Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: 

Fluctuations in the U.S. Income

Distribution, 2004–2007

Household Economic Studies

Issued March 2011

P70-124

Between 2004 and 2007, the (real) median 

household income in the United States 

increased 3.2 percent, as measured by 

data available from the Current Population 

Survey’s (CPS) Annual Social and

Economic Supplement (ASEC). This 

statistic compares a cross-section of 

households in 2004 with another crosssection of households in 2007, but does 

not provide a picture of what happened to 

the same households over time. Medians, 

like those available from the CPS-ASEC, 

can conceal fluctuations in annual household income. In order to examine changes 

in the annual (real) income of the same 

households between 2004 and 2007, this 

report uses the longitudinal data available from the 2004 panel of the Survey of 

Income and Program Participation (SIPP) 

(Text Box: Household Income).1

Income quintiles were constructed for 

2004 and 2007 using data collected

in the 2004 SIPP panel (Text Box:

Constructing Income Quintiles). Longitudinal data make it possible to identify 

and analyze factors that may contribute 

to an increase or a decrease in household 

income (Text Box: What Makes the SIPP a 

Longitudinal Survey?).2

1 The data for this report were collected between 

February 2004 and January 2008 from households 

interviewed in all 12 waves of the 2004 SIPP panel. 

The population represented (that is, the population 

universe) is the civilian noninstitutionalized population living in the United States. See the “Source of 

Data” section for more details. All income amounts 

are adjusted to reflect 2007 dollars, unless indicated 

otherwise. 2 This report is an update of “Dynamics of

Economic Well-Being: Fluctuations in the U.S. Income 

Distribution, 2001–2003,” Current Population Reports, 

P70-112, U.S. Census Bureau, November 2007; and 

“Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Movements in 

the U.S. Income Distribution, 1996–1999,” Current 

Population Reports, P70-95, U.S. Census Bureau, July 

2004. This report focuses on household income rather 

than family or individual income. Several notable 

studies that have similarly used household income to 

investigate mobility are D’Ambrosio, D., “Household 

Characteristics and the Distribution of Income in 

Italy,” Review of Income and Wealth, Series 47, No.1, 

2001, pp. 43–64; and Jarvis, S. and S. P. Jenkins, “Low 

Income Dynamics in 1990s Britain,” Fiscal Studies, 

1997, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 123–42. 

Current

Population

Reports

By

John J. Hisnanick

and

Katherine G. Giefer

Household Income

The SIPP collects more detailed 

data than any other national survey on general income sources and 

amounts; program eligibility, access 

and participation; transfer income; 

and in-kind benefits. Monthly income 

data is collected from individuals 

aged 15 years and older on wages 

and salaries, cash benefits from 

social insurance and welfare programs, and returns from property, 

assets, and holdings. This individuallevel data is aggregated up to the 

household level to produce monthly 

total household income, which is in 

turn aggregated up to the calendar 

year level to produce annual total 

household income. A complete 

description of the type and sources 

of income collected in the 2004 SIPP 

panel is available through the SIPP 

homepage at <www.sipp.census

.gov/sipp/core_content/2004

/2004.html>.

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
2 U.S. Census Bureau

HIGHLIGHTS

• Among U.S. households,

68.1 percent in the top quintile 

and 67.4 percent in the bottom 

quintile were in these same quintiles in 2004 and 2007.3

• Among U.S. households, 

between 42.7 percent and

47.6 percent of households in 

the middle three quintiles were 

in these same quintiles in 2004 

and 2007.

• Approximately 12.3 million

U.S. households (11.5 percent) 

experienced changes in their 

annual income between 2004 

and 2007 that resulted in their 

moving either up or down

two or more quintiles in the 

income distribution.

• Of these 12.3 million

households, approximately

2.3 million households in the 

bottom quintile and 2.0 million households in the second 

quintile experienced the largest 

percentage of gains in annual 

household income between 

2004 and 2007.

• Of these 12.3 million households, 5.0 million households 

that started in the top and 

fourth quintiles experienced a 

decline of two or more quintiles 

between 2004 and 2007.

• Householders who had lower 

levels of education were more 

likely to remain in or move into 

a lower quintile compared with 

householders who had higher 

levels of education.

3 The estimates in this report (which may 

be shown in text, figures, and tables) are 

based on responses from a sample of the 

population and may differ from the actual

values because of sampling variability and 

other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or

more groups may not be statistically significant. All comparative statements have 

undergone statistical testing and are significant at the 90 percent confidence level unless 

otherwise noted.

• Householders who were not married were more likely to remain 

in or move into a lower quintile 

compared with householders 

who were married.

• Younger householders (aged 15 

to 24) were more likely than others to move down from the top 

and the fourth quintiles, while 

older householders (aged 65 and 

older) were most likely to remain 

in the bottom and the second 

quintiles.

METHODOLOGY

While no measure of economic wellbeing is all-encompassing, income 

is the measure most commonly 

used because it affects the goods 

and services a household can buy.4

4 While income is the standard metric used 

in assessing income inequality and mobility, 

consumption expenditures are also used to 

discuss these issues. For a recent detailed

discussion, see Fisher, Jonathan D., and

David S. Johnson, “Consumption Mobility in 

the United States: Evidence from Two Panel 

Data Sets,” Topics in Economic Analysis & 

Policy, 2005, Vol. 6, No. 1, Article 16,

<www.bepress.com/bejeap/topics/vol

/iss1/art16>.

Constructing Income Quintiles

Quintiles for 2004 and 2007 were formed by summing the household 

sampling weights for each household reference person in all 12 waves 

of the 2004 SIPP panel. Based on each household’s sampling weight 

and the sum of all sampling weights, the percentage of the total population represented by each reference person was computed. Households were then ranked by the value of their income for the respective 

year. The percentage of the total population was then cumulated over 

the ranked sample from the poorest to the richest households. Quintiles were created by assigning households with cumulated sampling 

weights below 0.2 to the first quintile, those with cumulated sampling 

weights from 0.2 to below 0.4 to the second quintile, etc. Using this 

procedure, households representing 20 percent of the total population 

based on the sampling weights are contained in each quintile. Because 

of the complex weighting procedures, the weighted number of households in each quintile varies a small amount.

What Makes the SIPP a Longitudinal Survey?

A longitudinal survey captures changes for the same individuals over 

a period of time. The period covered by the 12 waves of the 2004 SIPP 

panel consists of 48 months (12 interviews conducted from February 

2004 to January 2008). Demographic and economic characteristics for 

the same households, families, and individuals were gathered during 

each interview, while special topics varied from interview to interview. 

In Wave 1, the 2004 SIPP panel began with a sample of about 62,700 

housing units, and interviews were obtained for about 43,700 of the 

eligible housing units. Due to budget constraints, a sample reduction of about 50 percent was made at Wave 9 of the 2004 SIPP panel, 

decreasing the sample size from approximately 48,900 to 22,880 

designated housing units. More information on the SIPP and the consequences of the Wave 9 sample cut can be found at

<www.sipp.census.gov/sipp/>.
U.S. Census Bureau 3

Household income can change 

with a strong or weak economy, as 

well as with the occurrence of life 

events such as the birth or adoption of a child, completion of education, marriage, divorce or separation, or the death of a spouse. The 

estimates in this report are based 

on a sample of U.S. households 

that were interviewed in all 12 

waves of the 2004 SIPP panel and 

represent 106 million households.5

This report focuses on their ranked 

household income by quintiles in 

calendar years 2004 and 2007 and 

the householder’s demographic 

characteristics in 2004.6

VARIABILITY OF 

HOUSEHOLD INCOME: 

2004–2007

Fluctuations in income (also know 

as income mobility) can result in 

a household’s moving to another 

position in the income distribution. 

Out of 106 million households, 

50.1 percent (± 0.86 percent) 

experienced either an increase or 

decrease of less than 25 percent 

in their income between 2004 and 

5 To be included in the analysis, a householder had to have a self or proxy interview 

in every month of the panel and have a positive panel weight. 6 Householder refers to the person in 

whose name the home is owned or rented. 

If a married couple owns the home jointly, 

either spouse may be listed as the householder. Since only one person in each 

household is designated as the householder, 

the number of households is equal to the 

number of householders. This report uses the 

characteristics of the householder to describe 

the household. If members of the sample 

move to a new address, attempts are made 

to locate them and continue to interview 

them every 4 months. However, failure to 

successfully interview individuals who left a 

household because of divorce or separation 

after the beginning of the panel will produce 

a shortfall compared with the true number 

of vital events that occurred during the life 

of the panel. If an individual left a household 

because of divorce or separation later in the 

panel, a longitudinal weight was not assigned 

to that individual for any interview period in 

the panel, thus limiting their usefulness in a 

longitudinal analysis. A more complete and 

detailed explanation of the SIPP’s procedures 

for attempting to follow sample members 

who move and create new households is 

available online in the “SIPP Users’ Guide at

<www.census.gov/sipp/>.

2007 (Figure 1).7 During this time, 

more households experienced an 

increase of 25 percent or more in 

their income, rather than a decline 

of 25 percent or more. Specifically, 26.7 percent (± 0.76 percent) 

of households experienced an 

increase in income of 25 percent

or more, while 22.2 percent

(± 0.71 percent) experienced a 

decline of 25 percent or more.

In addition, 16.8 percent

(± 0.64 percent) of households 

experienced an increase of

50 percent or more in income 

between 2004 and 2007, while

8.9 percent (± 0.49 percent)

7 All household incomes are adjusted to 

the last year of the respective panel using the 

Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers 

Research Series (CPI-U-RS). The adjustment 

is based on the percent change in prices 

between earlier years and the last year of 

the panel, and is computed by dividing the 

annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI) 

for the last year of the panel by the annual 

average for the earlier years. For more

information on CPI, see <www.bls.gov/cpi

/cpirsdc.htm>. The value in parentheses

can be subtracted from and added to the 

presented point estimate to get a 90

percent confidence interval around the

provided estimate.

experienced a decline of 50 percent or more in income during this 

time.8 The following discussion 

provides more details on household 

income mobility relative to the 

household’s position in the income 

distribution in 2004 and 2007.

INTERQUINTILE 

MOVEMENTS: 2004–2007

A majority of households in the

top (67.8 percent) and bottom 

(69.1 percent) quintiles did not 

experience movement across the 

quintiles between 2004 and 2007.9

In comparison, 49.2 percent that 

started in the second quintile,

8 A similar discussion regarding differences in household income, between 

2004–2005, can be found in “Recent Trends 

in the Variability of Individual Earnings and 

Household Income,” Congressional Budget 

Office (CBO) paper, June 2008, Figure 4,

p. 9. This paper focused only on householders between the ages of 25–55, while the 

current report includes all householders and 

focuses on the differences in income between 

2004 and 2007. 9 These percentages are not statistically 

different. The data used to construct Figure 2 

can be found in the bottom portion of

Appendix Table A-1.

Figure 1.

Distribution of Changes in Households’ 

Annual Real Income: 2004 and 2007

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Increased 

50 percent 

or more

Increased 

25 percent 

or more

Changed 

less than 

25 percent

Decreased 

25 percent 

or more

Decreased 

50 percent 

or more

Percent 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel.

For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see 

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
4 U.S. Census Bureau

44.4 percent that started in the 

middle quintile, and 46.5 percent 

that started in the fourth quintile in 

2004 remained in their respective 

quintile in 2007 (Figure 2).10

Between 2004 and 2007,

30.6 percent of households

that started in the second quintile 

moved up to a higher quintile, 

while 20.2 percent experienced

a drop in income, moving them

into the bottom quintile. Of households that started in the middle 

quintile, 27.3 percent moved up 

and 28.3 percent moved down.11

Of households that started in the 

fourth quintile, 20.3 percent moved 

up to the top quintile, while

33.3 percent moved down.

Overall, 55.4 percent of households remained in the same quintile between 2004 and 2007, with 

the remaining 44.6 percent of 

households experiencing either 

an upward or downward movement across the income distribution (Table 1).12 Similarly, data 

from the 2001 SIPP panel indicated 

that 56.0 percent of households 

remained in the same quintile 

between 2001 and 2003, while 

44.0 percent experienced either an 

upward or downward movement in 

the income distribution. In comparison, data from the 1996 SIPP 

panel showed that 52.0 percent of 

households remained in the same 

quintile between 1996 and 1999, 

while 48.0 percent of households 

experienced an upward or

10 These percentages are not statistically 

different. 11 These percentages are not statistically 

different. 12 Table 1 reports the percent of households moving (or transitioning) among the 

quintiles between 2004 and 2007. Summing 

the percentages on the diagonal gives the 

total percent of households that remained in 

the same quintile in 2004 and 2007. It should 

be noted in this discussion that the duration 

of the 2004 SIPP panel was 4 years, the 2001 

SIPP panel was 3 years, and the 1996 SIPP 

panel was 4 years.

downward movement within the 

income distribution. 13

To evaluate household income 

mobility, Schorrocks’ index was 

computed for the following 3-year 

periods: 2004–2006 from the 2004 

SIPP panel; 2001–2003 from the 

13 The proportions observed between 

2004 and 2007, and 2001 and 2003 are not 

statistically different. However, the proportions observed between 1996 and 1999 are 

statistically different from those observed 

between 2004 and 2007, and 2001 and 2003.

2001 SIPP panel; and 1997–1999 

from the 1996 SIPP panel.14 Overall 

mobility for the three time periods 

was small, but statistically significant, with the indices ranging from 

14 Schorrocks’ index is a metric that can 

range in value between 0 and 1 and is used 

to evaluate movement within a distribution. 

The index is constructed from the diagonal 

elements of the transition matrix, with higher 

estimates indicating greater mobility exhibited across the distribution. Information on 

the construction and use of this index can be 

found in: Schorrocks, A. F., “The Measurement 

of Mobility,” Econometrica, September 1978, 

Vol. 46, No. 5, pp. 1013–24.

Figure 2.

Percent Distribution of Households by Income 

Quintile: 2004 and 2007

Bottom quintile in 2007 (<$21,648) 

Second quintile in 2007 ($21,648–$39,246)

Middle quintile in 2007 ($39,247–$60,576)

Fourth quintile in 2007 ($60,577–$92,899)

Top quintile in 2007 (>$92,899)

1.6 3.3

Top 

quintile

in 2004

(>$92,886)

Fourth 

quintile

in 2004

($60,896–

$92,886)

Middle 

quintile

in 2004 

($40,016–

$60,895)

Second 

quintile

in 2004 

($22,367–

$40,015)

Bottom 

quintile

in 2004 

(<$22,367)

3.7

6.3

19.3

69.1

8.1

19.2

49.2

20.2

7.0

20.3

67.8

21.5

7.4

2.0 1.3

46.5

22.6

7.5

20.3

44.4

22.0

6.3 3.2

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. 

For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see 

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
U.S. Census Bureau 5

0.244 for 2004–2006 to 0.337 for 

1997–1999. There were differences 

across some of the three time periods. For example, the difference 

in the indices for the time periods 

2004–2006 and 2001–2003 was 

statistically significant, suggesting 

that households in the early years 

of this decade experienced more 

movement across the income distribution relative to households in the 

middle years of the decade. However, the difference in the index 

values between the time periods 

2004–2006 and 1997–1999 was 

not statistically significant.15

CHANGES OF TWO OR MORE 

QUINTILES: 2004–2007

In 2004, about 42.6 million

U.S. households comprised the 

bottom and second quintiles and 

experienced a change in income 

that moved them up two or more 

15 The estimated margin of error

for Schorrocks’ index was 0.0102 for

2004–2006, 0.007 for 2001–2003, and 

0.1248 for 1997–1999. The estimated difference between the Schorrocks’ indices for 

2004–2006 and 2001–2003 was statistically 

different based on a t-test, while the difference between 2004–2006 and 1997–1999 

was not statistically different. Similarly, as 

was previously reported in P70-112 (page 

5), the difference between 2001–2003 and 

1997–1999 was not statistically different.

quintiles by 2007. By comparison, 

about the same number of households comprised the fourth and top 

quintiles in 2004 and experienced 

a change in income that moved 

them down two or more quintiles 

by 2007. Between 2004 and 2007, 

the largest percentage gains in 

income occurred for approximately 

4.3 million households that moved 

up two or more quintiles from the 

bottom and second quintiles of 

the income distribution (Table 2). 

In the bottom quintile, 2.3 million 

households experienced, on average, a four-fold increase in income, 

from $14,778 to $74,773 between 

2004 and 2007. Similarly, 2.0 

million households in the second 

quintile experienced, on average, 

just under a two-fold increase in 

income, from $32,473 to $92,444 

between 2004 and 2007.

Between 2004 and 2007, 5.0 million households (2.5 million from 

the fourth and 2.5 million from 

the top quintiles) experienced a 

change in income that moved them 

down two or more quintiles. More 

specifically, those households in 

the fourth quintile experienced, on 

average, declines of $47,256, while 

those households that were in the 

top quintile experienced average 

declines of $95,268.

For the 21 million households

in the middle quintile in 2004,

1.6 million households experienced 

a change in income that moved 

them to the top quintile (Table 2). 

These households experienced, on 

average, nearly a two-fold increase 

in income in 2007—the largest gain

in income ($81,367) compared to 

that experienced by households 

from the bottom and second quintiles that moved up two or more 

quintiles. By comparison, the

1.3 million households that started 

in the middle quintile in 2004 and 

moved to the bottom quintile in 

2007 experienced an average drop 

in income of $36,228—the smallest 

decline in income when compared 

to households that started in the 

fourth and the top quintiles and 

moved down two or more quintiles.

INTRAQUINTILE 

MOVEMENTS: 2004–2007

Between 2004 and 2007, 55.4 

percent of households stayed in 

the same quintile, and a majority 

of these households experienced a 

Table 1.

Percent Distribution of All Households by Income Quintiles: 2004 and 2007

(Number of households: 106,385,000. Incomes for 2004 were adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

2004

2007

Bottom quintile

(<$21,648)

Second quintile 

($21,648–$39,246)

Middle quintile 

($39,247–$60,576)

Fourth quintile 

($60,577–$92,899)

Top quintile

(>$92,899)

Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1

Bottom quintile

 (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . . 13.8 0.59 4.1 0.34 1.3 0.19 0.6 0.14 0.3 0.09

Second quintile

 ($22,367–$40,015) . . . . 3.9 0.33 9.8 0.51 4.4 0.35 1.5 0.21 0.4 0.11

Middle quintile

 ($40,016–$60,895) . . . . 1.3 0.19 3.8 0.33 8.9 0.49 4.5 0.36 1.5 0.21

Fourth quintile

 ($60,896–$92,886) . . . . 0.7 0.15 1.6 0.22 4.1 0.34 9.3 0.50 4.3 0.35

Top quintile

 (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 0.10 0.7 0.14 1.4 0.20 4.1 0.34 13.6 0.59

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate.

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
6 U.S. Census Bureau

change in (real) income of at least 

10 percent (Table 3).16 Out of

16.6 million households that 

had an increase in income, those 

remaining in the bottom and top 

quintiles had the largest proportion of households experiencing 

gains in their income, as well as the 

largest gains in their 2007 income 

relative to their 2004 income. 

Specifically, 20.0 percent of households that remained in the bottom 

quintile experienced an average 

increase of $5,286, and 23.2 percent of households that remained 

in the top quintile experienced 

an average increase of $76,263. 

16 A change in (real) household income

of 10 percent or more is a threshold commonly found in the literature addressing the 

issue of income dynamics. Specific references 

to see are Hisnanick, J. J., “The Dynamics of

Low Income and Persistent Poverty Among 

U.S. Families,” Journal of Income Distribution, 

2007, Vol. 16, Iss. 1, pp. 115–32; Jarvis,

S. and S. P. Jenkins, “Low Income Dynamics

in 1990s Britain,” Fiscal Studies, 1997,

Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 123–42; and Duncan,

G. J. et. al., “Poverty Dynamics in Eight

Countries,” Journal of Population Economics, 

1993, Vol. 6, pp. 215–34.

Of the remaining households that 

experienced at least a 10 percent 

increase in their income by 2007, 

12.2 percent from the second quintile experienced a $6,726 increase, 

10.9 percent from the middle quintile experienced a $9,148 increase, 

and 11.6 percent from the fourth 

quintile experienced a $13,990 

increase when compared to their 

2004 income.

Out of 15.6 million households that 

remained in the same quintile and 

experienced a decrease in income 

of at least 10 percent, once again, 

those remaining in the bottom 

and top quintiles had the largest 

proportion of households experiencing a drop in their income, as 

well as the largest decline in their 

2007 income relative to their 2004 

income. Between 2004 and 2007, 

23.1 percent of households that 

remained in the bottom quintile 

and 18.1 percent of households 

that remained in the top quintile 

experienced an average decline

of $5,684 and $80,316 relative

to their 2004 incomes, respectively. 

Of the remaining households,

14.2 percent from the second 

quintile experienced an average 

decline of $7,031, 8.8 percent from 

the middle quintile experienced an 

averaged decline of $9,655, and 

8.9 percent from the fourth quintile 

experienced an average decline

of $14,216. 

Similar trends were observed in the 

2001 SIPP panel.17 Fifty-six percent 

of all households were in the same 

quintile in 2001 and 2003, with the 

majority experiencing a change in 

income of at least 10 percent. Comparable to what was observed for 

households in the 2004 SIPP panel, 

17 Intraquintile changes in income of at 

least 10 percent in the U.S. income distribution were not discussed for households in the 

1996 SIPP panel, see “Dynamics of Economic 

Well-Being: Movements in the U.S. Income 

Distribution, 1996–1999,” Current Population 

Report, P70-95, U.S. Census Bureau,

July 2004.

Table 2.

Households That Moved Two or More Income Quintiles: 2004 and 2007

(Numbers in thousands. Number of households: 106,385,000. Incomes for 2004 were adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

Quintile in 2004

HouseholdsMargin of 

error (±)1

Percent of 

households 

in 2004 

quintile

Margin of 

error (±)1

Average household income (2007 dollars)

2004 2007 Change from

2004 to 2007

Income

Margin of 

error (±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1

MOVED UP TWO OR

MORE QUINTILES

Bottom quintile

 (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . 2,268 252 10.7 1.18 $14,778 $637 $74,773 $16,703 $59,995 $16,715

Second quintile

 ($22,367–$40,015) . . . 2,023 239 9.5 1.13 $32,473 $603 $92,444 $10,543 $59,972 $10,713

Middle quintile

 ($40,016–$60,895) . . . 1,578 214 7.4 1.01 $51,807 $847 $133,175 $9,400 $81,367 $9,718

MOVED DOWN TWO

OR MORE QUINTILES

Middle quintile

 ($40,016–$60,895) . . . 1,342 198 6.3 0.93 $48,922 $882 $12,694 $1,029 –$36,228 $1,342

Fourth quintile

 ($60,896–$92,886) . . . 2,509 263 11.8 1.24 $73,502 $1,073 $26,247 $1,113 –$47,256 $1,787

Top quintile

 (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . 2,523 264 11.9 1.24 $136,338 $11,560 $41,070 $1,803 –$95,268 $11,701

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate.

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
U.S. Census Bureau 7

those in the bottom and top income 

quintiles in 2001 and 2003 experienced the largest percentage gains, 

as well as declines. For example, 

21.7 percent of households in the 

bottom quintile in 2001 and 2003 

experienced an average increase 

in income of $4,300, while 22.8 

percent of households in the bottom quintile averaged a decrease 

in income of $4,773. Similarly, 

26.4 percent of households in the 

top quintile in 2001 and 2003 

experienced an average increase in 

income of $93,914, while 18.2 percent of households that remained 

in this quintile averaged a decline 

of $53,665 in income.

EQUIVALENCE ADJUSTED 

HOUSEHOLD INCOME:

2004–2007

The previous discussion used 

household income, which assumes 

that either or both the consumption and expenditure behavior of 

a single-person household are the 

same as those of a larger household, such as one consisting of 

two adults and five children. In 

the following section, household 

income is equivalence adjusted by 

household size and composition. 

Under such an adjustment, if two 

households have the same annual 

income, the household where 

morepeople share the income is 

not as well off as the household 

composed of fewer people.

To further evaluate income mobility among U.S. households, income 

was adjusted using a 3-parameter 

equivalence scale, which accounts 

for the differing needs of adults 

and children within a household, 

as well as the economies of scale 

of living in a large household. The 

3-parameter scale adjusts income 

to account for differences in household composition, such as the number of adults and children present. 

(Betson 1995).18 For the following 

discussion, monthly household 

income was equivalence adjusted 

18 Betson, David, ‘‘Poor Old Folks: Have 

Our Methods of Poverty Measurement Blinded 

Us to Who is Poor?,’’ University of Notre 

Dame, Poverty Measurement Working Paper, 

U.S. Census Bureau, 1995, available at

<www.census.gov/hhes/povmeas

/publications/wp-who_are_the_poor.html>.

Table 3.

Households That Experienced a Change in Income of 10 Percent or More and Remained in 

the Same Income Quintile: 2004 and 2007

(Numbers in thousands. Number of households: 106,385,000. Incomes for 2004 were adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

Quintile in 2004

HouseholdsMargin of 

error (±)1

Percent of 

households 

in 2004 

quintile

Margin of 

error (±)1

Average household income (2007 dollars)

2004 2007 Change from

2004 to 2007

Income

Margin of 

error (±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1

INCOME INCREASED

10 PERCENT OR MORE

Bottom quintile

 (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,248 312 20.0 1.53 $9,376 $353 $14,662 $385 $5,286 $316

Second quintile

 ($22,367–$40,015) . . . . . . 2,576 278 12.1 1.25 $27,402 $358 $34,128 $378 $6,726 $309

Middle quintile

 ($40,016–$60,895) . . . . . . 2,320 271 10.9 1.20 $45,261 $395 $54,409 $442 $9,148 $358

Fourth quintile

 ($60,896–$92,886) . . . . . . 2,467 290 11.6 1.23 $68,559 $641 $82,549 $843 $13,990 $760

Top quintile

 (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,944 402 23.2 1.62 $104,629 $5,199 $216,892 $16,457 $76,263 $12,793

INCOME DECREASED

10 PERCENT OR MORE

Bottom quintile

 (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,920 308 23.1 1.62 $15,304 $376 $9,620 $391 –$5,684 $323

Second quintile

 ($22,367–$40,015) . . . . . . 3,030 271 14.2 1.34 $33,471 $432 $26,440 $334 –$7,031 $335

Middle quintile

 ($40,016–$60,895) . . . . . . 1,883 233 8.8 1.09 $53,735 $614 $44,080 $457 –$9,655 $465

Fourth quintile

 ($60,896–$92,886) . . . . . . 1,893 238 8.9 1.09 $82,079 $979 $67,863 $723 –$14,216 $762

Top quintile

 (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,861 368 18.1 1.48 $219,592 $19,029 $139,277 $5,342 –$80,316 $16,873

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate.

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
8 U.S. Census Bureau

and each household member was 

allocated this adjusted amount, 

which was then used to assess 

annual income mobility between 

2004 and 2007.19

Out of 271 million people, a majority in the top and bottom quintiles 

of the equivalence adjusted income 

distribution experienced the least 

movement across the quintiles 

between 2004 and 2007. Sixtyseven percent of household members starting in the top quintile 

and 62.1 percent of household 

members starting in the bottom 

quintile in 2004 remained in these 

respective quintiles in 2007. In 

contrast, 44.5 percent of household 

members remained in the second 

quintile, 42.1 percent remained in 

the middle quintile, and 45.1 percent remained in the fourth quintile 

between 2004 and 2007 (Figure 3).

In 2004, about 54.2 million people 

had an equivalence adjusted 

income of less than $39,395, placing them in the bottom quintile of 

the income distribution. In 2007, 

14.0 percent experienced a change 

in their equivalence adjusted 

household income that resulted in 

them moving up two or more quintiles (Appendix Table A-2). Similarly, 

12.0 percent in the second quintile 

in 2004 experienced a change in 

their equivalence adjusted income 

that resulted in them moving up 

two or more quintiles in 2007.

19 The 3-parameter scale fixes the ratio 

of the scale for households with either two 

adults or one adult and no children under age 

18 at a constant value of 1.41. For a single 

parent household, the scale adds the number 

of adults to 0.8 for the first child under 18 

years old, plus 0.5 times all other children 

under the age 18, raised to the power of 0.7. 

For all other households, the formula

(A + 0.5*C)**0.7 is used where A is the number of adults in the household and C is the 

number of children under 18 years old in the 

household. Monthly household income was 

adjusted by these scales, which were based 

on the number of individuals in the household for that month. Appendix Table A-2 

presents the equivalence adjusted household 

income mobility for 2004–2007.

Approximately 13.3 percent of

people with an equivalence 

adjusted income that placed them 

in the top quintile in 2004, and 

14.2 percent with an equivalence 

adjusted income that placed them 

in the fourth quintile in 2004 experienced a change in income that 

resulted in them moving down two 

or more quintiles in 2007. In addition, between 2004 and 2007, 16.6 

percent of people with an equivalence adjusted income that placed 

them in the middle quintile experienced a change in income that 

resulted in them moving to either 

the bottom or top quintile. More 

specifically, 7.5 percent of 54.2 million people in the middle quintile 

in 2004 experienced an increase in 

their equivalence adjusted income 

that resulted in them being in 

the top income quintile in 2007, 

while 8.6 percent that were in the 

middle quintile in 2004 experienced a decline in their equivalence 

adjusted income that moved them 

to the bottom quintile in 2007. 

Figure 3.

Percent Distribution of Equivalence Adjusted 

Households Income by Quintile: 2004 and 2007

Bottom quintile in 2007(<$36,884) 

Second quintile in 2007 ($36,884–$63,413)

Middle quintile in 2007 ($63,414–$92,757)

Fourth quintile in 2007 ($92,758–$137,731)

Top quintile in 2007 (>$137,731) 2.3 4.5

Top quintile 

in 2004

(>$139,353)

Fourth quintile 

in 2004 

($95,477–

$139,353)

Middle quintile 

in 2004 

($65,413–

$95,476)

Second quintile 

in 2004 

($39,395–

$65,412)

Bottom quintile 

in 2004 

(<$39,395 )

5.5

9.0

21.2

62.1

8.7

18.4

44.5

23.9

6.6

19.7

67.0

20.3

7.5

2.8

2.4

45.1

23.0

9.1

20.4

42.1

22.4

8.6 3.0

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. 

For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see 

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
U.S. Census Bureau 9

In this section, the focus was on 

the income mobility of individuals 

in the household, rather than just 

households. Household members 

were assigned an equivalenceadjusted income amount based 

upon their household’s size and 

composition. Between 2004 and 

2007, adjusting income by household composition suggests more 

mobility for individuals in the lower 

quintiles of the income distribution. For example, 62.1 percent of 

individuals in the bottom quintile 

remained in that quintile in 2007 

when looking at their equivalence 

adjusted income (Figure 3). In contrast, 69.1 percent of households 

in the bottom quintile in 2004 

remained in that quintile in 2007 

when looking at household income 

(Figure 2).

THE SHARE OF HOUSEHOLD 

INCOME BY QUINTILE: 

2004–2007

The value of total household 

income increased $69.9 billion 

(from $6.85 trillion to $6.92 trillion) between 2004 and 2007, 

while the proportion of income 

(share) attributable to the households in the quintiles remained statistically unchanged between 2004 

and 2007 (Table 4). The increase 

in the value of household income 

can be explained by the increase 

experienced by households in the 

fourth and top quintiles, which 

offset the declines experienced 

by households in the other three 

quintiles. Between 2004 and 2007, 

only the change in average annual 

income experienced by households 

in the bottom and middle quintiles 

were different.20

20 A common measure to assess the 

dispersion of income is the Gini coefficient, 

which can range in value between 0 and 1, 

with a lower value indicating a more equal 

distribution and a higher value indicating 

a more unequal distribution. The Gini coefficients, as well as other selected measures 

of income inequality, based upon annual 

estimates of personal, family, and household 

income and earnings from the 2004 SIPP 

panel are available at <www.census.gov

/hhes/www/income/annual-income.html>.

Table 4.

The Share of Household Income by Quintile: 2004 and 2007

(Numbers in thousands. Number of households: 106,385,000. Incomes for 2004 were adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

Panel and quintile

Share of total

household income Number of households

Total household 

income for quintile

Average household

income for quintile

Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Estimate2

Margin of 

error (±)1 Estimate3

Margin of

error (±)1

2004 PANEL

 2004 Total . . . . . . 100.0 (X) 106,385 (X) $6,851,125,855 $64,400 $12,500

Bottom quintile

 (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 0.38 21,277 684 $289,558,579 $13,600 $219

Second quintile

 ($22,367–$40,015) . . . . . 9.6 0.56 21,277 684 $657,867,276 $30,900 $204

Middle quintile

 ($40,016–$60,895) . . . . . 15.5 0.69 21,277 684 $1,063,000,000 $50,000 $229

Fourth quintile

 ($60,896–$92,886) . . . . . 23.3 0.81 21,277 684 $1,593,300,000 $74,800 $326

Top quintile

 (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.4 0.96 21,277 684 $3,247,400,000 $152,600 $4,113

2007 PANEL

 2007 Total . . . . . . 100.00 (X) 106,385 (X) $6,921,017,093 $65,100 $13,000

Bottom quintile

 (<$21,648) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0 0.37 21,277 684 $275,367,248 $12,900 $204

Second quintile

 ($21,648–$39,246) . . . . . 9.4 0.56 21,277 684 $647,749,845 $30,500 $199

Middle quintile

 ($39,247–$60,576) . . . . . 15.2 0.69 21,277 684 $1,051,900,000 $49,400 $244

Fourth quintile

 ($60,577–$92,899) . . . . . 23.2 0.81 21,277 684 $1,603,400,000 $75,400 $331

Top quintile

 (>$92,899) . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.3 0.96 21,277 684 $3,342,600,000 $157,000 $4,707

(X) Not applicable.

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate.

2

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 1,000.

3

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 100.

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
10 U.S. Census Bureau

For purposes of comparison, the 

share of household income by

quintile for the last 3 years of the 

1996 SIPP panel, 1997–1999, the

3 years of the 2001 SIPP panel, 

2001–2003, and the first 3 years

of the 2004 SIPP panel, 2004–2006, 

are discussed. Several notable 

changes occurred in the economy 

between 1997 and 2006. In the 

later part of the 1990s, the economy was showing signs of slowing 

down relative to the robust growth 

that occurred during the earlier 

part of the decade.21 Similarly, at 

the start of 2000, households were 

facing a recession which was followed by a recovery that resulted 

in moderate economic growth, but 

minimal growth in median household income.22 By looking at these 

3-year periods within the 1996, 

2001, and 2004 SIPP panels, insight 

is provided into how households’ 

incomes were impacted by these 

changes in the economy. 

As reported in the 2004 SIPP

panel, between 2004 and 2006 

total household income increased 

from $6.7 trillion to $6.8 trillion 

(Table 5). The $58.8 billion increase 

experienced by households in 

the top quintile accounted for the 

majority of the increase in value of 

total household income. Changes in 

the incomes of households

in the fourth, middle, second,

and bottom quintile accounted for 

23.8 percent, 9.1 percent, 15.0 

percent, and 11.6 percent of the 

overall increase in the value of total 

household income, respectively. 

While all quintiles contributed to 

the increase in value of total household income between 2004 and 

21 Blinder, Alan S. and Janet L. Yellen,

“The Fabulous Decade: Macroeconomic

Lessons for the 1990s,” A Century Foundation 

Book, Brookings Institution Press, Washington, 

DC, 2001. 22 “Economic Report of the President,” 

U.S. Council of Economic Advisors, 2007, 

Appendix B, Tables 2, 42, and 60, available at 

<http://w3.access.gpo.gov/usbudget

/fy2006/erp/html>.

2006, average household income 

and the shares of total household 

income by quintile remained statistically unchanged. 

Between 2001 and 2003, total 

household income increased from 

$5.7 trillion to $6.1 trillion, due 

mostly to the increase experienced 

by households in the top quintile 

(Table 5). Similarly, 9.4 percent 

was attributable to the increase 

experienced by households in the 

fourth quintile, and 4.2 percent 

was attributable to the increase 

experienced by households in the 

middle quintile. While the shares of 

total household income received by 

the bottom, second, middle, and 

fourth quintiles remained statistically unchanged between 2001 and 

2003, only the top quintile experienced a significant increase in the 

share of total household income.

Between 1997 and 1999 total 

household income increased

$166 billion from $4.7 trillion, 

to $4.9 trillion with $81.7 billion attributable to the increase 

experienced by households in the 

top quintile (Table 5). Changes in 

the incomes of households in the 

fourth, middle, second, and bottom 

quintile accounted for 24.9 percent, 

17.0 percent, 7.4 percent, and

1.6 percent of the increase in the 

value of total household income, 

respectively. Once again, while 

all quintiles contributed to the 

increase in total household income, 

the share of total household 

income and average household 

income by quintile remained

statistically unchanged between 

1997 and 1999.

MOVEMENTS IN THE 

BOTTOM AND TOP 5TH 

PERCENTILES: 2004–2007

As previously discussed, households that remained in the top and 

bottom quintiles in 2004 and 2007 

experienced the largest percentage 

gains and decreases in income 

compared with those that remained 

in the second, middle, and fourth 

quintiles. For households that 

remained in the bottom and the top 

5th percentiles for 2004 and 2007, 

similar results were observed

(Table 6). 23

Out of 2.4 million households that 

were in the bottom 5th percentile 

for 2004 and 2007, more households experienced a decrease in 

income than an increase. More specifically, 917,000 households experienced, on average, a 45.4 percent 

increase ($2,265) in income, while 

1.4 million households experienced, on average, a 27.8 percent drop (–$1,901) in income. In 

contrast, of those households in 

the top 5th percentile for 2004 and 

2007, more households experienced an increase rather than

a decrease in income. Out of

2.8 million households that were 

in the top 5th percentile for 2004 

and 2007, 1.6 million experienced, 

on average, a 34.1 percent increase 

($117,860) in income, while

1.2 million households that 

remained in this percentile experienced, on average, a 32.0 percent 

drop in income (–$107,485).

A similar trend was observed for 

households in the 2001 SIPP panel 

that remained in the bottom and 

top 5th percentile of the income 

distribution for 2001 and 2003.24

The proportion of households in 

23 This information is based on a separate 

analysis of those households that remained in 

the bottom and top 5th income percentiles in 

both 2004 and 2007. This analysis was done 

because while there is a lower bound of zero 

at the bottom of the income distribution there 

is no upper bound at the top, which allows 

for evaluating income mobility in the top of 

the income distribution. 24 Changes in income for households that 

remained in the 5th and 95th percentile of 

the U.S. income distribution were not discussed for households in the P70 report that 

used the 1996 SIPP panel. See “Dynamics of 

Economic Well-Being: Movements in the

U.S. Income Distribution, 1996–1999,”

Current Population Reports, P70-95,

U.S. Census Bureau, July 2004.
U.S. Census Bureau 11

Table 5.

The Share of Household Income by Quintile: 2004 and 2006, 2001 and 2003, and 

1997 and 1999

(Numbers in thousands)

Panel and quintile

Share of total 

household income Number of households

Total household 

income for quintile

Average household 

income for quintile

Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Estimate2

Margin of 

error (±)1 Estimate3

Margin of 

error (±)1

2004 PANEL

 2004 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 .00 (X) 106,400 (X) $6,671,596,041 $62,700 $12,500

Bottom quintile (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .3 0 .39 21,277 712 $285,221,503 $13,200 $213

Second quintile ($22,367–$40,015) . . . . . 9 .6 0 .56 21,277 712 $643,011,238 $30,100 $198

Middle quintile ($40,016–$60,895) . . . . . 15 .5 0 .69 21,277 712 $1,036,743,600 $48,600 $223

Fourth quintile ($60,896–$92,886) . . . . . 23 .2 0 .81 21,277 712 $1,549,912,100 $72,800 $317

Top quintile (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 .3 0 .96 21,277 712 $3,156,707,600 $148,300 $3,999

 2006 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 .00 (X) 106,400 (X) $6,763,858,496 $63,600 $13,000

Bottom quintile (<$23,289) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .2 0 .39 21,277 712 $286,266,196 $13,461 $233

Second quintile ($23,289–$39,936) . . . . . 9 .6 0 .56 21,277 712 $648,492,300 $30,466 $188

Middle quintile ($39,937–$60,297) . . . . . 15 .3 0 .69 21,277 712 $1,037,600,000 $48,752 $228

Fourth quintile ($60,298–$91,607) . . . . . 23 .3 0 .81 21,277 712 $1,576,000,000 $74,059 $351

Top quintile (>$91,607) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 .5 0 .96 21,277 712 $3,215,500,000 $151,055 $3,928

2001 PANEL

 2001 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 .0 (X) 104,500 (X) $5,674,426,710 $54,300 $27,600

Bottom quintile (<$19,918) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .5 0 .30 20,900 59 $252,754,230 $12,100 $4,100

Second quintile ($19,918–$34,433) . . . . . 10 .0 0 .44 20,900 59 $567,346,870 $27,100 $8,700

Middle quintile ($34,434–$52,321) . . . . . 15 .8 0 .53 20,900 59 $897,972,510 $43,000 $11,000

Fourth quintile ($52,322–$79,062) . . . . . 23 .7 0 .62 20,900 59 $1,347,292,500 $64,500 $13,500

Top quintile (>$79,062) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 .0 0 .73 20,900 59 $2,609,060,600 $124,800 $18,700

 2003 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 .00 (X) 104,500 (X) $6,053,934,190 $57,900 $28,500

Bottom quintile (<$19,591) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .0 0 .29 20,900 59 $244,732,150 $11,700 $5,700

Second quintile ($19,591–$34,694) . . . . . 9 .4 0 .42 20,900 59 $566,689,800 $27,100 $8,700

Middle quintile ($34,695–$53,515) . . . . . 15 .1 0 .52 20,900 59 $914,060,340 $43,700 $11,100

Fourth quintile ($53,516–$81,486) . . . . . 22 .8 0 .61 20,900 59 $1,382,999,400 $66,200 $13,600

Top quintile (>$81,486) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 .7 0 .73 20,900 59 $2,945,452,500 $140,900 $19,900

1996 PANEL

 1997 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 .00 (X) 93,500 (X) $4,689,523,060 $50,200 $40,400

Bottom quintile (<$18,608) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .5 0 .30 18,700 51 $212,478,000 $11,400 $3,300

Second quintile ($18,608–$32,327) . . . . . 10 .1 0 .43 18,700 51 $475,599,080 $25,400 $3,000

Middle quintile ($32,328–$48,295) . . . . . 16 .0 0 .53 18,700 51 $749,437,480 $40,100 $3,500

Fourth quintile ($48,296–$72,027) . . . . . 23 .6 0 .61 18,700 51 $1,105,107,600 $59,100 $5,200

Top quintile (>$72,027) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 .8 0 .71 18,700 51 $2,146,900,900 $114,800 $67,700

 1999 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 .00 (X) 93,500 (X) $4,855,720,480 $51,900 $39,900

Bottom quintile (<$18,914) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .4 0 .29 18,700 51 $215,083,190 $11,500 $3,300

Second quintile ($18,914–$33,309) . . . . . 10 .1 0 .43 18,700 51 $487,901,860 $26,100 $3,100

Middle quintile ($33,310–$50,177) . . . . . 16 .0 0 .53 18,700 51 $777,700,530 $41,600 $3,700

Fourth quintile ($50,178–$74,606) . . . . . 23 .6 0 .61 18,700 51 $1,146,465,600 $61,300 $5,300

Top quintile (>$74,606) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 .9 0 .71 18,700 51 $2,228,569,300 $119,200 $63,800

(X) Not applicable .

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate .

2

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 1,000 .

3

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 100 .

Note: Incomes for 2001 were adjusted to 2003 dollars and incomes for 1997 were adjusted to 1999 dollars using the CPI-U-RS . The estimates in this table are 

based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent 

differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004, 2001, and 1996 Panels . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, 

see <www .census .gov/sipp/source .html> .
12 U.S. Census Bureau

the bottom and top 5th percentiles In comparison, half of all house- as the middle class. These housein 2001 and 2003 that experienced holds had an income that placed holds experienced an increase in 

gains or decreases in income were them between the 25th and 75th the value of total income of $169.3 

not statistically different from the percentiles of the income distribu- billion, while their share of income 

proportion of households in the tion. While statistically unchanged, remained unchanged. Households 

bottom and top 5th percentile in these households maintained a between the 25th and 35th and the 

2004 and 2007 that experienced 38.6 percent and 40.7 percent 35th and 45th percentiles experieither an increase or decrease share of income in 2004 and 2007 enced increases in their incomes 

in income. (Table 7). This section focuses on that contributed 17.2 percent and 

these households, paying particu- 11.4 percent, respectively, of the MOVEMENTS IN THE MIDDLE lar attention to their movement overall increase in the value of total OF THE DISTRIBUTION: within and among the five deciles income experienced by house- 2004–2007 between the 25th and 75th percen- holds in this middle income group. 

A majority of households in the top tiles.25 Moreover, the following sec- In comparison, the increases in 

and bottom quintiles experienced tion complements the discussion income experienced by households 

the least movement across the and recommendations provided between the 45th and 55th percenquintiles between 2004 and 2007, in the 2010 U.S. Department of tile, the 55th and 65th percentile, 

while those in the second, middle, Commerce report—“Middle Class in and the 65th and 75th percentile 

and fourth quintiles experienced America.”26 accounted for 3.8 percent, 4.7 perconsiderable movement within cent, and 2.3 percent of the $169.3 Between 2004 and 2007, 53.2 and across the quintiles (Figure 2). billion increase. million households had an income Between 2004 and 2007, the share that placed them between the 25th Approximately 10 million house- of income received by households and 75th percentiles of the income holds between 2004 and 2007 in the top quintile remained statisti- distribution—commonly referred to experienced a change in income cally unchanged—47.4 percent that resulted in them moving up and 48.3 percent, respectively. 25 For purposes of analysis, this range of or down two or more deciles, yet Similarly, the share of income the household income distribution can be still remaining in the middle income received by households in the bot- divided into five deciles. 26 U.S. Department of Commerce, group (Table 8). Out of this total, tom quintile was also statistically Economic and Statistics Administration, 5.0 million households experienced unchanged—4.3 percent and 4.2 “Middle Class in America,” prepared for the 

Office of the Vice President of the United an average increase of $25,259 percent in 2004 and 2007 (Table 4). States, Middle Class Task Force, January 2010.

Table 6.

Households That Experienced a Change in Income and Remained in the 5th and 95th 

Percentiles: 2004 and 2007

(Numbers in thousands. Number of households: 5th percentile—2.4 million; 95th percentile—2.8 million. Incomes for 2004 were 

adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

2007 outcome

Number of 

households

Percent of 

households in 

percentile

Average household income

2004 2007 Change from 

2004 to 2007

Number 

Margin of 

error (±)1 Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Amount

Margin of 

error (±)1 Amount

Margin of 

error (±)1 Amount

Margin of 

error (±)1

5TH PERCENTILE IN 

2004 AND 2007

Income increased . . . . . . 917 167 38 .6 5 .59 $4,987 $473 $7,252 $320 $2,265 $378

Income decreased . . . . . . 1,404 199 59 .1 4 .40 $6,841 $395 $4,940 $446 –$1,901 $268

95TH PERCENTILE IN 

2004 AND 2007

Income increased . . . . . . 1,584 223 56 .1 5 .22 $227,739 $14,370 $345,598 $45,902 $117,860 $37,207

Income decreased . . . . . . 1,241 204 43 .9 5 .22 $336,176 $44,883 $228,691 $12,393 –$107,485 $42,055

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate .

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see 

<www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
U.S. Census Bureau 13

that moved them up two or more average increase of $24,951. In this group by 2007. Between 2004 

deciles by 2007. In contrast, comparison, of those households and 2007, 7.3 million households 

4.8 million households experienced that experienced a decrease in experienced an average increase 

an average decline of $25,849 that income by 2007, 9.4 percent were of $55,518, which placed them 

resulted in them moving down two in the 45th to 55th decile and at or above the 75th percentile, 

or more deciles in 2007. Of those experienced an average decline while 6.5 million households 

households that experienced an of $19,044; 15.3 percent were experienced an average decline 

increase by 2007, 21.8 percent in the 55th to 65th decile and of $24,183, placing them below 

were in the 25th to 35th decile in experienced an average decline the 25th percentile. Similarly, 6.8 

2004 and experienced an average of $23,087; and 20.5 percent were million households had incomes 

increase of $25,681; 16.1 percent in the 65th to 75th decile and expe- that placed them below the 25th 

were in the 35th to 45th decile in rienced a decline of $31,022. percentile in 2004 and experienced 

2004 and experienced an average an average increase of $22,088 For the 53.2 million households in increase of $24,870; and that resulted in them moving into this middle income group in 2004, 9.5 percent were in the 45th to the middle income group in 2007, 25.9 percent experienced a change 55th decile and experienced an while 6.9 million households had in income that moved them out of 

Table 7.

The Share of Income for Households in the Middle of the Income Distribution, the 25th 

and 75th Deciles: 2004 and 2007

Panel and decile

Share of total 

household income Number of households Total household 

income for decile

Average household 

income for decile

Percent

Margin of 

error (±)1 Estimate2

Margin of 

error (±)1 Estimate3 Estimate4

Margin of 

error (±)1

2004 PANEL

 2004 Distribution Total . . . (X) (X) (X) (X) $6,851,130,000 (X) (X)

 2004 Group Total . . . . . . . .

25th but less than 35th percentile 

38 .6 0 .93 53,200 (X) $2,643,942,263 $51,300 $377

 ($26,845–$34,980) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35th but less than 45th percentile 

4 .7 0 .40 10,640 584 $318,661,334 $30,000 $104

 ($34,981–$44,987) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45th but less than 55th percentile 

6 .0 0 .45 10,640 584 $413,687,940 $38,900 $163

 ($44,988–$54,927) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55th but less than 65th percentile 

7 .5 0 .50 10,640 584 $514,677,969 $48,400 $166

 ($54,928–$67,052) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65th but less than 75th percentile 

9 .2 0 .55 10,640 584 $628,733,022 $59,100 $199

 ($67,053–$82,113) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2007 PANEL

11 .2 0 .60 10,640 584 $768,181,998 $72,100 $239

 2007 Distribution Total . . . (X) (X) (X) (X) $6,921,020,000 (X) (X)

 2007 Group Total . . . . . . . .

25th but less than 35th percentile 

40 .7 0 .94 53,200 (X) $2,813,225,074 $52,900 $393

 ($25,964–$34,861) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35th but less than 45th percentile 

5 .4 0 .43 10,640 584 $373,418,125 $35,119 $1,169

 ($34,862–$44,229) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45th but less than 55th percentile 

6 .7 0 .48 10,640 584 $461,013,715 $43,326 $1,293

 ($44,230–$54,751) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55th but less than 65th percentile 

7 .7 0 .51 10,640 584 $534,058,645 $50,145 $1,169

 ($54,752–$67,509) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

65th but less than 75th percentile 

9 .5 0 .56 10,640 584 $658,544,634 $61,899 $2,710

 ($67,510–$83,314) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .4 0 .61 10,640 584 $786,189,955 $73,906 $2,511

(X) Not applicable .

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate .

2

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 10,000 .

3

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 1,000 .

4

 Estimate was rounded to the nearest 100 .

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see 

<www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
14 U.S. Census Bureau

an income that placed them at 

or above the 75th percentile and 

experienced an average decline of 

$55,649 that resulted in them moving into the middle of the distribution in 2007 (bottom portion of 

Table 8). This reflects a good deal 

of mobility within the middle of the 

income distribution, with numerous 

households moving into and out of 

this group.

In addition to households that 

moved among and beyond the five 

deciles spanning the 25th and the 

75th percentiles between 2004 and 

2007, 3.4 million households in 

this middle income group experienced a change in income of

10 percent or more, but still 

remained in their respective income 

deciles between 2004 and 2007 

(Table 9). Out of the 1.8 million 

households with an increase of

10 percent or more, those between 

the 25th and 35th and the 65th 

and 75th percentiles experienced 

the least and most gains in income. 

Specifically, 4.3 percent of households between the 25th and 35th 

percentiles averaged an increase

of $4,772, and 3.7 percent of

those between the 65th and 75th 

percentiles averaged an increase

of $10,127.

Out of the 1.6 million households 

that experienced a decline of

10 percent or more, yet still 

remained in their respective 

deciles, the smallest and largest 

declines between 2004 and 2007, 

once again, were experienced by 

households with incomes between 

the 25th and 35th percentiles and 

Table 8.

Income Dynamics for Households in the Middle of the Income Distribution: 2004 and 2007

(Numbers in thousands. Number of households: 53,200,000. Incomes for 2004 were adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

Decile in 2004

HouseholdsMargin of

error (±)1

Percent

of

households

in

2004 

decile

Margin of 

error (±)1

Average household income (2007 dollars)

2004 2007 Change from

2004 to 2007

Income

Margin of

error (±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1

MOVED UP TWO OR MORE 

DECILES IN 2007

 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,038 420 15.8 0.04 $38,211 $660 $63,470 $1,009 $25,259 $739

25th but less than 35th percentile

 ($26,845–$34,980) . . . . . . . . . . 2,318 300 21.8 2.24 $31,151 $268 $56,832 $1,306 $25,681 $1,314

35th but less than 45th percentile

 ($34,981–$44,987) . . . . . . . . . . 1,712 231 16.1 1.92 $40,602 $349 $65,473 $1,121 $24,870 $1,173

45th but less than 55th percentile

 ($44,988–$54,927) . . . . . . . . . . 1,008 191 9.5 1.48 $50,381 $461 $75,332 $823 $24,951 $958

MOVED DOWN TWO OR MORE 

DECILES IN 2007

 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,802 366 15.0 1.51 $64,164 $985 $38,315 $689 –$25,849 $764

45th but less than 55th percentile

 ($44,988–$54,927) . . . . . . . . . . 998 204 9.4 1.23 $49,709 $573 $30,666 $449 –$19,044 $739

55th but less than 65th percentile

 ($54,928–$67,052) . . . . . . . . . . 1,624 221 15.3 1.52 $60,347 $474 $37,260 $645 –$23,087 $809

65th but less than 75th percentile

 ($67,053–$82,113 ) . . . . . . . . . . 2,180 282 20.5 1.71 $73,623 $586 $42,602 $1,000 –$31,022 $1,195

MOVED OUT OF THE MIDDLE 

RANGE OF THE DISTRIBUTION

Below the 25th percentile . . . . . . 6,477 467 12.2 0.79 $41,413 $885 $17,229 $459 –$24,183 $999

Above the 75th percentile . . . . . . 7,274 474 13.7 0.83 $63,058 $952 $118,576 $4,637 $55,518 $4,660

MOVED INTO THE MIDDLE 

RANGE OF THE DISTRIBUTION

From below the 25th percentile . . 6,802 472 25.6 1.50 $18,514 $432 $40,602 $927 $22,088 $1,140

From above the 75th percentile . . 6,924 482 26.0 1.51 $117,708 $4,743 $62,059 $957 –$55,649 $4,794

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate.

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
U.S. Census Bureau 15

65th and 75th percentiles. Those 

with incomes between the 25th 

and 35th percentiles experienced 

an average decline of $4,867, 

and those with incomes between 

the 65th and 75th percentiles 

experienced an average decline 

of $10,038. Among the remaining households that experienced 

a 10 percent or more decline in 

income between 2004 and 2007, 

households with incomes between 

the 35th and the 45th percentiles 

averaged a decline of $5,784, those 

with incomes between the 45th 

and the 55th percentiles averaged 

a decline of $6,787, and those with 

incomes between the 55th and the 

65th percentiles averaged a decline 

of $8,289.

HOUSEHOLD DEMOGRAPHIC 

CHARACTERISTICS

The previous analysis focused on 

households’ movement among 

and within the income quintiles. 

The following discussion compares households that remained 

in the same quintile with those 

that moved up or down one or 

more quintiles between 2004 and 

2007. Comparisons were done 

using characteristics collected in 

the survey’s first interview—the 

householder’s educational attainment, marital status, age, and race 

and ethnicity.27 Factors commonly 

associated with household income 

mobility include changes in the 

householder’s level of educational 

attainment, marital status, and age, 

27 See footnote 6 for the definition of 

householder. The remaining discussion in this 

report uses the characteristics of the householder to describe the household.

Table 9.

Households That Experienced a Change in Income of 10 percent or More and Remained in 

the Same Income Percentile: 2004 and 2007

(Numbers in thousands. Number of households: 14,346,000. Incomes for 2004 were adjusted to 2007 dollars using the CPI-U-RS)

Decile in 2004

HouseholdsMargin of 

error (±)1

Percent 

of households 

in 2004 

decile

Margin of 

error (±)1

Average household income (2007 dollars)

2004 2007 Change from

2004 to 2007

Income

Margin of 

error (±)1 Income

Margin 

of error 

(±)1 Income

Margin of 

error (±)1

INCOME INCREASED

10 PERCENT OR MORE

 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,794 209 3.4 0.31 $46,413 $2,230 $53,205 $2,513 $6,792 $353

25th but less than 35th percentile

 ($26,845–$34,980) . . . . . . . . . . 457 129 4.3 2.08 $28,391 $309 $33,163 $400 $4,772 $375

35th but less than 45th percentile

 ($34,981–$44,987) . . . . . . . . . . 379 109 3.6 1.93 $36,775 $304 $42,108 $416 $5,406 $371

45th but less than 55th percentile

 ($44,988–$54,927) . . . . . . . . . . 331 108 3.1 1.84 $46,906 $519 $53,193 $534 $6,287 $386

55th but less than 65th percentile

 ($54,928–$67,052) . . . . . . . . . . 228 82 2.1 1.52 $57,303 $683 $65,359 $537 $8,056 $503

65th but less than 75th percentile

 ($67,053–$82,113) . . . . . . . . . . 398 122 3.7 1.98 $69,635 $586 $79,762 $569 $10,127 $584

INCOME DECREASED

10 PERCENT OR MORE

 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,575 224 3.0 0.42 $47,168 $2,126 $40,805 $1,867 –$6,363 $319

25th but less than 35th percentile

 ($26,845–$34,980) . . . . . . . . . . 617 124 20.7 4.16 $32,916 $302 $28,040 $313 –$4,876 $289

35th but less than 45th percentile

 ($34,981–$44,987) . . . . . . . . . . 349 106 12.1 3.40 $42,544 $526 $36,759 $482 –$5,784 $382

45th but less than 55th percentile

 ($44,988–$54,927) . . . . . . . . . . 240 101 8.6 2.98 $52,591 $677 $45,805 $561 –$6,787 $558

55th but less than 65th percentile

 ($54,928–$67,052) . . . . . . . . . . 191 70 6.7 2.63 $64,981 $510 $56,691 $534 –$8,289 $540

65th but less than 75th percentile

 ($67,053–$82,113) . . . . . . . . . . 177 77 6.2 2.52 $79,418 $637 $69,380 $712 –$10,038 $634

1

 The margin of error can be subtracted from and added to the point estimate to get the 90 percent confidence interval around the estimate.

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
16 U.S. Census Bureau

which is often used as a proxy for 

work experience.28

The percentages in Figures 4 

through 9 are based on the total 

number of householders in each 

quintile in 2004, which are categorized by their quintile status

in 2007 (Appendix Tables A-3 

through A-6 provide complete 

data).29 For example, the first line 

28 Changes in the level of educational 

attainment, marital status, and increased 

work experience are the most common factors used to analyze household income mobility. Other less obvious factors can also affect 

household income mobility, such as changes 

in household composition. This could include 

adult children moving into or out of their parents’ household, parents moving into or out 

of their adult children’s household, unrelated 

people moving into or out of a household, or 

the birth or adoption of a child. 29 Appendix Tables A-7 through A-11 

present demographic data in a different way 

than Appendix Tables A-3 through A-6. The 

percentages in Appendix Tables A-7 through 

A-11 are based on the total number of householders in each quintile category in 2007 relative to their quintile status in 2004—meaning 

that a subset of householders in each quintile 

in 2004 is counted for each quintile category 

in 2007. For example, the first column in 

Appendix Table A-7 shows that of householders in the bottom quintile in 2004 who 

remained in the bottom quintile in 2007, 5.3 

percent were 15–24 years, 9.9 percent were 

25–34 years, etc. In other words, the column 

in Appendix Table A-3 shows that 

of all householders with less than 

a high school education in the 

top quintile in 2004, 42.3 percent 

moved down two or more quintiles 

in 2007, 23.6 percent moved down 

one quintile in 2007, and 34.1 percent stayed in the same quintile in 

2007. In other words, the row values in Appendix Tables A-3 through 

A-6 sum to 100 percent.

EDUCATIONAL 

ATTAINMENT

Householders with lower levels 

of education were more likely to 

move down to a lower income 

quintile and less likely to move up 

to a higher income quintile than 

householders with higher levels 

of education. The most notable 

differences regarding patterns of 

movement among income quintiles 

between 2004 and 2007 were for 

householders with less than a high 

values for each characteristic in Appendix 

Tables A-7 through A-11 sum to 100 percent. 

In addition, Appendix Tables A-7 through 

A-11 contain more refined categorizations for 

some characteristics.

school education and householders 

with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Forty-two percent of householders 

with less than a high school education in the top quintile in 2004 

experienced a change in income 

that resulted in moving down two 

or more quintiles in 2007, while 

7.6 percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher experienced 

such a change (Figure 4). Similarly, 

of householders with less than a 

high school education in the fourth 

quintile in 2004, 25.1 percent 

experienced a change in income 

that resulted in moving down two 

or more quintiles in 2007 in comparison with 8.5 percent of householders with a bachelor’s degree or 

higher.

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 and 1996 SIPP 

panels follow a similar pattern. For 

instance, among householders with 

less than a high school education in 

2001, 23.0 percent in the top quintile and 18.3 percent in the fourth 

quintile experienced a change in 

Figure 4.

Percent of Households That Moved Across Income Quintiles Between 

2004 and 2007 by Educational Attainment of the Householder

100 80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100

Bottom

Second

Middle

Middle

Fourth

Top

Income

quintile

in 2004

Percent

Households that moved 

down two or more 

income quintiles in 2007

Households that moved

up two or more 

income quintiles in 2007

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling 

error, see <www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.

Less than high school Bachelor’s degree or higher
U.S. Census Bureau 17

household income that resulted in 

moving down two or more quintiles 

in 2003. In comparison, among 

householders with a bachelor’s 

degree or higher in 2001, 8.7 percent in the top quintile and

7.5 percent in the fourth quintile 

experienced a change in household 

income that resulted in moving 

down two or more quintiles.30

On the other end of the income 

distribution, householders with 

a bachelor’s degree or higher 

were more likely to experience an 

increase in income. For example, 

those with a bachelor’s degree or 

higher in the bottom quintile in 

2004 were more than three times 

as likely to experience an increase 

in income that resulted in moving 

up two or more quintiles in 2007 

compared with those with less than 

a high school education. Of householders with a bachelor’s degree 

or higher in the bottom quintile in 

30 Data for comparisons from 2001

and 2003 are published in the previous 

Census Bureau report on this topic cited in 

footnote 2.

2004, 25.1 percent experienced a 

change in income that shifted them 

up two or more quintiles in 2007. 

In comparison, 5.3 percent of 

householders with less than a high 

school education in the bottom 

quintile in 2004 experienced a 

change in income that shifted them 

up two or more quintiles in 2007. 

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 and 1996 SIPP panels follow a similar pattern.

Figure 5.

Percent of Households in the Same Income Quintile for 2004 and 2007 

by Educational Attainment of the Householder

100 80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100

Bottom quintile

Second quintile

Middle quintile

Fourth quintile

Top quintile

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Percent

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling 

error, see <www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.

Less than high school

How Changes in Educational Attainment Affect 

Household Income

Between 2004 and 2007, 12.4 percent of householders experienced 

an increase in their level of educational attainment, which could result 

in an increase in household income. Individuals with higher levels of 

educational attainment are, on average, paid higher wages and salaries. To see how changes in educational attainment affect household 

income, educational attainment in the first and last months of the 

2004 SIPP panel was examined for those households that experienced 

a change in income. Changes expected to increase household income 

include transitioning from some college or an associate’s degree to a 

bachelor’s degree, as well as transitioning from a bachelor’s degree to 

a postgraduate degree. Nearly 15 percent of householders who moved 

up at least two quintiles from the bottom, the second, or the middle 

quintile experienced a change in educational attainment between 

2004 and 2007. Householders who moved up at least two quintiles 

from the bottom quintile experienced the largest change in educational attainment in percentage terms, with 6.2 percent transitioning 

from some college or an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree.
18 U.S. Census Bureau

Additional notable findings are 

observed when looking at households in the bottom and the top 

quintiles. Between 2004 and 2007, 

77.0 percent of householders with 

less than a high school education 

in the bottom quintile in 2004 were 

also in the bottom quintile in 2007 

(Figure 5). At the other end of the 

income distribution, 75.8 percent 

of householders with a bachelor’s 

degree or higher in the top quintile 

in 2004 were also in the top quintile in 2007.

Similar results were found for comparable households in the 2001 

and 1996 SIPP panels. For example, 

79.2 percent of householders with 

less than a high school education 

in the bottom quintile in 2001 were 

also in the bottom quintile in 2003, 

while 74.9 percent of householders 

with a bachelor’s degree or higher 

in the top quintile in 2001 were 

also in the top quintile in 2003.

Some changes occurred in the 

distribution of households that 

remained in the bottom quintile 

across the 1996, 2001, and 2004 

SIPP panels. For example, the 

proportion of householders with 

less than a college degree that 

remained in the bottom quintile 

was comparable between the 2004 

and 2001 SIPP panels, but smaller 

in the 1996 SIPP panel. One notable 

difference is for householders with 

a high school degree. In the 2004 

and 2001 SIPP panels, 74.0 percent 

and 72.2 percent of those with a 

high school degree in the bottom 

quintile in 2004 and 2001 were 

also in the bottom quintile in 2007 

and 2003. In contrast, 57.0 percent 

of householders with a high school 

degree in the bottom quintile in 

1996 were also in the bottom quintile in 1999.

MARITAL STATUS 

Unmarried householders were

less likely to remain in a higher 

income quintile and more likely

to remain in a lower income

quintile than married householders. 

The most notable differences 

regarding patterns of movement 

among quintiles between 2004 and 

2007 were for never married and 

married households.

Of never married householders in 

the top and the fourth quintiles in 

2004, 51.5 percent and 31.5 percent, respectively, remained in the 

same quintile in 2007 (Figure 6). 

By comparison, of married householders in the top and the fourth 

quintiles in 2004, 69.8 percent 

and 47.8 percent, respectively, 

remained in the same quintile

in 2007.

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 and 1996 SIPP 

panels follow a different pattern, 

where the most notable differences 

were between widowed and married households. For instance, of 

widowed householders in the top 

and the fourth quintiles in 2001, 

50.9 percent and 35.1 percent, 

respectively, remained in the same 

quintile in 2003. In comparison, of 

Figure 6.

Percent of Households in the Same Income Quintile for 2004 and 2007

by Marital Status of the Householder

100 80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100

Bottom quintile

Second quintile

Middle quintile

Fourth quintile

Top quintile

Married

Percent

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling 

error, see <www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.

Never married
U.S. Census Bureau 19

married householders in the top 

and the fourth quintiles in 2001, 

69.7 percent and 48.5 percent, 

respectively, remained in the same 

quintile in 2003.

On the other end of the income distribution, of never married householders in the bottom and second 

quintiles in 2004, 81.8 percent and 

57.0 percent, respectively, remained 

in the same quintile in 2007. In 

comparison, of married householders in the bottom and second 

quintiles in 2004, 58.3 percent and 

46.3 percent remained in the same 

quintile in 2007.

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 and 1996 SIPP

panels follow a different pattern, 

where the most notable differences 

were between widowed and

married households.

A few across-quintile differences 

appeared for households that 

remained in the same quintile 

between 2004 and 2007. As with 

educational attainment, notable 

differences occurred between the 

bottom and the top quintiles. While 

81.8 percent of never married 

households remained in the bottom 

quintile between 2004 and 2007, 

51.5 percent remained in the top 

quintile. In comparison, while

58.3 percent of married households 

remained in the bottom quintile 

between 2004 and 2007, 69.8 percent remained in the top quintile.

Some changes occurred in the 

distribution of households that 

remained in the bottom and top 

quintiles across the 1996, 2001, 

and 2004 SIPP panels. Between 

2004 and 2007, never married 

householders in the bottom quintile 

became more likely to remain relative to comparable householders 

in the 2001 and 1996 SIPP panels, 

while never married householders in the top quintile became less 

likely to remain relative to comparable householders in the 2001 

and 1996 SIPP panels. In contrast, 

between 2004 and 2007, widowed 

householders in the bottom quintile 

became less likely to remain relative to comparable householders 

in the 2001 and 1996 SIPP panels 

and widowed householders in the 

top quintile become more likely 

to remain relative to comparable 

households in the 2001 and 1996 

SIPP panels.

AGE 

Growing older is commonly linked 

with increased maturity, labor 

force experience, and domestic 

stability, which are often associated with higher household 

income.31 Younger householders 

31 A good review of this lifecycle

hypothesis and its empirical validation can 

be found in Murphy, Kevin and Finis Welch, 

“Empirical Age-Earnings Profiles,” Journal of 

Labor Economics, 1990, Vol. 8, pp. 202–29; 

Medoff, James L. and Katharine G. Abraham, 

“Experience, Performance, and Earnings,” 

Quarterly Journal of Economics, 1980,

Vol. 95, No. 4, pp. 703–36; and Klevmarken, 

Anders and John M. Quigley, “Age,

Experience, and Investments in Human

Capital,” Journal of Political Economy, 1976, 

Vol. 84, No. 1, pp. 47–72.

were more likely to move down to 

a lower income quintile than older 

householders.

Fifty percent of younger households (aged 15 to 24) in the top 

quintile experienced a change in 

income that shifted them down two 

or more quintiles, compared with 

between 8.0 percent and 23.8 percent of older householders (aged 

25 and older) (Figure 7).

Similar results were observed for 

comparable households from the 

2001 and 1996 SIPP panels. For 

instance, between 2001 and 2003, 

34.9 percent of younger householders (aged 15 to 24) in the top 

quintile experienced a change in 

income that shifted them down two 

or more quintiles, compared with 

between 8.1 percent and 21.0 percent of older householders (aged 

25 and older).

This same pattern was observed 

between 2004 and 2007 for households in the fourth quintile that 

experienced a decline of one or 

How Changes in Marital Status Affect Household 

Income

Between 2004 and 2007, 12.5 percent of householders experienced 

a change in marital status, which could either increase or decrease 

household income. For example, if two working adults marry, their 

household income becomes the combined total of the two individual 

incomes. Alternatively, when a spouse dies, the household income may 

be reduced by the amount of pension, social security, and/or earned 

income attributable to the deceased spouse. To see how changes in 

marital status affect household income, marital status in the first and 

last months of the 2004 SIPP panel was examined for those households that experienced a change in income. Of households that moved 

up at least two quintiles from the bottom, the second, or the middle 

quintile, 7.7 percent of the householders were never married in 

2004, but married in 2007. Changes expected to decrease household 

income, particularly for women, include transitioning from married to 

divorced, separated, or widowed. Nearly 5 percent of householders 

that moved down at least two quintiles in the income distribution from 

the top, the fourth, or the middle quintile were married in 2004 and 

divorced or separated in 2007, while nearly 4 percent of these householders were married in 2004 and widowed in 2007.
20 U.S. Census Bureau

more quintiles. For instance,

29.2 percent of younger householders (aged 15 to 24) that were in the 

fourth quintile in 2004 experienced 

a change in income that shifted 

them down one quintile compared 

with between 14.8 percent and 

19.2 percent of older householders (aged 25 to 54). Additionally, 

between 2004 and 2007, younger 

householders (aged 15 to 24) in the 

fourth quintile were less likely than 

older householders (aged 25 to 64) 

to move up to the top quintile

(10.8 percent compared with 

between 18.9 percent and

26.5 percent).

Retirement is often associated 

with fixed or decreased household 

income. A larger proportion of 

older householders in the bottom 

and the second quintiles remained 

in the same quintile between 2004 

and 2007 compared with younger 

householders (Figure 8). Eightythree percent of older householders 

(aged 65 or older) remained in the 

bottom quintile, compared with 

between 47.2 percent and 71.8 

percent of younger householders 

(aged 15 to 64).

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 and 1996 SIPP 

panels exhibit a similar pattern. For 

instance, between 2001 and 2003, 

84.9 percent of older householders (aged 65 or older) remained in 

the bottom quintile, compared with 

between 58.6 percent and

68.5 percent of younger householders (aged 15 to 64). 

Between 2004 and 2007, older 

householders (aged 65 and older) 

were less likely to experience a 

change in income that resulted in 

a shift to a higher income quintile 

than their younger counterparts. 

Among households that started in 

the bottom quintile, for example, 

younger householders (aged 15 

to 64) were more likely than older 

householders to move up two 

or more quintiles (between 10.0 

percent and 23.0 percent compared 

with 5.2 percent).

Similarly, among comparable 

households from the 2001 and 

1996 SIPP panels that started in the 

bottom quintile, older householders were less likely to move up 

one or more quintiles relative to all 

younger householders. 

RACE AND ETHNICITY

Non-Hispanic White householders were more likely to remain in 

a higher income quintile and less 

likely to remain in a lower income 

quintile than other householders. 

Between 2004 and 2007, 

non-Hispanic White householders in

the top quintile were more likely

to remain there than Black or

Hispanic householders (69.3 percent compared with 55.0 percent 

and 57.9 percent, respectively) 

(Figure 9).32

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 SIPP panel follow a 

similar pattern. Between 2001 and 

2003, 68.9 percent of non-Hispanic 

White householders in the top quintile remained there compared with 

32 The difference between Black and 

Hispanic householders was not significantly 

different.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

65+

55 to 64

45 to 54

35 to 44

25 to 34

15 to 24

Age

Percent

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling 

error, see <www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.

Figure 7.

Percent of Households That Moved Down Two or More Income Quintiles From 

the Top Income Quintile Between 2004 and 2007 by Age of the Householder
U.S. Census Bureau 21

62.7 percent of Black householders and 52.5 percent of Hispanic 

householders.

Between 2004 and 2007, nonHispanic White householders in the 

fourth quintile were more likely to 

remain there than Hispanic householders (47.8 percent compared 

with 37.5 percent).

At the other end of the income distribution, between 2004 and 2007, 

Black householders in the bottom 

quintile in 2004 were more likely 

to remain in the bottom quintile in 

2007 than non-Hispanic White or 

Figure 8.

Percent of Households in the Bottom Income Quintile for 2004 and 2007 

by Age of the Householder

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

65+

55 to 64

45 to 54

35 to 44

25 to 34

15 to 24

Age

Percent

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling 

error, see <www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.

Figure 9.

Percent of Households in the Same Income Quintile for 

2004 and 2007 by Race and Ethnicity of Householder

Percent

Non-Hispanic White 

Black 

Hispanic (any race)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Bottom quintile

Second quintile

Middle quintile

Fourth quintile

Top quintile

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel. For information on sampling and nonsampling 

error, see <www.census.gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9).pdf>.
22 U.S. Census Bureau

Hispanic householders (80.8 percent 

compared with 67.4 percent and 

61.3 percent, respectively).

Data for comparable households 

from the 2001 and 1996 SIPP panels 

follow a similar pattern. Between 

2001 and 2003, Black householders 

in the bottom quintile were more 

likely to remain there than nonHispanic White or Hispanic householders (76.3 percent compared 

with 70.9 percent and 66.4 percent, 

respectively).

Some changes occurred in the distribution of households that remained 

in the bottom quintile across the 

1996, 2001, and 2004 SIPP panels. Between 2004 and 2007, Black 

householders in the bottom quintile 

became more likely to remain relative 

to comparable householders in the 

2001 and 1996 SIPP panels, while 

Hispanic householders were equally 

as likely to remain. Non-Hispanic 

White householders in the bottom 

quintile were less likely to remain 

there between 2004 and 2007 relative to comparable householders in 

the 2001 SIPP panel, but more likely 

to remain relative to comparable 

householders in the 1996 SIPP panel.

SOURCE OF THE DATA

The population represented (the 

population universe) in the 2004 

SIPP is the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United 

States. The SIPP is a longitudinal 

survey conducted at 4-month 

intervals. The data in this report 

refer to the period from January 

2004 through December 2007. The 

institutionalized population, which 

is excluded from the population 

universe, is composed primarily of 

the population in correctional

institutions and nursing homes

(91 percent of the 4.1 million

institutionalized population in

Census 2000).

ACCURACY OF THE 

ESTIMATES

Statistics from surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling 

error. All comparisons presented 

in this report have taken sampling 

error into account and are significant at the 90 percent confidence 

level. This means the 90 percent 

confidence interval for the difference between the estimates being 

compared does not include zero. 

Nonsampling errors in surveys 

may be attributed to a variety of 

sources, such as how the survey 

was designed, how respondents 

interpret questions, how able and 

willing respondents are to provide 

correct answers, and how accurately 

the answers are coded and classified. To minimize these errors, the 

Census Bureau employs quality 

control procedures during all stages 

of the production process, including 

the design of survey, the wording of 

questions, the review of the work 

of interviewers and coders, and the 

statistical review of reports. 

The SIPP weighting procedure uses 

ratio estimation, whereby sample 

estimates are adjusted to independent estimates of the national

population by age, race, sex, and

Hispanic origin. This weighting 

partially corrects for bias due to 

undercoverage, but biases may

still be present when people who 

are missed by the survey differ 

from those interviewed in ways 

other than the age, race, sex, and 

Hispanic origin. How this weighting 

procedure affects other variables in 

the survey is not precisely known. 

All of these considerations affect 

comparisons across different

surveys or data sources. Additional 

information on the SIPP can be 

found at <www.census.gov/sipp> 

(main SIPP Web site),

<www.census.gov/sipp/workpapr

/wp230.pdf> (SIPP Quality Profile), 

and <www.census.gov/sipp

/usrguide/sipp2004.pdf> (SIPP 

User’s Guide).

For further information on the 

source of the data and accuracy of 

the estimates, including standard 

errors and confidence intervals, go 

to <www.census.gov/sipp/source

.html> or contact Stephen Clark of 

the Census Bureau’s Demographic 

Statistical Methods Division at 

<stephen.clark@census.gov> or 

301-763-3793.

For information on the

content of the report,

contact John J. Hisnanick,

Chief, Program Participation

and Income Transfer Branch at

<john.j.hisnanick@census.gov>

or 301-763-2295.

USER COMMENTS

The Census Bureau welcomes the 

comments and advice of users of 

its data and reports. If you have 

any suggestions or comments, 

please send an e-mail inquiry to 

<hhes-info@census.gov>.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Hisnanick, John J. and Katherine

G. Giefer, “Dynamics of Economic 

Well-Being: Fluctuations in the

U.S. Income Distribution, 2004–

2007,” Current Population Reports, 

P70-124, U.S. Census Bureau,

Washington, DC, 2010.
U.S. Census Bureau 23 Appendix Table A-1. Households by Income Quintile: 2004 and 2007 (Numbers in thousands. Total number of households in each quintile was approximately 21,276 in 2004) 2004 2007 Total that moved two or more quintiles Bottom quintile (<$21,648) Second quintile ($21,648–$39,246) Middle quintile ($39,247–$60,576) Fourth quintile ($60,577–$92,899) Top quintile (>$92,899) Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Bottom quintile (<$22,367) . . . . . . . . . . 14,700 (14,320– 15,080) 4,300 (3,970–4 .630) 1,330 (1,130–1,530) 670 (530–810) 270 (180–360) 2,270 (2,020–2,520) Second quintile ($22,367–$40,015) . . . 4,110 (3,790–4,430) 10,460 (10,050–10,870) 4,690 (4,350–5,030) 1,590 (1,380–1,800) 430 (310–550) 2,020 (1,780–2,260) Middle quintile ($40,016–$60,895) . . . 1,340 (1,140–1,540) 4,090 (3,770–4,410) 9,460 (9,050–9,870) 4,810 (4,470–5,150) 1,580 (1,370–1,790) 2,920 (2,640–3,200) Fourth quintile ($60,896–$92,886) . . . 790 (640–940) 1,720 (1,500–1,940) 4,320 (3,990–4,650) 9,900 (9,490–10,310) 4,560 (4,230–4,890) 2,510 (2,250–2,770) Top quintile (>$92,886) . . . . . . . . . . 340 (240–440) 700 (550–850) 1,490 (1,280–1,700) 4,310 (3,980–4,646) 14,430 (14,050–14,810) 2,530 (2,270–2,790) PERCENT DISTRIBUTION Bottom quintile . . . . . . . . 69 .1 (67 .32–70 .86) 20 .2 (18 .69–21 .77) 6 .3 (5 .32–7 .18) 3 .2 (2 .48–3 .82) 1 .3 (0 .83–1 .69) 10 .7 (9 .40–11 .75) Second quintile . . . . . . . 19 .3 (17 .82–20 .84) 49 .2 (47 .24–51 .08) 22 .0 (20 .44–23 .62) 7 .5 (6 .46–8 .48) 2 .0 (1 .50–2 .58) 9 .5 (8 .50–10 .77) Middle quintile . . . . . . . . 6 .3 (5 .38–7 .24) 19 .2 (17 .70–20 .72) 44 .4 (42 .53–46 .35) 22 .6 (20 .99–24 .19) 7 .4 (6 .41–8 .41) 13 .7 (12 .54–15 .19) Fourth quintile . . . . . . . . 3 .7 (2 .97–4 .41) 8 .1 (7 .05–9 .15) 20 .3 (18 .76–21 .84) 46 .5 (44 .60–48 .42) 21 .5 (19 .88–23 .02) 11 .8 (10 .51–12 .98) Top quintile . . . . . . . . . . 1 .6 (1 .10–2 .06) 3 .3 (2 .61–3 .97) 7 .0 (6 .00–7 .96) 20 .3 (18 .73–21 .81) 67 .8 (66 .05–69 .63) 11 .9 (10 .74–13 .23) 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
24 U.S. Census Bureau Appendix Table A-2. Individuals by Equivalence Adjusted Household Income Quintiles: 2004 and 2007 (Numbers in thousands. Total number of people in each quintile was approximately 54,220 in 2004) 2004 2007 Total that moved two or more quintiles Bottom quintile (<$36,884) Second quintile ($36,884–$63,413) Middle quintile ($63,414–$92,757) Fourth quintile ($92,758–$137,731) Top quintile (>$137,731) Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Number 90 percent C .I .1 Bottom quintile (<$39,395) . . . . . . . . . . . 33,660 (33,030–34,290) 13,970 (13,410–14,530) 4,640 (4,280–5,000) 1,630 (1,410–1,850) 1,290 (1,090–1,490) 7,560 (7,210–7,910) Second quintile ($39,395–$65,412) . . . . 11,480 (10,950–12,010) 24,150 (23,500–24,800) 12,150 (11,610–12,690) 4,950 (4,570–5,330) 1,540 (1,320–1,760) 6,490 (6,160–6,820) Middle quintile ($65,413–$95,476) . . . . 4,890 (4,520–5,260) 9,940 (9,440–10,440) 22,800 (22,160–23,440) 12,460 (11,910–13,010) 4,090 (3,750–4,430) 8,980 (8,600–9,360) Fourth quintile ($95,477–$139,353) . . . 2,970 (2,670–3,270) 4,720 (4,350–5,090) 11,070 (10,540–11,600) 24,480 (23,830–25,130) 11,030 (10,510–11 .550) 7,690 (7,340–8,040) Top quintile (>$139,353) . . . . . . . . . . 1,230 (1,040–1,420) 2,440 (2,170–2,710) 3,570 (3,250–3,890) 10,660 (10,140–11,180) 36,320 (35,710–36,930) 7,240 (6,890–7,590) PERCENT DISTRIBUTION Bottom quintile . . . . . . . . . 62 .1 (60 .94–63 .28) 23 .9 (22 .91–24 .97) 8 .6 (7 .89–9 .23) 3 .0 (2 .60–3 .42) 2 .4 (2 .02–2 .76) 14 .0 (13 .31–14 .61) Second quintile . . . . . . . . 21 .2 (20 .17–22 .13) 44 .5 (43 .31–45 .69) 22 .4 (21 .39–23 .39) 9 .1 (8 .44–9 .82) 2 .8 (2 .43–3 .23) 12 .0 (11 .35–12 .57) Middle quintile . . . . . . . . . 9 .0 (8 .34–9 .72) 18 .4 (17 .42–19 .28) 42 .1 (40 .90–43 .28) 23 .0 (21 .98–24 .00) 7 .5 (6 .91–8 .17) 16 .6 (15 .87–17 .27) Fourth quintile . . . . . . . . . 5 .5 (4 .93–6 .03) 8 .7 (8 .02–9 .38) 20 .4 (19 .43–21 .37) 45 .1 (43 .91–46 .31) 20 .3 (19 .35–21 .29) 14 .2 (13 .53–14 .83) Top quintile . . . . . . . . . . . 2 .3 (1 .90–2 .62) 4 .5 (4 .00–5 .00) 6 .6 (5 .98–7 .18) 19 .7 (18 .71–20 .61) 67 .0 (65 .87–68 .13) 13 .3 (12 .70–13 .98) 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
U.S. Census Bureau 25 Appendix Table A-3. Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 2004 and 2007 by Highest Level of Educational Attainment of Householder (Numbers in thousands. Householder educational attainment measured during the first interview) Quintile in 2004 Total Quintile in 2007 Moved down two or more quintiles Moved down one quintile Stayed in the same quintile Moved up one quintile Moved up two or more quintiles Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Top Less than high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 42 .3 (31 .2–53 .4) 23 .6 (14 .1–33 .1) 34 .1 (23 .4–44 .8) (X) (X) (X) (X) High school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,348 22 .6 (19 .6–25 .6) 28 .0 (24 .8–31 .2) 49 .4 (45 .8–53 .0) (X) (X) (X) (X) Some college or associate’s degree . . . 6,193 13 .0 (10 .6–15 .4) 24 .3 (21 .3–27 .3) 62 .8 (59 .4–66 .2) (X) (X) (X) (X) Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . 12,120 7 .6 (6 .3–8 .9) 16 .5 (14 .6–18 .4) 75 .8 (73 .6–78 .0) (X) (X) (X) (X) Fourth Less than high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,326 25 .1 (18 .4–31 .8) 21 .9 (15 .5–28 .3) 41 .4 (33 .8–49 .0) 11 .7 (6 .8–16 .6) (X) (X) High school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,220 12 .3 (9 .5–15 .1) 28 .4 (24 .5–32 .3) 41 .4 (37 .2–45 .6) 18 .0 (14 .7–21 .3) (X) (X) Some college or associate’s degree . . . 8,631 12 .2 (10 .2–14 .2) 20 .3 (17 .9–22 .7) 49 .1 (46 .1–52 .1) 18 .4 (16 .1–20 .7) (X) (X) Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . 7,111 8 .5 (6 .6–10 .4) 15 .2 (12 .8–17 .6) 47 .3 (44 .0–50 .6) 29 .1 (26 .1–32 .1) (X) (X) Middle Less than high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,200 14 .0 (9 .9–18 .1) 27 .6 (22 .3–32 .9) 37 .0 (31 .2–42 .8) 15 .6 (11 .3–19 .9) 5 .9 (3 .1–8 .7) High school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,408 6 .7 (4 .8–8 .6) 23 .8 (20 .6–27 .0) 46 .1 (42 .3–49 .9) 19 .8 (16 .8–22 .8) 3 .5 (2 .1–4 .9) Some college or associate’s degree . . . 8,510 5 .6 (4 .2–7 .0) 16 .9 (14 .6–19 .2) 46 .7 (43 .7–49 .7) 23 .2 (20 .6–25 .8) 7 .6 (6 .0–9 .2) Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . 5,150 3 .8 (2 .3–5 .3) 14 .7 (11 .9–17 .5) 42 .2 (38 .3–46 .1) 27 .4 (23 .9–30 .9) 11 .9 (9 .4–14 .4) Second Less than high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,694 (X) (X) 29 .0 (24 .8–33 .2) 47 .3 (42 .7–51 .9) 18 .6 (15 .0–22 .2) 5 .1 (3 .1–7 .1) High school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,208 (X) (X) 19 .0 (16 .2–21 .8) 52 .7 (49 .2–56 .2) 19 .2 (16 .4–22 .0) 9 .2 (7 .1–11 .3) Some college or associate’s degree . . . 8,346 (X) (X) 17 .8 (15 .5–20 .1) 49 .9 (46 .8–53 .0) 23 .3 (20 .7–25 .9) 9 .0 (7 .2–10 .8) Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . 3,033 (X) (X) 12 .6 (9 .2–16 .0) 42 .1 (37 .1–47 .1) 28 .5 (23 .9–33 .1) 16 .9 (13 .1–20 .7) Bottom Less than high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,588 (X) (X) (X) (X) 77 .0 (74 .1–79 .9) 17 .7 (15 .1–20 .3) 5 .3 (3 .8–6 .8) High school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,286 (X) (X) (X) (X) 74 .0 (70 .9–77 .1) 17 .1 (14 .4–19 .8) 9 .0 (7 .0–11 .0) Some college or associate’s degree . . . 6,561 (X) (X) (X) (X) 63 .7 (60 .4–67 .0) 22 .7 (19 .8–25 .6) 13 .7 (11 .3–16 .1) Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . 1,835 (X) (X) (X) (X) 43 .5 (37 .0–50 .0) 31 .4 (25 .3– 37 .5) 25 .1 (19 .4–30 .8) (X) Not applicable . 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
26 U.S. Census Bureau Appendix Table A-4. Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 2004 and 2007 by Marital Status of Householder (Numbers in thousands. Householder marital status measured during the first interview) Quintile in 2004 Total Quintile in 2007 Moved down two or more quintiles Moved down one quintile Stayed in the same quintile Moved up one quintile Moved up two or more quintiles Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Top Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,220 10 .3 (9 .0–11 .6) 20 .0 (18 .3–21 .7) 69 .8 (67 .8–71 .8) (X) (X) (X) (X) Never married . . . . . . . . . . . 532 29 .7 (18 .6–40 .8) 18 .8 (9 .3–28 .3) 51 .5 (39 .4–63 .6) (X) (X) (X) (X) Divorced or separated . . . . . 1,743 16 .9 (11 .9–21 .9) 20 .0 (14 .6–25 .4) 63 .1 (56 .6–69 .6) (X) (X) (X) (X) Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,786 17 .1 (12 .1–22 .1) 23 .9 (18 .3–29 .5) 59 .0 (52 .5–65 .5) (X) (X) (X) (X) Fourth Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,320 9 .1 (7 .8–10 .4) 19 .9 (18 .0–21 .8) 47 .8 (45 .5–50 .1) 23 .2 (21 .2–25 .2) (X) (X) Never married . . . . . . . . . . . 575 35 .6 (24 .4–46 .8) 19 .5 (10 .3–28 .7) 31 .5 (20 .7–42 .3) 13 .5 (5 .4–21 .5) (X) (X) Divorced or separated . . . . . 3,165 14 .9 (11 .4–18 .4) 22 .0 (17 .9–26 .1) 45 .3 (40 .3–50 .3) 17 .9 (14 .1–21 .7) (X) (X) Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,225 16 .4 (12 .8–20 .0) 20 .4 (16 .4–24 .4) 44 .6 (39 .7–49 .5) 18 .7 (14 .9–22 .5) (X) (X) Middle Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,090 5 .5 (4 .3–6 .7) 18 .6 (16 .6–20 .6) 43 .6 (41 .1–46 .1) 23 .9 (21 .7–26 .1) 8 .5 (7 .1–9 .9) Never married . . . . . . . . . . . 1,328 10 .3 (5 .6–15 .0) 25 .0 (18 .4–31 .6) 51 .3 (43 .6–59 .0) 10 .9 (6 .1–15 .7) 2 .4 (0 .1–4 .7) Divorced or separated . . . . . 3,773 9 .1 (6 .5–11 .7) 23 .3 (19 .4–27 .2) 39 .9 (35 .4–44 .4) 21 .7 (17 .9–25 .5) 6 .0 (3 .8–8 .2) Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,073 4 .9 (3 .0–6 .8) 15 .4 (12 .2–18 .6) 49 .2 (44 .8–53 .6) 23 .3 (19 .6–27 .0) 7 .3 (5 .0–9 .6) Second Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,379 (X) (X) 17 .6 (15 .4–19 .8) 46 .3 (43 .4–49 .2) 25 .7 (23 .2–28 .2) 10 .4 (8 .6–12 .2) Never married . . . . . . . . . . . 2,898 (X) (X) 20 .6 (16 .4–24 .8) 57 .0 (51 .9–62 .1) 13 .4 (9 .9–16 .9) 9 .0 (6 .0–12 .0) Divorced or separated . . . . . 4,642 (X) (X) 24 .5 (21 .0–28 .0) 45 .3 (41 .2–49 .4) 21 .6 (18 .2–25 .0) 8 .6 (6 .3–10 .9) Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,362 (X) (X) 16 .6 (12 .3–18 .5) 54 .0 (49 .8–58 .2) 20 .4 (17 .0–23 .8) 9 .0 (6 .6–11 .4) Bottom Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,473 (X) (X) (X) (X) 58 .3 (54 .2–62 .4) 26 .4 (22 .7–30 .1) 15 .3 (12 .3–18 .3) Never married . . . . . . . . . . . 5,034 (X) (X) (X) (X) 81 .8 (78 .8–84 .8) 12 .3 (9 .7–14 .9) 5 .9 (4 .0–7 .8) Divorced or separated . . . . . 5,730 (X) (X) (X) (X) 69 .4 (66 .0–72 .8) 20 .5 (17 .5–23 .5) 10 .1 (7 .9–12 .3) Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,032 (X) (X) (X) (X) 66 .2 (62 .8–69 .6) 22 .0 (19 .0–25 .0) 11 .8 (9 .5–14 .1) (X) Not applicable . 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
U.S. Census Bureau 27 Appendix Table A-5. Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 2004 and 2007 by Age of Householder (Numbers in thousands. Householder age measured during the first interview) Quintile in 2004 Total Quintile in 2007 Moved down two or more quintiles Moved down one quintile Stayed in the same quintile Moved up one quintile Moved up two or more quintiles Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Top 15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . 230 49 .7 (31 .3–68 .1) 21 .4 (6 .3–36 .5) 28 .8 (12 .1–45 .5) (X) (X) (X) (X) 25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . 2,990 8 .0 (5 .2–10 .8) 19 .2 (15 .2–23 .2) 72 .8 (68 .2–77 .4) (X) (X) (X) (X) 35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . 6,184 10 .2 (8 .0–12 .4) 17 .5 (14 .8–23 .2) 73 .3 (70 .2–76 .4) (X) (X) (X) (X) 45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . 6,708 9 .4 (7 .4–11 .4) 19 .0 (16 .3–21 .7) 71 .6 (68 .5–74 .7) (X) (X) (X) (X) 55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,734 15 .2 (11 .9–18 .5) 24 .2 (20 .3–28 .1) 60 .6 (56 .1–65 .1) (X) (X) (X) (X) 65 years and over . . . . . . 1,434 23 .8 (17 .5–30 .1) 30 .1 (23 .3–36 .9) 46 .1 (38 .7–53 .5) (X) (X) (X) (X) Fourth 15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . 923 15 .8 (9 .1–22 .5) 29 .2 (20 .8–37 .5) 44 .2 (35 .0–53 .3) 10 .8 (5 .1–16 .6) (X) (X) 25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . 4,302 10 .5 (7 .9–13 .1) 14 .8 (11 .8–17 .9) 48 .2 (43 .9–52 .4) 26 .5 (22 .8–30 .3) (X) (X) 35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . 5,228 8 .2 (6 .0–10 .3) 16 .0 (13 .1–18 .8) 51 .4 (47 .5–55 .2) 24 .5 (21 .2–27 .9) (X) (X) 45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . 5,254 8 .8 (6 .6–11 .0) 19 .2 (16 .2–22 .2) 50 .8 (46 .9–54 .6) 21 .2 (18 .1–24 .4) (X) (X) 55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,355 14 .5 (11 .1–17 .9) 27 .3 (23 .0–31 .6) 39 .3 (34 .6–44 .0) 18 .9 (15 .1–22 .7) (X) (X) 65 years and over . . . . . . 2,226 24 .1 (19 .1–29 .2) 29 .4 (24 .0–34 .8) 33 .2 (27 .6–38 .8) 13 .3 (9 .2–17 .3) (X) (X) Middle 15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . 1,195 1 .3 (–0 .5–3 .0) 14 .2 (8 .5–19 .8) 36 .8 (29 .0–44 .6) 42 .7 (34 .7–50 .7) 5 .1 (1 .5–8 .6) 25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . 4,492 3 .6 (2 .0–5 .1) 14 .4 (11 .4–17 .3) 46 .5 (42 .3–50 .6) 26 .6 (22 .9–30 .2) 9 .1 (6 .7–11 .5) 35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . 4,870 4 .8 (3 .1–6 .5) 17 .0 (14 .0–20 .0) 45 .7 (41 .7–49 .7) 24 .3 (20 .9–27 .7) 8 .2 (6 .0–10 .4) 45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . 4,151 6 .1 (4 .0–8 .2) 22 .4 (18 .7–26 .0) 41 .7 (37 .4–45 .9) 22 .1 (18 .5–25 .7) 7 .8 (5 .5–10 .2) 55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,214 9 .3 (6 .5–12 .2) 22 .1 (18 .0–26 .2) 41 .3 (36 .4–46 .1) 20 .6 (16 .6–24 .5) 6 .8 (4 .3–9 .3) 65 years and over . . . . . . 3,344 11 .3 (8 .3–14 .4) 24 .2 (20 .0–28 .3) 49 .3 (44 .4–54 .1) 10 .2 (7 .3–13 .1) 5 .1 (2 .9–7 .2) Second 15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . 1,245 (X) (X) 20 .3 (14 .0–26 .7) 46 .8 (38 .8–54 .7) 19 .9 (13 .6–26 .2) 13 .0 (7 .7–18 .4) 25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,866 (X) (X) 15 .4 (12 .2–18 .7) 42 .5 (38 .0–46 .9) 30 .9 (26 .7–35 .0) 11 .3 (8 .4–14 .1) 35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,792 (X) (X) 15 .0 (11 .7–18 .2) 47 .2 (42 .7–51 .7) 25 .0 (21 .1–29 .0) 12 .8 (9 .8–15 .8) 45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,305 (X) (X) 19 .6 (15 .8–23 .5) 50 .8 (45 .9–55 .6) 19 .0 (15 .2–22 .8) 10 .6 (7 .6–13 .6) 55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,279 (X) (X) 21 .5 (17 .5–25 .5) 44 .4 (39 .5–49 .3) 26 .1 (21 .8–30 .3) 8 .0 (5 .4–10 .7) 65 years and over . . . . . . 5,795 (X) (X) 23 .2 (20 .1–26 .3) 57 .1 (53 .5–60 .8) 14 .1 (11 .3–16 .6) 5 .6 (3 .9–7 .3) Bottom 15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . 1,639 (X) (X) (X) (X) 47 .2 (40 .3–54 .1) 29 .8 (23 .4–36 .1) 23 .0 (17 .2–28 .8) 25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . 2,576 (X) (X) (X) (X) 56 .4 (50 .9–61 .9) 30 .7 (25 .6–35 .7) 12 .9 (9 .2–16 .6) 35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,649 (X) (X) (X) (X) 59 .4 (54 .8–63 .9) 28 .9 (24 .7–33 .1) 13 .8 (10 .6–17 .0) 45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,233 (X) (X) (X) (X) 68 .1 (63 .5–72 .6) 22 .0 (17 .9–26 .0) 10 .0 (7 .0–12 .9) 55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . 3,078 (X) (X) (X) (X) 71 .8 (67 .2–76 .3) 16 .3 (12 .6–20 .0) 11 .9 (8 .7–15 .2) 65 years and over . . . . . . 7,094 (X) (X) (X) (X) 83 .1 (80 .6–85 .6) 11 .8 (9 .6–13 .9) 5 .2 (3 .7–6 .6) (X) Not applicable . 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
28 U.S. Census Bureau Appendix Table A-6. Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 2004 and 2007 by Race and Ethnicity of Householder (Numbers in thousands) Quintile in 2004 Total Quintile in 2007 Moved down two or more quintiles Moved down one quintile Stayed in the same quintile Moved up one quintile Moved up two or more quintiles Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Top Non-Hispanic White . . . . . . . 17,630 11 .1 (9 .8–12 .4) 19 .6 (17 .9–21 .3) 69 .3 (67 .4–71 .2) (X) (X) (X) (X) Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,124 19 .2 (12 .6–25 .8) 25 .8 (18 .5–33 .1) 55 .0 (46 .7–63 .3) (X) (X) (X) (X) Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,124 17 .7 (11 .3–24 .1) 24 .5 (17 .3–31 .7) 57 .9 (49 .7–66 .1) (X) (X) (X) (X) Fourth Non-Hispanic White . . . . . . . 16,590 10 .0 (8 .7–11 .3) 20 .7 (18 .9–22 .5) 47 .8 (45 .6–50 .0) 21 .5 (19 .7–23 .3) (X) (X) Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,944 16 .9 (12 .1–21 .7) 23 .4 (18 .0–28 .8) 43 .3 (37 .0–49 .6) 16 .4 (11 .3–16 .4) (X) (X) Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,778 20 .5 (15 .2–25 .9) 19 .1 (13 .9–24 .3) 37 .5 (31 .1–43 .9) 22 .9 (17 .3–28 .5) (X) (X) Middle Non-Hispanic White . . . . . . . 15,400 6 .3 (5 .2–7 .4) 18 .4 (16 .7–20 .1) 44 .5 (42 .3–46 .7) 23 .0 (21 .1–24 .9) 7 .7 (6 .5–8 .9) Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,579 6 .8 (4 .0–9 .6) 22 .0 (17 .4–26 .6) 46 .0 (40 .5–51 .5) 17 .7 (13 .5–21 .9) 7 .5 (4 .6–10 .4) Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,135 5 .7 (2 .9–8 .5) 19 .8 (15 .0–24 .6) 43 .8 (37 .8–49 .8) 25 .9 (20 .6–31 .2) 4 .8 (2 .2–7 .4) Second Non-Hispanic White . . . . . . . 14,920 (X) (X) 18 .4 (16 .6–20 .2) 48 .9 (46 .6–51 .2) 22 .4 (20 .5–24 .3) 10 .4 (9 .0–11 .8) Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,587 (X) (X) 20 .7 (16 .2–25 .2) 56 .8 (51 .4–62 .2) 17 .7 (13 .5–21 .9) 4 .8 (2 .4–7 .2) Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,930 (X) (X) 21 .4 (17 .2–25 .6) 45 .0 (39 .9–50 .1) 25 .2 (13 .8–21 .6) 8 .5 (5 .6–11 .4) Bottom Non-Hispanic White . . . . . . . 12,720 (X) (X) (X) (X) 67 .4 (65 .1–69 .7) 21 .2 (19 .2–23 .2) 11 .4 (9 .8–13 .0) Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,741 (X) (X) (X) (X) 80 .8 (77 .6–84 .0) 12 .3 (9 .6–15 .0) 6 .9 (4 .8–9 .0) Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,820 (X) (X) (X) (X) 61 .3 (56 .2–66 .4) 28 .6 (23 .8–33 .4) 10 .2 (6 .8–13 .2) (X) Not applicable . 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
U.S. Census Bureau 29

Appendix Table A-7. 

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Bottom Quintile: 2004

(Numbers in thousands. Householder characteristics measured during the first interview)

Characteristic of householder

Quintile in 2007

Bottom Second Middle, fourth, or top

Percent

90 percent

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent

C .I .

1

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,697 (X) 4,304 (X) 2,268 (X)

Age of Householder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .3 (4 .2–6 .3) 11 .3 (8 .6–14 .0) 16 .6 (12 .3–21 .0)

25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .9 (8 .5–11 .3) 18 .3 (15 .0–21 .6) 14 .7 (10 .5–18 .9)

35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .7 (13 .1–16 .4) 22 .8 (19 .2–26 .3) 22 .2 (17 .3–27 .0)

45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .0 (13 .3–16 .6) 16 .5 (13 .3–19 .7) 14 .2 (10 .1–18 .3)

55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .0 (13 .4–16 .7) 11 .7 (8 .9–14 .4) 16 .2 (11 .9–20 .5)

65 years and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 .1 (37 .8–42 .4) 19 .4 (16 .0–22 .8) 16 .1 (11 .8–20 .4)

Race/Ethnicity of Householder

White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 .4 (67 .3–71 .5) 80 .0 (76 .5–83 .4) 76 .2 (71 .2–81 .2)

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 .3 (56 .1–60 .6) 62 .7 (58 .6–66 .8) 63 .9 (58 .3–69 .6)

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 .1 (24 .0–28 .1) 13 .6 (10 .6–16 .5) 14 .5 (10 .4–18 .6)

Asian or Pacific Islander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .7 (1 .1–2 .3) 2 .7 (1 .3–4 .1) 5 .2 (2 .6–7 .9)

American Indian or Alaska Native . . . . . . . . 2 .9 (2 .1–3 .6) 3 .8 (2 .1–5 .4) 4 .0 (1 .7–6 .3)

Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .8 (10 .3–13 .2) 18 .7 (15 .4–22 .0) 12 .6 (8 .7–16 .5)

Marital Status of Householder

Married, spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 .4 (14 .7–18 .1) 24 .9 (21 .2–28 .6) 28 .3 (23 .0–33 .5)

Married, spouse absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .3 (0 .8–1 .8) 2 .5 (1 .2–3 .9) 2 .0 (0 .3–3 .6)

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 .0 (25 .9–30 .1) 14 .4 (11 .4–17 .4) 13 .1 (9 .1–17 .1)

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 .2 (19 .3–23 .0) 22 .1 (18 .6–25 .7) 21 .0 (16 .2–25 .8)

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .9 (4 .8–7 .0) 5 .2 (3 .3–7 .1) 4 .4 (2 .0–6 .8)

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 .2 (25 .1–29 .2) 30 .8 (26 .9–34 .8) 31 .3 (25 .9–36 .7)

Education of Householder

8 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .3 (13 .6–17 .0) 9 .9 (7 .3–12 .4) 6 .3 (3 .4–9 .1)

Some high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 .2 (17 .4–21 .0) 17 .3 (14 .0–20 .5) 9 .0 (5 .6–12 .4)

High school diploma (includes GED) . . . . . . 31 .6 (29 .5–33 .8) 24 .9 (21 .2–28 .6) 24 .9 (19 .8–29 .9)

Some college (no degree) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 .5 (11 .0–14 .0) 18 .7 (15 .4–22 .0) 15 .7 (11 .4–20 .0)

Associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .9 (14 .2–17 .6) 15 .9 (12 .7–19 .0) 23 .9 (18 .9–28 .7)

Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .4 (4 .4–6 .5) 13 .4 (10 .5–16 .3) 20 .3 (15 .6–25 .0)

(X) Not applicable .

1

 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less

reliable the estimate .

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
30 U.S. Census Bureau

Appendix Table A-8.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Second Quintile: 2004

(Numbers in thousands. Householder characteristics measured during the first interview)

Characteristic of householder

Quintile in 2007

Bottom Second Middle Fourth or top

Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,112 (X) 10,457 (X) 4,689 (X) 2,023 (X)

Age of Householder

15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 .2 (4 .1–8 .3) 5 .6 (4 .3–6 .8) 5 .3 (3 .5–7 .1) 8 .0 (4 .6–11 .4)

25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .5 (11 .4–17 .6) 15 .7 (13 .7–17 .7) 25 .5 (21 .9–29 .0) 21 .5 (16 .4–26 .6)

35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .8 (10 .8–17 .6) 17 .1 (15 .0–19 .2) 20 .3 (17 .0–23 .5) 24 .0 (18 .7–29 .3)

45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .8 (12 .6–19 .0) 16 .0 (14 .0–18 .0) 13 .4 (10 .6–16 .2) 17 .3 (12 .6–22 .0)

55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 .2 (13 .9–20 .4) 13 .9 (12 .0–15 .8) 18 .2 (15 .1–21 .4) 13 .0 (8 .8–17 .2)

65 years and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 .6 (28 .5–36 .7) 31 .7 (29 .1–34 .2) 17 .4 (14 .3–20 .5) 16 .1 (11 .5–20 .7)

Race/Ethnicity of Householder

White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 .8 (78 .4–85 .2) 81 .1 (79 .0–83 .3) 86 .7 (83 .9–89 .5) 86 .7 (82 .5–91 .0)

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 .7 (62 .6–70 .8) 69 .7 (67 .2–72 .3) 71 .2 (67 .5–74 .9) 76 .5 (71 .2–81 .8)

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .0 (10 .1–15 .9) 14 .1 (12 .1–16 .0) 9 .8 (7 .4–12 .2) 6 .1 (3 .1–9 .1)

Asian or Pacific Islander . . . . . . . . . . 2 .2 (0 .9–3 .5) 1 .4 (0 .7–2 .0) 1 .2 (0 .3–2 .1) 3 .4 (1 .2–5 .7)

American Indian or Alaska Native . . . 3 .0 (1 .5–4 .5) 3 .5 (2 .5–4 .5) 2 .3 (1 .0–3 .5) 3 .7 (1 .4–6 .1)

Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .3 (12 .1–18 .4) 12 .6 (10 .8–14 .4) 15 .7 (12 .8–18 .7) 12 .2 (8 .2–16 .3)

Marital Status of Householder

Married, spouse present . . . . . . . . . . 38 .6 (34 .4–42 .9) 40 .2 (37 .5–42 .9) 49 .6 (45 .5–53 .7) 46 .0 (39 .8–52 .2)

Married, spouse absent . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .6 (0 .5–2 .7) 1 .3 (0 .7–1 .9) 1 .8 (0 .7–2 .8) 2 .1 (0 .3–3 .9)

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .5 (11 .5–17 .6) 15 .8 (13 .8–17 .8) 8 .3 (6 .0–10 .5) 12 .9 (8 .7–17 .0)

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 .3 (18 .7–25 .9) 17 .6 (15 .5–19 .7) 18 .1 (14 .9–21 .2) 16 .3 (11 .7–20 .9)

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .4 (3 .4–7 .3) 2 .5 (1 .7–3 .4) 3 .3 (1 .9–4 .8) 3 .4 (1 .2–5 .7)

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 .6 (14 .3–20 .9) 22 .5 (20 .3–24 .8) 19 .0 (15 .8–22 .2) 19 .3 (14 .4–24 .2)

Education of Householder

8 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .6 (7 .9–13 .3) 7 .4 (6 .0–8 .9) 6 .9 (4 .8–8 .9) 5 .5 (2 .7–8 .4)

Some high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .4 (12 .2–18 .5) 9 .3 (7 .7–10 .9) 7 .8 (5 .6–10 .0) 3 .7 (1 .4–6 .0)

High school diploma

 (includes GED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 .6 (24 .7–32 .6) 31 .3 (28 .7–33 .8) 25 .4 (21 .9–29 .0) 28 .2 (22 .6–33 .8)

Some college (no degree) . . . . . . . . . 18 .2 (14 .8–21 .5) 19 .5 (17 .4–21 .7) 18 .7 (15 .5–21 .9) 21 .1 (16 .0–26 .2)

Associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 .9 (14 .5–21 .2) 20 .3 (18 .1–22 .5) 22 .8 (19 .4–26 .3) 16 .2 (11 .6–20 .8)

Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . 9 .3 (6 .8–11 .8) 12 .2 (10 .4–14 .0) 18 .4 (15 .2–21 .5) 25 .3 (19 .9–30 .7)

(X) Not applicable .

1

 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less

reliable the estimate .

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
U.S. Census Bureau 31 Appendix Table A-9. Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Middle Quintile: 2004 (Numbers in thousands. Householder characteristics measured during the first interview) Characteristic of householder Quintile in 2007 Bottom Second Middle Fourth Top Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Percent 90 percent C .I .1 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,343 (X) 4,086 (X) 9,456 (X) 4,804 (X) 1,578 (X) Age of Householder 15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .1 (– .05–2 .7) 4 .1 (2 .4–5 .9) 4 .7 (3 .4–5 .9) 10 .6 (8 .1–13 .1) 3 .8 (1 .1–6 .5) 25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .9 (7 .0–16 .8) 15 .8 (12 .6–19 .0) 22 .1 (19 .7–24 .4) 24 .8 (21 .3–28 .3) 25 .8 (19 .7–32 .0) 35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 .5 (11 .7–23 .3) 20 .2 (16 .7–23 .7) 23 .6 (21 .1–26 .0) 24 .6 (21 .2–28 .1) 25 .2 (19 .1–31 .4) 45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 .9 (12 .9–24 .9) 22 .7 (19 .0–26 .4) 18 .3 (16 .1–20 .5) 19 .1 (15 .9–22 .2) 20 .6 (14 .9–26 .3) 55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 .4 (16 .0–28 .7) 17 .4 (14 .1–20 .7) 14 .0 (12 .0–16 .0) 13 .8 (11 .0–16 .5) 13 .8 (9 .0–18 .7) 65 years and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 .2 (21 .3–35 .1) 19 .8 (16 .3–23 .2) 17 .4 (15 .2–19 .6) 7 .1 (5 .0–9 .2) 10 .7 (6 .3–15 .0) Race and Ethnicity of Householder White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 .6 (75 .7–87 .5) 79 .3 (75 .7–82 .8) 81 .6 (79 .3–83 .8) 84 .2 (81 .3–87 .2) 82 .1 (76 .7–87 .5) Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 .5 (65 .7–79 .3) 69 .4 (65 .3–73 .4) 72 .5 (69 .9–75 .0) 73 .9 (70 .3–77 .4) 75 .5 (69 .5–81 .6) Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .1 (7 .9–18 .3) 13 .9 (10 .9–16 .9) 12 .6 (10 .6–14 .5) 9 .5 (7 .1–11 .9) 12 .2 (7 .6–16 .8) Asian or Pacific Islander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .9 (–0 .2–4 .0) 2 .0 (0 .8–3 .3) 2 .7 (1 .8–3 .6) 2 .9 (1 .6–4 .3) 4 .9 (1 .9–7 .9) American Indian or Alaska Native . . . . . . . . 3 .4 (0 .6–6 .2) 4 .8 (2 .9–6 .7) 3 .2 (2 .2–4 .2) 3 .4 (1 .9–4 .8) 0 .8 (–0 .5–2 .1) Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .1 (4 .7–13 .5) 10 .3 (7 .7–13 .0) 9 .9 (8 .2–11 .6) 11 .5 (8 .9–14 .1) 6 .6 (3 .1–10 .1) Marital Status of Householder Married, spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 .3 (40 .7–55 .9) 54 .4 (50 .0–58 .7) 54 .8 (51 .9–57 .6) 59 .2 (55 .2–63 .1) 62 .1 (55 .2–68 .9) Married, spouse absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .0 (–0 .5–2 .4) 0 .7 (0 .0–1 .4) 0 .9 (0 .4–1 .5) 1 .0 (0 .2–1 .8) 2 .8 (0 .5–5 .1) Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .2 (5 .6–14 .8) 8 .1 (5 .7–10 .5) 7 .2 (5 .7–8 .7) 3 .0 (1 .6–4 .4) 2 .0 (0 .0–4 .0) Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 .1 (16 .7–29 .5) 18 .3 (14 .9–21 .7) 13 .8 (11 .8–15 .8) 15 .2 (12 .3–18 .1) 10 .6 (6 .2–14 .9) Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 .5 (0 .1–4 .8) 3 .2 (1 .7–4 .8) 2 .1 (1 .3–2 .9) 1 .9 (0 .8–3 .0) 3 .8 (1 .1–6 .5) Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .9 (9 .5–20 .4) 15 .3 (12 .2–18 .5) 21 .2 (18 .8–23 .5) 19 .7 (16 .5–22 .9) 18 .7 (13 .2–24 .2) Education of Householder 8 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .5 (5 .8–15 .1) 7 .2 (5 .0–9 .5) 2 .9 (1 .9–3 .8) 3 .2 (1 .7–4 .6) 4 .2 (1 .3–7 .0) Some high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 .4 (7 .4–17 .5) 7 .6 (5 .3–9 .9) 5 .7 (4 .4–7 .1) 4 .0 (2 .4–5 .6) 4 .0 (1 .3–6 .8) High school diploma (includes GED) . . . . . . 27 .0 (20 .2–33 .8) 31 .5 (27 .4–35 .6) 26 .4 (23 .8–28 .9) 22 .3 (18 .9–25 .7) 12 .1 (7 .25–16 .7) Some college (no degree) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .0 (7 .8–18 .1) 19 .9 (16 .4–23 .4) 20 .5 (18 .2–22 .8) 19 .9 (16 .7–23 .1) 19 .2 (13 .6–24 .7) Associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 .8 (16 .3–29 .2) 15 .2 (12 .0–18 .3) 21 .5 (19 .2–23 .9) 21 .2 (17 .9–24 .5) 21 .9 (16 .1–27 .7) Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .4 (9 .0–19 .8) 18 .6 (15 .2–22 .0) 23 .0 (20 .6–25 .4) 29 .4 (25 .7–33 .1) 38 .7 (33 .8–45 .6) (X) Not applicable . 1 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate . Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant . Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see <www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
32 U.S. Census Bureau

Appendix Table A-10.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Fourth Quintile: 2004

(Numbers in thousands. Householder characteristics measured during the first interview)

Characteristic of householder

Quintile in 2007

Bottom or second Middle Fourth Top

Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,509 (X) 4,320 (X) 9,892 (X) 4,567 (X)

Age of Householder

15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .8 (3 .2–8 .4) 6 .2 (4 .2–8 .3) 4 .1 (3 .0–5 .2) 2 .2 (1 .0–3 .4)

25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 .0 (13 .7–22 .3) 14 .8 (11 .7–17 .8) 21 .0 (18 .7–23 .2) 25 .0 (21 .4–28 .6)

35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 .0 (12 .8–21 .2) 19 .3 (15 .9–22 .7) 27 .2 (24 .6–29 .7) 28 .1 (24 .4–31 .8)

45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 .5 (14 .1–22 .8) 23 .4 (19 .7–27 .0) 27 .0 (24 .5–29 .5) 24 .4 (20 .9–28 .0)

55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 .4 (15 .0–23 .8) 21 .2 (17 .7–24 .7) 13 .3 (11 .4–15 .3) 13 .9 (11 .0–16 .7)

65 years and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 .4 (16 .8–26 .0) 15 .1 (12 .1–18 .2) 7 .5 (6 .0–9 .0) 6 .5 (4 .4–8 .5)

Race/Ethnicity of Householder

White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 .4 (75 .9–84 .8) 86 .9 (84 .0–89 .7) 86 .2 (84 .3–88 .1) 86 .2 (83 .4–89 .1)

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 .3 (61 .0–71 .5) 79 .4 (76 .0–82 .9) 80 .2 (78 .0–82 .4) 78 .0 (74 .6–81 .4)

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .1 (9 .3–16 .9) 10 .5 (7 .9–13 .1) 8 .5 (6 .9–10 .1) 7 .0 (4 .9–9 .1)

Asian or Pacific Islander . . . . . . . . . . 1 .3 (0 .0–2 .6) 0 .9 (0 .1–1 .6) 2 .9 (1 .9–3 .8) 4 .5 (2 .8–6 .2)

American Indian or Alaska Native . . . 5 .2 (2 .7–7 .7) 1 .8 (0 .6–2 .9) 2 .4 (1 .5–3 .3) 2 .3 (1 .0–3 .5)

Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .5 (10 .6–18 .5) 7 .9 (5 .6–10 .2) 6 .7 (5 .3–8 .2) 8 .9 (6 .5–11 .2)

Marital Status of Householder 

Married, spouse present . . . . . . . . . . 51 .2 (45 .7–56 .8) 65 .4 (61 .4–69 .4) 69 .1 (66 .5–71 .7) 71 .7 (68 .0–75 .4)

Married, spouse absent . . . . . . . . . . . 0 .8 (–0 .2–1 .8) 0 .7 (0 .0–1 .4) 0 .1 (–0 .1–0 .3) 1 .0 (0 .2–1 .8)

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .2 (5 .1–11 .2) 2 .6 (1 .2–3 .9) 1 .8 (1 .1–2 .6) 1 .7 (0 .6–2 .8)

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 .8 (10 .8–18 .7) 13 .6 (10 .7–16 .5) 13 .0 (11 .1–14 .9) 10 .8 (8 .2–13 .3)

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .0 (1 .8–6 .2) 2 .5 (1 .2–3 .8) 1 .5 (0 .8–2 .2) 1 .7 (0 .6–2 .8)

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 .0 (16 .5–25 .6) 15 .2 (12 .2–18 .3) 14 .5 (12 .5–16 .5) 13 .2 (10 .4–16 .0)

Education of Householder

8 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .6 (2 .3–7 .0) 2 .3 (1 .1–3 .6) 2 .2 (1 .3–3 .0) 0 .8 (0 .1–1 .6)

Some high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .6 (5 .5–11 .8) 4 .4 (2 .6–6 .1) 3 .4 (2 .4–4 .4) 2 .6 (1 .2–3 .9)

High school diploma

 (includes GED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 .6 (16 .1–25 .1) 27 .7 (23 .9–31 .5) 17 .7 (15 .5–19 .8) 16 .6 (13 .6–19 .7)

Some college (no degree) . . . . . . . . . 26 .6 (21 .6–31 .5) 20 .4 (16 .9–23 .8) 20 .7 (18 .4–23 .0) 18 .8 (15 .6–22 .0)

Associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .5 (11 .5–19 .6) 20 .3 (16 .8–23 .7) 22 .1 (19 .8–24 .4) 15 .9 (12 .9–18 .9)

Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . 24 .1 (19 .6–28 .8) 25 .0 (21 .3–28 .6) 34 .0 (31 .3–36 .7) 45 .3 (41 .1–49 .4)

(X) Not applicable .

1

 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less

reliable the estimate .

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .
U.S. Census Bureau 33

Appendix Table A-11.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Top Quintile: 2004

(Numbers in thousands. Householder characteristics measured during the first interview)

Characteristic of householder

Quintile in 2007

Bottom, second, or middle Fourth Top

Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1 Percent

90 percent 

C .I .

1

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,523 (X) 4,312 (X) 14,445 (X)

Age of Householder

15–24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .5 (2 .2–6 .8) 1 .1 (0 .2–2 .0) 0 .5 (0 .1–0 .8)

25–34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 .5 (6 .2–12 .8) 13 .3 (10 .4–16 .2) 15 .1 (13 .4–16 .7)

35–44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 .0 (20 .1–29 .8) 25 .1 (21 .4–28 .8) 31 .0 (28 .8–33 .1)

45–54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 .0 (20 .1–29 .8) 29 .5 (25 .6–33 .4) 33 .3 (31 .1–35 .5)

55–64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 .6 (17 .9–27 .2) 21 .0 (17 .5–24 .4) 15 .7 (14 .0–17 .3)

65 years and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 .5 (9 .7–17 .3) 10 .0 (7 .4–12 .6) 4 .6 (3 .6–5 .6)

Race/Ethnicity of Householder

White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 .9 (80 .9–88 .9) 85 .9 (82 .9–88 .9) 88 .9 (87 .4–90 .4)

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 .7 (73 .0–82 .3) 80 .2 (76 .8–83 .6) 84 .6 (82 .9–86 .2)

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 .6 (5 .4–11 .7) 6 .7 (4 .6–8 .9) 4 .3 (3 .3–5 .2)

Asian or Pacific Islander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 .6 (1 .5–5 .6) 4 .5 (2 .7–6 .3) 4 .2 (3 .3–5 .1)

American Indian or Alaska Native . . . . . . . . . 3 .0 (1 .1–4 .9) 2 .9 (1 .4–4 .3) 2 .6 (1 .9–3 .4)

Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 .9 (4 .9–10 .9) 6 .4 (4 .3–8 .5) 4 .5 (3 .5–5 .5)

Marital Status of Householder

Married, spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 .3 (64 .1–74 .4) 79 .0 (75 .5–82 .5) 82 .9 (81 .1–84 .6)

Married, spouse absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 .7 (–0 .2–1 .6) 0 .7 (0 .0–1 .4) 0 .3 (0 .1–0 .6)

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 .3 (3 .6–8 .9) 2 .3 (1 .0–3 .6) 1 .9 (1 .3–2 .5)

Divorced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 .7 (8 .1–15 .2) 6 .5 (4 .4–8 .6) 7 .1 (5 .9–8 .3)

Separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 .0 (0 .0–0 .0) 1 .6 (0 .5–2 .7) 0 .5 (0 .2–0 .8)

Widowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 .1 (8 .5–15 .7) 9 .9 (7 .3–12 .4) 7 .3 (6 .1–8 .5)

Education of Householder

8 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .5 (3 .0–8 .1) 1 .1 (0 .2–1 .9) 0 .6 (0 .2–0 .9)

Some high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 .9 (2 .5–7 .2) 2 .3 (1 .0–3 .6) 0 .9 (0 .5–1 .4)

High school diploma (includes GED) . . . . . . . 21 .1 (16 .5–25 .5) 15 .3 (12 .2–18 .3) 8 .0 (6 .8–9 .3)

Some college (no degree) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 .5 (12 .4–20 .6) 19 .5 (12 .2–22 .8) 13 .2 (11 .8–15 .0)

Associate’s degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .4 (11 .4–19 .4) 15 .4 (12 .3–18 .5) 13 .7 (12 .1–15 .3)

Bachelor’s degree or higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 .7 (31 .3–42 .0) 46 .5 (42 .3–50 .7) 63 .6 (61 .4–65 .8)

(X) Not applicable .

1

 A 90 percent confidence interval is a measure of an estimate’s variability . The larger the confidence interval in relation to the size of the estimate, the less

reliable the estimate .

Note: The estimates in this table are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from the actual values because of sampling variability 

and other factors . As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant .

Source: U .S . Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2004 Panel . For information on sampling and nonsampling error, see

<www .census .gov/sipp/sourceac/S&A04_W1toW12(S&A-9) .pdf> .


U.S. Department of Commerce

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U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Washington, DC 20233

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Penalty for Private Use $300

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

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