Why is cotton america's favorite textile?

I understand it's very lightweight and breathable. But it also picks and pills and is very absorbent. I bet if you were to take an average person off the street you'd find them wearing- cotton socks, jeans, underwear, shirt, and baseball cap with the exception of shoes. I just don't understand why there's not more demand for quality clothing materials such as rayon, hemp, silk, polyester, wool, acrylic, etc.