This indicator is part of Career opportunities.

Indicator description:                                                           

This indicator compares both the median income per household and per family in 2002 and 2007 for Albuquerque, several other southwestern cities, and the United States. The average annual growth rate from 2002 to 2007 is also included. A household is defined as all people who occupy a housing unit. A family is defined as two or more people, residing together, who are related by birth, marriage or adoption. Because many households consist of only one person, household income is usually less than family income. Income is from all sources. The data are medians, meaning half of the households/families have incomes higher and half have lower. Median incomes do not factor in differences in the cost of living.

Why is this indicator relevant?

Median household and family incomes are some of the best income measures available. They indicate how well a household or family is doing financially. Ideally, the median income in Albuquerque should be equal to or greater than the incomes for the U.S. as a whole. Comparison with other southwestern cities shows how well Albuquerque fairs with similar cities in the region.

Data Source:

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, American Community Survey, 2001-2007.

What can we tell from the data?

• Median income in Albuquerque has not grown at the same rate as the U.S. as a whole. Median household income has grown at less than half the rate of the U.S. and median family income has grown at approximately two-thirds of the U.S. rate.
• Albuquerque has the lowest average annual income growth among benchmark Southwest cities.
• As a share of the U.S. income, Albuquerque has the third highest percentage of the six regional cities.

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