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There has been a striking pattern of growth in family income and net worth between 1998 and 2001 according to a Federal Reserve Board study, which was based on data from the Survey of Consumer Finances. Generally, inflation-adjusted incomes of families rose; although growth was fastest among families whose income was higher than the median. The median value of family net worth grew faster than that of income, but as with income, the growth rates of net worth were fastest for the group above the median. The level of debt carried by families rose over the period, but the expansion in equities and the increased values of principal residences and other assets were sufficient to...