Median Family Income
Date posted: 04/09/2008
Quick Data Links
- 2008 Median Family Income - United States, Colorado & Larimer County
- Median Family Income Levels by Household Size, Larimer County, 2008
- Median Family Income in Five Colorado Counties, 2004 - 2008
- Percentage Change in MFI in Five Colorado Counties, 2003 - 2006
- Median Family Income Increase 1990, 2000, 2008
- Median Family Income Increase in Larimer County Cities & Towns
- Median Family Income in Larimer County, 2002 - 2008
Median Family Income (MFI) is an annual income figure. Unlike per capita income, which is an average, the median divides income distribution into two equal parts: one-half below the median income and one-half above. For example, consider five families with incomes of $10,500, $20,100, $31,000, $40,800 and $50,000. For family average income, add the five incomes ($152,400) and divide by the number of families (5). The result is the average of all family incomes considered, or a per-family income of $30,480. The "median" income for these families would be $31,000, as there are an equal number of incomes below and above $31,000. MFI is based on the distribution of the total number of families, including those with no income.
What this chart shows: Median Family Income in the United States, Colorado & Larimer County, 2008
*HUD collects data for the Fort Collins/Loveland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which is used to represent Larimer County MFI in this chart.
Data Source: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
What this table shows: Median Family Income Levels by Household Size, Larimer County* - 2008
|
Number of Persons per Household |
Median (100%) |
Low Income (80% AMI) |
Very Low Income (50% AMI) |
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) |
|
1 |
$52,500 |
$42,000 |
$26,250 |
$15,750 |
|
2 |
$60,000 |
$48,000 |
$30,000 |
$18,000 |
|
3 |
$67,500 |
$54,000 |
$33,750 |
$20,250 |
|
4 |
$75,000 |
$60,000 |
$37,500 |
$22,500 |
|
5 |
$81,000 |
$64,800 |
$40,500 |
$24,300 |
|
6 |
$87,000 |
$69,600 |
$43,500 |
$26,100 |
|
7 |
$93,000 |
$74,400 |
$46,500 |
$27,900 |
|
8 |
$99,000 |
$79,200 |
$49,500 |
$29,700 |
*HUD collects data for the Fort Collins/Loveland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which is used to represent Larimer County MFI in this table.
Data Source: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
What these data tell us:
The Median Family Income is used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine eligibility for HUD's assisted housing programs. Income limits are adjusted for family size (see Family Size Adjustments).In 2007, Median Family Income (MFI) estimates were calculated differently from previous years. This was the first time that data gathered from the Census American Community Survey (ACS) in 2005 were used. The 2005 ACS covered more communities nationwide than previous ACS surveys. The 2007 estimate update factors differ from previous years' update factors in two ways:
- The 2007 estimates are based on local area ACS 2005 surveys for places with populations of 65,000 or more, where such surveys were taken. Previously, the Larimer County area was included in the Denver metropolitan/North Front Range MFI calculations.
- Estimates for all other areas now reflect the state-level change between the 2000 Census state and 2005 ACS state estimates, rather than being based on applying ACS changes (e.g., 2000-2004 for FY 2006 estimates) to 2000 Census estimates.
Comparisons among 2007 and previous years are not valid as indicators of changes in local median family income because of the differences in the underlying surveys. The decrease in MFI from 2005 to 2006, however, is not due to the change in methodology. The decrease may be a result of the loss of manufacturing jobs in the area within the last several years. From 2001 to 2005, manufacturing employment decreased by 30%, the largest decrease of all of the industrial sectors. The Manufacturing sector is one of the highest paying sectors that employ vocational labor, at an annual average salary of $61,932 in 2005. See Employment and Average Wages by Industry for more information about employment and wages in Larimer County. For more information on the methodology used to calculate the estimates, see HUD's Median Family Income Notice.
What this chart shows: Median Family Income for Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo & Weld Counties, 2004 - 2008
Data Source: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
What these data tell us:
All five Colorado counties' Median Family Income (MFI) increased between 2004 and 2005, and then decreased in 2006. All of the counties' MFI increased in 2008. Of the five counties, Larimer County had the largest increase in MFI ($6,800) in 2008.What this chart shows: Percentage change in Median Family Income for Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo & Weld Counties, 2003 - 2006
|
MFI |
Boulder |
Larimer |
Mesa |
Pueblo |
Weld |
|
2003 |
$81,900 |
$64,800 |
$45,500 |
$42,400 |
$54,000 |
|
2006 |
$81,600 |
$68,600 |
$50,100 |
$46,800 |
$57,800 |
Data Source: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
What these data tell us:
This chart shows the percentage change of each of the five Colorado counties' Median Family Income (MFI) in the period between 2004 and 2006*. Boulder County's MFI was stable (showing the least amount of change) during the three year period, decreasing by 0.37%. Pueblo County MFI had the highest percentage change, 10.38%, and Larimer County MFI increased by 5.86% during the same period.*Comparisons among 2007 to present MFI and previous years are not valid as indicators of changes in local median family income because the estimates were calculated differently.
Additional Information:
The statutory guidance governing income limits requires that income limits are to be higher for larger families and lower for smaller families. The same family size adjustments are used for all income limits. They are as follows:
Number of Persons in Family and Percentage Adjustments:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
|
70% |
80% |
90% |
Base |
108% |
116% |
124% |
132% |
For each person in excess of eight, 8% of the four-person base should be added to the eight-person income limit. (For example, the nine-person limit equals 140% [132 + 8] of the relevant four-person income limit.) Income limits are rounded to the nearest $50. Return to text
On Compass -
- Affordable Rental Costs
- Food Stamps
- Home Ownership/Affordable Housing
- Income by Racial Classification
- Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
- Per Capita Income
- Poverty
- Reduced/Free School Lunches
- Residential Home Sales
- Self-Sufficient Wages
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Outside Compass -
- Cost of Living Calculator - Sperling's Best Places
- Federal Poverty Guidelines
- United States Census Bureau
- United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
Data Tables:
Median Family Income - United States, Colorado, & Larimer County
|
United States |
Colorado |
Larimer County |
|
|
1990 |
$35,225 |
$35,930 |
$36,931 |
|
2000 |
$49,600 |
$55,883 |
$58,886 |
|
2001 |
$52,500 |
$57,700 |
$58,200 |
|
2002 |
$54,400 |
$61,500 |
$60,800 |
|
2003 |
$56,500 |
$62,200 |
$64,800 |
|
2004 |
$57,500 |
$63,500 |
$66,500 |
|
2005 |
$58,000 |
$65,400 |
$69,200 |
|
2006 |
$59,600 |
$65,400 |
$68,600 |
|
2007 |
$59,000 |
$66,000 |
$68,200 |
|
2008 |
$61,500 |
$67,900 |
$75,000 |
Median Family Income - Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo & Weld Counties
|
Boulder |
Larimer |
Mesa |
Pueblo |
Weld |
|
|
2003 |
$81,900 |
$64,800 |
$45,500 |
$42,400 |
$54,000 |
|
2004 |
$81,900 |
$66,500 |
$47,600 |
$45,000 |
$55,400 |
|
2005 |
$82,000 |
$69,200 |
$50,400 |
$47,100 |
$58,250 |
|
2006 |
$81,600 |
$68,600 |
$50,100 |
$46,800 |
$57,800 |
|
2007 |
$82,500 |
$68,200 |
$49,800 |
$48,000 |
$59,800 |
|
2008 |
$85,000 |
$75,000 |
$55,000 |
$48,700 |
$64,000 |