Income in the United States is measured by the various federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Commerce, and the US Census Bureau. Additionally, various agencies, including the Congressional Budget Office compile reports on income statistics. The primary classifications are by household or individual. The top quintile in personal income in 2019 was $103,012 [2] (included in the chart below). The differences between household and personal income are considerable, since 61% of households now have two or more income earners. [3]
All workers | Full-time workers | |
---|---|---|
All | ||
Men | ||
Women |
Median personal income in 2020 was $56,287 for full-time workers. [4]
This difference becomes very apparent when comparing the percentage of households with six figure incomes to that of individuals. Overall, including all households/individuals regardless of employment status, the median household income was $67,521 in 2020 while the median personal income (including individuals aged 15 and over) was $35,805. [5] [6]
While wages for women have increased greatly, median earnings of male wage earners have remained stagnant since the late 1970s. [7] [8] Household income, however, has risen due to the increasing number of households with more than one income earner and women's increased presence in the labor force. [9]
Source: Internal Revenue Service, 2021 [2]
Year | 0.001% | 0.01% | 0.10% | 1% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 10% | 20% | 25% | 30% | 40% | 50% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | $31,331,335 | $6,869,952 | $1,393,718 | $306,635 | $207,592 | $167,788 | $145,667 | $132,082 | $96,151 | $67,818 | $59,026 | $51,863 | $40,293 | $31,418 |
2002 | $25,921,482 | $5,891,214 | $1,245,352 | $296,194 | $200,654 | $164,409 | $144,575 | $130,750 | $95,699 | $67,928 | $59,066 | $51,721 | $40,073 | $31,299 |
2003 | $28,489,160 | $6,386,149 | $1,317,088 | $305,939 | $205,565 | $168,248 | $147,132 | $133,741 | $97,470 | $69,304 | $59,896 | $52,353 | $40,383 | $31,447 |
2004 | $38,780,500 | $8,455,107 | $1,617,918 | $339,993 | $224,320 | $181,127 | $156,665 | $140,758 | $101,838 | $72,069 | $62,794 | $54,765 | $42,081 | $32,622 |
2005 | $50,796,495 | $10,738,867 | $1,938,175 | $379,261 | $245,392 | $194,726 | $167,281 | $149,216 | $106,864 | $74,790 | $64,821 | $56,583 | $43,361 | $33,484 |
2006 | $54,665,360 | $11,649,460 | $2,124,625 | $402,603 | $258,800 | $205,835 | $176,455 | $157,390 | $112,016 | $77,776 | $67,291 | $58,505 | $44,748 | $34,417 |
2007 | $62,955,875 | $12,747,384 | $2,251,017 | $426,439 | $270,440 | $214,832 | $184,473 | $164,883 | $116,396 | $80,723 | $69,559 | $60,617 | $46,200 | $35,541 |
2008 | $49,546,782 | $10,097,827 | $1,867,652 | $392,513 | $260,381 | $209,750 | $181,624 | $163,512 | $116,813 | $80,886 | $69,813 | $60,535 | $46,120 | $35,340 |
2009 | $34,381,494 | $7,206,540 | $1,469,393 | $351,968 | $243,096 | $198,731 | $174,432 | $157,342 | $114,181 | $79,237 | $68,216 | $58,876 | $44,529 | $34,156 |
2010 | $45,039,369 | $8,762,618 | $1,634,386 | $369,691 | $252,785 | $205,942 | $179,023 | $161,579 | $116,623 | $80,462 | $69,126 | $59,512 | $44,895 | $34,338 |
2011 | $41,965,258 | $8,830,028 | $1,717,675 | $388,905 | $262,933 | $213,441 | $185,812 | $167,728 | $120,136 | $82,241 | $70,492 | $60,789 | $45,722 | $34,823 |
2012 | $62,068,187 | $12,104,014 | $2,161,175 | $434,682 | $285,908 | $227,923 | $196,416 | $175,817 | $125,195 | $85,440 | $73,354 | $63,222 | $47,475 | $36,055 |
2013 | $45,097,112 | $9,460,540 | $1,860,848 | $428,713 | $287,018 | $231,507 | $200,472 | $179,760 | $127,695 | $87,434 | $74,955 | $64,650 | $48,463 | $36,841 |
2014 | $56,981,718 | $11,407,987 | $2,136,762 | $465,626 | $306,650 | $245,902 | $211,261 | $188,996 | $133,445 | $90,606 | $77,714 | $66,868 | $50,083 | $38,173 |
2015 | $59,380,503 | $11,930,649 | $2,220,264 | $480,930 | $316,913 | $253,979 | $218,911 | $195,778 | $138,031 | $93,212 | $79,655 | $68,632 | $51,571 | $39,275 |
2016 | $53,052,900 | $10,963,921 | $2,124,117 | $480,804 | $319,796 | $256,673 | $221,381 | $197,651 | $139,713 | $94,620 | $80,921 | $69,581 | $52,529 | $40,078 |
2017 | $63,430,119 | $12,899,070 | $2,374,937 | $515,371 | $339,478 | $271,182 | $232,955 | $208,053 | $145,135 | $97,870 | $83,682 | $72,268 | $54,672 | $41,740 |
2018 | $68,934,261 | $13,576,286 | $2,514,209 | $540,009 | $359,368 | $286,106 | $245,050 | $217,913 | $151,935 | $101,765 | $87,044 | $75,083 | $57,092 | $43,614 |
2019 | $60,658,598 | $12,623,539 | $2,458,432 | $546,434 | $364,693 | $291,384 | $249,320 | $221,572 | $154,589 | $103,012 | $87,917 | $75,991 | $57,685 | $44,269 |
2020 | $77,008,517 | $14,757,246 | $2,614,565 | $548,336 | $366,358 | $290,860 | $248,513 | $220,521 | $152,321 | $100,723 | $85,853 | $73,572 | $55,231 | $42,184 |
2021 | $118,014,696 | $22,756,244 | $3,775,593 | $682,577 | $438,779 | $342,107 | $287,682 | $252,840 | $169,800 | $110,805 | $94,440 | $81,227 | $61,108 | $46,637 |
Type of household | Race and Hispanic origin | Region | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All households | Family households | Nonfamily households | Asian | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic (of any race) | Black | Northeast | Midwest | South | West |
$70,784 | $91,162 | $41,797 | $101,418 | $77,999 | $57,981 | $48,297 | $77,422 | $71,129 | $63,368 | $79,430 |
Age of Householder | Nativity of Householder | Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Status | Educational Attainment of Householder* | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 65 years | 65 years and older | Native-born | Foreign-born | Inside MSA | Outside MSA | No high school diploma | High school, no college | Some college | Bachelor's degree or higher |
$80,734 | $47,620 | $71,522 | $66,043 | $73,823 | $53,750 | $30,378 | $50,401 | $64,378 | $115,456 |
*Householders aged 25 and older. In 2021, the median household income for this group was $72,046. |
Total workers | Full-Time, year-round workers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Both sexes | Male | Female | Both sexes | Male | Female |
$45,470 | $50,983 | $39,201 | $56,473 | $61,180 | $51,226 |
Measure | Overall | Less than 9th grade | Some High School | High school graduate | Some college | Associate's degree | Bachelor's degree or higher | Bachelor's degree | Master's degree | Professional degree | Doctorate degree |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persons, age 25+ w/ earnings* | $46,985 | $25,162 | $26,092 | $34,540 | $39,362 | $42,391 | $66,423 | $60,705 | $71,851 | $102,741 | $101,526 |
Male, age 25+ w/ earnings* | $52,298 | $30,089 | $31,097 | $40,852 | $47,706 | $52,450 | $80,192 | $71,666 | $91,141 | $126,584 | $121,956 |
Female, age 25+ w/ earnings* | $40,392 | $18,588 | $19,504 | $27,320 | $31,837 | $36,298 | $57,355 | $51,154 | $62,522 | $92,780 | $85,551 |
Persons, age 25+, employed full-time | $59,371 | $33,945 | $34,897 | $42,417 | $50,640 | $52,285 | $77,105 | $71,283 | $82,183 | $130,466 | $119,552 |
Household | $69,228 | $29,609 | $29,520 | $47,405 | $60,392 | $68,769 | $106,936 | $100,128 | $114,900 | $151,560 | $142,493 |
*Total work experience |
10th percentile | 20th percentile | 30th percentile | 40th percentile | 50th percentile | 60th percentile | 70th percentile | 80th percentile | 90th percentile | 95th percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
≤ $15,700 | ≤ $28,000 | ≤ $40,500 | ≤ $55,000 | $70,800 | ≤ $89,700 | ≤ $113,200 | ≤ $149,100 | ≤ $212,100 | ≤ $286,300 |
Source: US Census Bureau, 2021; income statistics for the year 2021 |
This article is part of a series on |
Income in the United States of America |
---|
United Statesportal |
The United States had an official estimated resident population of 334,914,895 on July 1, 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This figure includes the 50 states and Washington, D.C. but excludes the population of five unincorporated U.S. territories as well as several minor island possessions. The United States is the third most populous country in the world, and the most populous in the Americas and the Western Hemisphere. The Census Bureau showed a population increase of 0.4% for the twelve-month period ending in July 2022, below the world average annual rate of 0.9%. The total fertility rate in the United States estimated for 2022 is 1.665 children per woman, which is below the replacement fertility rate of approximately 2.1. By several metrics, including racial and ethnic background, religious affiliation, and percentage of rural and urban divide, Illinois is the most representative of the larger demography of the United States.
Hampton County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,561. Its county seat is Hampton. It was named for Confederate Civil War general Wade Hampton, who in the late 1870s, with the ending of Reconstruction, was elected as governor of South Carolina.
Dorchester County is located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 161,540. Its county seat is St. George. The county was created on February 25, 1897 by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly.
Dillon County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 28,292. The county seat is Dillon.
Darlington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 62,905. Its county seat is Darlington. Hartsville is the largest community in the county. Darlington County is home to the Darlington Raceway, which hosts the annual NASCAR Southern 500. Darlington County is also home to Coker College in Hartsville. Darlington County was named by an act in March 1785.
Colleton County is a county in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,604. Its county seat is Walterboro. The county is named after Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet, one of the eight Lords Proprietor of the Province of Carolina. After two previous incarnations, the current Colleton County was created in 1800.
Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 32,294. Its county seat is Chester.
Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 14,119, making it the fourth-least populous county in the state. Its county seat is St. Matthews. In terms of land area, it is also the smallest county in the state.
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 229,861. Its county seat is Moncks Corner, and the largest community is Goose Creek. After two previous incarnations of Berkeley County, the current county was created in 1882. Berkeley County is included in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Barnwell County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 20,589. It is located in the Central Savannah River Area. Its county seat is Barnwell.
Reserve is a city in Brown County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 67. It is located approximately 1.5 miles south of the Nebraska-Kansas border.
White Americans, also known as Caucasian Americans, are Americans who identify as white people. In a more official sense, the U.S. Census Bureau, which collects demographic data on Americans, defines "white" as "A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa." This group constitutes the majority of the people in the United States. According to the 2020 census, 71%, or 235,411,507 people, were White alone or in combination, and 61.6%, or 204,277,273 people, were White alone. This represented a national white demographic decline from a 72.4% white alone share of the U.S. population in 2010.
Household income is an economic standard that can be applied to one household, or aggregated across a large group such as a county, city, or the whole country. It is commonly used by the United States government and private institutions to describe a household's economic status or to track economic trends in the US.
The homeownership rate in the United States is the percentage of homes that are owned by their occupants. In 2009, it remained similar to that in some other post-industrial nations with 67.4% of all occupied housing units being occupied by the unit's owner. Homeownership rates vary depending on demographic characteristics of households such as ethnicity, race, type of household as well as location and type of settlement. In 2018, homeownership dropped to a lower rate than it was in 1994, with a rate of 64.2%.
Personal income is an individual's total earnings from wages, investment interest, and other sources. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median weekly personal income of $1,139 for full-time workers in the United States in Q1 2024. For the year 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the median annual earnings for all workers was $47,960; and more specifically estimates that median annual earnings for those who worked full-time, year round, was $60,070.
Affluence refers to an individual's or household's economical and financial advantage in comparison to others. It may be assessed through either income or wealth.
The terms average Joe, ordinary Joe, regular Joe, Joe Sixpack, Joe Lunchbucket, Joe Snuffy, Joe Blow, Joe Schmoe, and ordinary Jane, average Jane, and plain Jane, are used primarily in North America to refer to a completely average person, typically an average American. It can be used both to give the image of a hypothetical "completely average person" or to describe an existing person. Parallel terms in other languages for local equivalents exist worldwide.
The inequality of wealth has substantially increased in the United States in recent decades. Wealth commonly includes the values of any homes, automobiles, personal valuables, businesses, savings, and investments, as well as any associated debts.
This is a table of the total federal tax revenue by state, federal district, and territory collected by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
In the United States, poverty has both social and political implications. In 2020, there were 37.2 million people in poverty. Some of the many causes include income, inequality, inflation, unemployment, debt traps and poor education. The majority of adults living in poverty are employed and have at least a high school education. Although the US is a relatively wealthy country by international standards, it has a persistently high poverty rate compared to other developed countries due in part to a less generous welfare system.