The average (median) money income of families in the United States was $5,600 in 1960, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. This was about $200, or 4 percent, higher than in 1959, despite the downturn in economic activity in the closing months of 1960. However, the gain in real purchasing power between 1959 and 1960 was only about 2 percent, since prices also rose during this period.¹

About 10 million families, or 22 percent of the 45 1/2 million families in the Nation, received money incomes under $3,000 in 1960. This number did not differ appreciably from the number of families in that income range a year earlier. Another 9 million, or 20 percent, received incomes between $3,000 and $5,000 last year; and almost 11 million, or 24 percent, had incomes between $5,000 and $7,000. The remaining 15 1/2 million families, or 34 percent, reported incomes of $7,000 or more.

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¹ The Consumer Price Index of the Department of Labor averaged 124.6 in 1959 and 126.5 in 1960.