SOURCE: Data from the United States Census Bureau, Historical Income Tables. Compiled by PGPF.
Historical data from the Census tell a story of sustained stagnation in real incomes for most Americans. In 2010, median male real (inflation-adjusted) income was the same as it was in 1967. Middle class families have experienced some income growth in past decades, but this is largely the effect of women joining the workforce. Income growth for middle class families is modest compared to soaring incomes in the top 5% of families through 2000. Over the past decade, however, real income at the lower limit of the top 5% have not grown.
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The Growth of the Income of the Top 1%
Trends in Income Growth, 1980-2009
Peter G. Peterson Foundation Chart Pack:
The PGPF chart pack illustrates that budget-making involves many competing priorities, limited resources, and complex issues. In this set of charts, we aim to frame the financial condition and fiscal outlook of the U.S. government within a broad economic, political, and demographic context. Download (.PDF)