Are you middle class? Where are the lines drawn in 2016?


I recently googled median income in several locations, and the results were a little odd to me. In Columbia SC, a top 10% family earns combined household income over $114,000. Bottom 10%? Anyone under $27,000. Is the middle class the middle 80%? What if they have 3 kids? What if they have 6 kids, or if they have no children?


I ask because I was raised lower class, as 1 of 5 kids in a single parent household whose sole provider earned just-above minimum wage and Dad paid little to no child support. So I "ASSOCIATE" as lower middle at best- (see how I worked THAT in there??) even though I earn enough to be top in the 10% for the past 15 years. I still fear poverty every day and save like 15% of my earnings for the future/retirement.


I hear the middle class pays for the bottom 10% as far as the taxes to pay for the welfare and all that. Is that true? What do the "wealthy" pay for with their taxes then? Is it all subjective regardless?


My buddy Stew makes over $400,000 per year and considers himself middle class, but his wife doesn't work and they have one kid. I call him rich and a top 1% guy. My friend Jessica makes over $200,000 annually, is single and no kids but considers herself middle as well. I think both are out of touch just a little bit with how tough it really is out there.


Anyway, seems like a matter of perspective nurtured by your upbringing. But "middle class" is the theme every election and here we go again.

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