The U.S. Census reports three straight years of rising income. But those financial gains come as prices rise and the value of the U.S. dollar drops.

“Income is a measure of all cash or money resources coming into a household. It includes wages and earnings from work as well as social security benefits, retirement income, interest, dividends and public assistance,” explained Trudi J. Renwick, U.S. Census assistant division chief for economic characteristics.

“Ten percent of the households had income below $14,200,” Renwick added. “Ten percent of households had income above $179,100, and 5 percent had income above $237,000.”

In Bucks County, median household income was up from $80,575 to $84,749, a 5 percent increase, since 2015. That would make Bucks 69th among 825 U.S. counties for median household income.

But a closer look shows gender and race remain major factors in how much we earn.

For example, in Burlington County, white households earned $90,984 while black households averaged $76,004, or 16 percent less, according the census figures released Thursday.