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Pew Research CenterApril 14, 2022
How the American middle class has changed in the past five decades

About four-in-ten college-educated adults in the U.S. are in the upper-income tier

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About four-in-ten college-educated adults in the U.S. are in the upper-income tier

Short Read Infographics

How the American middle class has changed in the past five decades
Share of adults in U.S. middle class has decreased considerably since 1971
Incomes rose the most for upper-income households in U.S. from 1970 to 2020
Share of aggregate income held by U.S. middle class has plunged since 1970
Black adults and those older or married saw some of the biggest gains in income status from 1971 to 2021
U.S. adults who are married or in households with more than one earner are more likely to be upper income
Black and Hispanic adults, women are more likely to be lower income
Despite gains, older adults in the U.S. remain most likely to be lower income
About four-in-ten college-educated adults in the U.S. are in the upper-income tier

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