The NYT did a mostly good job in its coverage of the Census Department's release of data on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage for 2006. Two small points are worth noting. Part of the income gain in 2006 was due to strong job growth in the second half of 2005. These numbers are year-round averages, so growth in the second half of 2005 have a large effect on the numbers foir 2006. Due to strong job growth in the second half of 2005, there were 1.4 million jobs in January of 2006 than the year-round average for 2005. The article also noted the rise in incomes for people over age 65. At least part of the story is higher employment rates among older people. The employment to population ratio (EPOP) for people over age 65 rose from 23.1 percent in 2000 to 28.1 percent in 2006. This huge rise (more than 20 percent) in EPOPs is a good thing insofar as it is attributable to improved health and employment opportunities for people who want to keep working. It is not so good if it is due to the fact that more older people are finding that they cannot make ends meet without a job. [The link for the Census report was added at Lindsey's request. At BTP we aim to please.]
--Dean Baker
