Our Work

Mapping America Tool

Data Tool | June 17, 2021

With over 100 indicators, Mapping America allows users to explore data like they never have before. Users can plug in their zip codes to locate human development levels within their own communities, compare places and indicators, and more.

Measuring America: 10 Years and Counting

Report | December 14, 2018

“Measuring America: 10 Years and Counting” explores trends in American Human Development Index scores over the past decade by race and ethnicity, gender, and U.S. state, revealing the uneven nature of America’s rebound from the 2007 financial crisis.

Measure of America at the Smithsonian

Short Read | September 30, 2017

Measure of America work was featured in the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's third exhibition in a series about socially responsible design, "By the People: Designing a Better America."

Geographies of Opportunity

Report | April 22, 2015

Geographies of Opportunity: Ranking Well-Being by Congressional District is an in-depth look at how residents of America's 436 congressional districts are faring in three fundamental areas of life: health, access to knowledge, and living standards.

Historical Report of Opportunity

Report | June 24, 2014

“Historical Report of Opportunity,” the first statistical measure of national and state opportunity levels over the past four decades, uses publicly available data to provide a holistic picture of how the climate for opportunity has changed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

The Measure of America 2013–2014

Report | June 19, 2013

This third volume in the Measure of America series measures well-being in three vital areas—health, education, and earnings—that shape the opportunities available to us and enable people to invest in their families and live to their full potential.

State of the Congress 2013

Short Read | January 28, 2013

The 113th Congress is the most diverse group of representatives in history. Yet its members are still significantly more likely to be male, white, and over 65 than other Americans. And in terms of basic well-being and access to opportunity, members of Congress are far ahead of the average in earnings and education but lag in life expectancy.

The Measure of America 2010-2011: Mapping Risks and Resilience

Report | November 10, 2010

The book contains American Human Development Index ranking for all 50 states, 435 congressional districts, major metropolitan areas, racial and ethnic groups, as well as men and women.

29 Reasons for Optimism on Health Care Spending

Short Read | March 10, 2010

A report by American Human Development Project ranks the 50 states and Washington, D.C. against 80 countries in the world on life expectancy at birth, infant death rates, and annual per person spending on health care.

Goals for the Common Good

Report | May 13, 2009

This report is a companion piece to the online Common Good Forecaster,™ a joint product of United Way and Measure of America. It takes a closer look at the ten indicators featured on the Forecaster and makes the case for why education matters to each of these critical areas.

Common Good Forecaster

Data Tool | 2017

The Common Good Forecaster is a tool that shows how vital economic and social issues in your community might change if educational outcomes were better.

The Well-O-Meter™

Data Tool | 2008

You have seen where your state and congressional district stack up in the American HD Index rankings, but what about you? Get a general sense of your own human development level by using The Well-O-Meter™.

The Measure of America 2008–2009

Report | July 2008

The Measure of America is the first-ever human development report for a wealthy, developed nation. It introduces the American Human Development Index, which provides a single measure of well-being for all Americans, disaggregated by state and congressional district, as well as by gender, race, and ethnicity.