granted, like imagine how people used to live without home delivery services ages ago. One such luxury we collectively overlook is drinking water. Did you know that:

A prompt reminder of the privileges of a modern man on the occasion of National Hydration Day. So, don't forget to hydrate your plants and yourself at all times and now let's get started with our regular!

Today’s special:

The Older Folder: America has an aging population problem in its near future!

Backlash On Energy Bills: Americans believe utility companies and data centers are burrowing their pockets for energy bills.

Undesirable State of America: U.S. isn't as desirable for tourist visits as it used to anymore?

A demographic reckoning for America is approaching fast, in just two decades the U.S. population of adults aged 65 and older went from 12.4% to 18%. And it's not slowing down anytime soon: with one in every five Americans projected to be a senior by 2030.

At the moment, economists and policymakers alike are concerned about the velocity of demographic transition. From 2020 and 2024, the senior population has surged by 13%, conversely the number of Americans under 18 actually decreased by 1.7%. Meanwhile, reflecting this trend America’s median age realized a historic peak of 39.1 years in 2024, up from 38.5 just four years prior.

Americans aged 65–74 are accountable for the largest portion of the 65+ population, with nearly 4 million people at age 65 alone in 2025. Yet substantial growth is also visible across older age brackets, pushing the entire senior age distribution upward.

While the notion of living longer sounds like good news, the economic reality behind it is much more convoluted. Nearly 14 million seniors already face food insecurity, according to Meals on Wheels America. At the same time, to aggravate the situation further Medicare spending now exceeds $395 billion annually.

It seems to appear Americans themselves are becoming uneasy by the day about what aging will look like. A survey by Pew Research found that 67% of adults under 65 when thinking of their later years feel worried about them, with finances ranking standing out as one of the biggest concerns. Matter of fact, 45% of Americans under 65 aren’t confident they’ll have enough money to retire comfortably or don’t think they’ll retire at all.

Meanwhile researchers from Northeastern University found major disparities in how older Americans' access to essentials is dicey. As a glaring example, 70% of high-aging communities in Arizona lack sufficient accessibility to aging-related services. To top it off the healthcare system remains porous and vulnerable with 62% of Medicare recipients aged 65+ already living with three or more chronic conditions, yet America still faces shortages in geriatric care workers.

Americans are starting to look at their electricity bills in the same confused way they look at airline baggage fees which are somehow always higher than anticipated.

Electricity was like an uninvited surprise for 89% of Americans as per Prepaid Electricity, while for 13% it’s becoming habitual since this shock pays them a visit nearly every month. In response, 67% are dialing down their use of heater or air conditioning, and 54% have upped the ante by unplugging appliances and electronics. Americans are essentially playing defense against their thermostats.

In fact, most households are thinking along the same line that something else is driving up the meter. A nationwide survey found that two-thirds of Americans are of the opinion that AI is responsible for increasing their electricity bills. Pew data showed 64% blamed utility companies’ profit motives, while 43% pointed to energy-hungry data centers as a major reason behind rising electricity costs. Meanwhile, utilities requested a record $31 billion in rate hikes last year, affecting 81 million Americans.

In PJM the grid covering 13 states and Washington, D.C. capacity prices have increased 11x in just a span two years, with analysts holding data centers responsible for two-thirds of the increase. That amounts to $9.3 billion in extra utility bills and means a $10- $21 AI power tax per month for households.

At this rate, if this continues by 2027 Americans are at risk of facing $15–30 billion annually in AI subsidies. In addition, residential electricity prices on a national scale have climbed nearly 40% since January 2021.

While American households are watching their electricity bills increase by the day, it’s all a big win for utility executives who are cashing in large checks. America’s largest utility CEOs collected a combined $626 million as per the Energy and Policy Institute, what’s more? Even CEO pay across investor-owned utilities rose 16% year over year. And it doesn’t stop there, utility profits also took a leap from $39 billion in 2021 to more than $52 billion in 2024.

It was supposed to be a generational tourism run for the US: the Route 66 centenary, the country’s 250th anniversary, and a co-hosted FIFA World Cup all lined up within the same stretch. Instead, America is being taught that geopolitical vibes matter almost as much as or maybe more than beaches and landmarks.

The US was projected to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, singling it out as the only country from the 184 nations analyzed by BBC to see a decline in inbound tourism spending. Meanwhile, as per Skift, Donald Trump’s return to office is staving off 46% of travelers to less likely visit the country.

US tourism just can’t seem to catch a break even as global international tourism grew by 4% in 2025; it saw a decline of 5.4% in 2025. Even, Canadian visits historically known as one of America’s most reliable travel pipelines fell 22% year over year. While desire to migrate to the U.S. fell from 33% to 28% in Latin America and 18% to 12% in Southeast Asia.

The unrest is not only affecting tourism but altering migration trends. According to the US Census Bureau, net international migration reached a frothy peak at 2.7 million in 2024 before coming to earth at 1.3 million just the next year, the takeaway is that these projections suggest it could fall to 321,000 in 2026 if current trends persist. The Census Bureau has even flared off a warning that America could be dealt with a negative net migration for the first time in more than half a century.

Meanwhile, another immigration analysis Pew Research Center’s found that America’s foreign-born population sustained a decline falling from 53.3 million in January 2025 to 51.9 million by June. In addition, immigrants also fell from 15.8% of the US population to 15.4%, while their share of the labor force slid from 20% to 19%.

America has been perceived as the world’s default destination for its tourism, and land of opportunity. But as of late, travelers and migrants alike seem to be asking the same question if the trip is really worth it now?

Which state is the most expensive for a person living alone?

[Answer Below]

Answer Here

Feel free to share your feedback, or share any topic suggestions that you want us to cover!

Want some more data stories?

Check out our website