EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Thursday 7:00 PM May 1, 2008
All references must be sourced WNBC/Marist Poll
National Poll: Making Ends Meet
Contact: Dr. Lee M. Miringoff
Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho
This WNBC/Marist Poll reports:
· Most Americans believe the country is in an economic recession: 78% of Americans think the U.S. economy is in a recession. People who live in the eastern part of the country are most likely to share this view.
Question Wording: Do you think the U.S. economy is currently in a recession or not?
Americans |
Yes |
No |
Unsure |
|
May 2008 |
78% |
17% |
5% |
|
East |
87% |
8% |
5% |
|
Midwest |
69% |
26% |
5% |
|
South |
77% |
18% |
5% |
|
West |
82% |
13% |
5% |
· Many Americans are having difficulty making ends meet: 65% of Americans say they worry that their income will not be enough to meet their bills and expenses either always or sometimes. People with a family income of less than $50,000 a year are especially hard hit.
Question Wording: How often do you worry that your total family income will not be enough to meet your family's expenses and bills: always, sometimes, seldom, or never?
Americans |
Having Difficulty |
Always |
Sometimes |
Seldom |
Never |
|
May 2008 |
65% |
32% |
33% |
16% |
19% |
|
Less $50,000 |
80% |
44% |
36% |
8% |
12% |
|
$50,000 or more |
53% |
22% |
31% |
22% |
25% |
· Americans feel the financial squeeze from the gas pump to the housing crunch: Most Americans are feeling the financial strain of increased costs for gasoline, food, health care, or housing. A majority of people have experienced a great deal of financial pressure from the cost of gasoline. Many are also feeling the pinch on family budgets in the supermarket and in meeting health care costs. When it comes to housing costs, about one in six family budgets are stressed out.
Question Wording: Has the higher cost of each of the following put a great deal of strain on your family budget, a moderate amount, not very much, or no strain at all?
Americans |
A Great Deal |
A Moderate Amount |
Not Very Much |
No Strain at All |
|
Gasoline |
56% |
26% |
8% |
10% |
|
Food at the supermarket |
25% |
43% |
14% |
18% |
|
Health care |
23% |
29% |
15% |
33% |
|
Your mortgage or rent |
15% |
23% |
13% |
49% |
· Americans expect the national average of the cost of a gallon of gasoline to top $4.00 by Memorial Day: Many Americans expect the unofficial start of summer to usher in higher gas prices. Although a gallon of gas has already hit $4.00 in some places, many people around the country expect the national average to top that price by Memorial Day.
Question Wording: What do you expect a gallon of gas where you live will cost by Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer?
|
|
Average Cost Per Gallon by Memorial Day |
|
Americans |
$4.03 |
|
East |
$4.06 |
|
Midwest |
$4.01 |
|
South |
$3.93 |
|
West |
$4.15 |
Nature of the Sample: 615 Americans
This survey was conducted April 24th through April 27th, 2008. 615 adults 18 years of age or older within the continental United States were interviewed by telephone. Telephone numbers were selected based upon a list of telephone exchanges from throughout the nation. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region was represented in proportion to its population. The results of the entire survey are statistically significant at ±4%. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations.