Median household income in the United States declined for the
second straight year, according to data released from the U.S.
Census Bureau today. Income was $50,502 in 2011, more than 8%
below the 2007 pre-recession peak. While the trend is generally
down, some states fared far better than others. Median income
ranged from $36,919 in Mississippi to $70,004 in Maryland,
positions both states have held since before the recession.
Based on the 2011 Census Bureau American Community Survey, 24/7
Wall St. identified the states with the highest and lowest
median household income. Between 2010 and 2011, Vermont was the
only state where median income increased. Income fell in 18
states and remained statistically unchanged in 31. In Hawaii,
which remained one of the wealthiest states in the country,
median income decreased by more than $3,000 between 2010 and
2011 alone. Not surprisingly, poverty rates continued to be
high. The percentage of Americans living below the poverty line
increased in 17 states between 2010 an