The Growing Lower Classes

Nearly one-third (32 percent) of Americans say they are in the lower or lower-middle classes, according to a Pew Research Center survey, up from 25 percent in 2008.

By age, the lower class is largest among young adults. Fully 39 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds say they are lower or lower-middle class, up from the 25 percent who felt that way in 2008. In contrast, only 20 percent of people aged 65 or older say they are lower or lower-middle class--about the same as in 2008.

By race and Hispanic origin, the percentage who say they are lower or lower-middle class has expanded the most among Hispanics (rising from 30 to 40 percent between 2008 and 2012) and non-Hispanic whites (rising from 23 to 31 percent). Among blacks during those years, the figure has remained stable at 33 percent.

Source: Pew Research Center, A Third of Americans Now Say They Are in the Lower Classes