That nagging sense of a New York divided, between haves and have-nots, observed by everyone from Occupy Wall Street to the Democratic nominee for mayor? It isn’t imaginary. A survey released today reveals that NYC has the U.S.’s most striking income inequality. In Manhattan, the average income for the lowest 20% was $9,635, and that of the highest was $389,007–a larger gap than any other county in the country. Poverty in the city is up as well, with 21.2% of New Yorkers and 32% of single mother-led families living below the line.
“It’s not good news,” said David R. Jones, president of the Community Service Society, the group that conducted the study. “We’re three years into a recovery and the poverty rate is creeping upward. I don’t think this has to mean an all-out call for class warfare, but it’s a serious threat to the viability of the city of New York.”
Bill de Blasio himself weighed in as well, as the New York Times points out.
Mr. de Blasio, who has attracted populist support with his message of economic inequality, said the latest census data reinforced the need for the next mayor to alter course. “I wish it didn’t,” he said.
(Photo: Michael Casey/Flickr)
