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U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
November 1998
Report926
RIVERSIDE
JAN 2 7 1999
Ul:ll<Al<Y
GOVERNMENT
PUBUCAllONS DE!'T. ·'
U.S. DEPOSITOPV_
onsumerunits 1 spent$33,797 on average in 1996, an
increase of 4.8 percent from the previous year. This
was the largest increase in expenditures since the 7.4percent one in 1989. (Average annual expenditures rose about
2 percent in 1995 and about 3 percent in 1993 and 1994.)
The change in expenditures in 1996 was also more than the
3-percent increase in general price levels, as measured by the
Consumer Price Index. This report shows the latest results
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure
Survey.
Changes in the major components of spending-food, housing, apparel, transportation, health care, entertainment, and
personal insurance and pensions-varied substantially in
1996. (See table A.) Expenditures on entertainment rose the
most- 14 percent; transportation increased 6 percent; food
was up 4 percent; housing, apparel, and personal insurance
and pensions each rose 3 percent; and health care was up 2
percent.
There was little change from 1995 to 1996 in the percent
distribution of each of the components of total spending. (See
table B.) Expenditure shares tend to show little change from
year to year and this stability makes the percent distribution
more useful for identifying long-term spending trends than
does observing percent changes in expenditures for a single
year. For example, although entertainment expenditures rose
14 percent in 1996, the share of total expenditures devoted to
entertainment rose by less than half a percentage point-from
5.0 percent to 5.4 percent.
The 14-percent increase in entertainment expenditures in
1996 followed one of 3 percent in 1995 after a decrease of 4
percent in 1994. Much of the increase in total entertainment
expenditures can be attributed to an increase in the subcomponent other entertainment supplies, equipment, and services,
which includes items such as motorized recreational vehicles.
Average expenditures on these subcomponent items tend to
fluctuate from year to year. This is because relatively small
changes in the number of consumers actually buying such
expensive, infrequently purchased items have a large effect
on the overall average.
C
1 See
unit.
the glossary at the end of this report for a definition of consumer
Whenf lassified by different variables such as region
of residence, income, or age of the reference person, data
show more variation than that shown for all consumer units.
For example, although entertainment expenditures rose 14
percent for all consumer units, they increased 27 percent for
consumer units headed by a reference person age 55 to 64
but decreased 10 percent for those with a reference person
under age 25. These changes were primarily the result of
movement in the subcomponent other entertainment supplies,
equipment, and services. This subcomponent increased 96
percent for the age 55-to-64 group but decreased 30 percent
for the under-age-25 group.
The 6-percent increase in transportation expenditures
in 1996 followed a .5-percent decrease in 1995 and an 11percent increase in 1994. Changes in the vehicle purchases
subcomponent has a large effect on the overall transportation
component. Vehicle purchases rose 7 percent in 1996, following a 3-percent decrease in 1995. Spending on vehicles
tends to fluctuate from year to year for the same reasons that
spending on motorized recreational vehicles fluctuatesvehicles are expensive and are purchased relatively infrequently. Also contributing to the rise in transportation spending was a 20-percent increase in public transportation expenditures, which include airline, ship, and train fares, as well as
intracity mass transit. (This followed a 7-percent decrease a
year earlier.) Looking at 1996 expenditure data classified by
race of the reference person, black consumer units decreased
their spending on transportation in 1996 by 4 percent, whereas
the white-and-other group increased their spending by 7
percent. This decrease in spending by blacks is attributed to
a 15-percent drop in vehicle purchases. The increase in spending by white and other consumers is the result of a 9-percent
increase in vehicle purchases and a 23-percent increase in
public transportation.
Expenditures on apparel and services rose 3 percent in
1996, following an increase of 4 percent in 1995. Spending
on apparel dropped by 2 percent in both 1994 and 1993.
Among apparel subcomponents, spending on women 's and
girls' clothing rose 9 percent and footwear rose 7 percent,
while spending on men 's and boys' clothing dropped .5
percent. Spending on other apparel products and services,
which includes jewelry, watches, dry cleaning, etc., fell 11
percent. Apparel spending by Hispanic consumers rose more
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percent; and the West, 2 percent In each of these regions,
only health insurance decreased, whereas the other three su~
components rose. Differences are also seen in health care
spending when classified by the age of the consumer unit's
reference person. The youngest age group, with reference
person under age 25, decreased its spending by 17 percent in
1996; the 55-to-64-year-old age group increased its spending
by 13 percent; and the oldest consumers, age 75 and over,
increased their spending by 8 percent. Health care spending
accounted for 15 percent of the oldest group's total expenditures in 1996, compared to 2 percent of the youngest group's
total.
Housing expenditures, the largest component of total
spending, rose 3 percent in 1996, following increases of 3.5
percent in 1995 and 5 percent in 1994. Among the housing
subcomponents, the largest increases were for housekeeping
supplies (8 percent) and utilities, fuels, and public services
(7 percent). Despite the relatively large percentage increase
for housekeeping supplies, the amount spent in this component, which includes laundry, cleaning supplies, postage,
and other household products, is relatively small so there was
not a very large effect on the change in total housing. Among
other housing subcomponents, shelter rose 2 percent, household operations rose 3 percent, and household furnishings
and equipment fell 4 percent. Changes in housing expenditures among the different income quintile groups also varied.
(See the glossary for a defmition of quintiles of income.)
Consumers in the lowest income quintile spent about 2
percent less on housing in 1996 than in 1995, whereas the
largest increase was for consumers in the fourth income
quintile who spent about 5 percent more.
Expenditures on personal insurance and pensions rose 3
percent in 1996, following modest increases of 2 percent and
1 percent in 1995 and 1994, respectively. In 1996, changes
in personal insurance and pension spending varied by income
quintile as well. Consumers in the two highest quintiles
increased their spending the most, 5 and 9 percent, respectively, whereas consumers in the lowest quintile spent 2 percent more in 1996 than in 1995. For consumers in the second and third quintiles, spending dropped in 1996---2 and 1
percent, respectively.
than the average for all consumer units, 11 percent versus 3
percent Large increases in expenditures on women's and
girls' clothing and footwear, 44 percent and 26 percent, respectively, were primarily responsible for the increase in
Hispanic apparel spending.
Spending on transportation and entertainment can vary substantially from year to year, whereas expenditures for food
are usually stable. However, in 1996 food expenditures increased 4 percent, following an increase of 2 percent in 1995
and less than 1 percent in 1994. Spending on food away
from home largely contributed to the increase in 1996, as this
spending rose 7 percent compared to 3 percent for food at
home. Despite the increase in spending on food away from
home, this subcomponent still accounts for a little under 40
percent of the overall food dollar, as it has for the past several
years. When looking at changes in spending on food by
different sizes of consumer units, four-person consumer units
had the largest increase in spending on food away from home,
13 percent. This offset a I -percent decrease in spending on
food at home, resulting in a 4-percent increase in overall
spending on food for the four-person group, about the same
as the average for all consumer units.
Out-of-pocket spending on health care rose 2 percent in
1996, continuing the trend of small changes over the last few
years. (Health care spending dropped I percent in both 1995
and 1994.) The moderate increase in health care spending in
1996 is the result of a 4-percent decrease in spending on health
insurance in 1996 which almost offset increases in the other
subcomponents of health care: Medical services, drugs, and
medical supplies. The decrease in spending on health insurance in 1996 was the first such decline in 10 years. The
6-percent increase in health insurance spending in 1995 and
the 2-percent increase in 1994 followed 6 straight years of
double digit-increases, with the exception of 1990, which
saw an 8-percent increase. Spending on health care varied
somewhat by region of residence of the consumer units. The
9-percent decrease in the Northeast region was the result of
spending decreases in three of the four subcomponents-health insurance, medical services, and drugs. (Only medical supplies increased.) Health care spending rose in the
other three regions: The South, 7 percent; the Midwest, 5
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Table A. Average annual expenditures of all consumer units and percent changes, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1994-96
Item
1994
1995
1996
Number of consumer units (in thousands) .......................
Income before taxes 1 ................. ..................................... .
102,210
$36,181
103,123
$36,918
104,212
$38,014
Averages:
Age of reference person ................................................ .
Number of persons in consumer unit ............................ .
Number of earners ....................................................... ..
Number of vehicles ........................................................ .
Percent homeowner ......................................................... .
47.6
2.5
1.3
1.9
63
48.0
2.5
1.3
1.9
64
47.7
2.5
1.3
1.9
64
Average annual expenditures .......................................... .
Food ................................... .............................................
Food at home ............................................................... .
Cereals and bakery products .................................... .
Meats, poultry, fish , and eggs ................................... .
Dairy products ........................................................... .
Fruits and vegetables ................................................ .
Other food at home ................................................... .
Food away from home ................................................. .
Alcoholic beverages ................................................. ..... .
Housing .................................... ...................................... .
Shelter .... .......................................................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services .............................. .
Household operations .................................................. .
Housekeeping supplies ................................................ .
Housefurnishings and equipment ................................ .
Apparel and services .................................................... ..
Transportation ................................................................ .
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) .................................... .
Gasoline and motor oil ................................................ .
Other vehicle expenses ............................................... .
Public transportation ................................................... .
Health care ......................................................................
Entertainment ...... .......................................................... .
Personal care products and services ............................ .
Reading ...........................................................................
Education ....................................................................... .
Tobacco products and supplies ..................................... .
Miscellaneous ................................................................ .
Cash contributions ......................................................... .
Personal insurance and pensions ................................. .
Life and other personal insurance ............................... .
Pensions and Social Security .................................... ..
$31,731
4,411
2,712
429
732
289
437
825
1,698
278
10,106
5,686
2,189
490
393
1,348
1,644
6,044
2,725
986
1,953
381
1,755
1,567
397
165
460
259
749
960
2,938
398
2,540
$32,264
4,505
2,803
441
752
297
457
856
1,702
277
10,458
5,928
2,191
509
430
1,401
1,704
6,014
2,638
1,006
2,015
355
1,732
1,612
403
162
471
269
766
925
2,964
373
2,591
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
309
10,747
6,064
2,347
522
464
1,350
1,752
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
1,770
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
3,060
353
2,707
Percent change
1994-95
1995-96
1.7
2.1
3.4
4.8
2.8
2.7
2.8
4.6
3.8
.2
-.4
3.5
4.3
.1
3.9
9.4
3.9
3.6
-.5
-3.2
2.0
3.2
-6.8
-1.3
2.9
1.5
-1.8
2.4
3.9
2.3
-3.6
.9
-6.3
2.0
4.3
2.6
1.4
-2.0
5.1
7.2
3.9
7.1
11 .6
2.8
2.3
7.1
2.6
7.9
-3.6
2.8
6.1
6.7
7.6
2.1
20.3
2.2
13.8
27.3
-1.9
11.3
-5.2
11.6
1.6
3.2
-5.4
4.5
1 Income values are derived from "complete income reporters" only.
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Table B. Distribution of total annual upencllturN by major~ Consumer ExpendHure Survey,
1993-98
Item
1993
1994
1995
1996
Average annual expenditures...........................................
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Food........................................................................................
14.3
13.9
14.0
13.9
At home...............................................................................
8.9
8.5
8.7
8.5
Away from home .................................................................
5.4
5.4
5.3
5.4
Housing ...................................................................................
31.4
31.8
32.4
31.8
Apparel and services ..............................................................
5.5
5.2
5.3
5.2
Transportation.........................................................................
17.8
19.0
18.6
18.9
Vehicles ...............................................................................
7 .6
8.6
8.2
8.3
Gasoline and motor oil........................................................
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.2
Other...................................................................................
7.0
7.4
7.3
7.4
Health care .............................................................................
5.8
5.5
5.4
5.2
Entertainment .........................................................................
5.3
4.9
5.0
5.4
Personal insurance and pensions ..........................................
9.5
9.3
9.2
9.1
Life and other personal insurance ......................................
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.0
Pensions and Social Security .............................................
8.2
8.0
8.0
8.0
Other expenditures1.................................................................
10.5
10.3
10.1
10.5
1
Includes alcoholic beverages, personal care products and services, reading, education,
tobacco products and supplies, cash contributions, and miscellaneous.
Brief description of the Consumer Expenditure
Survey
The current Consumer Expenditure Survey program began in
1980. Its principal objective is to collect information on the
buying habits of American consumers. Consumer expenditure
data are used in a variety of research by government, business,
labor, and academic analysts. Additionally, the data are required
for periodic revision of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The survey, which is conducted by the Bureau of the Census
for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, consists of two components:
A diary or recordkeeping survey completed by participating
consumer units for two consecutive I-week periods; and an interview survey in which expenditures of consumer units are obtained in five interviews conducted every 3 months. Results in
this report are based on integrated data from both surveys. BLS
also publishes integrated data in bulletins that include a more
complete description of integration methods and a complete
list of source selection by component. The most recent of these
bulletins is Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1994-95, Bulletin
2492, December 1997. The next bulletin will include 1996-97
data and will be available in early fall 1999.
4
Survey participants record dollar amounts for goods and
services purchased during the reporting period, whether or
not payment is made at the time of purchase. Expenditure
amounts include all sales and excise taxes for all items purchased by the consumer unit for itself or for others. Excluded from both surveys are all business-related expenditures and expenditures for which the consumer unit is reimbursed.
Each component of the survey queries an independent
sample of consumer units, which is representative of the
U.S. population. For the diary survey, about 5,000 consumer units are sampled each year. Each consumer unit
keeps a diary for two I-week periods-yielding approximately 10,000 diaries a year. The interview sample is selected on a rotating panel basis, surveying about 5,000 consumer units each quarter. Each consumer unit is interviewed
once per quarter, for five consecutive quarters. Data are
collected on an ongoing basis in I 05 areas of the United
States.
The interview survey obtains data on the types of that
respondents can recall for a period of 3 months or longer.
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In general, these include relatively large expenditures, such
as real property, automobiles, and major appliances, or
expenditures which occur on a regular basis, such as rent,
utilities, or insurance premiums. Including "global estimates"
of spending for food, it is estimated that about 95 percent of
expenditures are covered in the interview survey. Nonprescription drugs, household supplies, and personal care items
are excluded. The interview survey also provides data on expenditures incurred while on leisure trips.
The diary survey obtains expenditures on small, frequently
purchased items that are normally difficult for respondents to
recall. Detailed records of expenses are kept for food and
beverages-both at home and in eating places, tobacco,
housekeeping supplies, nonprescription drugs, and personal
care products and services. Expenditures incurred while away
from home overnight or longer by members of the consumer
unit are not collected in the diary survey. Although the diary
was designed to collect information on expenditures that could
not be recalled easily over a period of time, respondents are
asked to report all expenses week (except overnight travel)
that the consumer unit incurs during the survey.
Integrated data from the BLS diary and interview surveys
provide a complete accounting of consumer expenditures and
income, which neither survey component alone is designed
to do. Data on some expenditure items are collected only
in either the diary or interview survey. For example, the diary
does not collect data on expenditures for overnight travel,
or information on reimbursements, as the interview does.
Examples of expenditures for which reimbursements are excluded are medical care; automobile repair; and construction,
repairs, alterations, and maintenance of property.
For items unique to one or the other survey, the choice of
which survey to use as the source of data is obvious. However, there is considerable overlap in coverage between the
surveys. Because of this, integrating the data presents the problem of determining the appropriate survey component from
which to select expenditure items. When data are available
from both survey sources, the more reliable of the two (as
determined by statistical methods) is selected. As a result,
some items are selected from the interview survey and others
from the diary survey.
Population coverage and definition of components of the
Consumer Expenditure Survey differ from those of the Consumer Price Index. Consumer expenditure data cover the total population whereas the CPI covers only the urban population. In addition, home ownership is treated differently in the
two surveys. Actual expenditures of homeowners are reported
in the Consumer Expenditure Survey, whereas the Consumer
Price Index uses a rental equivalence approach that attempts
to measure the change in the cost of obtaining, in the rental
marketplace, services equivalent to those provided by owneroccupied homes.
specified characteristics, regardless of whether or not a particular unit incurred an expense for a specific item during the
recordlceeping period. The average expenditure for an item
may be considerably lower than the expenditure by those consumer units that purchased the item. The less frequently an
item is purchased, the greater the difference between the average for all consumer units and the average of those purchasing the item. Also, an individual consumer unit may spend
more or less than the average, depending on its particular
characteristics. Factors such as income, age of family members, geographic location, taste, and personal preference also
influence expenditures. Furthermore, even within groups with
similar characteristics, the distribution of expenditures varies substantially. These points should be considered when
relating reported averages to individual circumstances.
Users of these survey data should also keep in mind that
prices for many goods and services have risen since the survey was conducted. For example, rent as measured by the
Consumer Price Index rose about 6.3 percent between 1996
and July 1998.
In addition, sample surveys are subject to two types of
errors-sampling and nonsampling. Sampling errors occur
because the data are collected from a representative sample
rather than the entire population. Nonsampling errors result
from the inability or unwillingness of respondents to provide
correct information, differences in interviewer ability, mistakes in recording or coding, or other processing errors. Also,
the year-to-year changes are volatile and they should be interpreted carefully.
Tables and data
Tables in this report include integrated data from both the
diary and interview components of the Consumer Expenditure Survey, enabling data users to associate the full range of
expenditures with consumers' demographic characteristics.
Tables show data classified by income quintile, income class,
age of the reference person, size of the consumer unit, composition of the consumer unit, number of earners, housing
tenure, type of area (urban-rural), race, Hispanic origin, region of residence, occupation and education. (These are the
same classifications published in prior reports and bulletins.)
Information on expenditures, income, and family characteristics of single persons, classified by either age and sex or
income and sex, is also available. Tables that show consumer
expenditure data cross-tabulated by income before taxes and
either age of the reference person, size of the consumer unit,
or region of residence are also available. These tables are not
presented in this report but may be obtained from the Bureau's
Division of Consumer Expenditure Surveys.
Integrated Consumer Expenditure Survey data are published in bulletins at 2-year intervals. The most recent is
Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1994-95, Bulletin 2492,
December 1997. It contains tables of average annual expenditures, income, and characteristics for the same classifications that are shown in this report but in greater detail. Also
included are tables showing average annual data over a
Interpreting the data
Expenditure data shown in the tables should be interpreted
with care. Expenditures are averages for consumer units with
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2-year period for the following characteristics: Income
before taxes cross-tabulated by either age, consumer unit size,
or region; single consumers by sex cross-tabulated by either
income or age; and selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas
(MSAs). The bulletin also includes analyses of expenditure
data as they apply to various topics of interest. The next
Consumer Expenditure Survey bulletin will include 1996-97
data and will be available in early fall 1999.
Tables with the same level of detail as shown in the
bulletin are available on diskette and can be accessed through
the Internet http:// stats.bls.gov/csxhome.btm. Other survey information, including answers to frequently asked questions, a glossary of terms, and order forms for survey
products, is also available on the Internet. Data are available
for 1984-96.
CD-ROM are microdata files back to 1990 and for selected
earlier years. Microdata files for earlier years are also available on public use tapes. A time series with data for 1984
through 1994, consisting of demographic characteristics and
summary-level expenditure microdata files, is available on
CD-ROM.
Consumer Expenditure Survey data are also available via
the Bureau's fax-on-demand service. This service contains
information and data that may be accessed from a touch-tone
phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing (202) 6066325. Voice prompts explain how to obtain the information.
Data available on the fax-on-demand service are for the most
recent published year. Additional data also are presented in
articles in the Monthly Labor Review.
For more detailed information on the availability of current and earlier data, contact the Division of Consumer
Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3985,
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20212-0001.
Telephone (202) 606-6900. E-mail: riordon_ b@bls.gov.
Internet http://stats.bls.gov.
Material in this publication is in the public domain and,
with appropriate credit, may be reproduced without permission. Information in this report is available upon request to
sensory impaired individuals: Voice phone: (202) 606-7828,
TDD phone: (202) 606-5897, TDD message referral phone:
l-800-326-2577.
Other available data
1be 1996 diary and interview microdata will soon be available on CD-ROM. The interview files contain expenditure
data in two different formats: MTAB files that present monthly
values in an item coding framework based on the CPI pricing scheme, and EXPN files that organize expenditures by
the section of the interview questionnaire in which they are
collected. Expenditure values on EXPN files cover different
time periods depending on the specific question asked, and
the files also contain relevant non-expenditure information not found on the MTAB files. Currently available on
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Glossary
Consumer unit. A consumer unit is defined as members of a
household related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other
legal arrangement; a single person living alone or sharing a
household with others but who is financially independent; or
two or more persons living together who share responsibility
for at least 2 out of 3 major types of expenses-food, housing, and other expenses. Students living in university-sponsored housing are also included in the sample as separate
consumer units.
members 14 years old or over during the 12 months preceding the interview. The components of income are wages and
salaries; self-employment income; Social Security and
private and government retirement income; interest, dividends,
and rental and other property income; unemployment and
workers' compensation and veteran's benefits; public assistance, supplemental security income, and food stamps; rent
or meals or both as pay; and regular contributions for support
such as alimony and child support.
Reference person. The first member mentioned by the respondent when asked to "Start with the name of the person or
one of the persons who owns or rents the home." It is with
respect to this person that the relationship of other consumer
unit members is determined.
Complete income reporters. In general, a consumer unit that
provides values for at least one of the major sources of its
income, such as wages and salaries, self-employment income,
and Social Security income. Even complete income reporters may not provide a full accounting of all income from all
sources.
Total expenditures. The transaction costs, including excise
and sales taxes, of goods and services acquired during the
interview period. Estimates include expenditures for gifts and
contributions and payments for pensions and personal insurance.
Quintiles of income before taxes. Complete income reporters are ranked in ascending order of income value and divided into five equal groups. Incomplete income reporters
are not ranked and are shown separately in the quintiles of
income tables.
Income. The combined income earned by all consumer unit
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Table 1. Qulntlles of Income before taxes: Averaga annual expenditures and characterlstlca, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
Complete reporting of income
Item
All
consumer
Total
complete
units
reporting
Lowest
20
percent
Second
20
percent
Third
20
percent
Fourth
20
percent
Highest
20
percent
Incomplete
reporting
of
income
Number of consumer units (in thousands) ............
Lower limit ............................................................
104,212
n.a.
82,629
n.a.
16,491
n.a.
16,525
$11,311
16,520
$21,581
16,534
$36,020
16,559
$58,367
21,583
n.a
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before ta>ces 1 ........................................
Age of reference person .....................................
$38,014
47.7
$38,014
47.9
$6,542
50.7
$16,204
52.3
$28,321
47.1
$46,296
44.2
$92,523
45.0
{1)
47.1
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons .... ...................................... ....................
Children under 18 ...............................................
Persons 65 and over ....................•.....................
Earners ...............................................................
Vehicles ..............................................................
Percent homeowner .............................................
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
64
2.5
.7
.3
1.4
1.9
64
1.8
.4
.4
.6
1.0
40
2.3
.6
.6
.9
1.5
57
2.6
.7
.3
1.3
2.0
60
2.9
.8
.2
1.8
2.5
74
3.1
.9
.1
2.1
2.8
86
2.6
.7
.3
1.3
1.7
64
Average annual expenditures ...............................
Food .........•.......•.................................................
Food at home ...................................................
Cereals and bakery products ...........•..............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .........................
Dairy products .......................•........................
Fruits and vegetables ........•............................
Other food at home ...................................•.....
Food away from home ............ ............ ..............
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$35,591
4,913
2,999
467
758
330
504
940
1,914
$15,896
2,665
1,918
296
522
203
316
581
747
$22,799
3,702
2,525
378
688
264
450
745
1,177
$30,402
4,520
2,824
441
696
333
475
880
1,696
$41,965
5,782
3,426
536
854
376
548
1,111
2,356
$66,794
7,890
4,299
686
1,031
473
729
1,380
3,591
$27,167
3,964
2,457
378
664
251
444
719
1,506
Alcoholic beverages ...........................................
Housing ······························································
Shelter ..............................................................
Owned dwellings ............................................
Rented dwellings ................•...........................
Other lodging ...... ............................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services ....................
Household operations ..... ........•.•.......................
Housekeeping supplies ....... .............................
Household furnishings and equipment .............
Apparel and services ................ ..........................
309
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
464
1,350
1,752
333
10,899
6,058
3,791
1,850
417
2,359
547
508
1,427
1,874
149
5,514
3,060
1,055
1,834
171
1,549
190
242
472
775
200
7,551
4,071
1,829
2,076
166
2,006
261
405
808
1,194
311
9,340
5,047
2,560
2,245
243
2,253
402
426
1,213
1,542
366
12,436
6,856
4,646
1,796
415
2,677
621
588
1,693
2,223
640
19,625
11 ,241
8,850
1,303
1,088
3,306
1,258
878
2,942
3,632
225
10,206
6,084
3,749
1,915
419
2,300
427
314
1,081
1,337
Transportation .........................................•..........
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) .........................
Gasoline and motor oil .. ...•....... .........................
Other vehicle expenses ....................................
Public transportation .........................................
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
6,602
2,922
1,106
2,147
428
2,817
1,331
524
746
216
4,217
1,842
776
1,360
239
6,007
2,755
1,065
1,934
254
8,039
3,463
1,430
2,716
430
11,912
5,209
1,732
3,971
1,000
5,542
2,406
989
1,724
423
Health care .........................................................
Entertainment •..... ...............................................
Personal care products and services ........... ..... .
Reading ..............................................................
Education ............................................................
Tobacco products and smoking supplies ...........
Miscellaneous ... ..................................................
Cash contributions .................... ..........................
1,770
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
1,831
1,940
540
165
501
919
1,090
1,111
685
258
76
427
187
440
464
1,759
967
364
108
236
251
702
558
1,839
1,534
507
145
286
305
865
818
2,022
2,505
661
185
493
312
1,046
1,211
2,421
4,004
909
311
1,061
266
1,541
2,395
1,543
1,444
418
137
613
218
613
369
Personal insurance and pensions ................. .....
Life and other personal insurance ... .................
Pensions and Social Security ...........................
3,060
353
2,707
3,719
370
3,349
328
122
206
990
214
776
2,383
281
2,102
4,684
434
4,251
10,187
798
9,389
539
288
251
264
1 Components of Income and taxes are derived from "complete Income reporters• only; see glossary.
n.a. Not applicable
8
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Google
Table 2. Income before taxes: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
Complete reporting of income 1
Item
Total
complete
reporting
Number of consumer units (in thousands) ..
Less
than
$5,000
$5,000
to
$9,999
82,629
4,660
9,279
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 2 .............................. $38,014
47.9
Age of reference person ...........................
$2,121
40.9
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons ............... ............................ ...... ...
Children under 18 .....................................
Persons 65 and over ................................
Earners .................... .................................
Vehicles ....................................................
Percent homeowner ...................................
2.5
.7
.3
1.4
1.9
64
1.8
.4
.2
.9
1.0
32
$10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000
le>
to
to
to
to
to
$14,999 $19,999 $29,999 $39,999 $49,999 $69,999
8,974
7,661
9,830
7,528
$70,000
and
over
10,772
11 ,373
$7,609 $12,440 $17,305 $24,547 $34,523 $44,580 $58,533
52.4
45.1
48.7
43.7
44.2
53.5
54.8
$105,756
45.5
1.7
.4
.5
.5
.9
42
2.2
.6
.6
.7
1.2
52
2.4
.6
.6
.9
1.6
58
12,554
2.5
.7
.4
1.2
1.9
59
2.7
.8
.3
1.5
2.1
64
2.9
.8
.2
1.8
2.4
74
3.1
.9
.1
2.0
2.7
81
3.1
.9
.1
2.1
2.8
88
Average annual expenditures ..................... $35,591 $16,608 $15,122 $18,730 $23,563 $28,199 $33,847 $40,714 $48,809
Food .........................................................
6,411
2,568
4,913
3,275
4,929
2,539
4,109
3,587
5,576
2,999
Food at home .........................................
1,937
2,701
1,692
2,425
3,331
2,366
2,970
3,648
467
Cereals and bakery products ................
291
411
275
371
354
457
579
525
474
758
673
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ...............
521
705
631
812
729
910
246
Dairy products ...... .. ............................ ..
203
178
259
330
370
349
300
407
247
504
Fruits and vegetables ...........................
326
462
445
412
492
587
523
Other food at home ............................ ...
517
719
940
943
595
825
1,165
1,100
680
1,914
Food away from home .. ..........................
876
1,162
910
1,959
602
1,408
2,763
2,245
$73,550
8,260
4,429
708
1,047
480
764
1,429
3,832
Alcoholic beverages .................................
Housing ......................................... ...........
Shelter ....................................................
Owned dwellings ..................................
Rented dwellings ..................................
Other lodging ........................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services ..........
Household operations ...... .. .....................
Housekeeping supplies ........................ ..
Household furnishings and equipment ...
Apparel and services ................................
10,899
6,058
3,791
1,850
417
2,359
547
508
1,427
1,874
210
5,549
3,144
1,104
1,747
293
1,427
204
257
517
865
126
5,321
2,923
980
1,815
128
1,560
185
232
421
706
161
6,574
3,570
1,451
2,003
116
1,833
228
304
639
875
193
7,821
4,185
1,945
2,044
196
2,073
273
440
850
1,217
230
8,970
4,872
2,335
2,310
227
2,196
375
424
1,103
1,466
369
10,078
5,472
3,056
2,118
298
2,397
485
423
1,301
1,532
401
11,916
6,621
4,433
1,801
388
2,628
613
594
1,460
1,870
365
14,548
8,200
6,156
1,511
533
2,865
691
636
2,156
2,658
725
21,606
12,452
9,857
1,286
1,310
3,490
1,477
935
3,251
4,095
Transportation ..........................................
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ...............
Gasoline and motor oil ............................
Other vehicle expenses ........................ ..
Public transportation ...............................
6,602
2,922
1,106
2,147
428
3,503
1,946
574
783
200
2,548
1,142
476
694
235
2,933
1,049
648
1,030
206
4,477
1,944
831
1,476
226
5,595
2,522
1,004
1,814
255
6,943
3,254
1,189
2,193
307
7,694
3,245
1,420
2,671
357
9,302
4,128
1,585
3,024
566
13,027
5,706
1,762
4,355
1,204
Health care ...............................................
Entertainment ...........................................
Personal care products and services .......
Reading ....................................................
Education ..................................................
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Miscellaneous ...........................................
Cash contributions ....................................
1,831
1,940
540
165
501
264
919
1,090
779
768
236
77
771
188
397
455
1,211
616
238
75
294
172
489
478
1,534
818
337
87
270
236
504
465
1,912
958
363
113
204
249
787
599
1,796
1,346
456
133
244
297
857
786
1,906
1,749
551
167
351
326
875
966
1,989
2,865
660
179
431
295
1,056
1,136
2,076
2,710
678
216
730
316
1,161
1,350
2,570
4,398
1,009
347
1,173
245
1,667
2,839
Personal insurance and pensions ............
Life and other personal insurance ..........
Pensions and Social Security .................
3,719
370
3,349
243
108
134
310
109
201
661
198
464
1,084
218
866
1,915
275
1,640
3,104
300
2,804
4,646
414
4,232
6,285
544
5,741
11 ,588
901
10,688
333
1 See ' Quintile of income before taxes' table for expenditures and income of all consumer units and incomplete income reporters.
2 Components of income and taxes are derived from 'complete income reporters' only; see glossary.
9
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Google
Table 3. Age of reter.lce peraon: Average annual expenditures end cherecleriatlca, Conaumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
Item
All
consumer Under25
units
25 .34
35-44
45 .54
55 ·64
65 and
over
65 • 74
75and
over
Number of consumer units (in thousands) ..
104,212
7,730
19,632
23,656
19,194
12,446
21 ,554
11 ,742
9,811
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 1 ..............................
Age of reference person ...........................
$38,014
47.7
$14,968
21.3
$37,889
29.8
$48,363
39.4
$51,672
49.2
$40,591
59.3
$22,426
74.6
$25,824
69.4
$18,379
80.9
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons •..•.............. ..................................
Children under 18 ..................•. .. ...............
Persons 65 and over ................................
Earners ...............................................•.....
Vehicles ....................................................
Percent homeowner ...................................
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
64
1.8
.4
(2)
1.2
1.0
10
2.8
1.1
(2)
1.5
1.7
45
3.2
1.3
(2)
1.7
2.1
64
2.7
.6
(2)
1.8
2.4
76
2.3
.2
.1
1.4
2.3
79
1.8
.1
1.4
.4
1.5
80
1.9
.1
1.4
.6
1.8
82
1.6
(2)
1.4
.2
1.1
77
Average annual expenditures .•...••......•.......
Food .........................................................
Food at home ... ......................................
Cereals and bakery products ................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ...... .........
Dairy products ......................................
Fruits and vegetables ...........................
Other food at home ..................... ..........
Food away from home ............................
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$18,384
2,865
1,638
251
398
185
254
550
1,226
$33,020
4,388
2,544
398
641
285
416
804
1,844
$39,944
5,692
3,472
554
886
393
569
1,070
2,220
$42,772
5,817
3,401
517
889
348
573
1,074
2,416
$36,132
5,073
3,131
474
823
323
544
968
1,942
$24,029
3,378
2,384
372
607
258
457
691
993
$27,739
3,973
2,779
427
731
292
526
803
1,193
$19,603
2,673
1,917
307
460
217
376
557
756
Alcoholic beverages •.. ... ......... .......•..........
Housing ....................................................
Shelter ...................................... ........ ......
Owned dwellings ..................................
Rented dwellings ........................... .......
Other lodging ........................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services ..........
Household operations .............................
Housekeeping supplies ..........................
Household furnishings and equipment ...
Apparel and services ................................
309
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
464
1,350
1,752
258
5,583
3,526
508
2,787
231
1,096
144
182
635
1,220
359
11,180
6,584
3,296
3,076
212
2,179
663
355
1,399
1,879
349
12,874
7,535
5,075
2,057
403
2,568
694
512
1,565
2,086
357
12,902
7,254
5,213
1,450
591
2,783
448
625
1,792
2,448
381
10,785
5,761
3,986
1,159
615
2,637
371
600
1,416
1,600
153
7,945
3,999
2,590
991
418
2,150
495
399
902
939
169
8,895
4,451
3,033
888
529
2,359
419
467
1,199
1,247
134
6,811
3,459
2,060
1,115
284
1,899
587
318
549
573
Transportation ....•.....................................
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ......... ......
Gasoline and motor oil ............................
Other vehicle expenses ........... ...............
Public transportation ...............................
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
4,029
2,087
694
1,063
186
6,640
3,144
1,089
2,096
311
7,335
3,279
1,274
2,345
437
8,233
3,508
1,401
2,817
507
6,913
2,917
1,195
2,222
578
3,990
1,591
652
1,296
451
5,174
2,290
833
1,551
501
2,573
754
436
991
392
Health care ...............................................
Entertainment ....•..................•...................
Personal care products and services .......
Reading ....................................................
Education ...........•................................ ......
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Miscellaneous ...........................................
Cash contributions ....................................
1,770
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
386
977
287
72
1,068
191
319
115
1,119
1,734
478
126
530
250
721
461
1,603
2,445
584
169
512
308
866
937
1,838
2,234
645
198
843
324
1,139
1,190
2,163
2,011
531
199
433
962
1,353
2,759
1,105
422
153
104
143
846
1,216
2,634
1,404
464
173
133
197
981
1,017
2,908
749
371
130
69
78
685
1,454
Personal insurance and pensions .. ..........
Life and other personal insurance ..........
Pensions and Social Security .................
3,060
353
2,707
1,015
74
941
3,154
240
2,914
4,185
408
3,777
4,605
474
4,132
3,441
544
2,897
876
278
599
1,278
345
933
395
197
199
288
1 Components of Income and taxes are derived from "complete Income reporters• only; see glossary.
2 Value less than 0.05
Digitized by
Google
Table 4. Size of consumer unit: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey,
1996
Item
All
consumer
units
One
person
Two or
more
persons
Two
persons
Three
persons
Four
persons
Five or
more
persons
Number of consumer units (in thousands) ..
104,212
29,497
74,715
32,444
16,101
15,261
10,909
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 1 ..............................
Age of reference person ...... .... ... .. ............
$38,014
47.7
$20,668
50.0
$44,972
46.8
$41 ,268
53.1
$46,156
43.5
$50,836
41 .0
$46,215
41.2
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons ...... .. ............... .... .............. ...........
Children under 18 .. ..................... ............ ..
Persons 65 and over .... .. ..... .....................
Earners ....... ............. .... ..... ........... ........... ..
Vehicles .. .... .... .. ....................................... .
Percent homeowner ................ ......... ..........
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
64
1.0
n.a.
.3
.6
1.0
45
3.2
1.0
.3
1.6
2.3
71
2.0
.1
.5
1.2
2.1
73
3.0
.8
.2
1.8
2.2
67
4.0
1.6
.1
2.0
2.5
72
5.6
2.9
.1
2.2
2.5
68
Ave rage annual expenditures ............. ..... ...
Food ........... .. .. ..........................................
Food at home ·········································
Cereals and bakery products ................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ...... ..... .. ..
Dairy products ......................................
Fruits and vegetables ... .................... .. ..
Other food at home ............ ............. .. ....
Food away from home .... ........................
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$20 ,082
2,599
1,461
220
351
159
262
469
1,138
$39,167
5,503
3,417
534
884
371
577
1,050
2,086
$35,559
4,574
2,679
409
672
282
487
829
1,894
$39,531
5,423
3,355
502
888
584
1,036
2,068
$43,670
6,535
4,046
658
1,064
448
638
1,239
2,489
$43,217
7,043
4,928
797
1,287
579
766
1,499
2,115
Alcoholic beverages ... ..... ..... ... ... ..............
Housing ........................... .................... .. ...
Shelter ........................... .... ...... ...............
Owned dwellings ......... .. ....... ................
Rented dwellings .................... ... ...........
Other lodging ......... ... ......................... ...
Utilities, fuels, and public services ..........
Household operations ............................ .
Housekeeping supplies ..........................
Household furnishings and equipment .. .
Apparel and services ................ .. ..............
309
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
464
1,350
1,752
262
7,095
4,396
1,882
2,249
265
1,488
262
217
732
886
327
12,182
6,722
4,533
1,712
478
2,686
625
558
1,592
2,085
385
10,921
5,982
3,848
1,590
544
2,431
413
506
1,590
1,631
269
12,652
6,930
4,621
1,879
429
2,755
807
619
1,542
2,110
296
13,674
7,644
5,458
1,694
492
2,894
898
596
1,642
2,492
276
13,152
7,328
5,144
1,851
Transportation
·········"·······························
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ......... .. ... .
Gasoline and motor oil ... ... ................. .....
Other vehicle expenses ... .......................
Public transportation ...................... .... .. ...
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
3,197
1,189
582
1,121
305
7,639
3,457
1,279
2,428
475
6,975
3,117
1,089
2,206
563
7,835
3,592
1,323
2,481
438
8,152
3,632
1,484
2,657
379
8,606
4,022
1,490
2,689
405
Health care .......... ... ....... .... .. .............. .......
Entertainment .... ............ ...........................
Personal care products and services .... ...
Reading .............. ..... .. .............. .................
Education ............... .. ...... ...... ...... ...............
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Miscellaneous ...... ..................... ................
Cash contributions .................... .. .......... ....
1,770
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
1,155
1,002
290
117
414
166
681
721
2,013
2,160
599
176
567
290
923
1,027
2,138
2,101
537
196
402
256
1,007
1,196
2,013
1,876
588
166
612
314
918
1,012
1,886
2,617
686
171
767
303
780
908
1,816
2,114
685
139
714
Personal insurance and pensions ............
Life and other personal insurance .. .. ......
Pensions and Social Security .. ...............
3,060
353
2,707
1,497
141
1,356
3,677
437
3,240
3,240
400
2,839
3,744
427
3,318
4,404
491
3,913
3,864
485
3,379
344
333
3,053
601
569
1,602
2,875
334
884
714
1 Components of income and taxes are derived from ' complete income reporters' only; see glossary.
n.a. Not applicable
II
Digitized by
Google
Table 5. Composition of consumer unit: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
Husband and wife consumer units
Husband and wife with children
Item
Total
husband Husband
and wife and wife
consumer
only
units
Total
husband
and wife
with
children
Oldest
child
under6
Oldest
child 6 to
17
Oldest
child 18
or over
Single
One
parent, at person
Other
husband least one and other
consumer
child
and wife
consumer under18
units
units
Number of consumer units (In thousands) ..
54,679
22,717
27,832
5,542
14,390
7,900
4,131
6,538
42,994
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 1 ······························
Age of reference person ...........................
$50,616
48.1
$45,355
56.1
$55,294
41 .5
$53,847
31 .8
$53,637
39.4
$59,342
51 .9
$48,205
48.8
$21,314
36.6
$24,690
48.9
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons ....................................................
Children under 18 .....................................
Persons 65 and over .... ............................
Earners .....•...............................................
Vehicles ....................................................
Percent homeowner ....................... ............
3.2
.9
.3
1.7
2.5
80
2.0
n.a.
.7
1.2
2.3
83
4.0
1.6
.1
2.1
2.7
78
3.5
1.5
(2)
1.7
2.1
68
4.2
2.2
(3)
1.9
2.5
76
3.9
.6
.2
2.6
3.3
87
4.9
1.5
.5
2.4
2.7
76
3.0
1.9
(3)
1.0
1.1
34
1.6
.2
.3
.9
1.3
48
Food ................ .........................................
Food at home .........................................
Cereals and bakery products ... .............
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ...............
Dairy products ......................................
Fruits and vegetables ...........................
Other food at home ...............................
Food away from home ............................
$43,036
5,956
3,655
571
929
400
628
1,127
2,301
$38,277
4,908
2,856
$46,180
6,562
4,097
657
1,033
460
673
1,274
2,465
$43,616
5,093
3,358
496
773
404
561
1,124
1,735
$46,476
6,992
4,333
722
1,072
487
706
1,347
2,659
$47,361
6,732
4,133
635
1,139
444
683
1,231
2,599
$48,134
7,594
5,046
730
1,427
554
872
1,463
2,548
$24,953
3,930
2,615
739
271
385
796
1,315
$23,264
3,148
1,877
285
480
202
323
588
1,270
Alcoholic beverages ............. .. ..................
Housing ................ ....................................
Shelter .................................. ..... .............
Owned dwellings ..................................
Rented dwellings ...................... ......... ...
Other lodging ........................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services ..........
Household operations .............................
Housekeeping supplies ..........................
Household furnishings and equipment ...
Apparel and services ....•.. ....... ..................
334
13,165
7,225
5,299
1,353
572
2,813
700
614
1,814
2,201
372
11,623
6,206
4,404
1,146
656
2,555
451
572
1,839
1,587
308
14,255
8,009
6,012
1,478
519
2,962
900
1,751
2,487
253
15,858
8,727
6,236
2,148
342
2,583
2,117
478
1,953
2,174
305
14,305
8,252
6,205
1,560
487
2,896
749
651
1,756
2,491
354
13,045
7,063
5,505
857
702
3,346
321
705
1,609
2,723
297
14,362
7,545
5,418
1,655
472
3,230
718
718
2,151
3,728
143
8,929
4,968
1,831
2,904
233
2,108
536
444
872
1,921
302
7,928
4,753
2,151
2,355
248
1,790
294
266
825
1,131
Transportation ........................ ... ......... ......
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ...............
Gasoline and motor oil .................... ..... .. .
Other vehicle expenses ..........................
Public transportation ........... .. ..................
8,412
3,767
1,413
2,710
521
7,390
3,161
1,179
2,421
628
9,089
4,150
1,576
2,922
440
8,262
3,961
1,341
2,664
297
8,832
4,203
1,495
2,679
454
10,134
4,188
1,887
3,544
516
9,473
4,516
1,602
2,874
482
4,261
1,974
724
1,218
345
4,122
1,732
714
1,356
320
Health care .......................................... ... ..
Entertainment ........................... ............. .. .
Personal care products and services .......
Reading ...................... ............. .... .. ...... ... ..
Education ..................................................
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Miscellaneous ...................................... .....
Cash contributions ........ .. ..........................
2,325
2,407
648
200
647
280
969
1,220
2,506
2,254
581
220
411
236
1,054
1,472
2,193
2,485
695
190
832
292
887
1,084
2,001
2,060
593
171
305
216
794
1,047
2,122
2,820
683
189
814
293
846
1,034
2,456
2,145
788
205
1,230
344
1,029
1,201
2,228
2,713
695
151
688
442
1,072
746
859
1,241
464
77
408
204
675
403
1,202
1,187
344
120
Personal Insurance and pensions ... .... .....
Life and other personal insurance ....... ...
Pensions and Social Security .................
4,274
514
3,759
3,661
484
3, 177
4,822
534
4,289
4,790
505
4,285
4,751
522
4,230
4,974
576
4,398
3,946
549
3,397
1,439
166
1,273
1,763
177
1,587
Average annual expenditures .....................
434
713
296
530
882
2,052
633
424
1 Components of income and taxes are derived from "complete income reporters• only; see glossary.
2 No data reported.
3 Value less than 0.05
n.a. Not applicable
12
Digitized by
Google
384
230
736
667
Table 6. Number of earners In consumer unit: Average annual expenditures and characteristics, Consumer
Expenditure Survey, 1996
Item
Single consumers
All
consumer
One
No earner
units
earner
Consumer units of two or more persons
No earner
One
earner
Two
earners
Three or
more
Number of consumer units (in thousands) ..
104,212
11,463
18,034
10,546
20,705
33,038
10,426
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 1 ······························
Age of reference person .... .. ..... .. ..............
$38,014
47.7
$12,385
68.3
$25,557
38.4
$19,073
63.5
$34,747
46.9
$54,116
41.4
$61 ,865
46.6
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons .................................. ..................
Children under 18 .. ...................................
Persons 65 and over .. ... ........ ......... ..........
Earners ................ ........ ............. .. ..... ...... ...
Vehicles .............. ... .............................. .....
Percent homeowner .............. ............. ........
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
64
1.0
n.a.
.7
n.a.
.8
58
1.0
n.a.
.1
1.0
1.2
37
2.5
.6
1.2
n.a.
1.5
72
3.0
1.1
.3
1.0
1.9
64
3.1
.9
.1
2.0
2.4
72
4.4
1.2
.1
3.4
3.3
81
Average annual expenditures ...... ......... ......
Food ......... .. ......... ............ ....... ... .......... .....
Food at home .......... ........... .......... .. ..... .. .
Cereals and bakery products ................
Meats, poultry, fish , and eggs ......... ......
Dairy products ......................................
Fruits and vegetables ......................... ..
Other food at home ....... .... ...... .... ..........
Food away from home ... .. ............ .. ..... ....
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$15,174
2,136
1,562
243
406
171
283
459
574
$23,105
2,858
1,409
208
322
152
251
476
1,450
$24,043
3,937
2,823
440
774
284
527
798
1,113
$33,453
4,789
3,183
491
822
341
537
992
1,605
$43,850
5,712
3,392
530
861
373
574
1,055
2,320
$49,651
7,210
4,285
682
1,134
471
688
1,311
2,924
Alcoholic beverages .................................
Housing .. .. ...... .. ..... ............... ................ ... .
Shelter ........ .. .. ........... .. ........... ...... ..........
Owned dwellings .... .............. ................
Rented dwellings .. ................................
Other lodging .......................... .... ..........
Utilities, fuels , and public services ...... ....
Household operations ...... .... ......... .. ........
Housekeeping supplies ... .......... ..... .. ......
Household furnishings and equipment ...
Apparel and services .. ...................... .. ......
309
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
464
1,350
1,752
97
5,948
3,322
1,507
1,624
191
1,522
389
216
500
607
352
7,815
5,078
2,121
2,646
312
1,467
181
218
871
1,040
209
7,879
3,912
2,275
1,297
340
2,246
402
426
893
922
241
11,101
6,061
3,712
1,955
394
2,502
532
549
1,457
1,881
382
13,714
7,770
5,413
1,843
514
2,740
826
554
1,825
2,248
383
13,717
7,557
5,659
1,230
668
3,325
391
678
1,766
2,789
Transportation ·········.................................
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ...............
Gasoline and motor oil .................... .... ....
Other vehicle expenses ....... ........... ....... .
Public transportation ...............................
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
1,788
483
341
660
303
4,093
1,637
735
1,414
307
4,318
1,911
700
1,312
395
6,208
2,833
1,073
1,874
428
8,618
3,953
1,407
2,760
498
10,715
4,688
1,868
3,581
577
Health care ........ .......... ........... ......... .........
Entertainment ... ................. .. .................... .
Personal care products and services .......
Reading .......... ....... .. ...... .. ................... ......
Education ......................................... .........
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Miscellaneous ... .. .. ............... ......... ... .........
Cash contributions .......... ... .. .....................
1,770
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
1,697
622
259
97
139
123
622
841
812
1,233
308
129
587
194
716
645
2,590
1,382
458
132
176
184
542
967
1,947
1,710
528
153
443
273
846
930
1,815
2,581
613
197
574
302
1,043
1,102
2,202
2,404
809
198
1,177
390
1,071
1,043
Personal insurance and pensions ............
Life and other personal insurance ..........
Pensions and Social Security .................
3,060
353
2,707
199
114
2 85
2,322
158
2,164
349
264
2 85
2,403
356
2,048
4,949
497
4,452
5,543
583
4,960
1 Components of income and taxes are derived from ' complete income reporters' only; see glossary.
2 Data are likely to have large sampling errors.
n.a. Not applicable
13
Digitized by
Google
Table 7. Housing tenure, type of area, race of reference person, and Hispanic origin of reference person: Average annual
expenditures and characteristics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
Item
All
consumer
units
Housing tenure
Homeowner
Renter
Race of reference
person
Type of area
Urban
Rural
White
and other
Black
Hispanic origin of
reference person
Hispanic
NonHispanic
Number of consumer units (in thousands) ..
104,212
66,272
37,940
91,061
13,151
91,856
12,355
8,717
95,494
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 1 ..............................
Age of reference person ...........................
$38,014
47.7
$45,654
52.2
$24,708
39.8
$39,358
47.3
$29,032
50.6
$39,419
48.1
$27,190
44.7
$29,166
42.7
$38,874
48.2
Average number In consumer unit:
Persons ....................................................
Children under 18 .................................. .. .
Persons 65 and over ................................
Earners .. ...................................................
Vehicles ............................. .......................
Percent homeowner ...................................
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
64
2.7
.7
.4
1.5
2.3
100
2.3
.7
.2
1.2
1.2
n.a.
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.8
61
2.6
.7
.4
1.4
2.5
84
2.5
.6
.3
1.4
2.0
66
2.9
1.1
.2
1.2
1.2
42
3.4
1.3
.2
1.5
1.6
46
2.5
.6
.3
1.3
1.9
65
Average annual expenditures .....................
Food .........................................................
Food at home .........................................
Cereals and bakery products ................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ...............
Dairy products ......................................
Fruits and vegetables ...........................
Other food at home ...............................
Food away from home ............................
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$39,299
5,272
3,200
502
799
352
549
998
2,073
$24,170
3,687
2,304
351
628
242
386
698
1,383
$34,502
1,873
$28,853
4,178
2,723
420
687
292
424
900
1,455
$34,994
4,844
2,918
457
718
326
499
918
1,926
$24,926
3,630
2,568
3TT
873
212
424
683
1,062
$27,868
4,862
3,375
483
976
363
639
913
1,488
$34,338
4,685
2,834
444
717
308
478
888
1,852
Alcoholic beverages .................................
Housing ....................................................
Shelter ....................................................
Owned dwellings ..................................
Rented dwellings ..................................
Other lodging ........................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services ..........
Household operations .............................
Housekeeping supplies ..........................
Household furnishings and equipment ...
Apparel and services ................................
309
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
464
1,350
1,752
321
12,200
6,505
5,912
44
549
2,782
661
566
1,686
1,933
286
8,204
5,292
63
5,042
187
1,587
279
283
762
1,434
330
11,140
6,398
3,922
2,044
432
2,336
561
465
1,380
1,821
154
8,014
3,747
2,818
616
313
2,421
251
454
1,142
1,251
329
11,046
6,237
4,015
1,767
455
2,335
545
486
1,443
1,711
162
8,525
4,772
2,055
2,581
137
2,438
355
297
663
2,050
237
9,208
5,512
2,456
2,871
185
2,139
316
375
866
1,915
315
10,885
6,114
3,904
1,772
439
2,366
541
471
1,393
1,738
Transportation ..........................................
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) ...............
Gasoline and motor oil ............................
Other vehicle expenses ..........................
Public transportation ...............................
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
7,531
3,297
1,267
2,462
505
4,375
1,972
758
1,353
291
6,326
2,728
1,048
2,087
463
6,767
3,419
1,312
1,858
178
6,659
2,956
1,125
2,129
449
4,323
1,766
759
1,531
269
5,340
2,316
1,040
1,663
321
6,4TT
2,860
1,085
2,094
437
Health care ...............................................
Entertainment ...........................................
Personal care products and services .......
Reading ....................................................
Education ..................................................
Tobacco products and smoking supplies
Miscellaneous ...........................................
Cash contributions ....................................
1,TTO
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
2,248
2,264
586
190
530
252
980
1,187
936
1,081
385
105
513
260
636
1,749
1,888
530
165
564
242
858
510
964
1,918
1,463
393
118
246
342
831
TT6
1,872
1,963
500
171
551
264
891
986
1,014
882
609
75
322
187
588
599
1,035
1,087
489
70
283
139
656
363
1,837
1,901
515
167
545
265
873
993
Personal insurance and pensions ............
Life and other personal insurance ..........
Pensions and Social Security .................
3,060
353
2,707
3,805
467
3,338
1,759
155
1,605
3,155
358
2,797
2,401
317
2,084
3,208
355
2,854
1,960
342
1,618
2,185
226
1,960
3,140
365
2,TT5
4,no
2,897
451
744
315
499
888
1 Components of income and taxes are derived from ' complete income reporters• only; see glossary.
n.a. Not applicable
14
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Google
Table 8. Region of residence: Average annual expenditures and characterlatica, Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
Item
All
consumer
units
Northeast
Midwest
West
South
Number of consumer units (In thousands) ..................... .
104,212
20,332
24,891
36,439
22,550
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before ta>ces 1 ................................................ ..
Age of reference person ...............................................
$38,014
47.7
$40,641
48.1
$37,975
48.8
$35,569
47.7
$39,790
46.1
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.6
.7
.3
.7
.3
.7
.3
.7
.3
.8
.3
1.3
1.9
64
1.3
1.6
59
1.4
2.1
69
1.3
1.9
67
1.4
2.0
57
Average annual expenditures ........................................ .
Food .............................................................................
Food at home .............................................................
Cereals and bakery products ....................................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .................................. .
Dairy products ......................................................... .
Fruits and vegetables ...............................................
Other food at home ...................................................
Food away from home ................................................
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$34,163
4,940
3,020
489
798
342
544
848
1,919
$33,025
4,681
2,828
445
685
321
462
916
1,853
$32,871
4,431
2,725
416
741
275
437
857
1,706
$35,795
4,918
3,031
459
732
333
557
950
1,887
Alcoholic beverages .....................................................
Housing ........................................................................
Shelter ........................................................................
Owned dwellings ......................................................
Rented dwellings ......................................................
Other lodging ............................................................
Utilities, fuels, and public services ............................ ..
Household operations .................................................
Housekeeping supplies ............................................ ..
Household furnishings and equipment ...................... .
Apparel and services ....................................................
309
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
1,350
1,752
353
11,818
7,201
4,378
2,318
505
2,428
516
457
1,216
1,902
310
10,031
5,456
3,611
1,410
436
2,392
462
465
1,257
1,777
273
9,761
5,014
3,157
1,500
357
2,448
518
416
1,365
1,653
323
12,161
7,405
4,447
2,543
416
2,060
600
544
1,551
1,744
Transportation ............................................................. .
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) .................................. .
Gasoline and motor oil ................................................
Other vehicle expenses ..............................................
Public transportation ...................................................
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
5,605
2,043
910
2,069
584
6,086
2,558
1,096
2,033
399
6,937
3,470
1,156
1,995
316
6,511
2,734
1,101
2,178
498
Health care ...................................................................
Entertainment ...............................................................
Personal care products and services .......................... .
Reading ........................................................................
Education ......................................................................
Tobacco products and smoking supplies .................... .
Miscellaneous ...............................................................
Cash contributions ........................................................
1,770
1,834
513
159
524
255
855
940
1,600
1,746
492
185
622
238
746
1,839
1,848
519
169
536
288
843
1,019
1,912
1,830
507
135
450
274
792
1,027
1,619
1,905
534
164
541
201
919
890
Personal insurance and pensions .............................. ..
Life and other personal insurance ..............................
Pensions and Social Security .................................... .
3.060
353
2,707
3,004
351
2,653
3,079
364
2,715
2,890
380
2,511
3,364
299
3,065
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons ........................................................................
Children under 18 .........................................................
Persons 65 and over ....................................................
Earners .........................................................................
Vehicles ....................................................................... .
Percent homeowner .......................................................
464
910
1 Components of income and ta>ces are derived from "complete income reporters• only; see glossary.
15
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Table 9. Occupation of rahnnce per90n: Avenge annual expendlhna end characterlallcs Conaunw Expenditure Survey, 1996
Wage and salary earners
Item
SelfTechnical,
Total
Managers
employed
wage and
sales and
and
workers
derical
salary
professionals
earners
workers
Service
workers
Operators,
Construction
fabricators
workers and
and
mechanics
laborers
Retired
All other,
including
not
reporting
Number of consumer units (in
thousands) ..................................
5,694
67,928
21,683
18,765
8,923
6,244
12,313
19,172
11,417
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes 1 ....................
Age of reference person .•...............
$47,380
48.8
$45,019
40.8
$63,104
42.3
$39,935
39.4
$27,256
40.2
$41,874
40.7
$34,952
41.1
$20,666
72.6
$19,266
46.2
Average number in consumer unit:
Persons ..........................................
Children under 18 ...........................
Persons 65 and over .•.....•..............
Earners ..................•.........•...........•..
Vehicles ..........................................
Percent homeowner .........................
2.8
.8
.3
1.8
2.3
78
2.7
.8
.1
1.8
2.1
61
2.6
.8
.1
1.8
2.1
69
2.5
.7
.1
1.7
1.9
55
2.7
.9
.1
1.7
1.7
47
2.9
.9
.1
1.9
2.8
71
3.0
1.0
.1
1.9
2.2
59
1.8
.1
1.2
.3
1.5
79
2.8
1.0
.2
.5
1.3
47
$43,238
5,596
3,115
470
747
349
564
984
2,481
$37,487
5,044
2,986
464
760
326
499
937
2,058
$48,907
5,982
3,271
516
759
365
587
1,043
2,711
$34,124
4,608
2,749
427
700
309
453
860
1,859
$27,740
4,306
2,635
408
738
267
414
809
1,670
$34,877
5,069
3,213
499
897
354
472
990
1,856
$30,556
4,429
2,913
437
787
300
472
916
1,516
$23,739
3,475
2,410
385
630
255
441
699
1,064
$22,832
3,748
2,693
413
736
279
463
802
1,056
513
13,962
7,698
5,609
1,393
697
2,906
895
746
347
11,756
6,799
4,260
2,097
443
2,409
550
473
466
15,665
9,244
6,323
2,098
823
2,757
908
579
322
11,025
6,383
3,730
2,355
298
2,243
522
441
248
8,727
5,016
2,572
2,203
242
2,128
269
392
309
10,092
5,665
3,912
1,507
246
2,435
361
419
247
8,981
4,995
2,832
1,922
241
2,240
260
407
168
7,772
3,924
2,574
983
368
2,129
417
381
150
7,999
4,464
2,064
2,192
208
2,064
343
361
1,717
2,170
1,524
1,995
2,178
2,497
1,436
1,968
921
1,509
1,212
1,896
1,079
1,470
922
883
766
1,223
Transportation ................................
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) .....
Gasoline and motor oil .....•............
Other vehicle expenses ................
Public transportation .....................
6,805
2,486
.,
1,289
2,538
492
7,309
3,265
1,234
2,355
454
8,655
3,617
1,346
2,903
789
6,606
2,890
1,116
2,244
356
5,950
2,948
991
1,753
258
7,656
3,691
1,525
2,233
208
6,819
3,234
1,248
2,057
280
4,173
1,685
691
1,363
433
4,356
2,194
724
1,211
228
Health care .....................................
Entertainment .................................
Personal care products and
services •..•.•.....•........................
Reading ............•........•.•........•.........
Education ........................................
Tobacco products and smoking
supplies ....................................
Miscellaneous .................................
Cash contributions ..........................
2,316
2,522
1,553
2,037
1,976
2,880
1,346
1,792
1,241
1,226
1,679
1,617
1,281
1,708
2,680
1,196
1,279
1,241
535
210
719
554
169
635
689
256
938
548
152
664
461
103
383
474
139
379
426
106
364
437
152
123
353
88
430
263
1,196
1,295
276
928
957
190
1,172
1,663
235
865
645
281
643
446
437
983
783
405
774
647
158
735
1,137
287
432
337
Personal insurance and pensions ..
Life and other personal insurance
Pensions and Social Security .......
5,136
3,928
393
3,534
5,878
554
5,324
3,350
339
3,011
2,217
277
1,940
3,362
319
3,043
2,899
315
2,584
651
253
398
909
181
727
Average annual expenditures ...........
Food ...............................................
Food at home ........................•......
Cereals and bakery products ......
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....
Dairy products ............................
Fruits and vegetables .................
Other food at home .•..•............•...
Food away from home ..................
Alcoholic beverages .......................
Housing ...............................•.•........
Shelter ..........................................
Owned dwellings ........................
Rented dwellings ........................
Other lodging ..........................•...
Utilities, fuels, and public services
Household operations ......•............
Housekeeping supplies ................
Household furnishings and
equipment ...............................
Apparel and services ......................
554
4,583
1 Components of income and taxes are derived from "complete income reporters" only; see glossary.
16
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Table 10. Education of refwence peraon: Average annual expenditure• and characterletlce, Coneumer Expenditure Survey, 1996
College graduate
Less than college graduate
Item
All
consumer
units
High
school
Less than
High
graduate Associate
high
school
degree
with
school
graduate
some
graduate
college 1
Total
Total
Master's,
Bachelor's
professional,
degree
doctorate
Number of consumer units On
104,212
79,437
19,268
32,509
19,768
7,892
24,n4
16,003
8,n1
$38,014
47.7
$31,511
48.3
$20,063
55.7
$33,094
48.2
$35,153
42.8
$44,282
44.6
$58,380
45.8
$53,193
44.6
$67,867
48.0
Average number In consumer unit:
Persons ..........................................
Children under 18 ...........................
Persons 65 and over ......................
Earners ...........................................
Vehicles ..........................................
Percent homeowner .........................
2.5
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
2.6
.7
.3
1.3
1.8
62
2.6
.7
.3
1.3
1.9
65
2.4
.6
.2
1.4
1.9
57
2.6
.8
.2
1.5
2.2
64
2.7
.8
.6
1.0
1.5
58
2.5
.6
.2
1.5
2.1
70
2.5
.6
.2
1.5
2.1
68
2.5
.6
.2
1.5
2.2
74
Average annual expenditures ...........
Food ...............................................
Food at home ...............................
Cereals and bakery products ......
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....
Dairy products ............................
Fruits and vegetables .................
Other food at home .....................
Food away from home ..................
$33,797
4,698
2,876
447
737
312
490
889
1,823
$29,225
4,320
2,n4
425
747
298
459
$21,458
3,607
2,681
404
$32,462
4,583
2,720
425
662
295
469
$38,301
5,182
2,973
854
869
1,546
1,580
1,863
$48,245
5,832
3,178
511
708
352
582
1,024
2,654
$45,723
5,583
3,062
493
281
451
768
926
$29,705
4,402
2,822
431
788
301
449
$52,812
6,269
3,381
544
743
370
626
1,098
2,888
Alcohollc beverages .......................
309
Housing ..........................................
Shelter ..........................................
Owned dwellings ........................
Rented dwellings ........................
Other lodging ..............•.•......•......
Utilities, fuels, and public services
Household operations ...................
Housekeeping supplies ................
Household furnishings and
equipment .............................•.
Apparel and services ......................
10,747
6,064
3,783
1,864
417
2,347
522
464
246
9,169
5,057
2,981
1,795
281
2,237
381
417
127
7,079
3,826
1,858
1,834
133
2,081
184
313
247
9,145
4,978
3,000
1,704
274
2,293
381
440
302
10,236
1,350
1,752
1,on
1,522
675
1,110
1,053
1,379
Transpo,tatlon .......•......•.................
Vehicle purchases (net outlay) .....
Gasoline and motor oll ..................
Other vehicle expenses ................
Public transportation .....................
6,382
2,815
1,082
2,058
427
5,700
5,898
289
4,217
2,009
810
1,174
224
Health care .....................................
Entertainment .................................
Personal care products and
services ....................................
Reading ..............................•...........
Education ........................................
Tobacco products and smoking
supplies ....................................
Miscellaneous .................................
Cash contributions ..........................
1,no
1,834
1,628
1,575
513
159
524
255
Personal Insurance and pensions ..
Life and other personal insurance
Pensions and Social Security .......
thousands) ··································
Consumer unit character1stlcs:
Income before taxes 2 ....................
Age of reference person .................
845
7n
66
459
735
343
489
947
2,209
407
11,747
6,594
4,345
1,820
429
2,455
553
497
15,765
9,291
6,352
2,085
854
2,700
972
601
1,348
1,708
1,502
2,628
2,723
1,051
1,861
263
6,121
2,614
1,083
2,063
361
1,467
851
1,667
1,757
457
120
353
330
72
134
455
940
294
n1
720
3,060
353
2,707
2,352
293
2,059
855
2,588
1,019
1,804
5,n4
3,500
1,896
378
2,208
470
436
643
688
342
556
982
2,521
4n
14,984
8,842
5,944
2,122
n6
2,614
884
531
17,187
10,111
7,098
2,017
996
2,858
1,133
504
no
2,201
2,439
2,139
2,349
2,316
2,597
7,447
3,379
1,242
2,455
371
8,569
8,408
8,862
3,543
1,281
2,874
871
3,600
1,269
2,718
3,441
1,303
3,157
961
1,586
1,855
1,955
1,914
2,226
2,648
2,098
524
153
579
608
172
695
687
284
1,071
666
117
261
948
724
329
1,298
308
551
428
316
857
254
808
855
759
271
865
n6
128
1,123
1,847
145
1,047
1,433
98
1,260
2,039
1,176
213
2,349
298
2,051
2,993
323
2,670
3,633
391
3,242
5,330
4,749
500
4,249
6,390
630
5,760
963
546
4,784
822
2,579
259
1 Baglnning In 1996, this column does not include reference persons with Associate degrees.
2 Components of income and taxes are derived from •complete Income reporters• only; see glossary.
17
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2,459
2,no
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Offices
...-
•
•
--
Region I
JFK Federal Building, E-310
15 New Sudbury Street
Boston, MA 02203-1603
Phone: (617) 565-2327
Fax: (617) 565-4182
Region IV
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Room 7T50
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 331-3415
Fax: (404) 331-3445
Regions VII and VIII
City Center Square
1100 Main Street, Suite 600
Kansas City, MO 64105-2112
Phone: (816) 426-2481
Fax: (816) 426-6537
Region II
Room808
201 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4811
Phone: (212) 337-2400
Fax: (212) 337-2532
Region V
Federal Office Building, 9"' Floor
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604-1595
Phone: (312) 353-1880
Fax: (312) 353-1886
Regions IX and X
71 Stevenson Street
P.O. Box 193766
San Francisco, CA 94119-3766
Phone: (415) 975-4350
Fax: (415) 975-4371
Region Ill
Gateway Building, Suite 8000
3535 Market Street
P.O. Box 13309
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3309
Phone: (215) 596-1154
Fax: (215) 596-4263
Region VI
Federal Building
525 Griffith Street, Room 221
Dallas, TX 75202-5028
Phone: (214) 767-6970
Fax: (214) 767-3720
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Postal Square Building, Rm. 2850
2 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20212-0001
FIRST CLASS MAIL
Postage and Fees Paid
U.S. Department of Labor
Permit No. G-738
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use, $300
Address Service Requested
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