The middle class is one of the most talked about groups in the US. Politicians across the political spectrum bring up the middle class often when discussing potential legislation or when trying to persuade voters. But even aside from the claims made on the campaign trail, the American middle class has changed in some key ways since 2000.
Since then, the middle class is older, and less likely to be married. Those in the middle class are working less and earning less money. And government programs are playing a larger role in the economic well being of those in the middle 20% of the US.