The 3 groups lagging most in America's post-COVID rebound

"The latest Census data also suggest the next phase of U.S. politics will be shaped less by a single national economy than by who benefited from growth and where they live. By the numbers: The U.S. median household income rose to $80,734, the 2020-2024 American Community Survey released Thursday and examined by Axios showed. That's a 4.4% jump from 2015-2019 after inflation."

""Over the last five years, we've noticed a significant increase in the percentage of adults completing higher education," Census Bureau statistician Erik Hernandez said in a statement. He said about 89% of metro areas experienced an increase in the percentage of population 25 years and over with a bachelor's degree or higher when compared to the previous five years. Yes, but: The rise in median income was not consistent across all counties."

"Median household income increased for most racial and ethnic groups, but the gaps remain wide and geographically entrenched, an Axios review of the data found. White and Asian households continue to earn substantially more than Black and Hispanic households across most states. States with large metro-driven gains often still show persistent racial income stratification, especially in the South and Midwest. The Census' own long-term view shows that income inequality by race has narrowed only marginally over the past 15 years, even as overall incomes rose."

The U.S. median household income rose to $80,734, a 4.4% inflation-adjusted increase from 2015–2019. Nearly 38% of adults 25 or older in metro areas held a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 34.2% five years earlier. The national poverty rate decreased to 12.5% from 13.4%. About 89% of metro areas saw increases in residents with bachelor's degrees, while most counties showed no statistically significant income change, concentrating growth in urban areas. Only half of micropolitan areas recorded degree increases. Median income rose for most racial and ethnic groups, but White and Asian households continue to earn substantially more than Black and Hispanic households, with racial income inequality narrowing only marginally over 15 years.

Read at Axios