American Enterprise Institute Reports Growth in Upper-Middle Class, Outpacing Core Middle Class
A report from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) highlights a significant shift in the American economic landscape, with the upper-middle class expanding from 10% of families in 1979 to 31% in 2024. This marks the first time in U.S. history that more families are classified above the core middle class than below it. The report attributes this growth to economic expansion, increased professional opportunities for women, and a robust safety net. The study uses data from the Census Bureau, adjusting for family size, and defines the upper-middle class as households earning between five and 15 times the federal poverty line. For a family of three, this equates to an annual income of $133,000 to $400,000 in 2024 dollars. Despite these gains, 35% of families remain below the core middle-class threshold. 
