With the economy in turmoil, the closing weeks of the presidential campaign are likely to focus increased attention on America's beleaguered middle class.
But just who is in the middle class? And how are things going for them?
The Pew Research Center surveyed 2,413 adults earlier this year, including 1,276 who identified themselves as "middle class." Pew researchers also analyzed U.S. Census data and other demographic and economic statistics.
Read the full portrait Middle Class, By the Numbers on the Pew Research Center Web site.