The Average American

In the year 2016, the US Census Bureau tells us the average personal income in dollars in the United States is $31,099 (median). However, the US Census Bureau also tells us that the average personal income in dollars in the United States in 2016 is $46,550 (mean). That's a big difference. How can both be true? If you were writing a press release on this latest statistic, which figure would you choose and why? Can you see any problems with reporting one rather than the other?