Who are the middle class?

Who are the middle class? The Congressional Research Service published a PDF report earlier this year on that subject.

Surveys indicate many people felt an income near $40,000 was the minimum to be considered middle class. On the other end, surveys suggested that those with incomes approaching $200,000 might still be considered middle class.

Well, that's pretty broad. And inconclusive, too:

There is no consensus definition of “middle class,” neither is there an official government definition. What constitutes the middle class is relative, subjective, and not easily defined.

Still, the short report (it's only six pages long) makes for some interesting reading.

Link to CRS report Who Are the “Middle Class”? (PDF format)