
Ronald Reagan
40th president · Republican · January 20, 1981 – January 19, 1989
Ronald Wilson Reagan was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A member of the Republican Party, he became an important figure in the American conservative movement. (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0)
How to read this
Each card takes a series from one of the site’s Presidency, Congress or Supreme Court pages and shows only the time Reagan was in office. Monthly figures run from the month of the inauguration to the month the term ended; a fiscal or calendar year counts for the president who held office for most of its days. Cards whose data begins after 1981 say where it starts, and a card with no data for the term is left out.
These are conditions during a presidency, not a scorecard. Congress, the courts, the Federal Reserve, the business cycle and events abroad move every one of these numbers, and many policies take effect years after they are signed, so a change during a term is not a measure of what the president caused.
Who held power
Party control of Congress
Republicans held one chamber for 6 years and neither for 2 years.
- 101st Congress1989House: Dem.260 D · 175 RSenate: Dem.55 D · 45 R
- 100th Congress1987–1989House: Dem.258 D · 177 RSenate: Dem.55 D · 45 R
- 99th Congress1985–1987House: Dem.253 D · 181 RSenate: Rep.47 D · 53 R
- 98th Congress1983–1985House: Dem.269 D · 166 RSenate: Rep.45 D · 55 R
- 97th Congress1981–1983House: Dem.243 D · 192 RSenate: Rep.47 D · 53 R
Seats are at the start of each Congress. Democrats and Republicans include the independents who caucused with them.
Data notes
Supreme Court appointments
Ronald Reagan appointed 3 justices and elevated one: O'Connor (1981), Rehnquist (elevated to chief justice, 1986), Scalia (1986) and Kennedy (1987).
Anthony Kennedy · Associate justiceNominated Nov 30, 1987 · confirmed 97–0
Antonin Scalia · Associate justiceNominated Jun 24, 1986 · confirmed 98–0
William Rehnquist · Elevated to chief justiceNominated Jun 20, 1986 · confirmed by voice vote
Sandra O'Connor · Associate justiceNominated Aug 19, 1981 · confirmed 99–0
Data notes
A justice counts for the president who nominated them (a recess appointment from the day it began, if earlier). An associate justice later made chief by another president, like William Rehnquist, counts as an elevation for the second. Failed and withdrawn nominations are not listed. Dates and Senate votes from the Federal Judicial Center.
Laws and orders
Laws signed
Signed 2,464 laws, 32 of them major laws. Congress enacted 9 more over a veto.
Laws signed per year in office
By policy area
- Commemorations830 (34%)
- Land, water & farming488 (20%)
- Government, justice & rights337 (14%)
- Economy, taxes & trade282 (11%)
- Health, education & culture165 (7%)
- Defense & foreign affairs153 (6%)
- Transport, housing & emergencies113 (5%)
- Energy & environment96 (4%)
Data notes
Public laws whose enactment date falls in the term, from Congress.gov (93rd Congress, 1973, on; private laws left out), counted through 2026-10-15. A law enacted over a veto is not counted as signed; a bill that became law without a signature is. A bar is one year in office, from the inauguration to the day before its anniversary. Policy areas are the Congressional Research Service’s, grouped as on the Laws page.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 1981–82 | 145 |
| 1982–83 | 326 |
| 1983–84 | 214 |
| 1984–85 | 408 |
| 1985–86 | 238 |
| 1986–87 | 423 |
| 1987–88 | 238 |
| 1988–89 | 472 |
Major laws signed
32 of the laws Reagan signed are counted as important enactments, newest first, with how each passed the House and Senate.
- Nov 18, 1988Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988Government, justice & rightsEstablishes the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President.House346–11 (346 yea, 11 nay)SenateVoice vote
- Oct 13, 1988Family Support Act of 1988Health, education & cultureAmends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require the withholding of child support payments from the non-custodial parent's wages upon the issuance or modification of a child support order for families receiving part D services.House347–53 (347 yea, 53 nay)Senate96–1 (96 yea, 1 nay)
- Aug 23, 1988Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988Economy, taxes & tradeMakes the legislative history of H.R. 3 applicable to this Act, with specified exceptions.House376–45 (376 yea, 45 nay)Senate85–11 (85 yea, 11 nay)
- Aug 10, 1988Civil Liberties Act of 1987Government, justice & rightsHouse257–156 (257 yea, 156 nay)SenateVoice vote
- Jul 1, 1988Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988Health, education & cultureAmends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that an inpatient hospital deductible be paid only for the first period of continuous hospitalization in a calendar year.House328–72 (328 yea, 72 nay)Senate86–11 (86 yea, 11 nay)
- Feb 5, 1988Housing and Community Development Act of 1987Transport, housing & emergenciesAmends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to increase FY 1988 and 1989 budget authority for lower income housing programs.House391–2 (391 yea, 2 nay)SenateVoice vote
- Dec 22, 1987Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987Economy, taxes & tradeHouse237–181 (237 yea, 181 nay)Senate61–28 (61 yea, 28 nay)
- Jul 22, 1987Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance ActTransport, housing & emergenciesHouse301–115 (301 yea, 115 nay)Senate65–8 (65 yea, 8 nay)
- Nov 17, 1986Water Resources Development Act of 1986Land, water & farmingEstablishes cost sharing formulas for the construction of harbors, inland waterway transportation, and flood control projects.House329–11 (329 yea, 11 nay)Senate84–2 (84 yea, 2 nay)
- Nov 6, 1986Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986Government, justice & rightsHouse238–173 (238 yea, 173 nay)Senate63–24 (63 yea, 24 nay)
- Oct 27, 1986Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986Government, justice & rightsAmends the Controlled Substances Act to modify the threshold quantities and kinds of controlled substances which trigger revised enhanced penalties.HouseUnanimous consentSenateVoice vote
- Oct 22, 1986Tax Reform Act of 1986Economy, taxes & tradeSpecifies that the Internal Revenue Code shall be cited as the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986.House292–136 (292 yea, 136 nay)Senate74–23 (74 yea, 23 nay)
- Oct 17, 1986Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986Health, education & cultureHouse386–27 (386 yea, 27 nay)Senate88–8 (88 yea, 8 nay)
- Oct 1, 1986Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986Defense & foreign affairsAmends Federal armed forces provisions to set forth the organization of the Department of Defense (DOD).HouseVoice voteSenateVoice vote
- Dec 23, 1985Food Security Act of 1985Land, water & farmingAmends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set milk price support levels at: (1) $11.60 per hundredweight for 1986; (2) $11.35 per hundredweight from January 1, 1987, through September 30, 1987; and (3) $11.10 per hundredweight from October 1, 1987, through December 31, 1990.House325–96 (325 yea, 96 nay)Senate55–38 (55 yea, 38 nay)
- Dec 12, 1985Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985Economy, taxes & tradeIncreases the public debt limit to $1,847,800,000,000 or $2,078,700,000,000 on and after October 1, 1985.House271–154 (271 yea, 154 nay)Senate61–31 (61 yea, 31 nay)
- Oct 30, 1984Omnibus Tariff and Trade Act of 1984Economy, taxes & tradeDeclares that amendments to the Schedules refer to the Tariff Schedules of the United States.House386–1 (386 yea, 1 nay)SenateVoice vote
- Oct 30, 1984Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984Health, education & cultureAmends the Communications Act of 1934 to set forth national policy for the regulation of cable television.HouseVoice voteSenateVoice vote
- Oct 12, 1984A joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1985, and for other purposes.Economy, taxes & tradeHouse252–60 (252 yea, 60 nay)Senate78–11 (78 yea, 11 nay)
- Jul 18, 1984Deficit Reduction Act of 1984Economy, taxes & tradeAmends the Internal Revenue Code to defer from 1985 to 1987 the scheduled increase in the maximum amount of used property eligible for the investment tax credit.House268–155 (268 yea, 155 nay)Senate83–15 (83 yea, 15 nay)
- Nov 2, 1983Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday ActGovernment, justice & rightsDesignates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the third Monday in January, a legal holiday.House338–90 (338 yea, 90 nay)Senate78–22 (78 yea, 22 nay)
- Apr 20, 1983Social Security Amendments of 1983Health, education & cultureHouse243–102 (243 yea, 102 nay)Senate58–14 (58 yea, 14 nay)
- Mar 24, 1983Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983Economy, taxes & tradeMakes appropriations for FY 1983: (1) to provide productive employment for the jobless; (2) to hasten or initiate Federal projects and construction; (3) to provide humanitarian assistance to the indigent; and (4) for other purposes.HouseMethod not statedSenate82–15 (82 yea, 15 nay)
- Jan 7, 1983Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982Energy & environmentProvides that this Act shall not apply to atomic energy defense activities or to facilities connected with such activities.HouseMethod not statedSenateVoice vote
- Jan 6, 1983Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982Transport, housing & emergenciesAmends the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 to revise the authorization of appropriations for FY 1984 through 1990 for the Interstate Highway System.House180–87 (180 yea, 87 nay)Senate54–33 (54 yea, 33 nay)
- Oct 15, 1982Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982Economy, taxes & tradeHouseVoice voteSenateVoice vote
- Oct 13, 1982Job Training Partnership ActEconomy, taxes & tradeSets forth the purposes of this Act: (1) to establish programs to prepare youth and unskilled adults for entry into the labor force; and (2) to afford job training to economically disadvantaged and other individuals facing serious barriers to employment.House339–12 (339 yea, 12 nay)Senate95–0 (95 yea, 0 nay)
- Sep 3, 1982Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982Economy, taxes & tradeHouse226–207 (226 yea, 207 nay)Senate52–47 (52 yea, 47 nay)
- Jun 29, 1982Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982Government, justice & rightsAmends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1984, the current preclearance requirements (under which jurisdictions covered through the triggering mechanism must submit proposed electoral changes to the Department of Justice).HouseUnanimous consentSenate85–8 (85 yea, 8 nay)
- Dec 22, 1981Agriculture and Food Act of 1981Land, water & farmingAmends the Agricultural Adjustment Act as amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 to provide for milk producer initiated marketing order amendment hearings.House205–203 (205 yea, 203 nay)Senate67–32 (67 yea, 32 nay)
- Aug 13, 1981Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981Economy, taxes & tradeAmends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to redefine the term "household" for the purpose of such Act.HouseUnanimous consentSenate80–14 (80 yea, 14 nay)
- Aug 13, 1981Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981Economy, taxes & tradeAmends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce individual and estate and trust income tax rates for 1982, 1983, 1984 and thereafter.House282–95 (282 yea, 95 nay)Senate67–8 (67 yea, 8 nay)
Data notes
Laws counted as important enactments, the same list the Laws page uses for its “Major law” badge, which explains where it comes from. The list does not yet cover a Congress still in session. Each summary is the first sentence of the Congressional Research Service summary, where one stands alone; votes are each chamber’s final-passage tally, or how it passed without a recorded vote.
Economy
Misery index
The misery index (unemployment plus inflation) was 19.3 in January 1981 and 9.9 in January 1989, with a low of 7.8 in December 1986.
Misery index
Unemployment and inflation
Data notes
The misery index adds the unemployment rate to inflation (consumer prices, change from a year earlier) for the same month. Unemployment is the BLS rate, seasonally adjusted, from 1948; inflation is from the consumer price index, from 1948. The first reading is the month the president took office, the last the month the term ended. Both are national averages and are revised.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Jan 1981 | 19.3 |
| Feb 1981 | 18.8 |
| Mar 1981 | 18 |
| Apr 1981 | 17.3 |
| May 1981 | 17.3 |
| Jun 1981 | 17.2 |
| Jul 1981 | 18 |
| Aug 1981 | 18.2 |
| Sep 1981 | 18.6 |
| Oct 1981 | 18.2 |
| Nov 1981 | 17.9 |
| Dec 1981 | 17.4 |
| Jan 1982 | 16.9 |
| Feb 1982 | 16.5 |
| Mar 1982 | 15.9 |
| Apr 1982 | 15.9 |
| May 1982 | 16.3 |
| Jun 1982 | 16.8 |
| Jul 1982 | 16.4 |
| Aug 1982 | 15.8 |
| Sep 1982 | 15 |
| Oct 1982 | 15.4 |
| Nov 1982 | 15.3 |
| Dec 1982 | 14.6 |
| Jan 1983 | 14.1 |
| Feb 1983 | 13.9 |
| Mar 1983 | 13.9 |
| Apr 1983 | 14.2 |
| May 1983 | 13.5 |
| Jun 1983 | 12.6 |
| Jul 1983 | 11.8 |
| Aug 1983 | 12 |
| Sep 1983 | 12 |
| Oct 1983 | 11.6 |
| Nov 1983 | 11.7 |
| Dec 1983 | 12.1 |
| Jan 1984 | 12.3 |
| Feb 1984 | 12.5 |
| Mar 1984 | 12.7 |
| Apr 1984 | 12.3 |
| May 1984 | 11.7 |
| Jun 1984 | 11.5 |
| Jul 1984 | 11.8 |
| Aug 1984 | 11.8 |
| Sep 1984 | 11.6 |
| Oct 1984 | 11.7 |
| Nov 1984 | 11.4 |
| Dec 1984 | 11.3 |
| Jan 1985 | 10.8 |
| Feb 1985 | 10.8 |
| Mar 1985 | 11 |
| Apr 1985 | 10.9 |
| May 1985 | 10.8 |
| Jun 1985 | 11.1 |
| Jul 1985 | 10.9 |
| Aug 1985 | 10.5 |
| Sep 1985 | 10.3 |
| Oct 1985 | 10.3 |
| Nov 1985 | 10.5 |
| Dec 1985 | 10.8 |
| Jan 1986 | 10.7 |
| Feb 1986 | 10.4 |
| Mar 1986 | 9.4 |
| Apr 1986 | 8.7 |
| May 1986 | 8.9 |
| Jun 1986 | 9 |
| Jul 1986 | 8.7 |
| Aug 1986 | 8.5 |
| Sep 1986 | 8.8 |
| Oct 1986 | 8.6 |
| Nov 1986 | 8.2 |
| Dec 1986 | 7.8 |
| Jan 1987 | 8 |
| Feb 1987 | 8.5 |
| Mar 1987 | 9.4 |
| Apr 1987 | 10 |
| May 1987 | 10 |
| Jun 1987 | 9.9 |
| Jul 1987 | 10 |
| Aug 1987 | 10.3 |
| Sep 1987 | 10.2 |
| Oct 1987 | 10.4 |
| Nov 1987 | 10.3 |
| Dec 1987 | 10 |
| Jan 1988 | 9.8 |
| Feb 1988 | 9.6 |
| Mar 1988 | 9.5 |
| Apr 1988 | 9.4 |
| May 1988 | 9.6 |
| Jun 1988 | 9.4 |
| Jul 1988 | 9.5 |
| Aug 1988 | 9.7 |
| Sep 1988 | 9.6 |
| Oct 1988 | 9.7 |
| Nov 1988 | 9.5 |
| Dec 1988 | 9.7 |
| Jan 1989 | 9.9 |
| Period | Unemployment rate | Inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1981 | 7.5% | 11.8% |
| Feb 1981 | 7.4% | 11.4% |
| Mar 1981 | 7.4% | 10.6% |
| Apr 1981 | 7.2% | 10.1% |
| May 1981 | 7.5% | 9.8% |
| Jun 1981 | 7.5% | 9.7% |
| Jul 1981 | 7.2% | 10.8% |
| Aug 1981 | 7.4% | 10.8% |
| Sep 1981 | 7.6% | 11% |
| Oct 1981 | 7.9% | 10.3% |
| Nov 1981 | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Dec 1981 | 8.5% | 8.9% |
| Jan 1982 | 8.6% | 8.3% |
| Feb 1982 | 8.9% | 7.6% |
| Mar 1982 | 9% | 6.9% |
| Apr 1982 | 9.3% | 6.6% |
| May 1982 | 9.4% | 6.9% |
| Jun 1982 | 9.6% | 7.2% |
| Jul 1982 | 9.8% | 6.6% |
| Aug 1982 | 9.8% | 6% |
| Sep 1982 | 10.1% | 4.9% |
| Oct 1982 | 10.4% | 5% |
| Nov 1982 | 10.8% | 4.5% |
| Dec 1982 | 10.8% | 3.8% |
| Jan 1983 | 10.4% | 3.7% |
| Feb 1983 | 10.4% | 3.5% |
| Mar 1983 | 10.3% | 3.6% |
| Apr 1983 | 10.2% | 4% |
| May 1983 | 10.1% | 3.4% |
| Jun 1983 | 10.1% | 2.5% |
| Jul 1983 | 9.4% | 2.4% |
| Aug 1983 | 9.5% | 2.5% |
| Sep 1983 | 9.2% | 2.8% |
| Oct 1983 | 8.8% | 2.8% |
| Nov 1983 | 8.5% | 3.2% |
| Dec 1983 | 8.3% | 3.8% |
| Jan 1984 | 8% | 4.3% |
| Feb 1984 | 7.8% | 4.7% |
| Mar 1984 | 7.8% | 4.9% |
| Apr 1984 | 7.7% | 4.6% |
| May 1984 | 7.4% | 4.3% |
| Jun 1984 | 7.2% | 4.3% |
| Jul 1984 | 7.5% | 4.3% |
| Aug 1984 | 7.5% | 4.3% |
| Sep 1984 | 7.3% | 4.3% |
| Oct 1984 | 7.4% | 4.3% |
| Nov 1984 | 7.2% | 4.2% |
| Dec 1984 | 7.3% | 4% |
| Jan 1985 | 7.3% | 3.5% |
| Feb 1985 | 7.2% | 3.6% |
| Mar 1985 | 7.2% | 3.8% |
| Apr 1985 | 7.3% | 3.6% |
| May 1985 | 7.2% | 3.6% |
| Jun 1985 | 7.4% | 3.7% |
| Jul 1985 | 7.4% | 3.5% |
| Aug 1985 | 7.1% | 3.4% |
| Sep 1985 | 7.1% | 3.2% |
| Oct 1985 | 7.1% | 3.2% |
| Nov 1985 | 7% | 3.5% |
| Dec 1985 | 7% | 3.8% |
| Jan 1986 | 6.7% | 4% |
| Feb 1986 | 7.2% | 3.2% |
| Mar 1986 | 7.2% | 2.2% |
| Apr 1986 | 7.1% | 1.6% |
| May 1986 | 7.2% | 1.7% |
| Jun 1986 | 7.2% | 1.8% |
| Jul 1986 | 7% | 1.7% |
| Aug 1986 | 6.9% | 1.6% |
| Sep 1986 | 7% | 1.8% |
| Oct 1986 | 7% | 1.6% |
| Nov 1986 | 6.9% | 1.3% |
| Dec 1986 | 6.6% | 1.2% |
| Jan 1987 | 6.6% | 1.4% |
| Feb 1987 | 6.6% | 1.9% |
| Mar 1987 | 6.6% | 2.8% |
| Apr 1987 | 6.3% | 3.7% |
| May 1987 | 6.3% | 3.7% |
| Jun 1987 | 6.2% | 3.7% |
| Jul 1987 | 6.1% | 3.9% |
| Aug 1987 | 6% | 4.3% |
| Sep 1987 | 5.9% | 4.3% |
| Oct 1987 | 6% | 4.4% |
| Nov 1987 | 5.8% | 4.5% |
| Dec 1987 | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| Jan 1988 | 5.7% | 4.1% |
| Feb 1988 | 5.7% | 3.9% |
| Mar 1988 | 5.7% | 3.8% |
| Apr 1988 | 5.4% | 4% |
| May 1988 | 5.6% | 4% |
| Jun 1988 | 5.4% | 4% |
| Jul 1988 | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| Aug 1988 | 5.6% | 4.1% |
| Sep 1988 | 5.4% | 4.2% |
| Oct 1988 | 5.4% | 4.3% |
| Nov 1988 | 5.3% | 4.2% |
| Dec 1988 | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Jan 1989 | 5.4% | 4.5% |
Federal deficit and debt
The federal budget balance, as a share of GDP, was −2.5% in FY1981 and −3% in FY1988, with a low of −5.7% in FY1983.
Budget balance, % of GDP
Public debt, % of GDP
Data notes
The budget balance is the federal surplus (above zero) or deficit (below) as a share of GDP, by fiscal year (July to June through 1976, October to September since); a year counts for the president in office for most of it, though its budget was usually passed the year before. Debt is total public debt as a share of GDP, quarterly from 1966, including debt the government holds in its own trust funds.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| FY1981 | −2.5% |
| FY1982 | −3.8% |
| FY1983 | −5.7% |
| FY1984 | −4.6% |
| FY1985 | −4.9% |
| FY1986 | −4.8% |
| FY1987 | −3.1% |
| FY1988 | −3% |
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Q1 1981 | 30.9% |
| Q2 1981 | 30.7% |
| Q3 1981 | 30.6% |
| Q4 1981 | 31.4% |
| Q1 1982 | 32.4% |
| Q2 1982 | 32.4% |
| Q3 1982 | 33.9% |
| Q4 1982 | 35.2% |
| Q1 1983 | 35.8% |
| Q2 1983 | 36.9% |
| Q3 1983 | 37.3% |
| Q4 1983 | 37.2% |
| Q1 1984 | 37.5% |
| Q2 1984 | 37.7% |
| Q3 1984 | 38.5% |
| Q4 1984 | 40.1% |
| Q1 1985 | 40.4% |
| Q2 1985 | 41.3% |
| Q3 1985 | 41.6% |
| Q4 1985 | 43.8% |
| Q1 1986 | 44.1% |
| Q2 1986 | 45.3% |
| Q3 1986 | 46.1% |
| Q4 1986 | 47.6% |
| Q1 1987 | 47.6% |
| Q2 1987 | 48% |
| Q3 1987 | 48.1% |
| Q4 1987 | 48.6% |
| Q1 1988 | 49% |
| Q2 1988 | 49.1% |
| Q3 1988 | 49.3% |
| Q4 1988 | 49.7% |
| Q1 1989 | 49.7% |
Immigration
Green cards and refugees
New green cards numbered 595k in FY1981 and 641k in FY1988, with a low of 534k in FY1982.
Green cards
Refugee admissions
Data notes
Green cards are people who became lawful permanent residents in the fiscal year, from the DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (from FY1977). Refugee admissions are from the State Department’s Refugee Processing Center (from FY1980). A fiscal year counts for the administration in office for most of its days; a hatched bar is preliminary.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| FY1981 | 595,010 |
| FY1982 | 533,620 |
| FY1983 | 550,050 |
| FY1984 | 541,810 |
| FY1985 | 568,150 |
| FY1986 | 600,030 |
| FY1987 | 599,890 |
| FY1988 | 641,350 |
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| FY1981 | 159,252 |
| FY1982 | 98,096 |
| FY1983 | 61,218 |
| FY1984 | 70,393 |
| FY1985 | 67,704 |
| FY1986 | 62,146 |
| FY1987 | 64,528 |
| FY1988 | 76,483 |
Removals and border encounters
Removals numbered 17k in FY1981 and 26k in FY1988, with a low of 15k in FY1982.
Removals
Border encounters
Data notes
Removals are formal deportations: the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s through FY2002 (DHS Yearbook) and ICE’s own count from FY2003 (ICE); the two are not the same measure. Border encounters are Border Patrol apprehensions, plus port-of-entry inadmissibles from FY2004 and Title 42 expulsions in FY2020–23 (CBP); they count events, not people. A hatched bar is preliminary.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| FY1981 | 17,380 |
| FY1982 | 15,220 |
| FY1983 | 19,210 |
| FY1984 | 18,700 |
| FY1985 | 23,110 |
| FY1986 | 24,590 |
| FY1987 | 24,340 |
| FY1988 | 25,830 |
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| FY1981 | 825,290 |
| FY1982 | 819,919 |
| FY1983 | 1,105,670 |
| FY1984 | 1,138,566 |
| FY1985 | 1,262,435 |
| FY1986 | 1,692,544 |
| FY1987 | 1,158,030 |
| FY1988 | 969,214 |
Security and energy
Troops abroad
Troops stationed abroad numbered 431k in September 1981 and 458k in September 1988. Germany hosted the most in 8 of those years.
Active-duty troops abroad
Data notes
Active-duty U.S. military personnel stationed outside the United States and its territories (afloat and unassigned included where the source reports them), one snapshot a year (September; June for 1953–56), from the Defense Manpower Data Center’s tables and, for years it did not publish, troopdata. The year in progress shows its latest quarter, hatched. From December 2017 DMDC counts permanent assignments only, so later figures leave out most deployed forces.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Sep 1981 | 430,569 |
| Sep 1982 | 447,344 |
| Sep 1983 | 450,267 |
| Sep 1984 | 449,047 |
| Sep 1985 | 445,708 |
| Sep 1986 | 453,519 |
| Sep 1987 | 455,933 |
| Sep 1988 | 458,439 |
Strategic Petroleum Reserve
The reserve held 270M bbl on Aug 20, 1982 and 561M bbl on Jan 20, 1989.
Reserve level, million barrels
Data starts August 1982
Data notes
Crude oil held in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at the end of each week, in millions of barrels, from the Energy Information Administration (from August 1982). Sales, exchanges and refills are authorized by Congress and the executive branch at different times, and many take months to carry out. The Energy page marks each action.
View as table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Aug 20, 1982 | 270M bbl |
| Aug 27, 1982 | 273M bbl |
| Sep 24, 1982 | 277M bbl |
| Oct 1, 1982 | 278M bbl |
| Oct 8, 1982 | 279M bbl |
| Oct 15, 1982 | 281M bbl |
| Oct 22, 1982 | 283M bbl |
| Oct 29, 1982 | 284M bbl |
| Nov 5, 1982 | 285M bbl |
| Nov 12, 1982 | 286M bbl |
| Nov 19, 1982 | 286M bbl |
| Nov 26, 1982 | 288M bbl |
| Dec 3, 1982 | 290M bbl |
| Dec 10, 1982 | 292M bbl |
| Dec 17, 1982 | 292M bbl |
| Dec 24, 1982 | 292M bbl |
| Dec 31, 1982 | 293M bbl |
| Jan 7, 1983 | 295M bbl |
| Jan 14, 1983 | 295M bbl |
| Jan 21, 1983 | 297M bbl |
| Jan 28, 1983 | 298M bbl |
| Feb 4, 1983 | 301M bbl |
| Feb 11, 1983 | 302M bbl |
| Feb 18, 1983 | 304M bbl |
| Feb 25, 1983 | 305M bbl |
| Mar 4, 1983 | 307M bbl |
| Mar 11, 1983 | 309M bbl |
| Mar 18, 1983 | 310M bbl |
| Mar 25, 1983 | 310M bbl |
| Apr 1, 1983 | 312M bbl |
| Apr 8, 1983 | 314M bbl |
| Apr 15, 1983 | 315M bbl |
| Apr 29, 1983 | 317M bbl |
| May 13, 1983 | 321M bbl |
| May 20, 1983 | 324M bbl |
| Jun 3, 1983 | 327M bbl |
| Jun 10, 1983 | 327M bbl |
| Jun 17, 1983 | 328M bbl |
| Jun 24, 1983 | 330M bbl |
| Jul 1, 1983 | 332M bbl |
| Jul 8, 1983 | 335M bbl |
| Jul 15, 1983 | 336M bbl |
| Jul 22, 1983 | 338M bbl |
| Jul 29, 1983 | 340M bbl |
| Aug 5, 1983 | 342M bbl |
| Aug 12, 1983 | 344M bbl |
| Aug 19, 1983 | 346M bbl |
| Aug 26, 1983 | 349M bbl |
| Sep 2, 1983 | 352M bbl |
| Sep 9, 1983 | 353M bbl |
| Sep 16, 1983 | 356M bbl |
| Sep 23, 1983 | 358M bbl |
| Sep 30, 1983 | 360M bbl |
| Oct 7, 1983 | 361M bbl |
| Oct 14, 1983 | 365M bbl |
| Oct 21, 1983 | 365M bbl |
| Oct 28, 1983 | 366M bbl |
| Nov 4, 1983 | 368M bbl |
| Nov 11, 1983 | 370M bbl |
| Nov 18, 1983 | 370M bbl |
| Nov 25, 1983 | 371M bbl |
| Dec 2, 1983 | 371M bbl |
| Dec 9, 1983 | 375M bbl |
| Dec 16, 1983 | 375M bbl |
| Dec 23, 1983 | 377M bbl |
| Dec 30, 1983 | 378M bbl |
| Jan 6, 1984 | 381M bbl |
| Jan 13, 1984 | 383M bbl |
| Jan 20, 1984 | 384M bbl |
| Jan 27, 1984 | 384M bbl |
| Feb 3, 1984 | 385M bbl |
| Feb 10, 1984 | 385M bbl |
| Feb 17, 1984 | 386M bbl |
| Feb 24, 1984 | 387M bbl |
| Mar 2, 1984 | 387M bbl |
| Mar 9, 1984 | 388M bbl |
| Mar 16, 1984 | 389M bbl |
| Mar 23, 1984 | 389M bbl |
| Mar 30, 1984 | 392M bbl |
| Apr 6, 1984 | 393M bbl |
| Apr 13, 1984 | 393M bbl |
| Apr 20, 1984 | 395M bbl |
| Apr 27, 1984 | 396M bbl |
| May 4, 1984 | 397M bbl |
| May 11, 1984 | 398M bbl |
| May 18, 1984 | 400M bbl |
| May 25, 1984 | 401M bbl |
| Jun 1, 1984 | 403M bbl |
| Jun 8, 1984 | 405M bbl |
| Jun 15, 1984 | 408M bbl |
| Jun 22, 1984 | 409M bbl |
| Jun 29, 1984 | 413M bbl |
| Jul 6, 1984 | 414M bbl |
| Jul 13, 1984 | 417M bbl |
| Jul 20, 1984 | 419M bbl |
| Jul 27, 1984 | 420M bbl |
| Aug 3, 1984 | 424M bbl |
| Aug 10, 1984 | 426M bbl |
| Aug 17, 1984 | 428M bbl |
| Aug 24, 1984 | 428M bbl |
| Aug 31, 1984 | 429M bbl |
| Sep 7, 1984 | 430M bbl |
| Sep 14, 1984 | 430M bbl |
| Sep 21, 1984 | 430M bbl |
| Sep 28, 1984 | 431M bbl |
| Oct 5, 1984 | 432M bbl |
| Oct 12, 1984 | 433M bbl |
| Oct 19, 1984 | 433M bbl |
| Oct 26, 1984 | 434M bbl |
| Nov 2, 1984 | 436M bbl |
| Nov 9, 1984 | 439M bbl |
| Nov 16, 1984 | 439M bbl |
| Nov 23, 1984 | 441M bbl |
| Nov 30, 1984 | 443M bbl |
| Dec 7, 1984 | 444M bbl |
| Dec 14, 1984 | 446M bbl |
| Dec 21, 1984 | 448M bbl |
| Dec 28, 1984 | 449M bbl |
| Jan 4, 1985 | 451M bbl |
| Jan 11, 1985 | 451M bbl |
| Jan 18, 1985 | 454M bbl |
| Jan 25, 1985 | 454M bbl |
| Feb 1, 1985 | 457M bbl |
| Feb 8, 1985 | 458M bbl |
| Feb 15, 1985 | 458M bbl |
| Feb 22, 1985 | 459M bbl |
| Mar 1, 1985 | 460M bbl |
| Mar 8, 1985 | 460M bbl |
| Mar 15, 1985 | 460M bbl |
| Mar 22, 1985 | 461M bbl |
| Mar 29, 1985 | 461M bbl |
| Apr 5, 1985 | 462M bbl |
| Apr 12, 1985 | 462M bbl |
| Apr 19, 1985 | 462M bbl |
| Apr 26, 1985 | 464M bbl |
| May 3, 1985 | 465M bbl |
| May 10, 1985 | 466M bbl |
| May 17, 1985 | 468M bbl |
| May 24, 1985 | 470M bbl |
| May 31, 1985 | 471M bbl |
| Jun 7, 1985 | 472M bbl |
| Jun 14, 1985 | 473M bbl |
| Jun 21, 1985 | 475M bbl |
| Jun 28, 1985 | 476M bbl |
| Jul 5, 1985 | 477M bbl |
| Jul 12, 1985 | 478M bbl |
| Jul 19, 1985 | 481M bbl |
| Jul 26, 1985 | 482M bbl |
| Aug 2, 1985 | 484M bbl |
| Aug 9, 1985 | 484M bbl |
| Aug 16, 1985 | 485M bbl |
| Aug 23, 1985 | 486M bbl |
| Aug 30, 1985 | 487M bbl |
| Sep 6, 1985 | 487M bbl |
| Sep 13, 1985 | 488M bbl |
| Sep 20, 1985 | 488M bbl |
| Sep 27, 1985 | 489M bbl |
| Oct 4, 1985 | 489M bbl |
| Oct 11, 1985 | 489M bbl |
| Oct 18, 1985 | 489M bbl |
| Oct 25, 1985 | 490M bbl |
| Nov 1, 1985 | 490M bbl |
| Nov 8, 1985 | 490M bbl |
| Nov 15, 1985 | 490M bbl |
| Nov 22, 1985 | 491M bbl |
| Nov 29, 1985 | 491M bbl |
| Dec 6, 1985 | 492M bbl |
| Dec 13, 1985 | 492M bbl |
| Dec 20, 1985 | 493M bbl |
| Dec 27, 1985 | 493M bbl |
| Jan 3, 1986 | 493M bbl |
| Jan 10, 1986 | 493M bbl |
| Jan 17, 1986 | 493M bbl |
| Jan 24, 1986 | 494M bbl |
| Jan 31, 1986 | 494M bbl |
| Feb 7, 1986 | 494M bbl |
| Feb 14, 1986 | 494M bbl |
| Feb 21, 1986 | 495M bbl |
| Feb 28, 1986 | 495M bbl |
| Mar 7, 1986 | 496M bbl |
| Mar 14, 1986 | 496M bbl |
| Mar 21, 1986 | 496M bbl |
| Mar 28, 1986 | 497M bbl |
| Apr 4, 1986 | 497M bbl |
| Apr 11, 1986 | 497M bbl |
| Apr 18, 1986 | 498M bbl |
| Apr 25, 1986 | 498M bbl |
| May 2, 1986 | 499M bbl |
| May 9, 1986 | 499M bbl |
| May 16, 1986 | 499M bbl |
| May 23, 1986 | 499M bbl |
| May 30, 1986 | 499M bbl |
| Jun 6, 1986 | 500M bbl |
| Jun 13, 1986 | 501M bbl |
| Jun 20, 1986 | 501M bbl |
| Jun 27, 1986 | 501M bbl |
| Jul 4, 1986 | 502M bbl |
| Jul 11, 1986 | 502M bbl |
| Jul 18, 1986 | 503M bbl |
| Jul 25, 1986 | 503M bbl |
| Aug 1, 1986 | 503M bbl |
| Aug 8, 1986 | 503M bbl |
| Aug 15, 1986 | 504M bbl |
| Aug 22, 1986 | 505M bbl |
| Aug 29, 1986 | 505M bbl |
| Sep 5, 1986 | 505M bbl |
| Sep 12, 1986 | 505M bbl |
| Sep 19, 1986 | 506M bbl |
| Sep 26, 1986 | 506M bbl |
| Oct 3, 1986 | 506M bbl |
| Oct 10, 1986 | 506M bbl |
| Oct 17, 1986 | 507M bbl |
| Oct 24, 1986 | 507M bbl |
| Oct 31, 1986 | 508M bbl |
| Nov 7, 1986 | 508M bbl |
| Nov 14, 1986 | 508M bbl |
| Nov 21, 1986 | 508M bbl |
| Nov 28, 1986 | 509M bbl |
| Dec 5, 1986 | 509M bbl |
| Dec 12, 1986 | 510M bbl |
| Dec 19, 1986 | 511M bbl |
| Dec 26, 1986 | 511M bbl |
| Jan 2, 1987 | 512M bbl |
| Jan 9, 1987 | 512M bbl |
| Jan 16, 1987 | 512M bbl |
| Jan 23, 1987 | 513M bbl |
| Jan 30, 1987 | 514M bbl |
| Feb 6, 1987 | 515M bbl |
| Feb 13, 1987 | 515M bbl |
| Feb 20, 1987 | 516M bbl |
| Feb 27, 1987 | 516M bbl |
| Mar 6, 1987 | 517M bbl |
| Mar 13, 1987 | 518M bbl |
| Mar 20, 1987 | 518M bbl |
| Mar 27, 1987 | 519M bbl |
| Apr 3, 1987 | 520M bbl |
| Apr 10, 1987 | 520M bbl |
| Apr 17, 1987 | 521M bbl |
| Apr 24, 1987 | 521M bbl |
| May 1, 1987 | 522M bbl |
| May 8, 1987 | 523M bbl |
| May 15, 1987 | 523M bbl |
| May 22, 1987 | 524M bbl |
| May 29, 1987 | 525M bbl |
| Jun 5, 1987 | 526M bbl |
| Jun 12, 1987 | 526M bbl |
| Jun 19, 1987 | 526M bbl |
| Jun 26, 1987 | 527M bbl |
| Jul 3, 1987 | 527M bbl |
| Jul 10, 1987 | 528M bbl |
| Jul 17, 1987 | 528M bbl |
| Jul 24, 1987 | 529M bbl |
| Jul 31, 1987 | 530M bbl |
| Aug 7, 1987 | 531M bbl |
| Aug 14, 1987 | 531M bbl |
| Aug 21, 1987 | 531M bbl |
| Aug 28, 1987 | 532M bbl |
| Sep 4, 1987 | 532M bbl |
| Sep 11, 1987 | 532M bbl |
| Sep 18, 1987 | 533M bbl |
| Sep 25, 1987 | 533M bbl |
| Oct 2, 1987 | 534M bbl |
| Oct 9, 1987 | 534M bbl |
| Oct 16, 1987 | 534M bbl |
| Oct 23, 1987 | 535M bbl |
| Oct 30, 1987 | 535M bbl |
| Nov 6, 1987 | 536M bbl |
| Nov 13, 1987 | 537M bbl |
| Nov 20, 1987 | 537M bbl |
| Nov 27, 1987 | 538M bbl |
| Dec 4, 1987 | 539M bbl |
| Dec 11, 1987 | 539M bbl |
| Dec 18, 1987 | 539M bbl |
| Dec 25, 1987 | 540M bbl |
| Jan 1, 1988 | 541M bbl |
| Jan 8, 1988 | 541M bbl |
| Jan 15, 1988 | 541M bbl |
| Jan 22, 1988 | 541M bbl |
| Jan 29, 1988 | 542M bbl |
| Feb 5, 1988 | 543M bbl |
| Feb 12, 1988 | 543M bbl |
| Feb 19, 1988 | 543M bbl |
| Feb 26, 1988 | 544M bbl |
| Mar 4, 1988 | 544M bbl |
| Mar 11, 1988 | 545M bbl |
| Mar 18, 1988 | 545M bbl |
| Mar 25, 1988 | 545M bbl |
| Apr 1, 1988 | 545M bbl |
| Apr 8, 1988 | 546M bbl |
| Apr 15, 1988 | 546M bbl |
| Apr 22, 1988 | 546M bbl |
| Apr 29, 1988 | 547M bbl |
| May 6, 1988 | 547M bbl |
| May 13, 1988 | 547M bbl |
| May 20, 1988 | 547M bbl |
| May 27, 1988 | 548M bbl |
| Jun 3, 1988 | 548M bbl |
| Jun 10, 1988 | 549M bbl |
| Jun 17, 1988 | 549M bbl |
| Jun 24, 1988 | 549M bbl |
| Jul 1, 1988 | 550M bbl |
| Jul 8, 1988 | 550M bbl |
| Jul 15, 1988 | 551M bbl |
| Jul 22, 1988 | 551M bbl |
| Jul 29, 1988 | 551M bbl |
| Aug 5, 1988 | 552M bbl |
| Aug 12, 1988 | 552M bbl |
| Aug 19, 1988 | 552M bbl |
| Aug 26, 1988 | 552M bbl |
| Sep 2, 1988 | 552M bbl |
| Sep 9, 1988 | 553M bbl |
| Sep 16, 1988 | 553M bbl |
| Sep 23, 1988 | 554M bbl |
| Sep 30, 1988 | 554M bbl |
| Oct 7, 1988 | 554M bbl |
| Oct 14, 1988 | 555M bbl |
| Oct 21, 1988 | 555M bbl |
| Oct 28, 1988 | 556M bbl |
| Nov 4, 1988 | 556M bbl |
| Nov 11, 1988 | 557M bbl |
| Nov 18, 1988 | 558M bbl |
| Nov 25, 1988 | 558M bbl |
| Dec 2, 1988 | 559M bbl |
| Dec 9, 1988 | 559M bbl |
| Dec 16, 1988 | 559M bbl |
| Dec 23, 1988 | 559M bbl |
| Dec 30, 1988 | 560M bbl |
| Jan 6, 1989 | 560M bbl |
| Jan 13, 1989 | 561M bbl |
| Jan 20, 1989 | 561M bbl |
Source: the site’s Presidency, Congress and Supreme Court data, each named in its card’s Data notes; party control of Congress from the House and Senate historians; appointments from the Federal Judicial Center. Portrait: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Built October 19, 2026.