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Median family income in 1982 was lower for the third consecutive year, however, the decline was significantly less than in the two previous years, according to results of the March 1983 Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the Bureau of the Census. In 1982, the median family income was $23,430, an increase of 4.7 percent before adjusting for the 6.1-percent increase in consumer prices. After adjustment, however, median family income declined by 1.4 percent. This decline was significantly less than either the 1980-81 decline of 3.5 percent or the 1979-80 decline of 5.5 percent.

Between 1981 and 1982, the number of persons below the poverty level rose from 31.8 million to 34.4 million, an increase of 2.6 million or 8.1 percent. This was also the third consecutive annual increase in the number of persons below the poverty level. The poverty threshold in 1982 for a family of four was $9,862.