[US Census Data] Arizona wages ranked 31st in U.S. Census survey

From The Phoenix Business Journal

When it comes to high wages, Arizona has a ways to go.

Arizona's median household income in 2003, the latest year available, ranked 31st among the 50 states and the District of Columbia at just under $42,000, according to newly released U.S. Census data.

The national median household income was $43,318.

With a median household income of $56,409, Connecticut topped the country in wages, as Mississippi posted the lowest median income at $32,397.

Meanwhile, Arizona's poverty rate in 2003 was among the top quarter of states, with nearly 14 percent of the population living at or below the poverty line, which the Department of Health and Human Services in 2003 defined as $18,400 for a family of four. Arizona also had nearly 21 percent of children ages 17 and younger living in poverty.

Arizona ranks 11th nationally in that category.