Family is defined as a group of people related by birth, marriage, or adoption who reside together.
The data thus track income changes in the family as an economic unit. Between 1986 and 1998, Wisconsin's median income grew 71.6 percent, more than the national average of 58.6 percent. As a result, Wisconsin's rank rose from 21st in the nation in 1986 to 19th in median income in 1999. Between 1986 and 1998, starting and average pay for teachers rose only 51.1 percent and 46.2 percent respectively, lagging behind growth in median income. The annual percent gains below are plotted on the two graphs on the following pages.