There are few places in America where the contrast between the rich and the poor are as stark as they are in Miami-Dade County. While the rich are popping bubbly on their yachts and going in on $400 bottle service, the poor black out their windows because they can't afford air conditioning. In fact, the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Miami-Dade has the second-highest income inequality of the 25 largest counties in the country.
"Since 1967, U.S. household income inequality has grown 18 percent. Nearly half of that growth occurred during the 1980s," reads the report [PDF link here]. Hmm, who was president in the '80s again?
To compile the rankings, the report uses the Gini index: "The Gini index varies between zero and one. A value of one indicates perfect inequality where only one house- hold has any income. A value of zero indicates perfect equality, where all households have equal income."
Of the 25 largest counties in the country, Miami-Dade has a Gini index of .503. Only New York County, New York (Manhattan) has a higher Gini index amongst large counties. It sits at .601.
In comparison, Broward County has a Gini index of .469. Los Angeles, the largest county in the country, has a Gini index of .489.
East Carrol Parish in Louisiana has the highest income inequality of any county with a Gini index of .645. Loving County, Texas, appropriately has the lowest income inequality with a .207 Gini index.
Previously:
- Miami is the 10th Most Economically Segregated Area in the Country
- Florida's Unemployment Rate Rises for First Time in 12 Months
- How to Save Florida's Economy: Make Everything a Nudist Colony!
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