Majority of Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class, According to Gallup Poll

A recent Gallup poll reveals that a majority of Americans identify themselves as middle class, according to a new Gallup poll.

The poll shows that 54% of Americans consider themselves middle class, with 39% saying they are “middle class” and 15% as “upper middle class.” Additionally, 31% see themselves as “working class” and 12% as “lower class,” while only 2% identify as “upper class.”

Gallup notes that these numbers have remained consistent since the Great Recession in 2008, with Americans historically more likely to identify as middle or upper-middle class. However, since the recession, the combined percentage of U.S. adults identifying as working or lower class has increased.

The poll also highlights the role of income, education levels, age, race, and political affiliation in determining social class identification. For example, those with higher incomes and advanced degrees are more likely to see themselves as upper class, while those with lower incomes and only a high school education tend to identify as working or lower class.

Republicans and Democrats have shown shifting trends in class identification over recent years, with Democrats currently more likely to see themselves as upper-middle or middle class, and Republicans more working or lower class.

The poll, based on telephone interviews conducted in April, includes insights from 1,001 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.