Research Paper on Are the Number of "Middle Class" Families in Massachusetts Declining?

Introduction

The middle class is under threat in the United States. According to research, the percentage of middle class dropped from sixty-two percent to fifty-nine percent between 1991 and 2010 (Schwartz, 2017). The middle class has varying definitions. The Pew study defined middle class as households that earn from two-thirds to double the national median income (Schwartz, 2017). Therefore, median income ranges from $35,294 to $105,881 (Schwartz, 2017). In 2016 the Census ACS Survey set the median household income in the United States at $57,617 (Department of Numbers, 2018). The median income had dropped by 1.91% since 2007 when it was $ 58,736 (Department of Numbers, 2018). The decline in the median income has been attributed to the global recession in 2008 (Department of Numbers, 2018). Many people lost their jobs during the recession and fell into the low-income bracket. The economy has since grown with people getting new jobs but, the middle class is still on the decline. Hence, the total income generated has not been sufficient to be distributed across all incomes which have brought about inequality in income.

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Springfield is a city in Massachusetts with a population of approximately 154, 079. The median resident age of the city is 33.9 years (Springfield Massachusetts, 2016). The median income for the city is approximately $38,897 lower than that of Massachusetts which is $75,297 (Springfield Massachusetts, 2016). The median income for Springfield is also lower than the average for the United States which is $57,617. The unemployment rate in Springfield is 8.5% higher than Massachusetts which is at 4.5% (Springfield Massachusetts, 2016). The high unemployment rate and the low median income of Springfield Massachusetts show the economic challenges facing the city.

The economic inequality in Springfield is brought about by the family structure and lack of growth of the city (Foster, Santaniello, Calcina, Barbee, Fowlkes, 2006). Since the 1990s the population of Springfield has not increased by much at a constant of about 150,000 (Foster et al., 2006). The lack of growth of the town has been due to the high crime rate in the city. In 2004 and 2005 the crime rate in Springfield was twice that in other states (Foster et al., 2006). The family structure has also contributed to income inequality. Two-fifths of the families in Springfield are headed by single mothers who have contributed to the poverty rates in the city (Foster et al., 2006). Married-couple families have higher income levels due to the combined income of the parents. However, single-female headed families tend to have lower income due to the dependence on the mother (Foster et al., 2006).

The decline of the middle class in Springfield Massachusetts has a lot to do with the history of the city. In 1960, the Springfield Armory was closed down which led to the demise of the manufacturing industry (Foster et al., 2006). The manufacturing industry in Springfield was a key employer, and its decline led to high unemployment rates (Foster et al., 2006). The majority of the population had a limited educational background, and the manufacturing industry was a haven that enabled them to reach the middle class. The state did not experience growth in the coming years which meant that neighboring cities outgrew the city. Wealthy families migrated to the neighboring cities in search of better housing and security (Foster et al., 2006). The population left behind was unemployed with little education and low-income levels (Foster et al., 2006). Up to date the income levels of the city are lower than that of neighboring cities as it still feels the effect of the migration and the decline of the manufacturing industry.

Social stratification has been a rising concern in Springfield with the gap between the rich and the poor widening in recent years. Springfield is divided into seventeen neighborhoods (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). Data collected between 2008 and 2012 showed the varying median incomes in the different neighborhoods (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). Sixteen Acres and East Forest Part reported a median income of between $46,000 and $64,999 (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). Forest Park, Boston Road, Pine Point, Boston Road, and Eat Springfield had a median income of between $36,000 and $45,999 (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). Upperhill, Liberty Heights, and Indian Orchard had a median income of between $27,000 and $35,999 (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). Bay, McKnight, and Old Hill had a median income of between $19,000 and $26,999 (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). The neighborhoods with the lowest income level ranging from $15,000 to $18,999 were Brightwood, Memorial Square, Metro Center, Six Corners and South End (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). The difference in the income earned in the different neighborhoods of Springfield shows the inequality with income ranging from as low as $15,000 to $64, 999 (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). The map below shows the different neighborhoods and their respective income levels:

Figure 1 Household Income Levels in Springfield (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014).

Income inequality in Springfield was measured using the Gini Coefficient where zero represents complete equality and 1(100%) complete inequality (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). Brightwood had the highest level of inequality between 51% and 55.9% (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). The lowest levels of inequality were in East Forest Park with a Gini coefficient of 32% to 34.9% (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014). The map below shows the income inequality as represented by the Gini coefficient:

Figure 2 Income Inequality in Springfield (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 2014).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Springfield Massachusetts was a thriving town in the 1960s. The decline of the manufacturing industry in the city caused a high unemployment rate and led to the mass exodus of wealthy families. The middle-class families were affected and reduced drastically. The city has grown, but income inequality continues to dominate with the different neighborhoods having varying levels of income. The fact that two out of every five families are headed by single mothers has also contributed to income inequality and the decline of the middle-class families. However, there is still hope for the city as it continues to grow following the effects of the recession.

References

Department of Numbers (2018). US Household Income. Retrieved from https://www.deptofnumbers.com/income/us/

Foster, P., Santaniello, S., Calcina, J., Barbee, D., Fowlkes, K. (2006). A Demographic and Economic Analysis of the City of Springfield. Retrieved from https://www.springfield-ma.gov/planning/fileadmin/Planning_files/Springfield_Market_Study_2006.pdf

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (2014). Data Atlas by Neighborhood: City of Springfield, MA. Retrieved from http://www.pvpc.org/sites/default/files/Springfield%20Data%20Atlas%209-23-14-web-reduced.pdf

Schwartz, N. (2017, April 24). The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/business/economy/middle-class-united-states-europe-pew.html

Springfield Massachusetts (2018). City Data.com. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/city/Springfield-Massachusetts.html