The income of the middle class has returned to what it was in 2000



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According to a Pew Research Center study, the typical family of three had an income of about $ 78,450 in 2016, using the most recent data. In 2000, it was just under $ 78,100.

The progress of the middle class in the early 2000s was stifled by the Great Recession, said Pew researcher Rakesh Kochhar. Its median income fell to $ 74,000 in 2010, and it took several years to return because of the historically slow economic recovery just after the downturn.

Only high-income families experienced some growth. Their income rose to nearly $ 187,900 in 2016, compared to $ 183,700 in 2000.

The poor have not recovered yet. These households had a median income of just over $ 25,600 in 2016, and not yet close to $ 27,000 in 2000.

Related: The middle class is growing again – but slowly

Overall, just over half of American adults were in the middle class in 2016. That's slightly higher than in 2011, but down from 61% in 1971. Almost 30% were lower in 2016 and 19% were higher.

The Midwest is home to many robust metropolitan areas of the middle class. About 65 percent of adults in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, are middle class – the highest proportion in the country, Pew said. In contrast, Laredo, Texas, had the lowest share at 39%.

Related: Nearly half of American families can not afford the basics like rent and food

The future, at least, could be better for the middle class. Revenues increased more strongly between 2014 and 2016 as the economic recovery accelerated, albeit towards wellness, Kochhar said. Median income should continue to rise, especially as more people are getting a job.

The Census Bureau will report the median household income for 2017 for the country as a whole on Wednesday. It rose to just over $ 59,000 in 2016, up 3.2% from the previous year.

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