The American consumer is the great engine of growth for the $19 trillion U.S. economy, representing nearly 70 percent of spending. On the other hand, if the consumer is confused and worried, the economy may be weak and vulnerable to setbacks. (The median income is the income exactly in the middle — half are above, half below.) Median incomes rose 10 percent for African American families and 15 percent for Hispanics. In 2016, white non-Hispanic families had median incomes of $61,200, much higher than median incomes for blacks ($35,400) and Hispanics ($38,500).

Source: Washington Post October 04, 2017 16:52 UTC