Census: N.C. household income takes a hit

It's bad enough that the recession has hit middle-income and poor families hardest, widening the economic gap between the richest and poorest Americans nationwide, according to Census data released this week. But the nonprofit N.C. Public School Forum gleaned these additional troubling N.C. tidbits from the info:

"Median household income in North Carolina has declined more than $3,500 over the past eight years, according to newly released census figures. The data also indicate the percentage of households below the poverty line increased by 2.3 percent during that period. The Office of Management and Budget defines the poverty threshold based on the Consumer Price Index.

"In 2008, the weighted average poverty threshold for a family of four was $22,025; for a family of three, $17,163; for a family of two, $14,051; and for unrelated individuals, $10,991. More than 12 percent of North Carolina residents are living in poverty, the figures show.

"The U.S. Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey includes social, housing demographic and select economic data collected throughout 2008 for areas with populations of 65,000 or more. The median household income statewide in 2008 was $46,549, down from $50,155 in 2000. Both figures are in 2008 dollars."