Determinants of County and City Median Family Income Levels and Poverty Rates

摘要

The study is of variations in median family income levels and poverty rates ofAmerican counties and cities. There are two samples: (1) all counties and quasi-county units and (2) cities of 10,000 or more persons. In 1980 there were 3,138 county of county equivalents (including Washington, D.C.) and 3,514 cities of 10,000 or more. Multiple regression analysis results show that over 80 percent of the variance for counties and cities in both poverty and median family income is explained by the independent variables. These variables describe six general factors: (1) labor force participation, (2) rural-urban mix, (3) education, (4) industry mix, (5) wage rate, and (6) low earning power groups, such as blacks. Separate county analyses are performed for central city, suburban, and nonmetropolitan communities.