What is "Middle Class"?

[Harpy Eagle]

In a different thread someone was told they were not middle class because they had 4 income streams.

Nobody in that thread seemed to be able to define it, so I thought I would ask in this part of the forum.

How would you, personally, define what makes one "middle class"

 

[TNHarley]

An income of around 30k to 200k. Depending on family size.
At least thats how i always looked at it.

 

[Woodznutz]

If you're not low class, but not high class, you're probably middle class.

 

[Woodznutz]

An income of around 30k to 200k. Depending on family size.
At least thats how i always looked at it.

Adjusted for inflation, of course.

 

[1srelluc]

Pretty simple, where do you fall as far as income/assets against the median income in your AO?

The definition is area dependent.....I'm solid "middle class" in my AO.....If I lived 60 miles east I'd be lower middle class as the median income doubles in NOtVA.

The old rule of thumb was 25% above the median income for your AO puts you "middle class".....no idea if that has changed or not.

 

[Polishprince]

Middle Class folks live in and raise their children in a 3500 square foot home on a quarter acre in suburbia. They have a couple of SUV's, a couple of firearms to protect their mini-estate and toil to keep a neat lawn, pay their offsprings' orthodontic and tuition bills and are very concerned about the problems of the inner cities coming out to destroy their peaceful and bucolic lives.

 

[Harpy Eagle]

Pretty simple, where do you fall as far as income/assets against the median income in your AO?

The definition is area dependent.....I'm solid "middle class" in my AO.....If I lived 60 miles east I'd be lower middle class as the median income doubles in NOtVA.

The old rule of thumb was 25% above the median income for your AO puts you "middle class".....no idea if that has changed or not.

That seems a good rule. How far above the median income would one need to be to be above middle class?

 

[TNHarley]

Adjusted for inflation, of course.

True! lol

 

[Auld Phart]

middle class

upper class

no class

 

[Montrovant]

It seems to be a pretty amorphous phrase. I've seen various income levels, not to mention things like spending and type of home/vehicle ownership, involved in the definition.

 

[Polishprince]

It seems to be a pretty amorphous phrase. I've seen various income levels, not to mention things like spending and type of home/vehicle ownership, involved in the definition.

Its not just about the money. After all, to quote B. Hussein O , "Suburbia bores me" and his spiritual mentor Jeremiah Wright constantly whined about the middle class.

 

[Woodznutz]

I'm solid middle class but I can pinch a nickel so hard that the NDN ends up riding the buffalo.

 

[Votto]

In a different thread someone was told they were not middle class because they had 4 income streams.

Nobody in that thread seemed to be able to define it, so I thought I would ask in this part of the forum.

How would you, personally, define what makes one "middle class"

Those who work for a living

Then you have everyone else, like the abject poor and uber rich idiots like Diaper Joe.

 

[JoeMoma]

Pretty simple, where do you fall as far as income/assets against the median income in your AO?

The definition is area dependent.....I'm solid "middle class" in my AO.....If I lived 60 miles east I'd be lower middle class as the median income doubles in NOtVA.

The old rule of thumb was 25% above the median income for your AO puts you "middle class".....no idea if that has changed or not.

So you have to be above the middle to be in the middle (class)?

 

[Harpy Eagle]

It seems to be a pretty amorphous phrase. I've seen various income levels, not to mention things like spending and type of home/vehicle ownership, involved in the definition.

Thanks. I do agree that there is much of that mixed into the phrase

 

[JoeMoma]

"What is considered middle class?


So who is in the middle class? Broadly, Pew Research Center defines middle-class households as making two-thirds to double America's median income. That adds up to an income range of about $30,000 to $90,000 for single Americans in 2020 dollars.May 1, 2022"

Google is my evil friend. See above.

 

[Moonglow]

I have two cars, one home, 43 acres, food, AC, plenty of weed, and entertainment, why do I need more?

 

[rightwinger]

In a different thread someone was told they were not middle class because they had 4 income streams.

Nobody in that thread seemed to be able to define it, so I thought I would ask in this part of the forum.

How would you, personally, define what makes one "middle class"

I would not apply a number

I would say middle class is being able to support yourself, a family, have healthcare and eventually being able to retire without Government support

 

[Woodznutz]

Thanks. I do agree that there is much of that mixed into the phrase

Very true. I have an upper middle class income and wealth but you wouldn't know it by looking at my rather spartan lifestyle; old furniture, old car, small house, don't go out, never travel, eat cheap. But I'm happy as clam.

 

[Harpy Eagle]

But I'm happy as clam.

And in the end that is all that matters.