U S C E N S U S B U R E A U

Helping You Make Informed Decisions

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Dynamics of Economic Well-Being:

Movements in the U.S. Income

Distribution, 1996-1999

Household Economic Studies

P70-95

Issued July 2004

Current

Population

Reports

By 

John J. Hisnanick 

and 

Katherine G. Walker

As measured by the most recent income

data available from the Current

Population Survey (CPS), between 1996

and 2002 median household income

increased 4.7 percent more than inflation. That statistic compares a "snapshot" of households in 1996 with another "snapshot" in 2002. It is not a picture

of what happened to the same households over that time period. Medians,

like those from the CPS, can conceal an

enormous amount of movement in the

income of individual households. This

report uses the most recent longitudinal

data available from the Survey of Income

and Program Participation (SIPP), to

examine movements in the incomes of

the same households within the income

distribution during the first part of this

period - 1996 to 1999 (see Text Box:

Household Income).1

Income quintiles were constructed for

each year — 1996 through 1999 — (see

Text Box: Constructing Income Quintiles)

using data collected in the SIPP. Using

longitudinal data it is possible to identify

and discuss factors that result in the rise

and fall in the incomes for the same U.S.

households (see Text Box: What Makes

SIPP a Longitudinal Survey?). 

HIGHLIGHTS2

• Of U.S. households, 66 percent in the

top quintile and 62 percent in the

bottom quintile were in the same

quintile 3 years later (see 

Figure 1).

• Between 41 percent and 47 percent of

households in the middle three quintiles were in the same quintile 3 years

later (see Figure 1).

Household Income 

The Survey of Income and Program

Participation collects detailed monthly information from individuals age

15 years and older on wages and

salaries earned; pension benefits;

cash and in-kind benefits received

from social welfare program participation; and income generated from

returns on property, assets, and

holdings. The individual-level data

are aggregated up to monthly total

household information, which can be

aggregated by calendar year to produce annual total household income.

Total household income consists of

earned income from employment, as

well as pension benefits, property

and asset income, and means-tested

cash transfer income received by

household members. A complete

description of the type and sources

of income collected in the 1996 SIPP

panel is available through the SIPP

homepage at: <www.sipp.census.gov

/sipp/core_content/1996/1996.html>.

1 The population represented is the civilian nonin- all surveys, estimates may vary from the actual valstitutionalized population of the United States. See ues because of sampling variation or other factors.

the “Source of the Data” section for more details. All statements made in this report have undergone 2 The estimates in this report are based on statistical testing and pass Census Bureau standards

responses from a sample of the population. As with for statistical accuracy. 
• Of U.S. households, 13 million

(13 percent) experienced

changes in their annual income

between 1996 and 1999 that

resulted in their moving either

up or down two or more quintiles in the income distribution

(see Table 3).

• Of these 13 million households,

the 34 percent (4.3 million) in

the bottom and the second quintiles experienced the largest percentage gain in annual household income between 1996 and

1999, and the 11 percent (1.5

million) that started in the middle

quintile experienced the largest

absolute gain in annual household income (see Table 3).

• Of these 13 million households,

22 percent (2.9 million) of those

that started in the top quintile

experienced a decline of two or

more quintiles between 1996

and 1999 (see Table 3).

• Householders with lower levels

of education were more likely to

remain in or move into a lower

quintile compared with householders with higher levels of education (see Figure 2).

• Householders who were widowed were more likely to remain

in or move into a lower quintile

compared with householders

who were not widows or widowers (see Figure 3).

• Householders under age 45 were

more likely to move into a higher

quintile than older householders,

while householders age 55 and

over were more likely to move

into a lower quintile than younger

householders (see Figure 4).

2 U.S. Census Bureau

Constructing Income Quintiles 

A quintile represents a 20 percent group of data from a frequency distribution. For example, the first quintile ends at a point in the distribution where 20 percent of the data are below that point and 80 percent

are above it. Similarly, the middle quintile is represented by two points

on a distribution, defined so that 40 percent of the data in the distribution is below the lower point and 40 percent of the data is above the

higher point. Constructing income quintiles for the years 1996 and

1999 required summing the final panel sampling weights for each

householder who was interviewed for all twelve waves of the 1996 SIPP

panel. As noted in the text, longitudinal data from the Survey of

Income and Program Participation are needed to understand changes in

economic well-being over time for the same households. Unfortunately,

not all households responded to the survey for all twelve interviews

that are needed to create the full picture over 4 years. Income levels

defining the quintiles are affected by this nonresponse and also by the

failure to include immigrants who entered the U.S. after the survey

began. Thus, quintile estimates after 1996 from the SIPP are not representative of the incomes of all households in the U.S.

Data from the Current Population Survey are recommended when looking at changes in the overall income distribution, but are not useful for

looking at changes for the same households over time, as there is no

attempt to follow households if they move, nor are any households in

the CPS for more than two consecutive years.

What Makes SIPP a Longitudinal Survey?

A longitudinal survey captures changes for the same individuals over

a period of time. The 1996 SIPP panel is a longitudinal survey that

tried to interview 36,700 households 12 times at 4-month intervals

from April 1996 through March 2000, following all members of the

original sample household. Demographic and economic characteristics for the same households, families, and individuals were gathered

during each interview, whereas special topics varied from interview

to interview. 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. More information on SIPP can be found at

<www.sipp.census.gov/sipp/>. 
METHODOLOGY life events, such as completion of

education, marriage, divorce or While no measure of economic separation, or spousal death. well-being is all encompassing, Fluctuations in income change the income is the measure most relative positions of households commonly used because it affects (referred to as income mobility). the goods and services a house- The estimates in this report are hold can buy. Household income based on a sample of U.S. house- can change with a strong or weak holds that were interviewed for all

economy, as well as with 12 waves of the 1996 SIPP panel

and represent nearly 100 million

households. This report focuses

on their ranked household income

by quintiles in calendar years 1996

and 1999 and the householder's

demographic characteristics.3

QUINTILE MOVEMENTS 

OVER TIME: 1996-1999

Out of 100 million U.S. households,

those in the top and the bottom

quintiles of the income distribution

experienced the most stability from

1996 through 1999. Sixty-six percent of households (13 million)

starting in the top quintile and 

62 percent of households (12 million) starting in the bottom quintile

in 1996 remained in these respective quintiles in 1999. In comparison, more than half of the households that started in the second,

middle, and fourth quintiles experienced considerable movement

across the income distribution by

1999, with only 41 percent to 

47 percent remaining in their original quintile (see Figure 1). 

U.S. Census Bureau 3

Figure 1.

Percent Distribution of Households by 

Income Quintile: 1996 and 1999

Note: All incomes are adjusted to 1999 dollars using the CPI-U-RS. Bolded numbers 

indicate the percentage of households that remained in the same income quintile.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

Top quintile

in 1996

($68,649

or more)

Fourth quintile

in 1996

($45,364-

$68,648)

Middle quintile

in 1996

($29,652-

$45,363)

Second quintile

in 1996

($16,221-

$29,651)

Bottom quintile

in 1996

($16,220

or less)

66.2

22.9

7.4

2.4

1.2

19.3

44.6

25.0

8.4

2.7

7.6

20.0

41.0

23.4

8.0

2.7

6.6

17.8

46.9

26.1

5.8 4.3 8.9

18.9

62.0

Households in top quintile in 1999

Households in fourth quintile in 1999

Households in middle quintile in 1999

Households in second quintile in 1999

Households in bottom quintile in 1999

3 Householder refers to that person in

whose name the home is owned or rented. If

a married couple owns the home jointly,

either the husband or wife may be listed as

the householder. If a sample member moves

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 a 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. In an attempt to take

full advantage of the longitudinal nature of

the SIPP panel, the population universe of this

analysis is all householders interviewed in all

12 waves of the panel. A more complete and

detailed explanation of 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.sipp.census.gov/sipp/>.
From 1996 through 1999, 34 per- Overall, 52 percent of households than, those observed from the yearcent of households (6.6 million) (52 million) remained in the same to-year comparisons. On the other

that started in the second income quintile from 1996 through 1999 hand, comparing the diagonal

quintile moved up to a higher (see Table 1). entries in Tables 1 and 2, the 2-year

quintile, while 19 percent averages indicate more stability in During this time, more households experienced a drop to a lower the income quintiles, resulting in experienced an upward movement quintile. From the middle quintile, proportions that are larger than, in the income distribution than a

32 percent of households (6.4 mil- and significantly different from, the downward movement (26 percent lion) moved up and 27 percent of year-to-year estimates. compared with 22 percent). To

households (5.3 million) moved better assess the year-to-year CHANGES OF TWO OR MORE down. For households that started volatility in income, 2-year aver- QUINTILES: 1996 - 1999 in the fourth quintile in 1996, ages for household income were

23 percent (4.6 million) saw their computed (see Table 2). In 1996, about 40 million U.S.

income rise to the top quintile, households with an annual income

while 32 percent (6.5 million) The movements across the income greater than $45,363 comprised the

quintiles using these 2-year experienced a decline in their quin- top two quintiles of the income

averages are comparable to, but tile position (see Figure 1). distribution, while about 40 million

naturally of a smaller magnitude U.S. households with an annual

4 U.S. Census Bureau

Table 1.

Percent Distribution of All Households by Income Quintiles: 1996 and 1999

1996 and 1999

Bottom

quintile

($13,728

or less)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Second

quintile

($13,729-

$28,700)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Middle

quintile

($28,701-

$46,309)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Fourth

quintile

($46,310-

$71,081)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Top

quintile

($71,082

or more)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Bottom quintile

($16,220 or less) . . .

Second quintile

12.4 (12.1-12.7) 5.2 (5.0-5.4) 1.6 (1.4-1.8) 0.6 (0.4-0.8) 0.2 (0.2-0.2)

($16,221-$29,651) . .

Middle quintile

3.8 (3.6-4.0) 9.4 (9.1-9.7) 4.7 (4.5-4.9) 1.7 (1.5-1.9) 0.5 (0.5-0.5)

($29,652-$45,363) . .

Fourth quintile

1.8 (1.6-2.0) 3.6 (3.4-3.8) 8.2 (7.9-8.5) 5.0 (4.8-5.2) 1.5 (1.3-1.7)

($45,364-$68,648) . .

Top quintile

1.2 (1.0-1.4) 1.3 (1.1-1.5) 4.0 (3.8-4.2) 8.9 (8.6-9.2) 4.6 (4.4-4.8)

($68,649 or more) . . 0.9 (0.7-1.1) 0.5 (0.5-0.5) 1.5 (1.3-1.7) 3.9 (3.7-4.1) 13.2 (12.9-13.5)

Note: Total number of households: 99,552,000. All incomes are adjusted to 1999 dollars using the CPI-U-RS.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

Table 2.

Percent Distribution of All Households by Income Quintiles Using 2-Year Averages:

1996-1997 and 1998-1999

1996-97

and

1998-99

Bottom

quintile

($15,049

or less)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Second

quintile

($15,050-

$29,993)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Middle

quintile

($29,994-

$47,100)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Fourth

quintile

($47,101-

$71,306)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Top

quintile

($71,307

or more)

90-percent

confidence

interval

Bottom quintile

($16,705 or less) . . . 14.6 (14.3-14.9) 4.4 (4.2-4.6) 0.8 (0.6-1.0) 0.2 (0.2-0.2) 0.7 (0.5-0.9)

Second quintile

($16,706-$30,202) . . 3.2 (3.0-3.4) 11.1 (10.8-11.4) 4.5 (4.3-4.7) 1.0 (0.8-1.2) 0.2 (0.2-0.2)

Middle quintile

($30,203-$45,984) . . 1.1 (0.9-1.3) 3.4 (3.2-3.6) 10.1 (9.8-10.4) 4.6 (4.4-4.8) 0.9 (0.7-1.1)

Fourth quintile

($45,985-$69,001) . . 0.7 (0.5-0.9) 0.9 (0.7-1.1) 3.8 (3.6-4.0) 10.7 (10.4-11.0) 3.9 (3.7-4.1)

Top quintile

($69,002 or more) . . 0.4 (0.4-0.4) 0.3 (0.3-0.3) 0.9 (0.7-1.1) 3.5 (3.3-3.7) 14.9 (14.6-15.2)

Note: Total number of households: 99,552,000. All incomes were adjusted to 1999 dollars using the CPI-U-RS.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
income of less than $29,652 comprised the bottom two quintiles.4

The largest percentage gains in

annual income from 1996 through

1999 occurred for the 4.5 million

households that moved up two or

more quintiles from the lower end

of the income distribution. 

In the bottom quintile, 2.4 million

households (12 percent of the quintile count) experienced, on average,

a three-and-a-half fold (354 percent)

increase in annual income, from

$10,818 in 1996 to $49,079 in

1999. Similarly, the 2.1 million

households (11 percent) in the second quintile experienced, on average, nearly a two-fold increase (175

percent) in their annual income,

from $23,566 in 1996 to $64,883

in 1999 (see Table 3).

The largest absolute gain in annual

income occurred for the 1.5 million

households (7.4 percent) that started in the middle quintile of the

income distribution in 1996 and

ended in the top quintile. These

households experienced, on average, a $60,156 increase in income

by 1999. On the other hand, the

1.8 million households (8.9 percent)

that started in the middle quintile in

1996 and ended in the bottom

quintile in 1999 experienced a drop

in income of $32,896, on average

(see Table 3).

Of households in the fourth and

the top quintiles of the income distribution in 1996, 14 percent experienced a decline in income that

resulted in moving down two or

more quintiles between 1996 and

1999. On average, the 2.5 million

households (12 percent) that started in the fourth quintile in 1996

experienced a $41,423 decline in

income by 1999. Similarly, the 

2.9 million households (15 percent) that started in the top quintile in 1996, on average, experienced an $83,820 drop in income

by 1999 (see Table 3). 

A substantial change in household

income was observed for

householders who remained in the

top quintile. Among the 7.9 million households that started in the

top income quintile in 1996 and

remained there in 1999, 1.4 million (18 percent) experienced an

increase in household income

greater than 50 percent; their

incomes increased, on average,

from $110,036 in 1996 to

$232,990 in 1999.5

HOUSEHOLD DEMOGRAPHIC

CHARACTERISTICS

The previous analysis focused on

households’ movement among 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

1996 and 1999. Comparisons

within and across quintiles were

done using characteristics collected in the survey’s first interview –

U.S. Census Bureau 5

Table 3.

Households That Moved Two or More Income Quintiles: 1996 to 1999

Quintile in 1996 (Income in 1999 dollars)

Households

(in thousands)

Percent of

households in

1996 quintile

Average household income (1999 dollars)

1996 1999

Percentage

change from

1996 to 1999

Moved up two or more quintiles

Bottom quintile 2,373 11.9 $10,818 $49,079 353.7

($16,220 or less) .................. (2,209-2,537) (11.1-12.7) ($10,536-$11,109) ($46,243-$51,915) (326.9-380.5)

Second quintile 2,141 10.8 $23,566 $64,883 175.3

($16,221-$29,651)................. (1,977-2,305) (10.0-11.6) ($23,380-$23,854) ($63,058-$66,708) (164.9-185.7)

Middle quintile 1,470 7.4 $37,896 $98,052 158.7

($29,652-$45,363).................

Moved down two or more quintiles

(1,339-1,601) (6.7-8.1) ($37,505-$38,287) ($93,357-$102,747) (145.4-172.1)

Middle quintile 1,779 8.9 $36,554 $3,658 -90.0

($29,652-$45,363)................. (1,648-1,910) (8.2-9.6) ($36,189-$36,919) ($3,261-$4,055) (-91.2 - -88.8)

Fourth quintile 2,471 12.4 $54,753 $13,330 -75.6

($45,364-$68,648)................. (2,307-2,635) (11.6-13.2) ($54,302-$55,203) ($12,583-$14,077) (-77.1 - -74.2)

Top quintile 2,897 14.6 $108,420 $24,600 -77.3

($68,649 or more) ................. (2,733-3,061) (13.8-15.4) ($103,347-$113,493) ($23,531-$25,669) (-78.8 - -75.8)

Note: Number of Households: 99,552,000. All incomes are adjusted to 1999 dollars using the CPI-U-RS, 90-percent confidence intervals are reported in

parentheses.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

4 All household incomes are adjusted to

1999 dollars using the Consumer Price Index

for Urban Consumers Research Series 

(CPI-U-RS).

5 This information is based on a separate

analysis of only those households that

remained in the top income quintile in both

1996 and 1999 and was done because there

is no upper bound on the top income quintile.
the householder’s educational

attainment, marital status, age,

and race and ethnicity.6

The percentages in Figures 2

through 5 are based on the total

number of households in each lived in households that moved

quintile in 1996 and their relative down one quintile in 1999, and

status in 1999. For example, of all 43.5 percent lived in households

householders in the top quintile that stayed in the same quintile. 

with less than a high school educa- Factors that affect household tion in 1996, 33.2 percent lived in income mobility include changes in households that moved down two

level of educational attainment, quintiles in 1999, 23.2 percent

6 U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 2.

Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 

1996 and 1999 by Highest Level of Educational Attainment of Householder

Note: Householder level of educational attainment in 1996. Information on the base population for Figures 2 through 5 is discussed in the 

note for Table A-2. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Some college or associate's degree

High school diploma

Less than high school

Bachelor's degree or higher

Some college or associate's degree

High school diploma

Less than high school

Bachelor's degree or higher

Some college or associate's degree

High school diploma

Less than high school

Bachelor's degree or higher

Some college or associate's degree

High school diploma

Less than high school

Bachelor's degree or higher

Some college or associate's degree

High school diploma

Less than high school

Top quintile in 1996

Bottom quintile in 1996

Second quintile in 1996

Middle quintile in 1996

Fourth quintile in 1996

Households that 

moved up two 

or more quintiles 

Households that 

moved up one 

quintile 

Households that 

stayed in the 

same quintile 

Households that 

moved down one 

quintile 

Households that 

moved down two 

or more quintiles 

33.2 23.3 43.5

20.6 24.6 54.8 

15.4 24.5 60.1

10.5 14.2 75.3

25.8 26.1 32.8 15.3

13 .0 22.2 44.4 20.3

10.9 21.1 47.3 20.7

9.6 14.6 45.0 30.8 

11.7 26.6 38.9 18.3 4.5

8.7 18.8 41.9 24.7 5.9

8.6 16.3 41.3 26.3 7.5

7.7 11.6 40.3 28.3 12.1

25.9 49.7 18.6 5.8

17.2 49.9 23.3 9.7

17.0 45.4 25.8 11.9

13.8 36 .0 28.3 21.9

72.8 21.4 5.8

57.0 30.6 12.5

52.1 28.5 19.4

48.6 26.8 24.6

6 See footnote 4 for the definition of

householder.
marital status, and perhaps age as

a proxy for work experience.7

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

As one might expect, householders

with lower levels of education were

less likely to move to a higher

income quintile but were more likely to move to a lower income quintile than householders who had

higher levels of education (see

Figure 2 and Text Box: How

Changes in Educational Attainment

Affect Household Income). The

most notable differences within

quintiles from 1996 through 1999

were for householders with less

than a high school education and

those with a bachelor’s degree or

higher. For example, householders

with less than a high school education who began in the fourth and

top quintiles were three times as

likely (26 percent and 33 percent

and 9.6 percent and 11 percent,

respectively) to experience a decline

in income that moved them down

two or more quintiles as householders with at least a bachelor’s

degree. Similarly, householders

with at least a bachelor’s degree

who began in the bottom and second quintiles were four times as

likely (5.8 percent compared with

22 percent and 25 percent, respectively) to improve their household

income by two or more quintiles as

householders with less than a high

school education. By contrast,

householders with a high school

diploma and those with some college or an associate’s degree experienced only small differences in

movement between their 1996

quintiles and their 1999 quintiles. 

The most striking finding, however,

arises when looking at householders in the bottom and top quintiles.

In the bottom quintile, those with

less than a high school education

had the most stable income: 73 percent stayed in the bottom quintile.

With remarkable symmetry, in the

top quintile, those with at least a

bachelor’s degree had the most stable income: 75 percent stayed in

the top quintile. 

MARITAL STATUS 

Being a widow or widower had a

notable impact on household

income. Widowed householders

tended to remain in the same quintile or move down compared with

householders who were not widows or widowers (see Figure 3).

For example, 79 percent and 

61 percent of widowers remained

from 1996 to 1999 in the bottom

and second quintiles. These proportions are much higher relative

to the other marital status categories for these quintiles.

Compared with their nonwidowed

counterparts, widows and widowers in the middle quintile were

more likely to move down one

quintile and less likely to move up

one quintile. Similar trends are

observed in the fourth and top

quintiles, where widowed householders were nearly two-and-a-half

times as likely as their married

counterparts to move down two

quintiles: 26 percent compared

with 11 percent in the fourth quintile and 31 percent compared with

13 percent in the top quintile (see

Figure 3 and Text Box: How

Changes in Marital Status Affect

Household Income).

A few across-quintile differences

distinguished householders who

moved in the income distribution

from 1996 through 1999. Nearly 

1 in 5 married householders in the

bottom quintile moved up two or

U.S. Census Bureau 7

7 Changes in 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 out or back

into their parents’ household, parents moving in or out of their adult children’s household, and unrelated people moving into or

out of a household. 

How Changes in Educational Attainment 

Affect Household Income 

Between 1996 and 1999, 8.8 percent of householders experienced an

increase in their level of educational attainment, which could be associated with an increase in household income. Individuals with higher

levels of educational attainment are, on average, paid higher wages

and salaries. The first and last months of the 1996 SIPP panel were

compared to see how a change in the level of educational attainment

affected household income and the household’s movement in the

income distribution. Changes expected to increase household income

include movement from having some college education or an associate’s degree to earning a bachelor’s degree, as well as going from having a bachelor’s degree to earning a postgraduate degree.

Householders (8.9 percent) who moved up two or more quintiles from

the bottom, second, or middle quintiles experienced a change in educational level from 1996 through 1999. People who moved up at least

two quintiles from the bottom quintile experienced the largest change

in educational attainment in percentage terms, with 7.9 percent moving from the category some college or an associate’s degree to earning

a bachelor’s degree and 2.4 percent moving from having a bachelor’s

degree to having a postgraduate degree. 
more quintiles, while about 1 in 10 category for householders who widowers, only 1 in 3 stayed in the

of those in the second and middle remained in the same quintile. As top quintile (79 percent compared

quintiles did (18 percent compared with educational attainment, the with 37 percent). By comparison,

with 11 percent and 7.0 percent, most striking differences occurred while 1 in 2 married householders

respectively). between the bottom and top quin- remained in the bottom quintile,

tiles. While over 3 in 4 more than 2 in 3 remained in the

A number of across-quintile differ- householders who remained in the top quintile (49 percent compared

ences appeared by marital status bottom quintile were widows or with 68 percent). 

8 U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 3.

Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 

1996 and 1999 by Marital Status of Householder

Note: Marital status of householder in 1996.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

Widowed

Divorced or separated

Never married

Married

Widowed

Divorced or separated

Never married

Married

Widowed

Divorced or separated

Never married

Married

Widowed

Divorced or separated

Never married

Married

Widowed

Divorced or separated

Never married

Married

Top quintile in 1996

Bottom quintile in 1996

Second quintile in 1996

Middle quintile in 1996

Fourth quintile in 1996

Households that 

moved up two 

or more quintiles 

Households that 

moved up one 

quintile 

Households that 

stayed in the 

same quintile 

Households that 

moved down one 

quintile 

Households that 

moved down two 

or more quintiles 

3.0

12.9 18.7 68.4

20.4 21.2 58.4

22.3 19.6 58.1

31.4 31.9 36.7

10.7 19.2 46.6 23.5

15.3 18.7 41.6 24.5

14.5 22.2 41.3 21.9

25.8 29.0 33.0 12.2 

7.8 16.6 41.4 27.2 7.0

11.1 15.7 38.3 25.2 9.7

9.2 19.8 41.2 22.1 7.7

13.0 26.0 42.0 13.5 5.3

16.7 44.2 28.2 11.0

20.6 38.7 26.5 14.2

18.9 49.0 20.6 11.5

23.2 60.7 10.6 5.5

48.9 32.8 18.3

55.1 27.5 17.3

60.6 28.0 11.4

78.8 18.3
AGE

Growing older is commonly associated with increased maturity,

domestic stability, and labor force

experience, which often result in

higher income.8 Younger householders experienced greater

volatility in income between 1996

and 1999: they were both more

likely to move up from a lower

income quintile and more likely to

move down from the top income

quintile (see Figure 4). For example, over one-half of all householders under age 45 in the bottom

quintile experienced increases in

income that moved them up one or

more quintiles by 1999. Similarly,

more householders under age 45

in the second quintile experienced

increases rather than declines in

their income, which moved them

up one or more quintiles by 1999.

This same pattern was observed

for younger householders in the

middle quintile as well. At the

other end of the income spectrum,

in the fourth and top quintiles,

younger householders were more

likely to remain in the top quintile

or move up from the fourth quintile than older householders. Also,

younger householders were more

likely than older householders to

move down from the top quintile. 

For householders aged 55 and

older, income volatility was more

often downward. One possible reason could be that householders in

this age category were moving into

retirement or had already retired,

resulting in a stable or declining

quintile status by 1999. For example, in the bottom and the second

quintiles, a significantly larger proportion of older householders

remained in the same quintile compared with all other householders.

In the fourth and top quintiles,

these older householders were

more likely to experience a decline

in their income, leading to a larger

proportion moving down one or

more quintiles by 1999. Even in

the middle quintile, which experienced considerable income volatility

between 1996 and 1999, older

householders were more likely to

see their incomes decline, with a

subsequently larger proportion

moving down one or more quintiles

by 1999. 

RACE AND ETHNICITY

Few within-quintile differences

arose by the race and ethnicity of

the householder (see Figure 5).

Non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, and

Hispanics (of any race) had similar

propensities to remain in the same

quintile and to move to lower or

higher quintiles. However, Black

householders in the bottom quintile

were more likely than Hispanic

householders to remain there (65

percent compared with 59 percent),

while Black householders in the second quintile were more likely to

move down one quintile than nonHispanic Whites (25 percent compared to 17 percent). Beyond these

two comparisons, no statistical differences in income mobility by race

and ethnicity were found. 

SOURCE OF THE DATA

The population represented is the

civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States from the

1996 Survey of Income and

Program Participation (SIPP). The

SIPP is conducted at 4-month intervals. The data were collected from

April 1996 until March 2000. The

institutionalized population, which

is excluded from the population

universe, is composed primarily of

the population in correctional institutions and nursing homes.

U.S. Census Bureau 9

How Changes in Marital Status Affect Household Income 

Between 1996 and 1999, 17 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 income,

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 1996 SIPP panel was examined

for those who experienced a change in income. Of householders

who moved up two or more quintiles from the bottom, second, or

middle quintile, 8.6 percent were never married in 1996 but were

married in 1999. Changes expected to decrease household income,

particularly for women, include going from married to divorced, separated, or widowed. Nearly 5 percent of householders who moved

down at least two quintiles in income from the top, fourth, or middle

quintiles were married in 1996 and divorced or separated by 1999,

while 2.1 percent were married in 1996 and widowed by 1999.

8 A good review of this life-cycle hypothesis and its empirical validation can be found

in Murphy, Kevin and Finis Welch (1990),

“Empirical Age-Earnings Profiles,” Journal of

Labor Economics, 8, pp. 202-29; Medoff,

James L and Katharine G. Abraham (1980),

“Experience, Performance, and Earnings,”

Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 95, No.

4, pp. 703-36; and Klevmarken, Anders and

John M. Quigley (1976), “Age, Experience, and

Investments in Human Capital,” Journal of

Political Economy, Vol. 84, No. 1, pp. 47-72.
10 U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 4.

Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 

1996 and 1999 by Age of Householder

Note: Age of householder in 1996.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

Age 65+

Age 55 to 64

Age 45 to 54

Age 35 to 44

Age 25 to 34

Age 15 to 24

Age 65+

Age 55 to 64

Age 45 to 54

Age 35 to 44

Age 25 to 34

Age 15 to 24

Age 65+

Age 55 to 64

Age 45 to 54

Age 35 to 44

Age 25 to 34

Age 15 to 24

Age 65+

Age 55 to 64

Age 45 to 54

Age 35 to 44

Age 25 to 34

Age 15 to 24

Age 65+

Age 55 to 64

Age 45 to 54

Age 35 to 44

Age 25 to 34

Age 15 to 24

Top quintile in 1996

Bottom quintile in 1996

Second quintile in 1996

Middle quintile in 1996

Fourth quintile in 1996

Households that 

moved up two 

or more quintiles 

Households that 

moved up one 

quintile 

Households that 

stayed in the 

same quintile 

Households that 

moved down one 

quintile 

Households that 

moved down two 

or more quintiles 

2.4

39.5 26.4 34.1

12.6 20.5 66.8

10.8 18.4 70.8

12.7 15.7 71.6 

20.9 23.9 55.2

28.8 26.8 44.4

21.7 20.9 33.6 23.8 

8.2 18.5 45.9 27.3 

8.8 14.5 51.1 25.7

10.4 21.0 45.6 23.0

19.1 26.8 37.1 17.1

24.5 28.6 34.8 12.1

13.7 16.4 36.9 23.3 9.7

8.0 14.0 37.5 31.8 8.7

6.4 12.8 42.0 29.9 9.0

6.2 16.1 42.4 27.4 7.9

8.4 22.6 42.3 20.1 6.7

14.9 27.7 43.2 11.3 3.0

18.3 30.9 30.7 20.1

13.4 38.2 32.4 15.9

16.2 41.2 29.9 12.7

19.5 42.8 24.9 12.7

19.6 49.7 20.8 9.8

23.5 60.5 12.6 3.4

41.6 32.2 26.2

46.7 33.3 20.0

45.7 35.1 19.2

59.2 26.7 14.1

62.0 26.1 11.8

79.1 18.5
ACCURACY OF sources, such as how the survey Participation weighting procedure

THE ESTIMATES was designed, how respondents uses ratio estimation, whereby saminterpret questions, how able and ple estimates are adjusted to inde- Statistics from surveys are subject willing respondents are to provide pendent estimates of the national to sampling and nonsampling error. correct answers, and how population by age, race, sex, and All comparisons presented in this accurately the answers are coded Hispanic origin. This weighting par- report have taken sampling error and classified. The Census Bureau tially corrects for bias due to under- into account and are significant at employs quality control procedures coverage, but biases may still be the 90-percent confidence level. throughout the production process present when people who are This means the 90-percent confi- including the overall design of sur- missed by the survey differ from dence interval for the difference

veys, the wording of questions, those interviewed in ways other between the estimates being com- review of the work of interviewers than the age, race, sex, and pared does not include zero. and coders, and statistical review of Hispanic origin. How this weighting Nonsampling errors in surveys may reports to minimize these errors. procedure affects other variables in be attributed to a variety of The Survey of Income and Program the survey is not precisely known.

U.S. Census Bureau 11

Figure 5.

Percent Distribution of Household Movement Across Quintiles Between 

1996 and 1999 by Race and Ethnicity of Householder

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.

Hispanic (of any race)

Black

Non-Hispanic White

Hispanic (of any race)

Black

Non-Hispanic White

Hispanic (of any race)

Black

Non-Hispanic White

Hispanic (of any race)

Black

Non-Hispanic White

Hispanic (of any race)

Black

Non-Hispanic White

Top quintile in 1996

Bottom quintile in 1996

Second quintile in 1996

Middle quintile in 1996

Fourth quintile in 1996

Households that 

moved up two 

or more quintiles 

Households that 

moved up one 

quintile 

Households that 

stayed in the 

same quintile 

Households that 

moved down one 

quintile 

Households that 

moved down two 

or more quintiles 

11.3

14.4 18.9 66.8 

13.5 25.4 61.0

17.2 20.1 62.7 

12.1 19.7 44.6 23.6

13.8 25.7 44.2 16.3

13.7 18.2 50.6 17.5

8.5 17.8 41.4 25.1 7.3

9.2 21.3 41.5 21.8 6.3

9.9 16.8 39.8 25.1 8.4

17.4 48.3 23.1 11.1

25.2 43.2 22.3 9.3

21.5 44.2 26.9 7.5

61.6 25.7 12.6

65.1 26.0 8.9

58.8 29.9
All of these considerations affect errors and confidence intervals, go the content of the report contact 

comparisons across different sur- to <www.sipp.census.gov/sipp John J. Hisnanick, Chief,

veys or data sources. /sourceac/s&a96_040501.pdf> or Longitudinal Income Statistics

contact Charles Dennis Sissel of the Branch, on the Internet at 

For further information on the Census Bureau’s Demographic <john.j.hisnanick@census.gov> or 

source of the data and accuracy of Statistical Methods Division on the at 301-763-6685.

the estimates including standard Internet at <charles.d.sissel@

census.gov>. For information on

12 U.S. Census Bureau
APPENDIX A.

DETAILED TABLES

U.S. Census Bureau 13

Table A-1.

Households by Income Quintile: 1996-1999

(Numbers in thousands)

In 1999

In 1996 Bottom Second Middle Fourth Top Sub-total:

Total number quintile quintile quintile quintile quintile moved two

of households ($13,728 ($13,729- ($28,701- ($46,310- ($71,082 or or more

In 1996 or less) $28,700) $46,309) $71,081) more) quintiles

Bottom quintile 19,901 12,340 5,192 1,594 544 235 2,373

($16,220 or less) ........ (19,409-20,392) (12,111-12,537) (4,996-5,388) (1,463-1,725) (479-609) (170-300) (2,209-2,537)

Second quintile 19,917 3,770 9,342 4,663 1,673 468 2,141

($16,221-$29,651) ....... (19,426-20,408) (3,573-3,901) (9,113-9,571) (4,466-4,860) (1,542-1,804) (403-533) (1,977-2,305)

Middle quintile 19,911 1,779 3,533 8,159 4,971 1,470 3,249

($29,652-$45,363) ....... (19,420-20,402) (1,648-1,877) (3,336-3,730) (7,930-8,388) (4,774-5,168) (1,339-1,601) (3,085-3,413)

Fourth quintile 19,912 1,163 1,308 3,987 8,888 4,566 2,471

($45,364-$68,648) ....... (19,421-20,403) (1,065-1,261) (1,177-1,439) (3,790-4,184) (8,659-9,117) (4,369-4,763) (2,307-2,635)

Top quintile 19,911 863 528 1,506 3,841 13,170 2,897

($68,649 or more) ....... (19,420-20,402) (765-863) (463-593) (1,375-1,637) (3,644-4,038) (12,941-13,399) (2,733-3,061)

Percent distribution

Bottom quintile............ 100.0 62.0 26.1 8.0 2.7 1.2 11.9

(60.8-63.2) (25.1-27.1) (7.3-8.7) (2.4-3.0) (0.9-1.5) (11.1-12.7)

Second quintile ........... 100.0 18.9 46.9 23.4 8.4 2.4 10.8

(18.8-20.8) (45.7-48.1) (22.4-24.4) (7.7-9.1) (2.1-2.7) (10.0-11.6)

Middle quintile ............ 100.0 8.9 17.8 41.0 25.0 7.4 16.3

(8.2-9.6) (16.8-18.8) (39.8-42.2) (24.0-26.0) (6.7-8.1) (15.5-17.1)

Fourth quintile ............ 100.0 5.8 6.6 20.0 44.6 22.9 12.4

(5.3-6.3) (5.9-7.3) (19.0-21.0) (43.4-45.6) (21.9-23.9) (11.6-13.2)

Top quintile .............. 100.0 4.3 2.7 7.6 19.3 66.2 14.6

(3.8-4.8) (2.4-3.0) (6.9-8.3) (18.3-20.3) (65.0-67.4) (13.8-15.4)

Note: Number of households: 99,552,000. All incomes are adjusted to 1999 dollars using the CPI-U-RS, 90-percent confidence intervals are reported in

parentheses.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
14 U.S. Census Bureau

Table A-2.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Bottom Income Quintile in 1996

Characteristics of householder

Bottom quintile in

1999

Second quintile

in 1999

Middle, fourth, or top

quintile in 1999

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Total (thousand)........................

Age

15-24 ....................................

25-34 ...................................

35-44 ...................................

45-54 ...................................

55-64 ...................................

65 and over ..............................

Race/Ethnicity

White ....................................

Non-Hispanic . ..........................

Black . . . .................................

Asian or Pacific Islander ...................

American Indian or Alaska Native ...........

Hispanic (any race). .......................

Marital Status

Married, spouse present ...................

Married, spouse absent ....................

Never Married . ...........................

Divorced .................................

Separated ................................

Widowed .................................

Education

8 years or less ............................

Some high school .........................

High school diploma (includes GED).........

Some college (no degree) ..................

Associate’s degree ........................

Bachelor’s degree or higher ................

12,336 5,192 2,372

6.1

11.6

10.4

10.0

11.6

50.4

74.3

64.8

21.1

3.1

1.4

10.8

14.4

2.6

22.1

18.1

6.1

36.8

27.4

21.1

29.2

15.0

1.9

5.4

(4.9-7.3)

(10.0-13.2)

(8.9-11.9)

(8.5-11.5)

(10.0-13.2)

(47.9-52.9)

(72.1-76.5)

(62.4-67.2)

(19.0-23.2)

(2.2-4.0)

(0.8-2.0)

(9.2-12.4)

(12.6-16.2)

(1.8-3.4)

(20.0-24.2)

(16.1-20.1)

(4.9-7.3)

(34.4-39.2)

(25.1-29.7)

(19.0-23.2)

(26.9-31.5)

(13.2-16.8)

(1.2-2.6)

(4.3-6.5)

11.2

19.6

18.9

10.8

11.6

28.0

76.2

64.3

20.0

2.7

1.0

13.1

24.9

2.1

26.2

19.5

7.1

20.2

16.6

17.2

37.3

18.3

3.6

7.0

(8.7-13.7)

(16.5-22.7)

(15.8-22.0)

(8.4-13.2)

(9.1-14.1)

(24.5-31.5)

(72.9-79.5)

(60.6-68.0)

(16.9-23.1)

(1.4-4.0)

(0.2-1.8)

(10.5-15.7)

(21.5-28.3)

(1.0-3.2)

(22.8-29.6)

(16.4-22.6)

(5.1-9.1)

(17.1-23.3)

(13.7-19.5)

(14.2-20.2)

(33.5-41.1)

(15.3-21.3)

(2.1-5.1)

(5.0-9.0)

19.9

25.8

22.6

12.5

11.5

7.9

79.7

68.9

15.0

4.0

1.3

10.9

30.4

2.6

36.1

18.0

5.7

7.2

9.4

10.7

33.2

28.8

3.9

14.0

(15.3-24.5)

(20.7-30.9)

(17.8-27.4)

(8.7-16.3)

(7.8-15.2)

(4.8-11.0)

(75.0-84.4)

(63.5-74.3)

(10.9-19.1)

(1.7-6.3)

(0.0-2.6)

(7.3-14.5)

(25.1-35.7)

(0.8-4.4)

(30.5-41.7)

(13.6-22.4)

(3.0-8.4)

(4.2-10.2)

(6.0-12.8)

(7.1-14.3)

(27.7-38.7)

(23.6-34.0)

(1.7-6.1)

(10.0-18.0)

Note: Householder characteristics measured during the first interview. The percentages presented in Tables A-2 through A-6 are based on 1996 data but are

categorized by the quintile status of households in 1999. For example, all households in the bottom quintile in 1996 were divided into three groups based on

their quintile status in 1999: stayed in the bottom quintile, moved up one quintile, or moved up to the middle, fourth, or top quintiles. The percentages in Figures

2 through 5, however, were computed differently using percent distributions. The calculation of the first bar in Figure 2 is explained below. The percent distribution was calculated by dividing the number of householders in each quintile status group in 1999 (moved down to the bottom, second, or middle quintiles,

moved down to the fourth quintile, and remained in the top quintile) by the total number of householders with less than a high school education in the top quintile in 1996.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
U.S. Census Bureau 15

Table A-3.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Second Income Quintile in 1996

Characteristics of householder

Bottom quintile in

1999

Second quintile in

1999

Middle quintile in

1999

Fourth or top

quintile in 1999

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Total (thousands) ..........

Age

3,770 9,342 4,663 2,142

15-24 ........................ 8.2 (5.7-10.7) 5.6 (4.3-6.9) 11.1 (8.5-13.7) 15.9 (11.4-20.4)

25-34 ....................... 13.7 (10.5-16.9) 15.7 (13.6-17.8) 26.7 (23.0-30.4) 28.5 (23.0-34.0)

35-44 ....................... 14.6 (11.4-17.8) 14.9 (12.8-17.0) 21.7 (18.3-25.1) 20.1 (15.2-25.0)

45-54 ....................... 13.0 (9.9-16.1) 11.5 (9.6-13.4) 13.4 (10.6-16.2) 14.9 (10.6-19.2)

55-64 ....................... 12.5 (9.5-15.5) 12.8 (10.9-14.7) 10.7 (8.1-13.3) 11.0 (7.2-14.8)

65 and over ..................

Race/Ethnicity

38.1 (33.6-42.6) 39.6 (36.7-42.5) 16.5 (13.4-19.6) 9.7 (6.1-13.3)

White ........................ 79.2 (75.5-82.9) 86.3 (84.3-88.3) 85.0 (82.1-87.9) 84.8 (80.4-89.2)

Non-Hispanic . .............. 69.2 (65.0-73.4) 77.7 (75.3-80.1) 74.5 (70.9-78.1) 78.1 (73.1-83.1)

Black . . . ..................... 16.7 (13.3-20.1) 11.6 (9.7-13.5) 11.9 (9.2-14.6) 10.8 (7.0-14.6)

Asian or Pacific Islander .......

American Indian or Alaska

2.3 (0.9-3.7) 1.3 (0.6-2.0) 2.4 (1.1-3.7) 2.9 (0.9-4.9)

Native...................... 1.8 (0.6-3.0) 0.8 (0.3-1.3) 0.7 (0.0-1.4) 1.5 (0.0-3.0)

Hispanic (any race). ...........

Marital Status

11.1 (8.2-14.0) 9.3 (7.6-11.0) 11.3 (8.7-13.9) 6.8 (3.7-9.9)

Married, spouse present ....... 36.2 (31.8-40.6) 40.7 (37.8-43.6) 52.0 (47.9-56.1) 43.5 (37.5-49.5)

Married, spouse absent ........ 2.8 (1.3-4.3) 1.1 (0.5-1.7) 1.5 (0.5-2.5) 1.7 (0.1-3.3)

Never Married . ............... 20.0 (16.3-23.7) 15.1 (13.0-17.2) 20.8 (17.4-24.2) 24.2 (19.0-29.4)

Divorced ..................... 15.4 (12.1-18.7) 17.8 (15.6-20.0) 14.3 (11.4-17.2) 17.1 (12.5-21.7)

Separated .................... 5.1 (3.1-7.1) 3.7 (2.6-4.8) 3.8 (2.2-5.4) 5.0 (2.3-7.7)

Widowed .....................

Education

20.4 (16.7-24.1) 21.6 (19.2-24.0) 7.6 (5.4-9.8) 8.5 (5.1-11.9)

8 years or less ................ 18.2 (14.7-21.7) 11.6 (9.7-13.5) 7.0 (4.9-9.1) 4.8 (2.2-7.4)

Some high school .............

High school diploma (includes

16.2 (12.8-19.6) 15.0 (12.9-17.1) 13.0 (10.2-15.8) 8.7 (5.3-12.1)

GED) . . .................... 31.3 (27.0-35.6) 36.7 (33.9-39.5) 34.3 (30.4-38.2) 31.0 (25.4-36.6)

Some college (no degree) ...... 21.7 (17.9-25.5) 22.7 (20.3-25.1) 24.6 (21.0-28.2) 23.7 (18.5-28.9)

Associate's degree ............ 3.9 (2.1-5.7) 5.0 (3.7-6.3) 6.9 (4.8-9.0) 7.8 (4.5-11.1)

Bachelor’s degree or higher .... 8.6 (6.0-11.2) 9.0 (7.3-10.7) 14.3 (11.4-17.2) 24.0 (18.8-29.2)

Note: Householder characteristics measured during the first interview.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
16 U.S. Census Bureau

Table A-4.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Middle Income Quintile in 1996

Characteristics of householder

Bottom quintile

in 1999

Second quintile

in 1999

Middle quintile

in 1999

Fourth quintile

in 1999

Top quintile

in 1999

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Total (thousands) ................

Age

1,779 3,533 8,159 4,971 1,470

15-24 .............................. 8.5 (4.8-12.2) 5.1 (3.0-7.2) 4.9 (3.6-6.2) 5.1 (3.3-6.9) 7.2 (3.4-11.0)

25-34 ............................. 21.0 (15.6-26.4) 18.4 (14.7-22.1) 21.4 (18.8-24.0) 29.8 (26.1-33.5) 27.4 (20.8-4.0)

35-44 ............................. 17.1 (12.1-22.1) 17.2 (13.6-20.8) 24.5 (21.8-27.2) 28.6 (25.0-32.2) 29.1 (22.4-35.8)

45-54 ............................. 11.5 (7.2-15.8) 15.1 (11.7-18.5) 17.3 (14.9-19.7) 18.3 (15.2-21.4) 17.8 (12.2-23.4)

55-64 ............................. 11.5 (7.2-15.8) 15.7 (12.2-19.2) 12.7 (10.6-14.8) 9.9 (7.5-12.3) 11.1 (6.5-15.7)

65 and over ........................

Race/Ethnicity

30.4 (24.3-36.5) 28.5 (24.2-32.8) 19.2 (16.7-21.7) 8.2 (6.0-10.4) 7.3 (3.5-11.1)

White .............................. 83.8 (78.9-88.7) 85.5 (82.2-88.8) 86.2 (84.0-88.4) 86.9 (84.2-89.6) 86.8 (81.1-91.8)

Non-Hispanic . .................... 74.9 (69.1-80.7) 78.7 (74.8-82.6) 79.4 (76.9-81.9) 79.2 (76.0-82.4) 77.5 (71.4-83.6)

Black . . . ........................... 10.9 (6.7-15.1) 12.8 (9.6-16.0) 10.8 (8.9-12.7) 9.3 (7.0-11.6) 9.1 (4.9-13.3)

Asian or Pacific Islander ............. 4.4 (1.7-7.1) 1.2 (0.2-2.2) 1.8 (1.0-2.6) 3.2 (1.8-4.6) 3.5 (0.8-6.2)

American Indian or Alaska Native ..... 0.9 (-0.4-2.2) 0.6 (-0.1-1.3) 1.2 (0.5-1.9) 0.7 (0.0-1.4) 0.6 (-0.5-1.7)

Hispanic (any race). .................

Marital Status

8.9 (5.1-12.7) 7.7 (5.2-10.2) 7.9 (6.2-9.6) 8.2 (6.0-10.4) 9.3 (5.0-13.6)

Married, spouse present ............. 48.7 (42.0-55.4) 54.7 (50.0-59.4) 59.6 (56.5-62.7) 64.0 (60.2-67.8) 54.9 (47.6-2.2)

Married, spouse absent .............. 3.2 (0.8-5.6) 1.1 (0.1-2.1) 0.8 (0.2-1.4) 1.1 (0.3-1.9) 1.5 (-0.3-3.3)

Never Married . ..................... 18.9 (13.7-24.1) 13.5 (10.3-16.7) 8.0 (6.3-9.7) 15.4 (12.5-18.3) 20.1 (14.2-6.0)

Divorced ........................... 13.6 (9.0-18.2) 15.6 (12.2-19.0) 14.7 (12.5-16.9) 13.3 (10.6-16.0) 15.2 (9.9-20.5)

Separated .......................... 4.2 (1.5-6.9) 3.6 (1.8-5.4) 2.7 (1.7-3.7) 2.0 (0.9-3.1) 2.9 (0.4-5.4)

Widowed ...........................

Education

11.3 (7.1-15.5) 11.3 (8.3-14.3) 14.3 (12.1-16.5) 4.2 (2.6-5.8) 5.5 (2.1-8.9)

8 years or less ...................... 10.4 (6.3-14.5) 9.8 (8.2-11.4) 4.0 (2.8-5.2) 3.7 (2.2-5.2) 2.2 (0.0-4.4)

Some high school ................... 8.7 (4.9-12.5) 12.0 (10.2-14.0) 9.8 (7.9-11.7) 7.0 (5.0-9.0) 6.7 (3.0-10.4)

High school diploma (includes GED). . . 33.2 (26.9-39.5) 36.0 (33.2-39.0) 34.7 (31.7-37.7) 33.6 (29.8-37.4) 27.2 (20.7-33.7)

Some college (no degree) ............ 25.4 (19.6-31.2) 23.4 (21.0-26.0) 26.0 (23.3-28.7) 27.1 (23.5-30.7) 26.8 (20.3-33.3)

Associate’s degree .................. 5.9 (2.8-9.0) 6.4 (5.0-8.0) 6.7 (5.1-8.3) 7.1 (5.0-9.2) 6.0 (52.8-67.2)

Bachelor’s degree or higher .......... 16.4 (11.5-21.3) 12.4 (10.4-14.4) 18.7 (16.3-21.1) 21.6 (18.3-24.9) 31.1 (24.3-37.9)

Note: Householder characteristics measured during the first interview.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
U.S. Census Bureau 17

Table A-5.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Fourth Income Quintile in 1996

Characteristics of householder

Bottom or second

quintile in 1999

Middle quintile in

1999

Fourth quintile in

1999

Top quintile in

1999

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90- percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Total (thousands) ..........

Age

2,471 3,987 8,888 4,566

15-24 ........................ 6.2 (3.5-8.9) 3.7 (2.0-5.4) 2.7 (1.7-3.7) 3.7 (2.1-5.3)

25-34 ....................... 15.6 (11.5-19.7) 21.7 (18.0-25.4) 24.1 (21.5-26.7) 28.0 (24.3-31.7)

35-44 ....................... 20.7 (16.1-25.3) 21.0 (17.4-24.6) 33.3 (30.5-36.1) 32.6 (28.7-36.5)

45-54 ....................... 17.6 (13.3-21.9) 22.0 (18.3-25.7) 21.4 (18.9-23.9) 21.1 (17.7-24.5)

55-64 ....................... 18.7 (14.3-23.1) 16.2 (12.9-19.5) 10.1 (8.3-11.9) 9.0 (6.6-11.4)

65 and over ..................

Race /Ethnicity

21.2 (16.6-25.8) 15.3 (12.1-18.5) 8.4 (6.7-10.1) 5.7 (3.8-7.6)

White ........................ 86.0 (82.1-89.9) 85.6 (82.5-88.7) 88.0 (86.1-89.9) 88.1 (85.4-90.8)

Non-Hispanic . .............. 79.3 (74.7-83.9) 80.0 (76.4-83.6) 81.2 (78.9-83.5) 83.5 (80.4-86.6)

Black . . . ..................... 9.6 (6.3-12.9) 11.1 (8.3-13.9) 8.6 (6.9-10.3) 6.2 (4.2-8.2)

Asian or Pacific Islander .......

American Indian or Alaska

3.6 (1.5-5.7) 2.6 (1.2-4.0) 2.4 (1.5-3.3) 5.3 (3.4-7.2)

Native...................... 0.8 (-0.2-1.8) 0.7 (0.0-1.4) 1.0 (0.4-1.6) 0.4 (-0.1-0.9)

Hispanic (any race). ...........

Marital Status

7.1 (4.2-10.0) 5.8 (3.7-7.9) 7.2 (5.7-8.7) 4.9 (3.1-6.7)

Married, spouse present ....... 58.9 (53.3-64.5) 66.2 (62.0-70.4) 72.3 (69.6-75.0) 70.6 (66.8-74.4)

Married, spouse absent ........ 1.0 (-0.1-2.1) 0.8 (0.0-1.6) 0.4 (0.0-0.8) 0.9 (0.1-1.7)

Never Married . ............... 14.3 (10.3-18.3) 10.9 (8.1-13.7) 10.8 (8.9-12.7) 12.5 (9.7-15.3)

Divorced ..................... 13.1 (9.3-16.9) 13.7 (10.6-16.8) 11.7 (9.8-13.6) 11.7 (9.0-14.4)

Separated .................... 3.7 (1.6-5.8) 2.2 (0.9-3.5) 1.6 (0.8-2.4) 2.0 (0.8-3.2)

Widowed .....................

Education

9.0 (5.8-12.2) 6.3 (4.1-8.5) 3.2 (2.1-4.3) 2.3 (1.0-3.6)

8 years or less ................ 7.9 (4.8-11.0) 3.7 (2.0-5.4) 1.5 (0.8-2.2) 1.6 (0.6-2.6)

Some high school .............

High school diploma (includes

9.2 (5.9-12.5) 7.0 (4.7-9.3) 4.5 (3.3-5.7) 3.9 (2.3-5.5)

GED) . . ..................... 30.7 (25.5-35.9) 32.5 (28.3-36.7) 29.1 (26.4-31.8) 25.9 (22.2-29.6)

Some college (no degree) ...... 25.0 (20.1-29.9) 27.9 (23.9-31.9) 27.0 (24.3-29.7) 22.9 (19.4-26.4)

Associate’s degree ............ 5.8 (3.1-8.5) 8.7 (6.2-11.2) 9.9 (8.1-11.7) 8.6 (6.3-10.9)

Bachelor’s degree or higher .... 21.4 (16.7-26.1) 20.1 (16.5-23.7) 27.9 (25.2-30.6) 37.2 (33.2-41.2)

Note: Householder characteristics measured during the first interview.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
18 U.S. Census Bureau

Table A-6.

Demographic Characteristics for Households in the Top Income Quintile in 1996

Characteristics of householder

Bottom, second, or middle

quintile in 1999 Fourth quintile in 1999 Top quintile in 1999

Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval Percent

90-percent

confidence

interval

Total (thousands) ..............................

Age

2,896 3,840 13,174

15-24............................................ 3.0 (1.2-4.8) 1.5 (0.4-2.6) 0.6 (0.2-1.0)

25-34 ........................................... 14.7 (11.0-18.4) 18.0 (14.5-21.5) 17.1 (15.3-18.9)

35-44 ........................................... 24.0 (19.5-28.5) 30.7 (26.5-34.9) 34.6 (32.3-36.9)

45-54 ........................................... 26.4 (21.8-31.0) 24.5 (20.6-28.4) 32.6 (30.3-34.9)

55-64 ........................................... 18.0 (14.0-22.0) 15.5 (12.2-18.8) 10.4 (8.9-11.9)

65 and over .....................................

Race/Ethnicity

14.0 (10.4-17.6) 9.8 (7.1-12.5) 4.7 (3.7-5.7)

White............................................ 89.3 (86.1-92.5) 87.9 (84.9-90.9) 90.3 (88.8-91.8)

Non-Hispanic................................... 84.7 (80.9-88.5) 83.9 (80.6-87.2) 86.6 (84.9-88.3)

Black . . . ......................................... 5.5 (3.1-7.9) 7.9 (5.4-10.4) 5.5 (4.4-6.6)

Asian or Pacific Islander ........................... 4.2 (2.1-6.3) 4.1 (2.3-5.9) 3.9 (2.9-4.9)

American Indian or Alaska Native ................... 1.0 (0.0-2.0) 0.2 (-0.2-0.6) 0.3 (0.0-0.6)

Hispanic (any race) . ..............................

Marital Status

4.8 (2.6-7.0) 4.2 (2.4-6.0) 3.9 (2.9-4.9)

Married, spouse present . .......................... 73.2 (68.6-77.8) 80.4 (76.8-84.0) 85.4 (83.7-87.1)

Married, spouse absent............................ 0.4 (-0.3-1.1) 0.4 (-0.2-1.0) 0.7 (0.3-1.1)

Never Married .................................... 9.2 (6.2-12.2) 7.3 (4.9-9.7) 5.8 (4.7-6.9)

Divorced ......................................... 10.1 (6.9-13.3) 6.1 (3.9-8.3) 5.6 (4.5-6.7)

Separated . . ..................................... 1.5 (0.2-2.8) 1.6 (0.5-2.7) 1.0 (0.5-1.5)

Widowed ........................................

Education

5.5 (3.1-7.9) 4.2 (2.4-6.0) 1.4 (0.8-2.0)

8 years or less ................................... 2.0 (0.5-3.5) 1.8 (0.6-3.0) 0.8 (0.4-1.2)

Some high school. . . .............................. 6.5 (3.9-9.1) 2.7 (1.2-4.2) 1.6 (1.0-2.2)

High school diploma (includes GED) . . . ............. 25.6 (21.0-30.2) 23.1 (19.3-26.9) 15.0 (13.2-16.8)

Some college (no degree) . ........................ 24.2 (19.7-28.7) 26.4 (22.4-30.4) 18.2 (16.3-20.1)

Associate’s degree................................ 5.3 (3.0-7.6) 8.9 (6.3-11.5) 7.1 (5.8-8.4)

Bachelor’s degree or higher........................ 36.2 (31.2-41.2) 37.1 (32.7-41.5) 57.3 (54.9-59.7)

Note: Householder characteristics measured during the first interview.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Survey of Income and Program Participation, 1996 panel.
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