Median inflation-adjusted income (MIAI) for men in 2011 was $32,986, $14 shy of $33,000. While that’s $3,023 below the pre-recession high of $36,009 set in 2007, the all-time high of $37,017 was set in 2000. Worse, MIAI for men first exceeded $33,000 in 1968, yes 1-9-6-8! For women, the 2011 median was $21,102, $1,593 off the high of $22,695 set in 2007 and back to where it was in 2001.
Tag Archives: inflation adjusted median income
A Miserable Median
A healthy economy exhibits many things including steady growth in median (and mean) income. Unfortunately, after peaking in ‘99 at $53,252, inflation adjusted median income in the US is now $49,445 – almost $4,000 lower than in ’99 and back to where it was in ’96! The same is true for mean income. Since consumer spending is 70% of GDP, the lack of income growth necessarily results in anemic GDP growth.