j.r. leonard

Which era had the strongest middle class? The ‘50s?

50s through early 80s

Was it an economic boom? Policy? Higher tax rates?

A lot of stuff. The 70s and early 80s were the most middle-class I think.

Interesting. I always think the 50s for some reason. Maybe its all the appliances.

In the 50s the middle class was just white. In the 60s and 70s black poverty fell dramatically. Thus, the early Reagan years were probably the most middle-class-y we've had, even though the Rust Belt was beginning and the economy suffered from recessions.