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Median Household Income
Metadata
Variable Definitions:
Median Household Income: The middle value for household income in an area, measured in dollars
Source:
American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, Table B19013
Years Available:
Years Available:*
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
*Note: Each year of available data shown above is a 5-year estimate, or an average of data collected over a five year period. 5-year estimates are used to increase the reliability of the data at small geographies like neighborhoods and census tracts. The years shown on the NDSC map represent the final year of the five year average (e.g. “2010” represents 2006-2010 data, “2011” represents 2007-2011 data, and so on). For the most impactful comparison of data over time, the ACS recommends comparing non-overlapping years (e.g. 2010-14 with 2015-19).
Why are these variables important to measure?
Median Household Income
Median household income refers to the income amount at the midpoint of the distribution encompassing all households, including those with no income. The median point divides the distribution of households into an upper and lower half according to their income levels. Household income is calculated by adding the individual income of the head of a household and the incomes of all other inhabitants above 15 years of age, regardless of their relation to the head of the household.
Median household income is important to understanding both the economic status of households and their distribution within a neighborhood. It provides a benchmark for comparisons which can be very useful in designing interventions, implementing government programs, and studying the economic flows between individuals, households, and neighborhoods. Using this measure can also help uncover the important geographic (both between and within states), racial, and temporal variations of household income across the United States.
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