Original: Household income is a measure commonly used by the United States government and private institutions , that counts the income of all residents over the age of 18 in each household , including not only all wages and salaries , but such items as unemployment insurance , disability payments , child support payments , regular rental receipts , as well as any personal business , investment , or other kinds of income received routinely .
Simplified: To measure the income of a household , the pre-tax money receipts of all residents over the age of 15 are combined . Most of these receipts are in the form of wages and salaries ( before withholding and other taxes ) , but many other forms of income , such as unemployment insurance , disability , child support , etc. , are included as well .