Did People Really Pay 91% Tax Rates in the 1950s & if not What was the Reality Compared to Today?
Here’s a breakdown to compare the tax rates and contributions of the top 1% from the 1950s to today:
1. Top Marginal Tax Rate in the 1950s vs. Today:
- 1950s: The top marginal tax rate was as high as 91% during parts of the 1950s (from 1951 to 1963). However, few people paid this rate due to deductions and exclusions.
- Today: The top marginal tax rate in the U.S. is 37% as of 2023, plus potential state and local taxes, bringing the effective rate higher in some states.
2. Effective Tax Rate for the Top 1%:
- 1950s: Estimates suggest that the top 1% paid an effective federal income tax rate of around 42-45%. The significant gap between the marginal and effective tax rate was due to tax deductions and exclusions.
- Today: In 2020, the effective tax rate for the top 1% was approximately 26-28% at the federal level, though it can vary slightly based on deductions and state taxes.
3. Percentage of Total Income Taxes Paid by the Top 1%:
- 1950s: The top 1% paid roughly 30-35% of all federal income taxes.
- Today: The top 1% pays about 40% of all federal income taxes in the U.S. (data as of 2020).
4. How Many People Pay the Top Rates?
- 1950s: The number of people actually paying the top 91% rate was minuscule, likely fewer than 10,000 households in a country of over 150 million people. Most wealthy individuals managed to pay a lower effective rate through deductions.
- Today: The top 1% of income earners consist of approximately 1.4 million households (based on the U.S. population in 2023).
Comparative Table
| Metric | 1950s | Today (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Top Marginal Tax Rate | 91% | 37% |
| Effective Tax Rate (Top 1%) | 42-45% | 26-28% |
| % of Total Income Taxes Paid (Top 1%) | 30-35% | ~40% |
| Number of People Paying Top Rates | Fewer than 10,000 households | ~1.4 million households |
Summary:
- Tax Policy Center – Data on the top marginal and effective tax rates, as well as the share of taxes paid by the top 1% over time:
- Tax Policy Center, “Historical Highest Marginal Income Tax Rates” and “Distribution of Federal Income Taxes by Income Percentile”
- Available at: https://www.taxpolicycenter.org
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Data on total federal income tax contributions by income groups:
- IRS, “SOI Tax Stats – Individual Income Tax Returns”
- Available at: https://www.irs.gov
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – Reports on federal taxes and effective tax rates for the top income earners:
- CBO, “The Distribution of Household Income and Federal Taxes”
- Available at: https://www.cbo.gov
- Peter G. Peterson Foundation – Analysis of tax rates and share of taxes paid by income groups:
- Peterson Foundation, “How Do Federal Income Tax Rates for the Wealthy Compare Today to the 1950s?”
- Available at: https://www.pgpf.org
& if not What was the Reality Compared to Today?
Here’s a breakdown to compare the tax rates and contributions of the top 1% from the 1950s to today:
1. Top Marginal Tax Rate in the 1950s vs. Today:
- 1950s: The top marginal tax rate was as high as 91% during parts of the 1950s (from 1951 to 1963). However, few people paid this rate due to deductions and exclusions.
- Today: The top marginal tax rate in the U.S. is 37% as of 2023, plus potential state and local taxes, bringing the effective rate higher in some states.
2. Effective Tax Rate for the Top 1%:
- 1950s: Estimates suggest that the top 1% paid an effective federal income tax rate of around 42-45%. The significant gap between the marginal and effective tax rate was due to tax deductions and exclusions.
- Today: In 2020, the effective tax rate for the top 1% was approximately 26-28% at the federal level, though it can vary slightly based on deductions and state taxes.
3. Percentage of Total Income Taxes Paid by the Top 1%:
- 1950s: The top 1% paid roughly 30-35% of all federal income taxes.
- Today: The top 1% pays about 40% of all federal income taxes in the U.S. (data as of 2020).
4. How Many People Pay the Top Rates?
- 1950s: The number of people actually paying the top 91% rate was minuscule, likely fewer than 10,000 households in a country of over 150 million people. Most wealthy individuals managed to pay a lower effective rate through deductions.
- Today: The top 1% of income earners consist of approximately 1.4 million households (based on the U.S. population in 2023).
Comparative Table
| Metric | 1950s | Today (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Top Marginal Tax Rate | 91% | 37% |
| Effective Tax Rate (Top 1%) | 42-45% | 26-28% |
| % of Total Income Taxes Paid (Top 1%) | 30-35% | ~40% |
| Number of People Paying Top Rates | Fewer than 10,000 households | ~1.4 million households |
Summary:
- Tax Policy Center – Data on the top marginal and effective tax rates, as well as the share of taxes paid by the top 1% over time:
- Tax Policy Center, “Historical Highest Marginal Income Tax Rates” and “Distribution of Federal Income Taxes by Income Percentile”
- Available at: https://www.taxpolicycenter.org
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Data on total federal income tax contributions by income groups:
- IRS, “SOI Tax Stats – Individual Income Tax Returns”
- Available at: https://www.irs.gov
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – Reports on federal taxes and effective tax rates for the top income earners:
- CBO, “The Distribution of Household Income and Federal Taxes”
- Available at: https://www.cbo.gov
- Peter G. Peterson Foundation – Analysis of tax rates and share of taxes paid by income groups:
- Peterson Foundation, “How Do Federal Income Tax Rates for the Wealthy Compare Today to the 1950s?”
- Available at: https://www.pgpf.org
History OF Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Coliseum In Vanderburgh County
The Coliseum was erected as a tribute to the men of Vanderburgh County who fought in the American Civil War and Spanish-American War. After several old buildings were torn down, the cornerstone of the 66,000-square-foot facility was laid on May 9, 1916. Construction concluded in March 1917, and the Coliseum was formally dedicated on April 18, 1917, right around the time the United States joined World War I. The original construction cost $180,000.[2]
The neoclassical coliseum was designed by Shopbell & Company and provided the community with its first modern facility for conventions and other public gatherings. The ceremonial aspect of the building was heightened by placing the structure directly on an axis with Fourth Street. Rockport native George H. Honig created two heroic monuments that flank the entrance. The Spirit of 1865, on the left, represents a victory for the Union. The Spirit of 1916, on the right, shows the reflective elderly veterans of the Civil War.[3]
Once considered the premier location for events in Evansville, the Coliseum was seen as dated and small when Roberts Municipal Stadium was built in the mid-1950s. When a push for “urban renewal” involving demolitions occurred in the city, the Coliseum was threatened. A “Save the Coliseum” campaign was developed and the same organization that helped save the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse stepped in and saved the Coliseum from demolition.
In 1919, a 4,000-pipe concert organ was installed as a memorial to Prof. Milton Z. Tinker, for years supervisor of music in the local public schools. At the time of its installation, it was among the largest municipal pipe organs in the world. Earlier this year, Lynwood Hall Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit cultural and historic preservation organization, agreed to preserve the organ as a living piece of history.
When the Old National Events Plaza was later constructed, the Colisum’s use as an auditorium and convention space waned. In 1971 Vanderburgh County leased the building to the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council for a period of 99 years at the rate of $1 a year.
The Coliseum’s Convention Hall still retains a seating capacity of 2,400 and a standing room capacity of 4,055. The Veterans Council leases out the venue for sporting events, exhibitions, stage plays, wedding receptions, musical productions, bingo, concerts, and philanthropic organizations. The Coliseum has also home to the Demolition City Roller Derby‘s two teams: the Dynamite Dolls and Destruction Dames. The Coliseum has also been home to various professional wrestling promotions, such as the Continental Wrestling Association and the United States Wrestling Association.
THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS OF CLINTON WAYNE KEOWN
THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS OF CLINTON WAYNE KEOWN
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
Visitation will continue at Holy Rosary Catholic Church from 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024, until 4:00 p.m. when a Mass of the Resurrection will begin with Fr. Bernie Etienne celebrating. Private burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715, or Memorial High School Athletic Department, 1500 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714. Services are in the care of Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Ave, Evansville, IN 47711.
THE OBITUARY OF CLINTON WAYNE KEOWN
Clinton Wayne Keown was different. Born in Evansville, Indiana, on February 25, 1980, Clint left us far too soon on September 22, 2024. He was not just a man defined by his unmatched athleticism but a soul revered for his deep love, unwavering loyalty, and the countless lives he touched beyond the arenas of sport. Clint was a legend in more ways than one—both on and off the field.
To his family, Clint was not just a competitor but a man who always put those he loved first. He was the devoted husband of Hannah and the proud father of Colby, with whom he shared an unbreakable bond. As a self-proclaimed “Bonus Dad” to Liam and Leighton Nolen, Clint brought his characteristic dedication and warmth, embracing them fully as his own. The family was everything to Clint. Whether it was a quiet evening at home or cheering from the sidelines, he was in constant communication with those he loved, ensuring they knew how much they meant to him.
As a son, Clint carried the values instilled by his parents, Rick and Julie Keown, who fostered the competitive fire and compassion that would define him. His siblings, Katie (Hank) and Casey (Bissy), were not only family but his biggest supporters, and he was theirs, always connected by a bond that transcended any distance. Clint was preceded in death by his brother, Cory, and his grandparents, Charlie and Anna Mae Haury, and James and Dorris Jean Keown. He leaves behind a large, loving extended family, including his cherished in-laws, the Jeff and Rhonda Hicks family, Halee (Jacob) Hicks, Lucian (Adrienne) Hicks, and Landon (Taylor) Hicks.
Clint’s life was shaped not only by athletic accomplishments but by his dedication to faith and community. He was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club, giving back to the same community that had nurtured him. Clint believed in the power of sports to transform lives, and he committed himself to mentoring and coaching the next generation. Coaching Colby’s tee-ball team and Q’s fifth-grade basketball squad, Clint infused his passion into the kids he worked with, teaching them not just the skills of the game but the confidence and grit to succeed in life. His guidance helped young athletes grow, and his influence on their lives will be felt for years to come.
Of course, it would be impossible to talk about Clint without recognizing the sheer magnitude of his athletic achievements. His accolades are etched in the history of Evansville sports. As a basketball star at Reitz Memorial High School, Clint scored 1,766 points—fourth in city history—and was named an Indiana All-Star in 1998. His iconic number 33 hangs proudly in the rafters, a tribute to a career that inspired awe and respect. In football, though he only played for two years, he became an all-state wide receiver and caught the attention of scouts from major universities. Clint’s journey continued through the University of Evansville and South Carolina-Aiken, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball, earning his place in the Memorial High School Hall of Fame.
But Clint was more than his stats. He was a man who competed with an intensity that could not be measured, who won not just games but hearts. He brought the same focus and drive to every facet of his life, whether it was mentoring young athletes, building his portfolio of residential rental properties, or simply spending time with his family. To those who knew him, Clint was not just the greatest athlete Evansville had ever seen—he was a kind, loyal, and generous man who cared deeply for those around him.
Clint’s memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on through his beloved wife, children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the countless friends and mentees whose lives he enriched. His impact on the world, on and off the field, will be felt long after we’ve stopped counting points or victories.
In this time of loss, we remember Clint not only for his legendary accomplishments but for the love he shared so freely with all who knew him. He will forever be missed, but his spirit will continue to inspire—an enduring symbol of the power of perseverance, passion, and love.
Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715 where a sharing of memories begins at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at Holy Rosary Catholic Church from 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024, until 4:00 p.m. when a Mass of the Resurrection will begin with Fr. Bernie Etienne celebrating. Private burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47715, or Memorial High School Athletic Department, 1500 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47714.
Services are in the care of Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Ave, Evansville, IN 47711.
Evansville Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Commission Board Meeting Notice
Evansville Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Commission Board Meeting Notice
Evansville, IN – September 27, 2024
Meetings of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Commission, Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., Evansville Events, Inc., Evansville-Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Commission Building Corporation, and Evansville-Vanderburgh Convention & Visitors Commission Sports Complex Operations Corporation (collectively “Commission”) will meet on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 3:00 pm.
The meeting will be held in Room 301 of the Evansville Civic Center Complex, 1 NW Martin King Jr. Blvd., Evansville, IN.
FOOTNOTE: THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.
ASKING ALL”PRAYER WARRIORS” TO PRAY TO CONTINUE TO HEAL MATT REDD AND PROTECT HIS FAMILY
ASKING ALL”PRAYER WARRIORS” TO PRAY TO CONTINUE TO HEAL MATT REDD AND PROTECT HIS FAMILY
Matt Redd was a passenger in the car with Clinton Keown when the tragic accident happened on an Illinois highway. While our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the Keown family, we also pray for miraculous healing for Matt Redd.
Matt’s wife, Andrea, posted on Facebook with a sincere plea for prayers for Matt, their boys, and Andrea. We believe that her words will touch you like they touched us, and you will want to drop to your knees immediately to pray for this family.
Here’s the request in Andrea’s words:
Lord, I know you are being flooded with prayers right now, and we are grateful that you hear them. Myself and My boys are asking that you receive them as well, and as we are on our knees praying, we ask that you not separate our family just yet. By your blessings and grace, my husband and I are one, and with our boys, we are a complete unit. We still need him, the rest of our family, and the community still needs his good deeds.
As it may be a selfish prayer we are not forgetting that another family is suffering a great loss as they are mourning their son, brother, husband, and father.
As it was your will to call Clint home from the accident we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers as well, especially his wife and young children. Lord send them an angel of comfort at this time.
Many have already heard the awful news but I wanted to post for myself and our boys to ask for prayers we are in dire need of them. Matthew needs them. We do not know the cause of the accident but what we do know is that somehow control was lost causing the car to hit a guardrail rolled multiple times and landed in a ditch. Luckily someone saw them, the Tesla signaled emergency and first responders were there fast. Matt was alert waving his arm for help when they arrived and from the pieces we are putting together we do not believe he was ever without oxygen. But the trauma is extensive. He has severe brain injuries, skull fractures, severe swelling, neck fractures, facial fractures, and loss of a lot of blood. Blood in his stomach and lungs, a broken rib, and a punctured lung. His extremities are good. If you are not familiar with a Tesla the roof is a sheet of glass. The car hit a guardrail flipped over it and rolled multiple times into a ditch filled with large rocks. The roof was shattered which exposed Matt and Clint. We do know Matt was conscious until first responders arrived then he lost consciousness and was on a ventilator. They wanted to airlift him to the hospital but weather conditions would not allow it. He was taken by ambulance and his dear friend had a police escort meet the ambulance and get him to the hospital sooner. Right now we are letting Matt rest. We need his brain to rest and the swelling to go down.
Current condition:
This morning the Dr was able to get Matt to react on his right side with a nerve test. Matt was swatting him away. That is a good sign. His left side is not reacting due to the collapsed carotid artery. So that artery affects the opposite side of the body. He has 4 major arteries going to the brain, 2 of them are completely blocked but we can’t do anything about it at this time due to his brain bleed. His oxygen is better today than it was yesterday. He had a CT scan this morning and there are no changes.
This evening they were able to take him off the blood pressure medicine. His oxygen is at 37% so he is doing the other 67%. The focus is on the swelling going down and not letting him get agitated.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUE PRAYERS
Thank you for your continued prayers. We are beyond grateful for the outpour of prayers, comfort, and support we are receiving. This will be a long, hard-fought battle, but if anyone can do it, Matty Redd can. You are my world, Matthew William …..You are my everything.
FOOTNOTE:
Please keep praying for Matt Redd’s recovery and continue to look over and protect his family.
The City-County Observer management and staff are currently working to find an appropriate time and location to gather For a prayer vigil for Matt Redd and his family.
Please contact Johnny Kincaid at 812-589-2476 for more information concerning the prayer vigil.
Celebrated Second World War Historian John C. McManus to Speak at 2024 UE Fiddick Lecture Series
Celebrated Second World War Historian John C. McManus to Speak at 2024 UE Fiddick Lecture Series
SEPTEMBER 24,2024
EVANSVILLE, IND. (09/25/2024) The University of Evansville (UE) Department of History, Politics, and Social Change is proud to welcome Dr. John C. McManus for the 22nd annual Thomas C. Fiddick Memorial Lecture. The lecture will be in Eykamp Hall in the Ridgway University Center on Friday, October 4, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
McManus is Curators’ Distinguished Professor of U.S. military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). He pursued undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Missouri and received his PhD from the University of Tennessee.
As one of the nation’s leading military historians, and the author of fifteen well received books on the topic, he is in frequent demand as a speaker and expert commentator. In addition to dozens of local and national radio programs, he has appeared on CNN.com, Fox News, C-Span, the Military Channel, the Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel, Netflix, the Smithsonian Network, the History Channel and PBS, among others.
He is the host of two podcasts and served as historical advisor for the bestselling book and documentary Salinger, which appeared nationwide in theaters and on PBS’s American Masters Series. During the 2018-2019 academic year, he was in residence at the U.S. Naval Academy as the Leo A. Shifrin Chair of Naval and Military History, a distinguished visiting professorship. His most recent project has been a major three volume history of the U.S. Army in the Pacific/Asia theater during World War II which culminated with the 2023 publication of To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945.
“Professor McManus is one of the world’s leading historians of World War II and it is an enormous privilege to bring him to the University of Evansville to deliver the 2024 Fiddick Lecture and interact with students in class,” said Dr. James MacLeod, professor of history and director of the Fiddick Memorial Lecture Series. “Given the fact that the lecture will mark 80 years since some of the key battles of the Pacific War, and Tom Fiddick’s lifelong interest in the War, this lecture topic is particularly appropriate.”
Thomas C. Fiddick, for whom the Fiddick Memorial Lecture is named, served as professor of history at the University of Evansville from 1963 to 2002. In his 39 years at the University, he was a dedicated teacher, a productive scholar, and a tireless fighter in the cause of justice. His book, Russia’s Retreat from Poland, 1920: From Permanent Revolution to Peaceful Coexistence, is still considered to be the best book on this topic. Tom’s untimely death on the day of his retirement in 2002 stunned the entire UE community, especially his many former students. It was from the former students’ efforts in particular, with the support of Dr Fiddick’s friends and the University, that the annual Thomas C. Fiddick Memorial Lecture was established.
“For over twenty years, the Fiddick Lecture has been one of the best events of the year, as we get to celebrate the career of a truly outstanding faculty member here at UE,” MacLeod added. “Tom Fiddick was a brilliant scholar and an incredible teacher who made a life-transforming impact on generations of students.”
Nomination Deadline Approaching for Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards
Nomination Deadline Approaching for Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards
September 27, 2024
Members of the public have until this Friday, September 27, to submit nominations for the Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards.
Businesses, organizations, or individuals may be nominated for one or more of the following awards:
Workplace Diversity Award:
This award goes to a business or organization that has been successful in achieving a diverse workforce. How does the organization embrace, celebrate, and include diverse people in its workforce? Does it have a minority or persons with disabilities recruitment program in place and/or employ minorities in senior management positions?
- Development (Willie Effie Thomas Award):
- This award goes to an individual who has implemented a successful program that includes a diversity of people in the community, effective diversity training programs, or special programs that celebrate diversity. Is career development for minorities offered? Do they offer scholarships? Have they held diversity special events? Offer network and support groups?
- Community Relations (Sue Woodson Award):
- This award goes to an individual, business, or organization that has achieved exceptional success in developing activities that encourage and support diversity in the area of community relations. Advocates for a diverse community? Lead or support community projects? Encourage volunteerism that supports diversity.
- Leadership Award:
- This award goes to a business or organization that has developed supportive diversity strategies throughout an organization or community. How does the vision or mission of the business or organization mention, support or encourage diversity? How diverse is the board? How diverse is the top management or leadership? Does the organization support minority vendors and suppliers? How is diversity involved in the organization’s long-term planning? Has the organization implemented innovative initiatives regarding diversity?
- Sadelle Berger Award:
- The top award honors the tireless work of a true community advocate who values others and advocates for fairness, inclusion, and respect for all in the community. The special award recognizes an individual, business, or organization exhibiting the highest commitment to civil rights and diversity.
- How has the nominee advocated for the rights of all in our community, particularly for those whose voices might not be otherwise heard? Worked for human rights for all going against tradition or opposition. Respected for doing what is fair and just. Decisions and practices exhibit an unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect for all in our community.
To nominate online please visit www.evansvillegov.org/egov/apps/action/center.egov?view=form;page=1;id=173.
The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission will hold the Annual Dinner and Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity Awards at the Old National Events Plaza on November 1, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Volleyball opens MVC slate on Friday
UE hosts Valparaiso and UIC
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With four weekends of non-conference play in the books, the University of Evansville volleyball team is set to open the Missouri Valley Conference schedule this weekend with home matches against Valparaiso and UIC. UE welcomes the Beacons for a 6 p.m. match on Friday before facing UIC at 5 p.m. Saturday; both matches inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse will be carried by ESPN+.
Last Time Out
– The non-conference portion of the schedule wrapped up last weekend with a trip across town to the USI Invitational
– Evansville dropped 5-set contests against USI and IU Indianapolis
– Giulia Cardona averaged an unbelievable 5.60 kills over the weekend while Ainoah Cruz chipped in an average of 3.90 digs
Aces Record
– Giulia Cardona’s record-breaking career continued with a big milestone last weekend
– With five service aces against IU Indy, Cardona has a total of 207 in her career and broke Kim Seib’s record of 205, which has stood since 1984
– Cardona recorded 56 kills in the last two matches and has a total of 1,867 in her career; she is quickly approaching Alondra Vazquez’ UE mark of 1,911
– The senior has assumed the NCAA lead in total kills (233), total points (273.0), total attacks (684) and attacks per set (14.55)
– Her season average of 5.81 kills per frame paces the MVC and ranks 3rd nationally
She’s Back
– Ainoah Cruz missed the first ten matches of the 2024 season but returned at the USI Invitational
– In two contests, she quickly regained her form, accumulating 3.90 digs per set
– Her top mark of 23 came in her season debut against USI; she added 16 vs. IU Indy
– As a freshman, Cruz paced the defense with her average of 4.49 digs per set and was 8th in the MVC with her average
Solid Weekend
– With 8 kills in both matches at the USI Invitational, Angelica Gonzalez put together her top performances since the season opener
– After opening the year with career highs in kills (13) and attempts (27) versus Akron, Gonzalez posted five or fewer kills over her next six contests
Scouting the Opposition
– MVC play opens on Friday against Valparaiso, who is 8-4 on the season and has won three of its last four contests
– Elise Swistek leads the Beacon offense with an average of 3.18 kills per set
– UIC starts the weekend with a record of 8-4 and have dropped three of their last four matches before defeating Milwaukee last weekend
– With 2.51 kills per game, Zahria Woodard leads the Flames offense