U.S. Household Income Hits Record as Poverty Rate Holds Steady, Census Reports

New annual snapshot of American household finances

The Census Bureau reported that median household income in the United States climbed to a record $87,460 in 2025, after adjusting for inflation. The official poverty rate was little changed from the prior year, according to the annual income and poverty release.

Gains were uneven across groups

Income growth was strongest among dual-earner households and workers in professional services. Renters and households that rely on variable-hour jobs reported smaller gains. Researchers cautioned that later changes to safety-net programs could affect next year’s figures.

The report is a key input for state budget offices, school districts, and community organizations that plan services using official poverty and income thresholds. Economists will now compare the Census figures with monthly employment and retail-sales data to judge the strength of household demand.