Middle class income

[BABY1]

Obama seems to refer to the "middle class" repeatedly. Does anyone know what income is considered middle class?

[straydoglogic]

Re: Middle class income

There is no consensus definition of "middle class," neither is there an official government definition. What constitutes the middle class is relative, subjective, and not easily defined. The mid-point in the distribution is the median and in 2005 median household income was $46,326. How far above and below that amount the middle stretches remains the question. The Census Bureau publishes figures breaking the income distribution into quintiles, or fifths. The narrowest view of who might be considered middle class would include those in the middle quintile, those households with income between $36,000 and $57,660. A more generous definition might be based on the three middle quintiles, those households with incomes between $19,178 and $91,705. Surveys suggest that 1% to 3.3% of the population consider themselves to be upper class. Comparing those figures with the income distribution would put the dividing line between middle and upper class close to if not above $250,000. Similarly, survey responses suggest that the lower end of the middle class might be close to $40,000. Much of the legislation considered by Congress is in the name of the so-called "middle class." But there is no consensus definition of middle class. Neither is there an official government definition, and it is not the aim of this report to establish one. What constitutes the middle class is relative, subjective, and not easily defined.

[horsepwr]

Re: Middle class income

I missed his speach, but when Obama mentions the middle class, it most likely depends on the subject at hand. "middle class" is really relative, as stray said.

Average household income has went up nearly $15k since the 2000 census report.

[daved150]

Re: Middle class income

mine went down :-(

[6p6]

Re: Middle class income

i think we are seeing the end of a true middle class because middle class seems to be seperating into upper poor class and lower rich people...

[deepsouth]

Re: Middle class income

well then I'm poor to Obama

[firstenrgy]

Re: Middle class income

well then I'm poor to Obama

Dont worry... He'll have hapiness stamps, form the dept of happiness. All will be taken care of by the government.

[deepsouth]

Re: Middle class income

yeah- I aint buying that crap- I'm in a tax bracket that he is going to punish