This measure is based on data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Foundation Center. It includes giving by four primary sources (individuals, corporations, foundations, and bequests).

Values are adjusted for inflation by Stanford CPI using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

This measure is based on data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Foundation Center. It includes giving by four primary sources (individuals, corporations, foundations, and bequests). Values are adjusted for inflation by Stanford CPI using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

This measure is based on data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Foundation Center. It includes giving by four primary sources (individuals, corporations, foundations, and bequests) .

Values are adjusted for inflation by Stanford CPI using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

This measure is based on data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Foundation Center. It includes giving by four primary sources (individuals, corporations, foundations, and bequests) .  

Values are adjusted for inflation by Stanford CPI using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

The measure of charitable giving is based on data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Foundation Center. It includes giving to nine types of organizations (religious; education-related; human services; health-related; public society benefit; arts, culture and humanities; international affairs; and environmental). Values are adjusted for inflation by Stanford CPI using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

The measure of charitable giving is based on data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Foundation Center. It includes giving to nine types of organizations (religious; education-related; human services; health-related; public society benefit; arts, culture and humanities; international affairs; and environmental). Values are adjusted for inflation by Stanford CPI using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

The index is based on the following five questions:

"We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days.  Would you say that you (and your family living there) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?"

"Now looking ahead--do you think that a year from now you (and your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or just about the same as now?"

"Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole--do you think that during the next twelve months we'll have good times financially, or bad times, or what?"

"Looking ahead, which would you say is more likely--that in the country as a whole we'll have continuous good times during the next five years or so, or that we will have periods of widespread unemployment or depression, or what?"

"About the big things people buy for their homes--such as furniture, a refrigerator, stove, television, and things like that.  Generally speaking, do you think now is a good or bad time for people to buy major household items?"

Personal consumption expenditures include spending on durable goods (such as motor vehicles and furniture), nondurable goods (such as food, clothing, and gasoline), and services (such as health care and restaurants).  Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Disposable personal income is total income minus taxes. Personal consumption expenditures includes spending on durable goods (such as motor vehicles and furniture), nondurable goods (such as food, clothing, and gasoline), and services (such as health care and restaurants).

Household consumption includes spending on food and alcoholic beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, health care, entertainment, personal care products and services, reading and education, tobacco and smoking supplies, cash contributions to people outside the household, and other miscellaneous spending. Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

A consumer unit comprises either: (1) all members of a household related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other legal arrangements; (2) a person living alone or sharing a household with others or living as a roomer in a private home or lodging house or in permanent living quarters in a hotel or motel, but who is financially independent; or (3) two or more persons living together who use their income to make joint expenditure decisions. To be considered financially independent, at least two of the three major expense categories—housing, food, and other living expenses—have to be provided entirely, or in part, by the respondent.

A consumer unit’s reference person is the first member mentioned by the respondent when asked to “Start with the name of the persons or one of the persons who owns or rents the home.”

For 1995 through 2012, the BLS reports breakdowns by the education level of the unit's reference person. From 2012 on, they report breakdowns by the highest education level of any member of the housing unit. 

Violent crimes include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

The murder and non-negligent homicides that occurred as a result of the events of September 11, 2001, are not included in the crime counts.

Violent crimes included are rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. This measure does not include murder. 

Due to methodological inconsistencies between the NCVS data for 2006, 2016, and the data for other years, the estimates for 2006 and 2016 are omitted from the graphing utility. See the methodological section of Criminal Victimization, 2016 for more information.

More information about the National Crime Victimization Survey is available from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Prisoner counts are reported as of December 31 of each year.  Counts include all persons under legal authority of state or federal correctional officials, regardless of where the person is held.

More information about the National Prisoner Statistics is available from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

The Annual Probation Survey collects population counts for January 1 and December 31 of each year.  The value reported in the data is the count at the end of the reference year. For the most recent year, this is the population count as of December 31 of the reference year. For all other years, it is the population count as of January 1 of the year following the reference year.

Estimates are based on surveys of the non-institutionalized civilian population, so people living in prisons or serving in the military are not included.

The question for education attainment in the Current Population Survey changed in 1992. Before 1992, respondents were asked how many years of schooling they had completed. Those completing four years of high school or more are coded as having completed high school. Starting in 1992, respondents were asked the highest degree they had completed. Those who report graduating from high school are coded as having completed high school.

Time series by race that include data from both before and after 2002 should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

Elementary and middle school includes prekindergarten through grade 8. High school includes grades 9 through 12. Postsecondary institutions comprise undergraduate, professional, and graduate schools. Homeschooled students who were not also enrolled in public or private schools are not included.

The NCES’s estimates are based on the Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe component of the Common Core of Data.

The NAEP reading scores indicate the following:

200       Ability to understand, combine ideas, and make inferences based on short uncomplicated passages about specific or sequentially related information.

250       Ability to search for specific information, interrelate ideas, and make generalizations about literature, science, and social studies materials.

300       Ability to find, understand, summarize, and explain relatively complicated literary and informational material.

Additional race/ethnic groups are included in the totals but not shown separately.

The NAEP math scores indicate the following:

200       Considerable understanding of two-digit numbers and some basic multiplication and division facts.

250       Initial understanding of the four basic operations and a developing ability to analyze simple logical relations.

300       Ability to perform reasoning and problem solving involving fractions, decimals, percents, elementary geometry, and simple algebra.

Additional race/ethnic groups are included in the totals but not shown separately.

The NAEP math scores indicate the following:

200       Considerable understanding of two-digit numbers and some basic multiplication and division facts.

250       Initial understanding of the four basic operations and a developing ability to analyze simple logical relations.

300       Ability to perform reasoning and problem solving involving fractions, decimals, percents, elementary geometry, and simple algebra.

Additional race/ethnic groups are included in the totals but not shown separately.

The Monitoring the Future survey is administered to high school seniors in the spring of each year. Data collection takes place in approximately 130 public and private high schools selected to provide an accurate cross-section of high school seniors throughout the coterminous United States.

Students are asked:  “How likely is it that you will do each of the following things after high school?” For each of “Attend a technical or vocational school,” “Serve in the armed forces,” “Graduate from a two-year college program,” “Graduate from college (four-year program),” and “Attend graduate or professional school after college,” they are asked to choose among “Definitely won’t,” “Probably won’t,” “Probably will,” or “Definitely will.”

For more detailed information about the survey design and sampling procedures, see the introduction of the 2009 Monitoring the Future volume.

The Monitoring the Future survey is administered to high school seniors in the spring of each year. Data collection takes place in approximately 130 public and private high schools selected to provide an accurate cross-section of high school seniors throughout the coterminous United States.

Students are asked:  “How likely is it that you will do each of the following things after high school?” For each of “Attend a technical or vocational school,” “Serve in the armed forces,” “Graduate from a two-year college program,” “Graduate from college (four-year program),” and “Attend graduate or professional school after college,” they are asked to choose among “Definitely won’t,” “Probably won’t,” “Probably will,” or “Definitely will.”

For more detailed information about the survey design and sampling procedures, see the introduction of the 2009 Monitoring the Future volume.

Estimates are based on surveys of the non-institutionalized civilian population, so people living in prisons or serving in the military are not included.

Beginning in 2003, respondents could choose more than one race category. From this point on, the categories “White” and “Black” exclude people who identify as belonging to two or more races. Time series by race that include data from both before and after 2002 should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

Low income refers to the bottom 20 percent of all family incomes, high income refers to the top 20 percent of all family incomes, and middle income refers to the 60 percent in between.

The six-year graduation rate for a given year is the rate for students starting their Bachelor’s degree studies six years earlier. For example, the rate for 2010 is for the cohort of students that started their degrees in 2004.  Students who complete their degrees at different institutions than where they started are not counted as graduating.

Data correspond to six-year degree-granting postsecondary institutions participating in the Title IV federal financial aid programs.

The Current Population Survey defines a household as all the people who occupy a housing unit.  A house, apartment, a single room, or a group of rooms is regarded as a housing unit when it is occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters; that is, when the occupants do not live with any other persons in the structure and there is direct access from the outside or through a common hall.

Data include outlays to local education agencies, state education agencies, postsecondary students, postsecondary institutions, federal institutions, vocational education organizations, federal programs at libraries and museums, American Indian tribes, private nonprofit agencies, and banks.

The data reflect an increase in postsecondary expenditures in 2006, which resulted primarily from an accounting adjustment. Outlays are adjusted for inflation using the price index for Gross Domestic Product. See Bureau of Economic Analysis National Income and Product Accounts tables.

Data come from telephone interviews of a national sample of adults age 18 and older. The exact question wording is, “Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D, and FAIL to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves in your community were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the public schools here—A, B, C, D, or FAIL?  How about the public schools in the nation as a whole? What grade would you give the public schools nationally—A, B, C, D, or FAIL?”

The National Center for Health Statistics collects fertility data from birth certificates. The data are based on 100 percent of births in selected states and on a 50-percent sample of births in all other states. More information is available from the National Vital Statistics System.

Marriage data are reported to the National Center for Health Statistics by each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The rate for 2006 excludes data for Georgia, and the rates for 2013-2014 exclude data for Louisiana.

This measure is a proxy for the cohabitation rate. It is the number of adults age 18 to 64 who are either an unmarried partner to the household’s reference person or who are reference persons with unmarried partners, as a percentage of the total population age 18 to 64. Cohabiting couples in which neither partner is the reference person are, therefore, not counted as cohabiting. A household’s reference person is the person (or one of the people) who own or rent the housing unit in which a household resides; or, if there is no such person, any adult member, excluding roomers, boarders or paid employees. If the house is owned or rented jointly by a married couple, the reference person may be either the husband or the wife.

A variable that can be used to estimate the cohabitation rate in a direct way has been available in the Current Population Survey since 2007, but the proxy measure allows for the construction of a longer-term trend. From 2007 to the present, changes in the proxy measure have closely tracked changes in the actual cohabitation rate; however, the level of the proxy measures has been consistently lower, by about 1 to 1.5 percentage points.

In 2014, the Census Bureau implemented a complete redesign of the health insurance questions in the CPS ASEC. The new questions improve upon the previous questionnaire, which produced health insurance estimates that were not in line with those produced by other federal surveys or administrative records. However, because of the redesign, the estimates for years 2013 and later are not directly comparable to 2012 and prior years. Estimates for earlier years are therefore not included in the graphing utility.

Live births with unknown birth weight are excluded.

Prior to 1993, some states did not report Hispanic origin on the birth certificate; these states are excluded from the estimates for Hispanic mothers (any race), White Non-Hispanic mothers, and Black Non-Hispanic mothers. Data for White Non-Hispanic and Black Non-Hispanic mothers prior to 1989 are not nationally representative and are provided solely for comparison with the data for Hispanic mothers.

Self-reported heart disease is based on responses to questions about whether respondents had ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had coronary heart disease (angina pectoris), a heart attack (myocardial infarction), or any other kind of heart disease or heart condition.

Estimates are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard population using five age groups: 18-44 years, 45-54 years, 55-64 years, 65-74 years, and 75 years and over. The youngest age group for the sub-populations Less than High School Degree [Age 25+], High School Degree [Age 25+], and Some College or More [Age 25+] is 25-44 years instead of 18-44 years.

Data for some sub-populations in some years are omitted because the estimates have a relative standard error of 20 to 30 percent and are considered unreliable.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

Data are based on interviews and physical examinations of a sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Data exclude women who reported having diabetes only during pregnancy. The NCHS reports data for seven-year or four-year periods (e.g., 1988-1994, 1999-2002, 2001-2004); Stanford CPI uses the middle year when data are reported for a seven-year period (e.g., 1991 for the period 1988-1994), and the third year when data are reported for a four-year period (e.g., 2001 for the period 1999-2002).

Estimates are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard population using three age groups: 20-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years and over.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

Serious psychological distress is measured by asking respondents how often they experienced each of six symptoms of psychological distress in the past 30 days. The question reads, “During the past 30 days, how often did you feel…..So sad that nothing could cheer you up? Nervous? Restless or fidgety? Hopeless? That everything was an effort? Worthless?” Possible answers are “All of the time” (4 points), “Most of the time” (3 points), “Some of the time” (2 points), “A little of the time” (1 point”), and “None of the time” (0 points). The points are added together, yielding a total of 0 to 24 points. A threshold of 13 points or more is used to define serious psychological distress.

Heavy alcohol use is defined as drinking five or more drinks at a time on each of five or more days in the past 30 days.

In the National Health Interview Survey people are asked, “During the past 12 months, was there any time when you needed any of the following, but did not get it because you couldn’t afford it? ….Dental care (including check ups).”  Response choices are yes and no. A small number of people each year refuse to answer the question or don’t know the answer; those people are not included in Stanford CPI’s estimates.

In the National Health Interview Survey people are asked, “During the past 12 months, was there any time when you needed any of the following, but did not get it because you couldn’t afford it? ….Prescription medicines.”  Response choices are yes and no. A small number of people each year refuse to answer the question or don’t know the answer; those people are not included in Stanford CPI’s estimates.

Health expenditures cover the provision of health services (preventative and curative), family planning activities, nutrition activities, and emergency aid designated for health. It does not include the provision of water and sanitation.

Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the price index for Gross Domestic Product. See Bureau of Economic Analysis National Income and Product Accounts, table 1.1.4.

Each month, the Research Division of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) receives data on home sales from local associations and boards, and from multiple listing services nationwide. These data, covering 30-40% of all existing-home sale transactions, are used to estimate median home prices. Detailed methodological notes are available from the NAR.

A family is defined by the Census Bureau as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. For additional methodological information, see the indicator Median Family Income.

The data are counts of the total number of properties with at least one foreclosure filing entered into the RealtyTrac database during the year. Some foreclosure filings entered into the database during the year may correspond to the previous year. Data are collected from more than 2,200 counties nationwide, and those counties account for more than 90 percent of the U.S. population. The data count documents filed in all three phases of foreclosure: default or notice of default, and lis pendens; auction or notice of trustee sale and notice of foreclosure sale; and real estate owned properties (that have been foreclosed on and repurchased by a bank). If more than one foreclosure document is received for a property during the year, only the most recent filing is counted.

Households with zero or negative income are assumed to have severe burdens, while renters paying no cash rent are assumed to have no burden.

A household includes all the people who occupy a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live separately from any other people in the building and which have direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall.

HUD’s estimates reflect the number of households in the fifty states and the District of Columbia who used shelters or transitional housing programs during the one-year period from October 1 through September 30 of the reference year. Estimates include an extrapolation adjustment to account for people whose jurisdictions do not yet participate in the Homeless Management Information Systems.

Age is based on a person’s first time in a shelter or transitional housing during the one-year reporting period.

Estimates represent the annual cumulative amount of time spent in housing provided by transitional programs. For instance, if a person has three stays of 7 nights each, his or her length of stay is counted as 21 nights.

The Census Bureau’s estimates are based on the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

“Foreign-born” includes both non-citizens and naturalized citizens.

The unemployment rate is the number of people who are unemployed as a percentage of the civilian labor force. People are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work. Persons who are not working and are waiting to be recalled to a job from which they have been temporarily laid off are also counted as unemployed. The civilian labor force includes people who are currently working and people who are unemployed according to the above definition.

The unemployment rate is the number of people who are unemployed as a percentage of the civilian labor force. People are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work. Persons who are not working and are waiting to be recalled to a job from which they have been temporarily laid off are also counted as unemployed. The civilian labor force includes people who are currently working and people who are unemployed according to the above definition.

The Pew Hispanic Center uses an indirect multistage process to estimate the size of the unauthorized immigrant population. The methodology employed is described here.

Counts represent the number of people apprehended by the Border Patrol during the fiscal year ending on September 30 of the reference year.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members. 

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income. Income is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members. 

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income. Income is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members.

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members.

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members.

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members.

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income. Income is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS). If the median income is larger than $100,000 (before adjusting for inflation), the Census Bureau reported it as $100,000; these values have been replaced by missing values in the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality database.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

Breakdowns by education only include families where the head of family is 25 years old or over. The category “high school graduates” includes people who received a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members.

In the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, respondents report income from the previous calendar year, but they report family and household composition as of the date of the survey. The measure of family income used by the Census Bureau is the sum of the income obtained by all family members 15 years old and over. Income refers to the amount of money income received from each of the following sources: earnings; unemployment compensation; workers’ compensation; social security; supplemental security income; public assistance; veterans’ payments; survivor benefits; disability benefits; pension or retirement income; interest; dividends; rents, royalties, and estates and trusts; educational assistance; alimony; child support; financial assistance from outside of the household; and other income. 

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

The CBO’s estimates are based on Internal Revenue Service data from individual income tax returns.

Before-tax income is the sum of market income and government transfers.  Market income includes labor income, business income, capital gains, capital income other than capital gains, income received in retirement for past services, and other sources of income.  Government transfers are cash payments from Social Security, unemployment insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (and its predecessor, Aid to Families with Dependent Children), veterans’ programs, workers’ compensation, and state and local government assistance programs. They also include the value of in-kind benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program vouchers (formerly known as food stamps), school lunches and breakfasts, housing assistance, energy assistance, and benefits provided by Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (The value of health insurance is measured on the basis of the Census Bureau’s estimates of the average cost to the government of providing such insurance.)

Income categories are defined by ranking all people by income, adjusted for household size—that is, divided by the square root of the number of people in a household, which consists of the people who share a housing unit, regardless of their relationships. Quintiles, or fifths, contain equal numbers of people, as do percentiles, or hundredths. If a household has negative income (that is, if its business or investment losses are larger than other income) it is excluded from the lowest income category but included in totals.

The CBO’s estimates are based on Internal Revenue Service data from individual income tax returns.

Tax rates are calculated by dividing tax liabilities by before-tax income. When refundable tax credits, such as the earned income and child tax credits, exceed tax liabilities of the households in an income group, those households are said to have a negative average tax rate. (Refundable tax credits are not limited to the amount of income tax owed before they are applied.)

Tax liabilities are the amount of taxes a household owes based on income earned in a year, regardless of when the taxes are paid. Individual income taxes are allocated directly to households paying those taxes. Social insurance, or payroll, taxes are allocated to households that pay those taxes directly or indirectly through their employers. Excise taxes are allocated to households according to their consumption of the taxed good or service. Corporate income taxes are allocated to households according to their share of capital and labor income.

Before-tax income is the sum of market income and government transfers. Market income includes labor income, business income, capital gains, capital income other than capital gains, income received in retirement for past services, and other sources of income.  Government transfers are cash payments from Social Security, unemployment insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (and its predecessor, Aid to Families with Dependent Children), veterans’ programs, workers’ compensation, and state and local government assistance programs. They also include the value of in-kind benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program vouchers (formerly known as food stamps), school lunches and breakfasts, housing assistance, energy assistance, and benefits provided by Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (The value of health insurance is measured on the basis of the Census Bureau’s estimates of the average cost to the government of providing such insurance.)

Income categories are defined by ranking all people by income, adjusted for household size—that is, divided by the square root of the number of people in a household, which consists of the people who share a housing unit, regardless of their relationships. Quintiles, or fifths, contain equal numbers of people, as do percentiles, or hundredths. If a household has negative income (that is, if its business or investment losses are larger than other income) it is excluded from the lowest income category but included in totals.

The CBO’s estimates are based on Internal Revenue Service data from individual income tax returns.

Household income after taxes and transfers is equivalent to the CBO’s measure of before-tax income minus federal tax liabilities.

Before-tax income is the sum of market income and government transfers.  Market income includes labor income, business income, capital gains, capital income other than capital gains, income received in retirement for past services, and other sources of income.  Government transfers are cash payments from Social Security, unemployment insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (and its predecessor, Aid to Families with Dependent Children), veterans’ programs, workers’ compensation, and state and local government assistance programs. They also include the value of in-kind benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program vouchers (formerly known as food stamps), school lunches and breakfasts, housing assistance, energy assistance, and benefits provided by Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (The value of health insurance is measured on the basis of the Census Bureau’s estimates of the average cost to the government of providing such insurance.)

Tax liabilities are the amount of taxes a household owes based on income earned in a year, regardless of when the taxes are paid. Individual income taxes are allocated directly to households paying those taxes. Social insurance, or payroll, taxes are allocated to households that pay those taxes directly or indirectly through their employers. Excise taxes are allocated to households according to their consumption of the taxed good or service. Corporate income taxes are allocated to households according to their share of capital and labor income.

EPI’s tables are based on unpublished analyses, conducted by Edward Wolff, of data from the Survey of Consumer Finances.

EPI’s tables are based on unpublished analyses, conducted by Edward Wolff, of data from the Survey of Consumer Finances.

EPI’s tables are based on data from the Congressional Budget Office.

Capital and business income includes rents, dividends, interest payments, capital gains, and business income.

Detailed methodological notes are available at the Forbes website.

Data are adjusted for inflation by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

An elderly household is an unmarried individual over age 65 or a married couple in which at least one person is over age 65. Demographic characteristics such as race are those of the husband unless the husband is under age 65, in which case they are those of the wife.

Income from assets includes interest; dividends; rent or royalties; and estates or trusts. If either spouse has income from assets, the unit is considered to be a recipient unit.

Household financial obligations consist of estimated required payments on outstanding mortgage and consumer debt, automobile lease payments, rental payments on tenant-occupied property, homeowners’ insurance, and property tax payments. Disposable personal income is total household income after taxes. Annual estimates are an average of quarterly estimates.

Both business and non-business bankruptcy cases are included.

The labor force includes two main groups of people: those who are currently employed, and those who are not currently employed but have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks and are currently available for work. People who are not working and are waiting to be recalled to a job from which they have been temporarily laid off are also counted as part of the labor force.

The labor force includes two main groups of people: those who are currently employed, and those who are not currently employed but have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks and are currently available for work. People who are not working and are waiting to be recalled to a job from which they have been temporarily laid off are also counted as part of the labor force.

Examples of economic reasons for working part-time include slack work or unfavorable business conditions, inability to find full-time work, and seasonal declines in demand.

The labor force includes two main groups of people: those who are currently employed, and those who are not currently employed but have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks and are currently available for work. People who are not working and are waiting to be recalled to a job from which they have been temporarily laid off are also counted as part of the labor force.

The Current Employment Statistics survey is a monthly survey of the payroll records of business establishments and government agencies. Because it collects data from establishments in the nonfarm sector, it excludes self-employment and all employment in the farm sector. Industries are classified according to the 2012 North American Industry Classification System.

People are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work. Persons who are not working and are waiting to be recalled to a job from which they have been temporarily laid off are also counted as unemployed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the total number of non-farm job openings each month using the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, which is a monthly survey of U.S. business establishments. The number of job openings is reported for the last business day of the month. Annual averages are calculated by CPI.

Wages are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Wages are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Wages are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Wages are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Wages are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

EPI’s estimates are based on the Current Population Survey.

EPI’s estimates are based on the Current Population Survey.

EPI’s estimates are based on the Current Population Survey.

Before 2009, if the median income was larger than $100,000, the Census Bureau reported it as $100,000; starting in 2009, if the median income was larger than $250,000 the Census Bureau reported it as $250,000. These values have been replaced by missing values in the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality database.

Earnings are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Wage preiums are estimated with controls for gender, race and ethnicity, education, age, and geographic location.

Workers are classified as “entry-level” if they have a high school degree (but no college), are not enrolled in school, and are 17 to 20 years old; or if they have a bachelor’s degree, are not enrolled in school, and are 21 to 24 years old.

Only private wage-and-salary earners who worked at least 20 hours per week, 26 weeks per year are included.

Due to a survey redesign, data for 2013 and onward are not fully compatible wtih data for earlier years.

Wages are adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Poverty level wages are determined using the official poverty threshold for a family of four with two children.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

To classify people as poor, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition. If a family's total income is below the poverty threshold relevant to that family, then every individual in the family is classified as poor. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes as its measure of income, and does not include capital gains or the monetary value of noncash benefits such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps. For more information, see the Census Bureau’s poverty definitions.

To classify people as poor, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition. If a family's total income is below the poverty threshold relevant to that family, then every individual in the family is classified as poor. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes as its measure of income, and does not include capital gains or the monetary value of noncash benefits such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps. For more information, see the Census Bureau’s poverty definitions.

The Current Population Survey defines a family as a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Beginning with the 1980 Current Population Survey, unrelated subfamilies (referred to in the past as secondary families) are no longer included in the count of families, nor are the members of unrelated subfamilies included in the count of family members.

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

To classify people as poor, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition. If a family's total income is below the poverty threshold relevant to that family, then every individual in the family is classified as poor. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes as its measure of income, and does not include capital gains or the monetary value of noncash benefits such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps. For more information, see the Census Bureau’s poverty definitions.

The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) is a poverty rate whose computation takes into account taxes, transfers, and other factors not reflected in the Official Poverty Rate. The SPM has been computed by the U.S. Census Bureau starting in 2009; much of the data needed to produce it is not available for earlier years. Researchers from the Columbia Population Research Center (CPRC) used data from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey (March CPS) and the Consumer Expenditure Survey to produce estimates of the SPM for years prior to 2009.  They used a methodology similar to that used by the Census in producing their official SPM estimates, but with adjustments to account for differences in the data available in earlier years.

See also Supplemental Poverty Measure – Anchored, which also provides estimates of the SPM that go back further in time than the Census Bureau’s official estimates, but is produced using a different approach.

For more information on the historical and anchored supplemental poverty measures, see the following CPRC working papers:

Fox, Liana, Irv Garfinkel, Neeraj Kaushall, Jane Waldfogel, and Christopher Wimer. 2013. “Waging War on Poverty: Historical Trends in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure.” CPRC Working Paper. No. 13-02.

Wimer, Christopher, Liana Fox, Irv Garfinkel, Neerak Kaushal, and Jane Waldfogel. 2013. “Trends in Poverty with an Anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure.” CPRC Working Paper No. 13-01.

For the official poverty rate, see Official Poverty Rate.

The subpopulation “Age 18 to 24” only includes people who are age-eligible to vote in the year and state in which they live.  Prior to 1972, data are for people age 21 to 24 with the exception of people in Georgia and Kentucky (age 18 to 24) and Hawaii (age 20 to 24).

In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.

The exact question wording is, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?” Answer choices are “strong Democrat,” “not strong Democrat,” “Independent, near Democrat,” “Independent,” “Independent, near Republican,” “not strong Republican,” “strong Republican,” or “other party.”

A small number of respondents said they did not know.

The exact question wording is, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?” Answer choices are “strong Democrat,” “not strong Democrat,” “Independent, near Democrat,” “Independent,” “Independent, near Republican,” “not strong Republican,” “strong Republican,” or “other party.”

A small number of respondents said they did not know.

The exact question wording is, “During the last few years, has your financial situation been getting better, worse, or has it stayed the same?” A small number of respondents said they did not know.

The exact question wording is, “Some people think of American society as divided into two groups, the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots,’ while others think it’s incorrect to think of America that way. Do you, yourself, think of America as divided into haves and have-nots, or don’t you think of America that way?”  Answer choices are “yes, divided” and “no.”

This question is included in more than one poll in some years, but the data are based on only one poll per year. The polls used were conducted in June 2001, February 2004, March 2005, September 2006, July 2007, January 2008, March 2009, April 2010, and December 2011.

The exact question wording is, “Now I am going to read you another series of statements on some different topics. For each statement, please tell me if you completely agree with it, mostly agree with it, mostly disagree with it, or completely disagree with it…It is the responsibility of the government to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves.”

This question was asked in polls conducted in April 1987, May 1988, May 1990, May 1992, May 1993, July 1994, November 1997, September 1999, July 2002, July 2003, December 2006, March 2009, September 2011, and April 2012.

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own, and meet certain other eligibility requirements.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies people as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work.

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own, and meet certain other eligibility requirements. Recipients who work part-time can receive partial benefits. This indicator includes all weeks for which benefits were paid, including both total and partial unemployment.

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own, and meet certain other eligibility requirements.

Outlays are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

Outlays are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that gives cash assistance and other forms of aid to low-income families with children. In 1997, TANF replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, which had similar goals.

From 1997 to 1999, TANF was being phased in and AFDC was being phased out.  The data for the entire population includes people participating in either program. However, the breakdowns by family type only include TANF families. Data for families are reported for each fiscal year (October to September).

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that gives cash assistance and other forms of aid to low-income families with children. In 1997, TANF replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, which had similar goals.

Expenditures cover all program costs (including administrative costs), not only cash assistance and spending in other forms of aid. Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness of children ages birth to 5 from low-income families. The program enhances the children’s social and cognitive development through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services.

Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income households with “electronic benefits” they can use like a debit card to purchase food at stores authorized by the Department of Agriculture. More information about the program is available from the Department of Agriculture.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income households with “electronic benefits” they can use like a debit card to purchase food at stores authorized by the Department of Agriculture. More information about the program is available from the Department of Agriculture.

The WIC program provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income women who are pregnant or postpartum, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

The School Breakfast Program is a federal program that provides cash assistance to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price breakfasts to eligible children.

The monthly average number of children is computed with data from October through December of the previous year, plus January through May plus September of the current year.

Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. More information about the EITC is available from the Internal Revenue Service.

Data are adjusted for inflation by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers Research Series (CPI-U-RS).

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) benefits are paid monthly to retired-worker (old-age) beneficiaries and their spouses and children and to survivors of deceased insured workers. For more information, see the Social Security Administration’s publications on Retirement Benefits and Survivor’s Benefits.

Disability Insurance (DI) benefits are paid monthly to disabled workers and their spouses and children. For more information, see the Social Security Administration’s publication on Disability Benefits.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides income support to persons aged 65 or older, blind or disabled adults, and blind or disabled children.

Medicaid is a public program administered at the state level, which provides medical assistance to the needy. Families with dependent children, the aged, blind, and disabled who are in financial need are eligible for Medicaid. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), formerly called the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), is a program administered at the state level that provides health care for low- and moderate-income children who do not qualify for Medicaid (in many states the income and age thresholds for ineligibility are higher for CHIP than for Medicaid).

Medicaid is a public program administered at the state level, which provides medical assistance to the needy. Families with dependent children, the aged, blind, and disabled who are in financial need are eligible for the program. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), formerly called the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), is a program administered at the state level that provides health care for low- and moderate-income children who do not qualify for Medicaid (in many states the income and age thresholds for ineligibility are higher for CHIP than for Medicaid).

Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

Medicare is a public health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under the age of 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease. 

Expenditures are adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis price index for Gross Domestic Product. See National Income and Product Accounts.

“Means-tested programs” are programs for which only people with income or assets below some threshold are eligible.  “Social insurance programs” are programs in which people receive benefits or services in recognition of contributions made by them or on their behalf, and are typically associated to a history of work and earnings. The measure is constructed by summing the following indicators:

Means-Tested Programs:
Expenditures per Capita on Medicaid and CHIP
Expenditures per Capita on Supplemental Security Income
Expenditures per Capita on AFDC/TANF
Expenditures per Capita on the Federal EITC
Expenditures per Capita on Food Stamps/SNAP
Expenditures per Capita on Housing Aid
Expenditures per Capita on School Food Programs
Expenditures per Capita on the WIC Program
Expenditures per Capita on Head Start

Social Insurance Programs:
Expenditures per Capita on Medicare
Expenditures per Capita on Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
Expenditures per Capita on Unemployment Insurance
Expenditures per Capita on Workers’ Compensation
Expenditures per Capita on Disability Insurance

“Social insurance programs” are programs in which people receive benefits or services in recognition of contributions made by them or on their behalf, and are typically associated to a history of work and earnings.  The measure is constructed by summing the following indicators:

Expenditures per Capita on Medicare
Expenditures per Capita on Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
Expenditures per Capita on Unemployment Insurance
Expenditures per Capita on Workers' Compensation
Expenditures per Capita on Disability Insurance