20 striking findings from 2020

The coronavirus pandemic upended life in the United States and around the world in 2020, disrupting how people work, go to school, attend religious services, socialize with friends and family, and much more. But the pandemic wasn’t the only event that shaped the year. As 2020 draws to a close, here are 20 striking findings from our studies this year, covering COVID-19, race-related tensions, the presidential election and other notable trends.

• See more striking findings from 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

How the coronavirus outbreak has – and hasn’t – changed the way Americans work

The abrupt closure of many offices and workplaces this past spring ushered in a new era of remote work for millions of employed Americans and may portend a significant shift in the way a large segment of the workforce operates in the future. While not seamless, the transition to telework has been relatively easy for many employed adults. Still, a majority of U.S. workers say their job responsibilities cannot be done from home.

• Employed adults with higher educational attainment and incomes are most likely to say their work can be done from home
• A majority of those who say their job can be done from home say they’d like to telework all or most of the time post-pandemic
• Many workers who are spending time at their workplace and interacting with others are concerned about being exposed to – or spreading – the coronavirus

The changing geography of COVID-19 in the U.S.

In the spring, when the toll from COVID-19 passed the grim milestone of 100,000 American deaths, its geographic reach had been largely concentrated. Today, with the death toll approaching 300,000, the pandemic has become truly national in scope. Our new analysis shows how the geography of the coronavirus has changed as it spread across the country.

• See all COVID-19 research

Measuring news consumption in a digital era

Just as American news organizations have had to drastically reevaluate their business models, it would make sense that researchers who are trying to measure the U.S. public’s news consumption also need to reexamine the traditional ways they have done so.

• The American public shows mixed familiarity with new and evolving forms of news
• Many Americans are unsure whether sources of news do their own reporting

Biotechnology research viewed with caution globally, but most support gene editing for babies to treat disease

Across 20 publics surveyed, a median of 63% of adults say scientific research on gene editing is a misuse – rather than an appropriate use – of technology. Yet there is also broad support for therapeutic applications of human gene editing, such as treating illnesses a baby would have at birth.

• Majorities in most publics accept evolution, but there are differences across religious groups
• Public views about research on animal cloning are mostly negative

Biden’s victory another example of how Electoral College wins are bigger than popular vote ones

The Electoral College consistently produces more lopsided results than the national popular vote. That is likely to be the case this year, too. Democrat Joe Biden is on track to win 56.9% of electoral votes, compared with his 51.3% share of the popular vote. In 2016, Donald Trump’s electoral college victory also exceeded his performance in the popular vote.

• It’s not just 2020: U.S. presidential elections have long featured close state races

Social media continue to be important political outlets for Black Americans

Across our surveys, Black social media users have been particularly likely to say these sites are personally important to them for getting involved with issues they care about or finding like-minded people. They are also likely to express positive views about the impact of these platforms for holding powerful people accountable for their actions and giving a voice to underrepresented groups.

• Fast facts on Americans’ views about social media as Facebook faces legal challenge

After the election, fewer Latino and Black adults feel angry and more are hopeful about the state of the U.S.

Polygamy is rare around the world and mostly confined to a few regions

Decoded: Building our first video series, ‘Methods 101’

From our research