To explore the data on economic inequality in the U.S., check out:
A 2019 report on the economic well-being of U.S. households by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Billionaire Bonanza, a 2018 report on the richest Americans by Chuck Collins and Josh Hoxie
Median personal income in the United States, summarized by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Economic Research
The U.S. Census Bureau’s data on median household income
An interactive graphic by the Wall Street Journal to figure out your own percentile in the U.S. population
To explore the data on how Americans identify themselves in terms of class, check out:
“What Determines How Americans Perceive Their Social Class?” by Robert Bird and Frank Newport, February 27, 2017
“Few Consider Themselves Wealthy, Even Among Highest Earners” by Rasmussen Reports, October 23, 2018
Sociology References
Kelley, Jonathan & M.D.R. Evans. 1995. “Class and Class Conflict in Six Western Nations.” American Sociological Review, 60(2), 157-178.
Sosnaud, Benjamin, David Brady, & Steven M. Frenk. 2013. “Class in Name Only: Subjective Class Identity, Objective Class Position and Vote Choice in American Presidential Elections.” Social Problems, 60(1), 81-99.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Jennifer R. Myhre, with editing assistance from Lea Li and Deven Sutaria. The music that opens and closes each 1500 Stories episode was composed and produced by Benjamin Henderson. Additional music was composed by Jesus Correa. The 1500 Stories podcast was launched thanks to generous financial assistance from the Mellon Foundation and American Council of Learned Societies community college faculty fellowship program. However, any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed here are our own and do not necessarily represent those of Mellon or ACLS. Thanks to Melanie Bennetts, Lea Li, Elizabeth Mjelde, and Melinda Poley for their ears in early stages of drafting this episode.
