Median Family Income
Date Updated: 06/23/2011
- 2011 Median Family Income - United States, Colorado & Larimer County
- Median Family Income Levels by Household Size, Larimer County, 2011
- Median Family Income in Five Colorado Counties, 2002 - 2011
- Percentage Change in MFI in Five Colorado Counties, 2007 - 2011
- Median Family Income Increase 1990, 2000, 2010
- Median Family Income Increase in Larimer County Cities & Towns, 1990 & 2000
- Median Family Income in Larimer County, 2002 - 2011
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 - 2011
*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* - 2011
|
Number of Persons per Household |
Median (100%) |
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) |
Very Low Income |
Low Income (80% AMI) |
|
1 |
$53,690 | $16,100 | $26,850 | $42,950 |
|
2 |
$61,360 | $18,400 | $30,700 | $49,100 |
|
3 |
$69,030 | $20,700 | $34,550 | $55,250 |
|
4 |
$76,700 | $23,000 | $38,350 | $61,350 |
|
5 |
$82,836 | $24,850 | $41,450 | $66,300 |
|
6 |
$88,972 | $26,700 | $44,500 | $71,200 |
|
7 |
$95,108 | $28,550 | $47,600 | $76,100 |
|
8 |
$101,244 | $30,400 | $50,650 | $81,000 |
*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 2005 U.S. Census, American Community Survey (ACS) was 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 recent decreases in MFI are not due to the change in methodology, however. The decreases may be a result of the loss of manufacturing jobs in the area within the last several years. From 2004 to 2008, manufacturing employment decreased by 18%, 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 $67,912 in 2009. 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 [pdf].
What this chart shows: Median Family Income for Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo & Weld Counties, 2002-2011
Data Source: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
What these data tell us:
Although Boulder County's Median Family Income (MFI) was consistently the highest over the last decade, it also increased the least (5.2%) between 2002 and 2011. During this same time period, Mesa County's MFI increased the most (50.6%).Between 2010 and 2011, Larimer County's MFI increased 2.4%, or $1,800, whereas Mesa County's MFI increased 7.0%, or $4,200 during the same time period.
What this chart shows: Percentage Change in Median Family Income for Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo & Weld Counties, 2007-2011
|
MFI |
Boulder |
Larimer |
Mesa |
Pueblo |
Weld |
|
2007 |
$85,500 | $75,000 | $55,000 | $48,700 | $64,000 |
|
2011 |
$89,600 | $74,900 | $60,100 | $50,700 | $65,000 |
|
% change |
12.1% | 12.5% | 29.1% | 10.0% | 12.9% |
Data Source: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
What these data tell us:
This chart shows the percentage change in Median Family Income (MFI) in five Colorado counties between 2007 and 2011. Mesa County MFI had the highest percentage increase (29.1%) whereas Pueblo County MFI increased the least (10.0%) during this five-year period.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
Related Information on COMPASS -
- 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)
Other Resources -
- 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 |
|
2009 |
$64,000 | $71,000 | $75,200 |
|
2010 |
$64,400 | $71,000 | $74,900 |
|
2011 |
$64,200 | $73,100 | $76,700 |
Median Family Income - Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo & Weld Counties
|
Boulder |
Larimer |
Mesa |
Pueblo |
Weld |
|
|
2002 |
$87,900 | $60,800 | $42,700 | $39,400 | $47,900 |
|
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 |
|
2009 |
$89,100 | $75,200 | $57,200 | $51,300 | $64,300 |
|
2010 |
$89,600 | $74,900 | $60,100 | $50,700 | $65,000 |
|
2011 |
$92,500 | $76,700 | $64,300 | $52,800 | $67,500 |