4 ms·

Maybe you would have more luck if you cited better sources. I clicked on your link and just got a page of dozens of Excel files. Which one are you referring t

Maybe you would have more luck if you cited better sources. I clicked on your link and just got a page of dozens of Excel files. Which one are you referring to? On P7, it says median income in 2017 was $31,786. In 1974 (as far back as the data goes), median income in 2017 dollars was $23,984. That's only a 32.5% increase, not 100% like you claim.

lucozade 8y ago
I believe they were using p1 which has the more general data. 2017 per capita income was 34,489 1970 per capita was 17,948 in 2017 dollars.
- jacobolus 8y ago
  Per capita income doesn’t tell you about what went to generic “workers”. Nearly all of the income increase has gone to the top, and a higher percentage of adults are working now (most women have formal work now).
  - lucozade 8y ago
    The US uses a median figure for per capita income statistics. So this increase isn't attributable to the top end. It is true that relatively more money has gone to higher earners. As evidenced by the ratio of mean to median increasing over that time period. I'm not really sure what you mean by a generic worker.
    - jacobolus 8y ago
      > The US uses a median figure for per capita income statistics Do you have reference for this claim? That really wouldn’t make any sense. The appropriate technical term for median income is “median income”. “Per capita” always implies total divided by population, i.e. the mean. Here is the US Census’s definition: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/note/US/INC910217 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/note/US/INC910217 > Definition > Per capita income is the mean income computed for every man, woman, and child in a particular group including those living in group quarters. It is derived by dividing the aggregate income of a particular group by the total population in that group.

4 ms·

Maybe you would have more luck if you cited better sources. I clicked on your link and just got a page of dozens of Excel files. Which one are you referring t

by greeneggs 8y ago

lucozade 8y ago
I believe they were using p1 which has the more general data. 2017 per capita income was 34,489 1970 per capita was 17,948 in 2017 dollars.
- jacobolus 8y ago
  Per capita income doesn’t tell you about what went to generic “workers”. Nearly all of the income increase has gone to the top, and a higher percentage of adults are working now (most women have formal work now).
  - lucozade 8y ago
    The US uses a median figure for per capita income statistics. So this increase isn't attributable to the top end. It is true that relatively more money has gone to higher earners. As evidenced by the ratio of mean to median increasing over that time period. I'm not really sure what you mean by a generic worker.
    - jacobolus 8y ago
      > The US uses a median figure for per capita income statistics Do you have reference for this claim? That really wouldn’t make any sense. The appropriate technical term for median income is “median income”. “Per capita” always implies total divided by population, i.e. the mean. Here is the US Census’s definition: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/note/US/INC910217 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/note/US/INC910217 > Definition > Per capita income is the mean income computed for every man, woman, and child in a particular group including those living in group quarters. It is derived by dividing the aggregate income of a particular group by the total population in that group.