Are You in Georgia's Shrinking Middle Class? Here's What That Means

Are you in Georgia's middle economic class? New statistics suggest that it takes more cash -- and fewer people qualify -- than before.Photo byAlexander GreyonUnsplash

We've all heard about the shrinking middle class, the growing tax burden of the middle class, and the difficulties of maintaining a middle-class lifestyle. But what exactly is the middle class, and how do we compare in Georgia to other surrounding states when it comes to middle class income?

First, let's define the elusive term of middle class, which seems to be a catch-all these days. For that, we'll turn to the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world using public opinion polling, demographic research and other proven methodolgies.

According to Pew, those earning between two-thirds of a state's median income and up to two times the median income form the economic middle class. In broad and approximate statistical terms, that breaks down to approximately 50 percent of wage earners.

And two sources -- Pew Research and The Rand Corporation -- agree that America's middle class has indeed shrunk in recent history. In fact, Pew estimates that the middle class has shrunk from 61% of wage earners just 50 years ago down to the 50% level now.

So what's that mean in Georgia, and what wage levels form the state's middle class? Specifics change each year, but following is what we found from US Census Bureau and other statistics for 2023.

Feel like you're in a shrinking middle class? You're right. Pew Research Center suggests the middle has shrunk by 10 percentage points.Photo byMathieu SternonUnsplash

Georgia's median household income was $66,559 in 2023. Using that Pew Center definition, that place the lower range of the middle class at $44,368. And the upper range tops out at $133,118.

If you live in the Atlanta Metro area, the middle class range reaches higher. For those in the metro area, the middle class income range spans from $49,652 to $148,214

It takes more earning power to be in Georgia's middle class than in surrounding states of Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. Florida has a slightly higher band for economic middle class, with it's upper limit topping out at $135,670.

Again, according to the Pew Center, Georgia's middle class income ranks 24th highest among all states.