15 Stats That Prove Working-Class Families Are Getting Hit From All Sides

Millions of working-class families are living on the edge, and they are struggling to keep their dreams alive in the face of overwhelming odds. These people are getting hit from all sides in today’s economy. Working-class Americans have been facing some of the hardest economic challenges for decades. Despite being the group that contributed the most to the rise in overall productivity levels, their wages have fallen behind all other income groups, rising at the slowest pace compared to middle-class, and upper-class Americans. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage of working-class Americans adjusted for inflation has only risen by 0.6% per year from 1980 to 2022.
This means, that over the past 42 years, this group has seen a mere 25.2% rise in their incomes, compared to an average increase of 160.3% for upper-income individuals. But the lack of wage growth is not just a problem for workers and their families, it also has broader implications for the economy as a whole. When working-class Americans have less money to spend, they are less able to contribute to the economy through consumption. This can lead to lower economic growth and a decrease in demand for goods and services, which in turn can result in job losses and further economic hardship.
Home and rent prices are soaring above what most blue-collar workers can pay. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in 2022, the average fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,192, while the hourly wage needed to afford this rent without paying more than 30% of income was $24. However, the average pay of a minimum wage worker is only $7.25. No wonder why more than half of labor-class renters in the US are cost-burdened, with approximately 11.2 million working-class households in the US paying more than 50% of their income on housing. Last year, only 28 affordable and available rental homes existed for every 100 extremely low-income renters, making it increasingly difficult for them to afford adequate and stable housing.
Working-class individuals are typically low-income workers, and the amount they make every month is often insufficient to cover everyday necessities, including food and utilities. And despite government assistance programs, many families still struggle to put food on the table and keep their lights on due to the record rise in consumer prices. Labor Department data shows that the average household food insecurity rate for working-class families is 32%. In 2022, the average monthly cost of utilities for a low-income US household took over 10% of their pay every month. That’s why approximately 22% of such families were unable to pay their energy bills on time, while about one in five had to choose between paying for food or utilities.
Financial insecurity, job loss, debt, and limited upward mobility are just some of the obstacles they must navigate in order to make ends meet. The grim reality facing these families is reflected in the statistics we compiled in today’s video, which tell a tale of struggle, hardship, and despair. These numbers don’t just demonstrate the difficulties faced by working-class families, they also shine a light on the systemic issues that impact our entire society.