Atlanta Metro Area Income Down from End of Recession

Staff Report

Friday, September 19th, 2014

The Atlanta metro area's 2013 median household income ($55,733) decreased since 2010, the first full year after the last recession, when it was $56,850 in 2013 dollars, according to new statistics released today from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, the nation's most comprehensive data source on American households.

Income is one of more than 40 topics covered in the American Community Survey. The full set of socialeconomichousing and demographic statistics can be found on census.gov. These include topics such as marital statuseducational attainmentlanguage spokenancestry and more.

On Sept. 16, the Census Bureau released national-level income and poverty statistics as well asnational and state-level health insurance statistics. Today's American Community Survey release includes statistics for these topics for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, every congressional district, every metro area, and all counties and places with populations of 65,000 or more. Two new reports examine these topics: Household Income: 2013 and Poverty: 2012 and 2013.

Highlights for the Atlanta metro area include:

2013 Income

  • Median household income: $55,733, down from 2010 ($56,850).
  • Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $48,856.
  • Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $40,119.
  • With Food Stamp/SNAP benefits: 14.2 percent; up from 11.3 percent in 2010.

2013 Poverty

  • Below poverty level: 15.9 percent of people. This was up from 14.8 percent in 2010.
  • Children below poverty level: 22.6 percent in 2013. This was up from 20.5 percent in 2010.

2013 Health Insurance

  • Percent insured with private health insurance: 64.5 percent. This was not statistically different from 65.2 percent in 2010.
  • Uninsured: 18.7 percent. This was down from 19.9 percent in 2010.
  • Uninsured under 138 percent of the poverty level (and eligible for coverage by Medicaid in states that decided to expand Medicaid eligibility):  35.2 percent. Under the Affordable Care Act, states have the option of expanding Medicaid eligibility to those with incomes at or below 138 percent of the poverty threshold.
  • Uninsured at 200 percent of poverty threshold and over: 11.1 percent.

Additional Statistics Released Today:

Upcoming American Community Survey Releases

  • 2011-2013 statistics for all areas with populations of 20,000 or more: Oct. 23.
  • 2009-2013 statistics for all areas regardless of size, down to the block group level: Dec. 4.