What young Americans think on top issues facing the country

[...] their thoughts on some of the other top issues facing the country — and which of those issues are most important to them — vary among young people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The poll is conducted by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and is designed with a particular focus on the voices of young people of color.

Education is the top issue for young whites, African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans alike, though racism and immigration come close for young blacks and Hispanics, respectively.

Three-quarters support free college education, a major policy proposal supported by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in his bid for the Democratic nomination.

Nearly a quarter of young Americans put economic growth at the top of their list of important political issues this year, while 18 percent say income inequality is among their top issues.

Most support raising the federal minimum wage, but they prefer the incremental approach supported by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the larger increase that was supported by Sanders in his bid for the Democratic nomination.

Two in 10 say terrorism and homeland security is among their top political issues this year, with young whites especially likely to say so.

Overall, it tied with health care as the third most important political issue for young adults this year.

The poll of 1,965 adults age 18-30 was conducted June 14-27 using a sample drawn from the probability-based GenForward panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. young adult population.