What It Is Today

About a week before the war began, the Census Bureau reported that the wealth of the most affluent fifth of Americans grew 14% during the eighties while the wealth of the remaining four-fifths remained static.

The median net worth of white families was $43,280.

The median net worth of black families was $4,170.

29% of black households reported that they had no wealth.

29% of white households reported wealth in excess of $100,000.

1% of households controlled one-third of the wealth.