demographics of economic optimism

[Doug Henwood]

Interesting demographic breakdown in the latest Gallup poll on the 
U.S. economy. Here's how various groups answer the question, is the 
economy getting better or getting worse? If you're rich, white, and 
male, you're far more likely to answer "better" than if you're not 
any of those things.

Doug

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Summary Table: Economy Getting Better/Getting Worse

                        better    worse   difference
TOTAL                    53        37        16

Gender
Men                      62        28        34
Women                    44        46        -2

Race
White                    55        35        20
Non-white                47        45         2

Age
18-29 year olds          56        39        17
30-49 year olds          51        41        10
50-64 year olds          54        34        20
Age 65+                  55        30        25

Income
$75 K +                  67        24        43
$50 K > $75K             57        36        21
$30 K - > $50K           58        34        24
$20 K - > $30K           38        53       -15
>  $20K                   40        47        -7 [sic - must be <$20K]

Party
Republican               68        24        44
Independent              47        44         3
Democrat                 44        44         0

Region
East                     53        38        15
South                    51        39        12
Midwest                  58        32        26
West                     50        40        10