Household income hits record, but lower earners lose ground

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2026 Annual Social and Economic Supplements; Note: Census identifies breaks in the series in 2013 and 2017 due to methodological changes; Chart: Russell Contreras/AxiosU.S. household income hit a record in 2025, but the lowest earners barely shared in the gains, new Census data show.Why it matters: On paper, Americans look richer than ever. But broader measures of financial security show millions still getting squeezed by medical costs, uneven income gains and a thinning public safety net.The 2025 Census report largely captures the e