U.S.: Household Income Distribution, by income bracket
Annual household income, in USDPercentage of U.S. households
Under 150008.3
15000 to 249997.4
25000 to 349997.6
35000 to 4999910.6
50000 to 7499916.2
75000 to 9999912.3
100000 to 14999916.4
150000 to 1999999.2
200000 and over11.9
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 2022
  • Published: Sep 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Income Range with the Highest Percentage of U.S. Households

The income range of $50,000 to $74,999 claims the largest share with 16.2% of U.S. households falling into this category, highlighting it as the most common income bracket.

Combined Share of Households Earning $100,000 or More

Households with an annual income of $100,000 or more make up a significant portion, combining for a total of 37.5% of U.S. households, indicating a substantial affluent demographic.

Lowest Income Bracket

The lowest income bracket, under $15,000, encompasses 8.3% of U.S. households, illustrating the economic challenges faced by a notable segment of the population.

Middle-Income Households

Middle-income households, defined here as those earning between $35,000 and $99,999, constitute 39.1% of U.S. households, representing the core of the middle class.

Percentage of Households Earning $200,000 and Over

A significant 11.9% of U.S. households earn $200,000 and over, showcasing the concentration of wealth within a smaller segment of the population.

Households Earning Less Than $35,000

23.3% of U.S. households earn less than $35,000 annually, highlighting the prevalence of lower-income brackets within the economy.

Households Earning Between $75,000 and $149,999

The combined percentage of households earning between $75,000 and $149,999 is 28.7%, emphasizing the distribution within upper middle-income ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common income bracket in the U.S.?

The most common income bracket in the U.S. is $50,000 to $74,999, accounting for 16.2% of households.

What percentage of U.S. households earn $100,000 or more annually?

A significant 37.5% of U.S. households earn an annual income of $100,000 or more.

How much of the U.S. population falls into the lowest income bracket?

The lowest income bracket, under $15,000, includes 8.3% of U.S. households.

What is the proportion of middle-income households in the U.S.?

Middle-income households, earning $35,000 to $99,999, make up 39.1% of U.S. households.

Terms and Definitions

Household Income is the combined gross income of all members of a household who are 15 years or older. It includes every form of income, such as wages, salaries, retirement income, government transfers like welfare, social security, etc., and investment returns.

Income distribution is a statistical measure showing how a country’s total gross domestic product (GDP) is distributed amongst its population. It is a representation of inequality where it shows the proportion of the nation's income earned by different groups.

Gross income is the total income from all sources before deductions or taxes. It includes all income streams such as wages, salaries, dividends, interest, rent, and capital gains.

Government transfers refer to the distribution of income or wealth from the government to individuals through programs like welfare, social security, or unemployment benefits. They're generally given to individuals who are underprivileged or in need.

Welfare is a type of government support intended to ensure a basic level of well-being for citizens. It can include financial benefits, housing assistance, healthcare, and other social safety net programs.

Social Security is a government system that provides monetary assistance to people with an inadequate or no income. It is structured to benefit retirees, disabled people, and families where a spouse or parent dies.

Capital gains are the profits an investor realizes when they sell a capital asset for a price that is higher than the purchase price. It is an important part of individual investment income and corporate earnings.

Retirement income is the revenue a person or household receives after retirement, coming from sources like pension, retirement savings accounts, social security benefits, or annuities.

Income inequality refers to the disproportionate distribution of income within a particular population or between different population subdivisions. It's often presented as the percentage of income to a percentage of the population. For example, the richest 1% of individuals may posses a certain percentage of the total household income of a country.