Thirty Year Trend

A paper by Edward Wolff gives graphic evidence that the rich are getting richer and the majority of American households are getting poorer.

Update (January 31):  The Assets and Opportunity Scorecard from the Corporation for Enterprise Development reports that 25 percent of American jobs are "low wage", 15 percent of Americans live in poverty, and 12 percent of workers are underemployed.

Update (February 14):  Paul Buchheit argues that half of Americans live in poverty.

1. No Money for Unexpected Bills
2. 40 Percent Collapse in Household Wealth
3. Cost of Living Surges as Income Falls
4. Lots of New Jobs (Below Living Wage)
5. Our Greatest Shame: Half of the Children Feeling Poverty

Update (January 31, 2016):  CFED updates their scorecard. Kim Bellware summarizes:

1. Fewer homeowners + more renters = Less savings.
2. Predatory lenders are still being allowed to prey.
3. Health care has become a luxury.
4. Even if you can find work, there's a good chance it won't pay well.
5. Minority- and women-owned businesses face a massive valuation gap.

And Hamilton Nolan elaborates on the racial wealth gap.

The facts tell the story: minority households, particularly black, are losing in virtually every measure of economic health. This sort of inequality is a trap that feeds itself. Black people are born with less family wealth, earn less income, have a harder time buying a home, and therefore have a harder time getting credit that might offer them a lifeline out of poverty. We can talk about The American Dream all we want, but this is the American reality.