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Median Household Income in the United States (MEHOINUSA646N)

Observations

2023: 80,610
Updated: Sep 11, 2024 9:45 AM CDT
2023:  80,610  
2022:  74,580  
2021:  70,780  
2020:  68,010  
2019:  68,700  

Units:

Current Dollars,
Not Seasonally Adjusted

Frequency:

Annual

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Notes

Title Release Dates
Median Household Income in the United States 2012-09-24 2024-09-10
 
Source    
U.S. Census Bureau 2012-09-24 2024-09-10
 
Release    
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States 2012-09-24 2014-09-15
Income and Poverty in the United States 2014-09-16 2024-09-10
 
Units    
Current Dollars 2012-09-24 2024-09-10
 
Frequency    
Annual 2012-09-24 2024-09-10
 
Seasonal Adjustment    
Not Seasonally Adjusted 2012-09-24 2024-09-10
 
Notes    
Household data are collected as of March.

As stated in the Census's "Source and Accuracy of Estimates for Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011" (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/p60_243sa.pdf):

Estimation of Median Incomes. The Census Bureau has changed the methodology for computing median income over time. The Census Bureau has computed medians using either Pareto interpolation or linear interpolation. Currently, we are using linear interpolation to estimate all medians. Pareto interpolation assumes a decreasing density of population within an income interval, whereas linear interpolation assumes a constant density of population within an income interval. The Census Bureau calculated estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1979 through 1987 using Pareto interpolation if the estimate was larger than $20,000 for people or $40,000 for families and households. This is because the width of the income interval containing the estimate is greater than $2,500.

We calculated estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1976, 1977, and 1978 using Pareto interpolation if the estimate was larger than $12,000 for people or $18,000 for families and households. This is because the width of the income interval containing the estimate is greater than $1,000. All other estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1976 through 2011 (2012 ASEC) and almost all of the estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1975 and earlier were calculated using linear interpolation.

Thus, use caution when comparing median incomes above $12,000 for people or $18,000 for families and households for different years. Median incomes below those levels are more comparable from year to year since they have always been calculated using linear interpolation. For an indication of the comparability of medians calculated using Pareto interpolation with medians calculated using linear interpolation, see Series P-60, Number 114, Money Income in 1976 of Families and Persons in the United States (www2.census.gov/prod2/popscan/p60-114.pdf).

2012-09-24 2024-09-10

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Income and Poverty in the United States

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Households Median Income Census Annual Nation Public Domain: Citation Requested Not Seasonally Adjusted United States of America