How have middle-class incomes changed throughout the years? Find out Delaware's rank

You’ve probably listened to your parents and grandparents talk about how cheap everything used to be when they were younger, whether the cost of a full tank of gas or a down payment on a house.  

And you’ve also probably responded with something along the lines of, “Well, times have changed since then.” 

But how much, exactly, have times changed? 

Here’s a look at what middle class actually means nowadays and how this compares with decades past.  

Middle-class standings through the years 

Pew Research Center reports that household incomes in the United States have “risen considerably” since 1970, but those of middle-class households have not seen as much of an increase as upper-income households.

In 1970, the median income of middle-class households was $59,934, compared with a 50% increase to $90,131 in 2020. Lower-class income households saw a 45% increase from $20,604 in 1970 to $29,963 in 2020. Upper-income households saw a 69% median income increase from $130,008 in 1970 to $219,572 in 2020.  

Pew Research Center notes that the widening of the income gaps and the shrinking of the middle class has led to a steady decrease in the share of U.S. aggregate income held by middle-class households. In 1970, the demographic held 62% of aggregate income, eventually falling to 42% in 2020.  

What is considered middle class in Delaware? 

SmartAsset, a financial adviser, analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data and used Pew Research Center’s definition of middle-income households (two-thirds to double the median U.S. salary) to determine the middle-class threshold in each state.

According to the report, Delaware ranks No. 14 for the highest incomes needed by households to maintain a middle-class standing.  

Delaware’s middle-class income range is between $54,777 and $164,348. The median household income is $82,174. 

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Nationwide middle-class data 

SmartAsset reports that it takes the most money to be middle class in New Jersey, with a household making between $62,224 and $192,692 considered middle class. The median household income is $96,346. 

Maryland ranks No. 2 with a middle-class income range of $63,321 to $189,982 and a median household income of $94,441, followed by Massachusetts at No. 3 with a middle-class income range of $62,986 to $188,976 and a median household income of $94,488. 

The other top-ranked states are: 

• Hawaii, with a median household income of $92,458.  
• California, with a median household income of $91,551.  
• Washington with a median household income of $91,306. 
• New Hampshire with a median household income of $89,992. 
• Colorado, with a median household income of $89,302.  
• Utah, with a median household income of $89,168. 
• Connecticut, with a median household income of $88,429. 

The top 10 states with the lowest middle-class thresholds are: 

• Mississippi, with a median household income of $52,719 
• West Virginia, with a median household income of $54,329  
• Louisiana, with a median household income of $55,416  
• Arkansas, with a median household income of $55,432 
• Kentucky, with a median household income of $59,341 
• Oklahoma, with a median household income of $59,673 
• Alabama, with a median household income of $59,674 
• New Mexico, with a median household income of $59,726 
• South Carolina, with a median household income of $64,115 
• Missouri, with a median household income of $64,811 

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.