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[USAFacts]([link removed])

In 2025, USAFacts readers sought clarity on the data behind some of the nat=
ion's most debated topics=E2=80=94from crime trends and immigration pattern=
s to political divides and how the federal government collects its revenue.=
As conversations intensified, readers turned to nonpartisan facts to cut t=
hrough the noise. Here are the [10 most-read articles]([link removed]
/articles/the-10-most-read-articles-of-the-year/) from USAFacts this year:=
=C2=A0

[USAFacts]([link removed])

10. How many voters have a party affiliation?

Americans remained interested in the number of voters with a declared [poli=
tical affiliation]([link removed]
ty-affiliation/) long after the presidential election. As of August 2025, 4=
5% of all registered voters had declared a party affiliation =E2=80=94 37.4=
million registered as Republicans and 44.1 million as Democrats. Fun fact:=
this was also the #10 article of last year.

9. How many people work for the federal government?

As of August 2025, the [federal government employed]([link removed]
rticles/how-many-people-work-for-the-federal-government/) just under 3 mill=
ion people. It was the 14th largest workforce across all industries nationw=
ide and represented less than 2% of all employee jobs.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
8. What can the data tell us about unauthorized immigration? =C2=A0

[Monthly border encounters nationwide]([link removed]
an-the-data-tell-us-about-unauthorized-immigration/)

Americans were interested in this data all year. Between October 2019 and J=
une 2024, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded [just under 11 mi=
llion border encounters]([link removed]
ll-us-about-unauthorized-immigration/) nationwide. These numbers include mu=
ltiple crossings by some individuals. Monthly border encounters hit a high =
of over 370,000 in December 2023 (that=E2=80=99s about 12,000 daily, or mor=
e than eight per minute).=C2=A0
=C2=A0
7. Which states rely the most on federal aid?=C2=A0

In fiscal year 2021, federal grants comprised=C2=A0[roughly 20% of states=
=E2=80=99 total revenues]([link removed]
he-most-on-federal-aid/). This paid for services including healthcare, educ=
ation, social programs, infrastructure projects, and public safety.=C2=A0

Montana had the largest share of federal funds in its budget: 31.8%. Vermon=
t relied the least on federal money; it was 12.8% of its budget in 2021. Me=
anwhile, California received the most federal aid in absolute terms, it ran=
ked as the second-least dependent state.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
6. How red or blue is your state?=C2=A0

After the 2024 elections, readers sought information on [state political pr=
ofiles]([link removed]). Duri=
ng the 10 presidential elections since 1988, 41 states supported candidates=
from the same party at least eight times. Twenty states and Washington, DC=
, voted for the same party=E2=80=99s candidates in all 10 elections.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
5. Which countries own the most US debt?

[Five countries holding the most US debt]([link removed]
ch-countries-own-the-most-us-debt/)

As of April 2024, foreign countries owned approximately 7.9 trillion in Tre=
asury securities =E2=80=94 that=E2=80=99s [22.9% of total US debt]([link removed]
usafacts.org/articles/which-countries-own-the-most-us-debt/). The five coun=
tries owning the most US debt were Japan ($1.1 trillion), China ($749.0 bil=
lion), the United Kingdom ($690.2 billion), Luxembourg ($373.5 billion), an=
d Canada ($328.7 billion).=C2=A0
=C2=A0
4. Which states have the highest murder rates?=C2=A0

Recent data shows the [national homicide rate]([link removed]
s/which-states-have-the-highest-murder-rates/) fell by 7.8% from 2022 to 20=
23.

In 2023, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama had the highest population-adj=
usted homicide rates. In contrast, New Hampshire, Utah, and Rhode Island ha=
d the lowest rates. Mississippi=E2=80=99s homicide rate was more than 10 ti=
mes New Hampshire=E2=80=99s.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
3. Which states contribute the most and least to federal revenue? =C2=A0=C2=
=A0

Nineteen states [sent more money]([link removed]
s-contribute-the-most-and-least-to-federal-revenue/) to the federal governm=
ent than they received in fiscal year 2024.

[States that paid more to the federal government than they received](https:=
//usafacts.org/articles/which-states-contribute-the-most-and-least-to-feder=
al-revenue/)

Californians paid about $275.6 billion more to the federal government than =
they received, while Virginians received about $89.0 billion more than they=
paid.

In FY 2024, 38% of federal revenue came from the nation=E2=80=99s four most=
populous states. Meanwhile, some less-populated states generated more than=
their populations would suggest. Massachusetts sent $21,933 per person to =
the federal government, Nebraska contributed $21,922, and Minnesota sent $2=
1,106.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
2. Everything you need to know about a government shutdown=C2=A0

The recent [US government shutdown]([link removed]
g-you-need-to-know-about-a-government-shutdown/) began on October 1 and end=
ed on November 12. It lasted 43 days, making it the longest in US history. =
Americans sought to understand why shutdowns happen and how they trigger fu=
rloughs, reduced services, closed parks and museums, and more. =C2=A0
=C2=A0
1. Which cities have the highest murder rates?=C2=A0

[Homicide rate and total homicides by large metros]([link removed]
ticles/which-cities-have-the-highest-murder-rates/)

There were 22,830 homicides in the US in 2023 =E2=80=94 an average of about=
6.8 deaths per 100,000 people. The national homicide rate has been above 6=
.0 since 2020. The home counties of New Orleans; Memphis, Tennessee; St. Lo=
uis; Baltimore; and Washington, DC, had 2023=E2=80=99s [highest homicide ra=
tes]([link removed]
es/).=C2=A0

The lowest rates in large urban areas were in the home counties of San Jose=
, Anaheim, and San Diego, California; Plano, Texas; and the borough of Quee=
ns in New York.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Thanks for being part of this fact-filled journey. We=E2=80=99ll be back ne=
xt Monday with more data.

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