2016 Election Night

In our “New Bellwethers” series, we’re examining select counties in key states where Clinton and Trump are polling very close to how they are in the U.S. overall. Our second stop? Berks County, Pennsylvania. If you’re just joining us, the first episode of “The New Bellwethers” video series — Gaston County, North Carolina — can be viewed here. And Clare’s article on Berks is here.

Unemployment rate (September): 5.8 percent (U.S.: 5 percent) Median income (2015): $52,431 (U.S.: $55,775) Poverty rate (2015): 14.7 percent (U.S.: 14.7 percent) College share (2015): 23.6 percent (U.S.: 30.6 percent) The real-estate bubble was at its bubbliest in Nevada, which meant the state also experienced one of the country’s worst slumps when the bubble burst. Unemployment neared 14 percent in the state at the peak of the crisis, and it would have been worse if many construction workers hadn’t abandoned the state when jobs dried up. Even today, more than seven years after the recession officially ended, the state still suffers from relatively high unemployment and has a larger share of “underwater” homes (homes that are worth less than their owners owe on their mortgages) than any other state.

Before the first exit polls arrive and Election Day starts to get more tense for each side (as if that were possible), we have one last bit of lighthearted fare from staff at a New York City elementary school today. It’s an election-themed rendition of Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out.” Sample lyric: “Listening to both of them just yak yak yak yak yak yak yak yak — makes my head hurt and how.” Listen to the the whole song below: