A broad measure of American incomes reached a record high last year, fueled by upper-income households, according to the Census Bureau
The annual Census report said the improvements were fueled by upper-income households, while women’s pay gained ground compared with men.
U.S. household income surged past pre-pandemic levels last year, signaling the impact of high inflation on Americans' earnings and purchasing power over the past five years, according to the Census Bureau. Median U.S. household income rose 2.6% in 2025 to $87,460, surpassing the 2019 level of $85,320 and marking a record high. This represents a 2.5% increase since 2019, despite the six-year period of low inflation and declining unemployment showing a 19% rise in household income.
Women's earnings grew 3.2%, narrowing the gender wage gap, while income inequality persisted, with the top 10% earning more than 13 times the poorest households.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- American incomes finally top pre-pandemic levels, fighting against inflation all the way winnipegfreepress.com
