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What this report finds: Income inequality has risen in every state since
the 1970s and in many states is up in the post–Great Recession era.
Closing thought: Income Inequality
In 24 states, the top 1 percent captured at In 2013, income inequality was much higher in
least half of all income growth between 2009 many states, metropolitan areas, and counties than
and 2013, and in 15 of those states, the top 1 for the United States overall. In 2013 the top 1
percent captured all income growth. In percent of families nationally made 25.3 times as
another 10 states, top 1 percent incomes much as the bottom 99 percent.
grew in the double digits, while bottom 99 • Nine states had gaps wider than the national gap.
percent incomes fell. For the United States In the most unequal states—New York,
overall, the top 1 percent captured 85.1 Connecticut, and Wyoming—the top 1 percent
percent of total income growth between 2009 earned average incomes more than 40 times those
and 2013. In 2013 the top 1 percent of of the bottom 99 percent.
families nationally made 25.3 times as much • Fiftyfour of 916 metropolitan areas had gaps
as the bottom 99 percent. wider than the national gap. In the 12 most unequal
metropolitan areas, the average income of the top
Why it matters: Rising inequality is not just a 1 percent was at least 40 times greater than the
story of those in the financial sector in the average income of the bottom 99 percent. Most
greater New York City metropolitan area unequal was the Jackson metropolitan area, which
reaping outsized rewards from speculation in spans Wyoming and Idaho; there the top 1 percent
financial markets. While New York and in 2013 earned on average 213 times the average
Connecticut are the most unequal states (as income of the bottom 99 percent of families. The
measured by the ratio of top 1 percent to next 11 metropolitan areas with the largest topto
bottom 99 percent income in 2013), nine bottom ratios were BridgeportStamfordNorwalk,
states, 54 metropolitan areas, and 165 Connecticut (73.7); NaplesImmokaleeMarco
counties have gaps wider than the national Island, Florida (73.2); SebastianVero Beach,
gap. In fact, the unequal income growth since Florida (63.5); Key West, Florida (58.5);
the late 1970s has pushed the top 1 Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada (46.1); MiamiFort
percent’s share of all income above 24 LauderdaleWest Palm Beach, Florida (45.0);
percent (the 1928 national peak share) in five Midland, Texas (44.3); Glenwood Springs,
states, 22 metro areas, and 75 counties. Colorado (42.4); San Angelo, Texas (40.9); Las
VegasHendersonParadise, Nevada (40.7); and
Summit Park, Utah (40.3).
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