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Income Level to be Middle Income

12 Mar 2012

Q. What annual income level would you say was “middle income” for a single person?

What annual income level would you say was “middle income” for a family of 2 parents and 2 children?

 

Single Person

Family

 

Total

Income under $1,000pw

Income $1,000 – $1,600pw

Income $1,600+

Total

Income under $1,000pw

Income $1,000 – $1,600pw

Income $1,600+

Less than $40,000

6%

13%

4%

1%

1%

3%

$40,000-$59,000

31%

35%

34%

28%

7%

14%

5%

2%

$60,000-$79,000

38%

32%

41%

47%

21%

27%

25%

15%

$80,000-$99,000

15%

12%

14%

17%

28%

26%

33%

29%

$100,000-$119,000

3%

2%

4%

3%

20%

14%

21%

26%

$120,000-$149,000

1%

1%

1%

1%

11%

9%

8%

17%

$150,000-$199,000

*

1%

5%

2%

4%

10%

$200,000 or more

*

1%

1%

Don’t know

5%

5%

2%

1%

5%

5%

3%

1%

median

$66,000

$60,000

$65,000

$69,000

$94,000

$83,000

$92,000

$103,000

69% of respondents think that “middle income” for a single person is between $40,00 and $79,000 a year. 38% think it is $60,000-$79,000.

80% of those earning under $1,000 pw think “middle income” for a single person is less than $80,000, while those on more than $1,600 pw are most likely to think it is $60,000-$79,000 (47%). The median (average) income for “middle income” for a single person is $66,000.

Estimates are more broadly spread when it comes to “middle income” families – 69% think it would be between $60,000 and $119,000. 65% think it would be at least $80,000. The median (average) income for “middle income” for a family is $94,000.

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