Estimates in the report were developed from two sample frames: one from the 1970 census, the other from the 1980 census. Since this overlap in the sample design does not permit the development of estimates for metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, farm; and nonfarm categories that are comparable to either the 1980 or 1970 census definitions, figures for these residence categories have been omitted. In addition to this consideration, the estimates in this report for 1983 and 1984 reflect the introduction of new survey weighting procedures for the Spanish-origin population and a revised method of measuring interest income.

Since the initial release of these data on August 28, 1985, a minor revision has been made to the 1983 estimates. This revision affected the 1983 to 1984 comparisons. The data for 1984 were not affected. The data in this report reflect the revisions made in 1983 and, therefore, differ slightly from the data published in Current Population Reports, Series P-60, No. 149. See the section on revised survey procedures for a further explanation of these changes.

For the second year in a row median family income increased faster than inflation, according to results of the March 1985 Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the Bureau of the Census. In 1984, median family income was $26,430, 7.1 percent higher than the 1983 median of $24,670. After adjusting for the 4.3-percent increase in consumer prices between 1983 and 1984, real median family income still showed a significant gain of 2.8 percent.¹

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¹ Changes in real income refer to comparisons after adjusting for inflation. The percentage change in prices between 1983 and 1984 was computed by dividing the annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 1984 by the annual average value of the CPI for 1983. See table A-2 of appendix A for CPI's from 1947 to 1984.