Definition

Median annual household income is the income level at which half of all households' income is lower, and half of all households' income is higher.

Numerator

Not applicable.

Denominator

Not applicable.

Why Is This Important?

Income is strongly related to health status. Low-income persons tend to have poorer health status, in part because they cannot always afford good health care. However, some people have low-income levels because chronic mental or physical illness limits their ability to complete educational goals and earn a good income.

How Are We Doing?

The median household income in Utah has increased overall since 1984, even after adjusting for inflation. However, there have been short timeframes when the median income decreased or remained fairly level.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The median household income in Utah has generally kept pace with that in the U.S., but households in Utah are larger, making [[a href="indicator/view/PerCapInc.UT_US.html" per capita income]] in Utah lower than in the U.S. overall.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health has no programs directed specifically at increasing household income levels. However, there are programs such as Medicaid, Primary Care Network, and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) that pay for health care for eligible children and adults.

Available Services

For information on the Medicaid program: [[br]] In the Salt Lake City area, call 801-538-6155.[[br]] In Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, call toll-free 1-800-662-9651.[[br]] From other states, call 1-801-538-6155.[[br]] Medicaid Customer Service staff are available to take inquiries.[[br]] Or visit the Utah Medicaid website:[[br]] [http://www.health.utah.gov/medicaid/][[br]] [[br]] For information on CHIP and the PCN:[[br]] Call the Health Resource Line: 1-888-222-2542[[br]] Or visit the their websites:[[br]] CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program (for children 0-18) -[[br]] [http://www.health.state.ut.us/chip][[br]] PCN: Utah Primary Care Network (for low-income adults) -[[br]] [http://www.health.utah.gov/pcn/][[br]] [[br]] Voices for Utah Children is a private, not-for-profit organization that advocates for children. Information about their activities may be found on their website, [http://www.utahchildren.org].

Health Care System Factors

Health insurance coverage is related to income--persons with higher household incomes are more likely to be covered by health insurance. This is true despite the fact that public programs such as CHIP, Medicaid, and Utah's Primary Care Network (PCN) are available to low-income persons. Until recently, however, only children, pregnant women, single parents, and disabled adults could gain Medicaid eligibility by virtue of their low income status. Now, low-income adults who are not disabled may also be eligible for certain types of health care coverage through the Utah Department of Health.

Risk Factors

One of the best ways for adults (both men and women) to avoid poverty is to get a good education and prepare for a competitive job market.

Health Status Outcomes

Low income is a risk factor for many poor health status outcomes, including general poor health, as well as others. The association between poverty and health status is probably bi-directional. That is, persons with chronic mental or physical illness are less able to achieve their educational goals and get good jobs. At the same time, persons who have lower incomes are less able to afford health care and may have less healthy lifestyles. For instance, persons with lower education and income levels are more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to get regular exercise.

Data Notes

Legacy questions - data from income questions consistent with previous years[[br]] Redesigned questions - data from redesigned questions[[br]] For more information about the redesigned questions, see [https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar21.pdf]. In order to accurately compare income over time, users should adjust the measures for changes in cost of living. The Census Bureau uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) to adjust for changes in the cost of living. Current dollars is a term describing income in the year in which a person, household, or family receives it (unadjusted for inflation). Upper and lower limits are calculated to 90% confidence intervals.

Data Notes

2020 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)[[br]] Confidence limits are 90%.

Data Source

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates, Model-based Estimates for States, Counties, & School Districts

Data Notes

Values for multi-county local health districts consist of the weighted median of the county medians.[[br]] Upper and lower confidence intervals are calculated to 90%.[[br]] 2020 SAIPE estimates.

Data Source

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates, Model-based Estimates for States, Counties, & School Districts

Data Notes

The median household income for Utah Small Areas was calculated by using the ACS 2016-2020 ZIP code level values from table S1903. The ZIP code median incomes were combined into Small Area incomes using a weighted median algorithm. A description of the Utah Small Areas may be found on IBIS at the following URL: [https://ibis.health.utah.gov/resource/Guidelines.html]. *Small Areas that are also counties use the 2014-2018 ACS county estimate. **The ACS uses 5-digit ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) based on boundaries from the 2010 Census. Some Small Areas consist of ZIP Codes that were introduced after 2010; therefore, data are not available for these Small Areas from the ACS.