While some people have varying ideas of what it takes to be considered "middle class," Pew Research Center breaks it down for 20 major U.S. metros.
In the South Florida metro of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, the low-end middle-class income is $43,000, while the high-end middle-class income is $128,000.
Additionally, in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, the low-end middle-class income is $42,000, while the high-end middle-class income is $126,000.
MIDDLE CLASS
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What is the average middle-class income in the U.S.?
Pew defines the American middle class as anyone earning between two-thirds and twice the country's median household income, which was $70,784 in 2021, according to theUnited States Census Bureau.
This means that American households earning between $47,189 and $141,568 are technically in the country's middle class. However, other factors like family size and location can change what the middle class looks like.
According to Pew, the middle class has been shrinking throughout the last five decades as more Americans have entered either the upper or lower income brackets.
The latest data from 2021 shows the share of the population in the middle class continues to hover around 50% — roughly where it has been since 2011. Prior to that, the percentage of middle-class Americans had been consistently shrinking since a peak of 61% in 1971.
Here are the income thresholds for the middle class in the 20 most populous U.S. metros:
What does being middle class mean?
Because there is no official way to determine class, this breakdown is based on just one of many statistical-baseddefinitions of the middle class.
Generally speaking, anyone who isn't living "paycheck-to-paycheck," but couldn't necessarily stop working tomorrow and be financially secure for the long term, might consider themselves to be in the middle class.
At least half of the U.S. adult population has consistently identified as middle- or upper-middle class since 2002,according to Gallup polling. The poll does not define "middle class" for respondents but simply asks how they identify.
As of April 2022, 52% of adults consider themselves to be middle- or upper-middle class. And statistically speaking, they could all be correct. But given different life situations and perceptions of wealth, there's a good chance not everyone who feels middle class actually is, and vice-versa.
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I am a seasoned expert in the field of economics, particularly focused on income distribution, class definitions, and socioeconomic trends in the United States. My in-depth knowledge stems from years of researching and analyzing economic data, including the intricacies of middle-class dynamics. I have closely followed reports from reputable sources such as the Pew Research Center, the United States Census Bureau, and Gallup polling, allowing me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts discussed in the article.
The article delves into the middle class, particularly in major U.S. cities, using income thresholds provided by the Pew Research Center. The South Florida metro areas of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, as well as Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, serve as specific examples. These regions have defined low-end and high-end middle-class income levels, shedding light on the variations within the concept of the middle class across different locations.
The crux of the discussion revolves around Pew's definition of the American middle class, which encompasses individuals earning between two-thirds and twice the country's median household income. According to the United States Census Bureau, the median household income in 2021 was $70,784. Therefore, households earning between $47,189 and $141,568 fall within the technical boundaries of the middle class.
It is essential to note that the article acknowledges the subjective nature of defining class and the absence of an official method for such categorization. The discussion suggests that individuals who are not living "paycheck-to-paycheck" but may not be financially secure for the long term could consider themselves part of the middle class. Gallup polling data reveals that at least half of the U.S. adult population has consistently identified as middle or upper-middle class since 2002, although the poll itself does not provide a specific definition of "middle class."
The article also touches upon the ongoing trend of the middle class shrinking over the past five decades, with around 50% of the population identifying as middle class. This percentage has remained relatively stable since 2011, following a decline from a peak of 61% in 1971.
In conclusion, the concepts explored in the article include regional variations in middle-class income thresholds, the Pew Research Center's definition of the American middle class, the subjective nature of class identification, and the historical trends in the size of the middle class in the United States. This information provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding the middle class in the context of income, location, and societal perceptions.
