America's shrinking middle class, a growing concern for the economy and a central issue in the presidential race, cuts across virtually all communities from coast to coast, according to a study released Wednesday. The news was not all downcast, especially for metro areas in coastal and border regions that have benefited from the boom in technology, trade and resources. The new report took into account differences in a metro area's cost of living. Urban areas in Texas, California and the Southwest dominated the top 10 areas with the highest share of lower-income population. Pew reported late last year that the middle class no longer constituted a majority on a nationwide basis.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 11, 2016 16:18 UTC