In 2007, prior to the collapse of the economy during the financial crisis that led to a worldwide recession, there was a spike in births. The following year, births fell back to what was considered a normal trend.
This became a historical point of reference because exactly 50 years prior, in 1957, America recognized the peak of the Baby Boom.
There were 4,316,233 births in the United States in 2007, surpassing 4,308,000 births in 1957.
The most noticeable difference between the half century spread is the number of people per household. In 1957, there were approximately 3.3 people per household. The U.S. hovered around 2.6 people per household in 2007. For 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 2.54 people per household, so that number keeps shrinking.
Following World War II, the American population surged, shaping the term “Baby Boom.”
When the children born in 2007 entered school systems, there was a significant demand at the elementary school level to maintain the student-to-teacher ratio. More teachers were added to classrooms each year these children climbed the ranks of the education system.
Today’s graduates are part of Generation Z, or Gen Z (for short).
In 2025, there will be 84 more high school graduates compared to 2024, a 20.6% increase over the previous year in our coverage area.
How do the numbers stack up?
Caledonia, Chatfield, Fillmore Central, LeRoy-Ostrander and Rushford-Peterson show decent year-over-year increases. Lanesboro and Kingsland show slight declines. Grand Meadow, Houston, Mabel-Canton and Spring Grove show massive increases for a combined net gain of 54 graduates.
Apparently, the children born in 2007 have a lot more in common with their grandparents than they may have realized.
If the grandparents of today’s graduates are known as Baby Boomers, then it is safe to say that the Class of 2025 graduates can be referred to as Baby Zoomers.
Anonymous says
And…..once again….. Kingsland loses students. Shocking.