Minorities fall more behind whites in net worth 
Chicago Tribune. Oct 18, 2004
pg. 13

The wealth gap between white families and blacks and Hispanics grew larger
after the most recent recession, a private analysis of government data finds.

White households had a median net worth of greater than $88,000 in 2002, 
11 times more than Hispanics and more than 14 times that of blacks, the 
Pew Hispanic Center said in a study being released Monday.

Blacks were slowest to emerge from the economic downturn that started in 
2000 and ended in late 2001, the report found.

Net worth accounts for the values of items such as a home and car, checking 
and savings accounts, and stocks, minus debts.

After accounting for inflation, net worth for white households increased 17 
percent between 1996 and 2002 and rose for Hispanic homes by 14 percent 
to about $7,900, according to the study.

It decreased for blacks by 16 percent, to roughly $6,000.

The median net worth for all U.S. households was $59,700 in 2002, a 12 
percent gain from 1996.

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