Pew Research Center summary (based on January 2026 survey of U.S. adults)
Key finding
60% of U.S. adults say “working class” describes them extremely or very well—up from 54% in 2024. The label is widely claimed across income, education, occupation, race/ethnicity, and party lines.
Broad adoption, with clear patterns
- Education: 66% of adults without a bachelor’s degree identify as working class, versus 50% of college graduates.
- Income: Highest among middle-income adults (67%); still substantial among lower-income (57%) and upper-income (50%).
- Occupation: 77% of blue-collar workers (manual/physical labor in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, retail/trade, hospitality/service, or transportation) versus 61% of other workers.
- Financial comfort: Even among those who pay bills in full, hold emergency savings, and meet expenses comfortably, 50% still claim the label.
Strong political divide
Republicans and Republican leaners are more likely to identify as working class (67%) than Democrats and Democratic leaners (55%). The gap holds after accounting for education, income, occupation, and financial stress:
- Across education levels: ~11–12-point Republican advantage among both non-graduates and college graduates.
- Widest among the most comfortable: 23 points among upper-income adults; 21 points among those with low financial stress (60% Republicans vs. 39% Democrats).
- Present among both blue-collar workers (82% R vs. 72% D) and other workers (68% R vs. 55% D).
Differences by race and ethnicity
Overall: White 62%, Hispanic 59%, Black 54%, Asian 52% (English-speaking only).
- Education gap is large among White and Asian adults but small or absent among Hispanic and Black adults. White non-graduates reach 71%; Black and Hispanic college graduates are near or above 58–61%.
- Partisan gap is widest among White adults (69% White Republicans vs. 54% White Democrats).
Self-identification as working class is common and rising. While education, income, and occupation matter, partisanship is a consistent and often stronger predictor—Republicans claim the identity more readily across nearly every demographic and economic subgroup. The term itself remains ambiguous in public discourse, encompassing education, income, occupation, and broader cultural self-conception.