People and Their Money - Incomes By Race/ethnicity

The graphic shows median household income by race in inflation-adjusted constant dollars. Median means that half earn less and half earn more. Overall, for all races, median income was $42,128. Income has increased among all minority categories. The Bureau of the Census began tracking income of Asians separately in 1989, Hispanics in 1972.

All groups saw their income fall slightly during the late 1970s and early1990s — when the economy soured. But income growth seems to have been rather resilient, benefiting no doubt from a healthy economy and increased education and productivity levels. Some groups have made real strides. Among African Americans, median household income reached an all-time high of $30,439, a 5.5% increase from 1999. For Hispanics, household income topped $33,447, up 5.3% in just one year. Asians saw a 5.0% increase to $55,521. The growth for whites was nearly unchanged.

Since 1990, whites have seen the smallest growth in income, with 10.2% ($40,100 to $44,226). Hispanics saw 16.6% ($28,671 to $33,447), Asians 12.4% ($49,369 to $55,521) and blacks saw the biggest increase with 26.9% ($23,979 to $30,439).

In dollars, the gaps among whites and minorities have closed. The difference in income is shown below:

White and Black Differences

	White Income	Black Income	Difference ($ dollars)
1990	40,100	23,979	16,121
2000	44,226	30,439	13,787

White and Hispanic Differences

	White Income	Hispanic Income	Difference ($ dollars)
1990	40,100	28,671	11,429
2000	44,226	33,447	10,779

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports, P60-213, Money Income in the United States, 2000, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 2001.