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Since 1988, EPI published it annually, including data on household incomes, wages, jobs, unemployment, wealth, and poverty. Notably it said from 1948 - 1979, one third of average income growth went to America's 10% richest.
However, from 1979 - 2007, the richest 10% got 91% of average income growth, an unprecedented disparity still widening as working households experience deepening hard times with no relief in sight because policy initiatives demand greater sacrifices when massive social spending is required to relieve need.
Like NECLMS' study, EPI called the "highly unequal" distribution of wealth (including wages and incomes) one of its study's "most salient points." Specific findings included the following:
Wealth destruction from 2007 - 2009, was disproportionately experienced by 80% of Americans.
The average net worth of America's wealthiest 1% was 225 greater than the median 2009 household net worth - the highest ratio on record.
In 2009, about 25% of US households had zero or negative net worth. For Black households, it was 40%. Their median net worth was $2,200, "the lowest ever recorded" compared to Whites at $97,900.
In 2009, America's 20% richest controlled 87.2% of all wealth. The top 1% controlled 35.6%.
In 2009 dollars, median household wealth fell from $71,900 in 1983 to $62,200 in 2009 while America's richest got richer.
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