09
Total (calculated)	$793.65	$509.66	$1,012.83	$769.32	$850.16
Calculated: % of income after Taxes Cash contributions to:
charities and other organizations	0.30%	0.27%	0.55%	0.18%	0.27%
church, religious organizations	1.08%	0.50%	1.21%	1.29%	1.18%
educational institutions	0.09%	0.08%	0.17%	0.05%	0.07%
Gifts to non-CU members of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds	0.05%	0.02%	0.05%	0.04%	0.08%
Total	1.5%	0.9%	2.0%	1.6%	1.6%

Details in the above table may not compute to the numbers shown due to rounding.
Source: empty tomb, inc. 2006 analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CE Survey, 2004

Table 6: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey,
2004 Major Category Expenditures by Region of Residence

Item	All consumer units	Northeast	Midwest	South	West
Number of consumer units (in thousands)	116,282	22,051	26,539	41,801	25,891
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income after taxes	$52,287	$58,673	$51,122	$49,079	$53,222
Average Annual Expenditures Seven Major Categories
Food	$5,780.82	$6,367.80	$5,592.21	$5,318.35	$6,224.12
Housing	13,918.48	15,733.70	13,438.35	12,250.19	15,556.56
Apparel and services	1,815.95	2,176.24	1,672.35	1,643.03	1,936.07
Transportation	7,801.38	7,621.85	7,709.79	7,232.79	8,965.53
Health Care	2,574.21	2,370.58	2,860.96	2,508.50	2,560.28
Entertainment	2,218.47	2,016.89	2,208.13	2,133.86	2,538.26
Personal insurance and pensions	4,823.20	5,110.28	4,894.70	4,413.71	5,166.51
Total (calculated)	$38,932.51	$41,397.34	$38,376.49	$35,500.43	$42,947.33
Calculated: Average Annual Expenditures Seven Major Categories
% of Income after Taxes	74%	71%	75%	72%	81%

Details in the above table may not compute to the numbers shown due to rounding.
Source: empty tomb, inc. 2006 analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CE Survey, 2004