Americans have a lot on their minds, according to new data that the Harris Poll shared exclusively with TIME. Overall, 62% often worry about money. Fewer than half say they rarely fret about their health, and 1 in 3 finds their work frustrating. Still, an overwhelming majority–nearly three-quarters of the U.S.–reports being optimistic, a level that has remained essentially steady since Harris began asking about optimism in 2008. Here’s the latest breakdown:
[The following text appears within a chart. Please see your hardcopy for actual chart.]
PERCENTAGE WITHIN GROUPS WHO ARE …
Optimistic about the future
Worried about finances
Worried about health
Frustrated with work
80%
70
60
50
40
30
20
REGION
WEST
MIDWEST
SOUTH
NORTH-EAST
37%
75%
Westerners are most optimistic and least worried about health
INCOME
LESS THAN $50K
$50K–$74.9K
$75K–$99.9K
$100K+
Middle-income respondents have a rosier outlook than higher earners
AGE (FEMALE)
18–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65+
Young women are most concerned with finances
AGE (MALE)
18–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65+
80% of males ages 35–44 are optimistic
But only 55% of middle-aged males feel the same
CHILDREN
HAVE
DO NOT HAVE
Parents are upbeat despite greater financial worries
MARRIAGE
MARRIED
NOT MARRIED
80%
70
60
50
40
30
20
SOURCE: THE HARRIS POLL. NOTES: POLL CONDUCTED MAY 31–JUNE 2, 2016. PERCENTAGES REFLECT RESPONDENTS WHO AGREED WITH THE STATEMENTS “I’M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE,” “MY WORK IS FRUSTRATING” AND “I FREQUENTLY WORRY ABOUT MY FINANCIAL SITUATION,” AS WELL AS RESPONDENTS WHO DISAGREED WITH THE STATEMENT “I RARELY WORRY ABOUT MY HEALTH.”
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Introducing the 2024 TIME100 Next
- The Reinvention of J.D. Vance
- How to Survive Election Season Without Losing Your Mind
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Scams
- Did the Pandemic Break Our Brains?
- The Many Lives of Jack Antonoff
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
Contact us at letters@time.com