Economy
Median income and earnings rise in 2018, while poverty rates drop, Census data shows
![ECONOMY 05 Business Jobs Employment Man Money Line Up Pink](https://staticweb.usafacts.org/media/original_images/ECONOMY_05_Business_Jobs_Employment_Man_Money_Line_Up_Pink.png)
Standard of Living
Standard of Living
That's $4,000 less than in 2000 (adjusted for inflation) — with a greater proportion coming from retirement savings like pensions and 401(K)s.
In 2017, families making a minimum of $33,000 were in the middle class. This is $5,000 less than the lowest middle-class income in 2000.
Standard of Living
That’s $2,000 less than in 2000 (adjusted for inflation).
Standard of Living
In 1989, the middle class owned 12%.
Standard of Living
The rate fell from 27.4% to 20.8% for Black people and 26.5% to 17.6% for Hispanic people.
Explore the Standard of Living Big Picture