Median household income peaked at least 15 years ago in 81 percent of U.S. counties. That means that when incomes are adjusted for inflation, most middle class households are actually earning less money than they did years ago. Even though the economy is finally revving up, most Americans still don’t see the benefits in their paychecks.

When income peaked 45 years ago210 counties

in 1969 35 years572 counties

in 1979 25 years141 counties

in 1989 15 years1,623 counties

in 1999 5 years213 counties

in 2009 1 year380 counties

in 2013