Cohousing-L Mailing List: Diversity -- Income Levels in Cohousing

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Well, let's define our terms. In the United States according to the  
Census Bureau, the median income per household member, working and non- 
working, above age 14, was $26,036 in 2006. "Median" means half the  
people made more and half made less.

Although I don't know the exact incomes of the people in my community,  
I can estimate based on my income at various times in my life. I doubt  
if anyone in my community is living terribly far below the median but  
I can say with certainty that some are living below and at the median.  
More than 20% had aid from a DC bond program to buy their units. This  
was a means tested program.

Less than 20% of US households have an annual income of above  
$100,000. The bottom 20% earned less than $19,178. So the middle  
range, 60% of households, is between $20,000 to $100,000 per household  
(not per person).

So cohousers are most probably above the fold in income, but how far?

If a cohousing community wanted to accommodate households at or below  
the median, it seems to be within reach if they build attached  
dwellings and smaller units.

Income is only one marker of diversity -- and income is not  
predictive, on an individual basis, of other markers of diversity.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing,Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org