The document contains graphs and charts showing the distribution of income, wealth, and control of wealth in the United States from 1970 to 2005. It shows that the top 5th of income earners increased their percentage of total income from 43% in 1970 to 50% in 2005, while the bottom 5th decreased from 4% to 3%. The top 1% of wealth holders control 33.4% of total wealth while the bottom 50% only control 2.5% of total wealth.

1. Income Distribution
(In Percentages)
60
50
45
43
30
25
23
15 17
15
11
9
4 3
0
Bottom 5th 2nd 5th 3rd 5th 4th 5th Top 5th
1970 2005

2. % Difference from 1970 to 2005
10
6.75 7.1
3.5
0.25
-0.7 -2.2 -2.8 -1.5
-3
Bottom 5th 2nd 5th 3rd 5th 4th 5th Top 5th

3. 50
48.5
37.5
25
20 20
21.5
12.5
0.5 4
0
Top .5% Top 20% Bottom 20%
People % of Income

4. 100
85
75
60
50
35
25 20
5
1
0
Top 1% Top 5% Top 20%
People % of Available Wealth

5. % of US Wealth Holders % of Wealth Controlled
Top 1%
33.4 %
Bottom 50 % 2.5%

6. Source:
Eitzen, Stanley D., Maxine Baca Zinn, Kelly Eitzen Smith. 2009. Social
Problems. 11th Edition. Pearson Publishing: New York, NY.