Household Income Rises

Median household income climbed to $50,876 in November 2011, according to estimates released this week by Sentier Research. The November increase is the third consecutive month in which median household income has grown. While good news, "this large increase in median household income over a brief time period may be difficult to sustain over the long haul," says Sentier, because "labor market conditions continue to be very weak." The November median is still well below the $55,962 median of January 2000, after adjusting for inflation. The Household Income Index stood at 90.9 in November 2011(January 2000 = 100.0).

For more on Sentier's Household Income Index, see Household Income Trends: November 2011