ABOUT THE SURVEY
Xavier University’s American Dream Composite Index™ (ADCI) measures the extent to which people living in the United States achieve the American Dream. The ADCI is based on a random sample of no fewer than 1,000 adults who are surveyed online each month, with at least 400 respondents recurring from the previous month.
The monthly samples are representative, based on the most recent 2010 U.S. Census, of adults living in the U.S. Demographics capture age, income, ethnicity/race, gender, level of education, state/region of residence, marital status, homeowner status, and employment status.
The results of the ADCI survey are made available to the public on a monthly basis. Fluctuations in the ADCI across various dimensions of the American Dream are documented and assessed. The ADCI survey can facilitate comparisons across individuals, cities, states, countries, and regions.
Eye-Opening Results
"45% of all respondents say they would pay more for services like fast food if it meant the workers were paid more than minimum wage. These responses closely matched the reported political ideology where less than 30% of conservatives and 60% of liberals said they would pay more for these services if it meant better wages for workers."
"Over half of millennials report they would work more hours at their current primary job if given the opportunity"
"We use survey-reported factors to predict monthly retail sales, consumer sentiment, GDP, housing sales, discretionary income and spending."
"As expected, credit card debt is the highest source of debt for most respondents outside of a mortgage. This is even the case for millennials--23% of whom say student loans are their largest source of debt and 46% say credit cards are their largest source of debt."
Connect with Us
American Dream Composite Index
Xavier University
C/O Gregory Smith
Cincinnati, OH