<P> Income inequality in the United States has increased significantly since the 1970s after several decades of stability , meaning the share of the nation 's income received by higher income households has increased . This trend is evident with income measured both before taxes ( market income ) as well as after taxes and transfer payments . Income inequality has fluctuated considerably since measurements began around 1915 , moving in an arc between peaks in the 1920s and 2000s , with a 30 - year period of relatively lower inequality between 1950 -- 1980 . </P>
<P> Income inequality in the United States has increased significantly since the 1970s after several decades of stability , meaning the share of the nation 's income received by higher income households has increased . This trend is evident with income measured both before taxes ( market income ) as well as after taxes and transfer payments . Income inequality has fluctuated considerably since measurements began around 1915 , moving in an arc between peaks in the 1920s and 2000s , with a 30 - year period of relatively lower inequality between 1950 -- 1980 . </P>
while the u.s. economy has expanded since the late 1960s income inequality has
while the u.s. economy has expanded since the late 1960s income inequality has
increased
increased