Income in the United States

The percentage of households and individuals in each income bracket.^[1][2]

Income in the United States is measured by the United States Department of Commerce either by household or individual. The differences between household and personal income is considerable since 42% of households, the majority of those in the top two quintiles with incomes exceeding $57,658, now have two income earners.^[3]

This difference becomes very apparent when comparing the percentage of households with six figure incomes to that of individuals. In 2006, 17.3% of households had incomes exceeding $100,000,^[1] compared to slightly less than 6% of individuals.^[2] Overall the median household income was $46,326 in 2006 while the median personal income (including only those above the age of 25) was $32,140.^[4]

Income inequality in the United States has increased considerably. Between 1979 and 2004, the mean after-tax income of the top percentile increased 167%, versus 69% for the top quintile overall, 29% for the fourth quintile, 21% for the middle quintile, 17% for the second quintile and 6% for the bottom quintile.^[5] While wages for women have increased greatly, median earnings of male wage earners have remained stagnant since the late 1970s.^[6][7] Household income, however, has risen due the increasing number of household with more than one income earners and women's increased presence in the labor force.^[8] Half of the U.S. population lives in poverty or is low-income, according to U.S. Census data.^[9] On the other hand, some members of the U. S. population have earned a considerable income: the top earner in 2011, hedge fund manager John Paulson, earned $4.9 billion, according to Business Insider.^[10]

Income at a glance

See also

This article is part of a series on
Income in the United States of America
Topics Household Personal Affluence Social class Income inequality gender pay gap racial wage gap
Lists by income States (by equality (Gini)) Counties (highest / lowest) Locations (lowest) Metropolitan statistical areas Urban areas ZIP Code Tabulation Areas
United States portal

• Compensation in the United States
• Economy of the United States
• Income inequality in the United States
• Socio-economic mobility in the United States
• Unemployment in the United States
• United States counties by per capita income

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Income distribution in the United States.

• Savings rate vs Fed rate from 1954 Historical relationship between the savings rate and the Fed rate - since 1954

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