View the mean and median American family's net worth from 2001 and 2004 below: Between 2001 and 2004, the Family Values The American family's net worth, on median American family's net $500,000 average. rose about 6 percent from 2001 to 2004. But the median worth remained unchanged. net worth-the midpoint that separates the top 400.000 However, the mean American 50 percent from the lower 50 percent- barely rose. family's net worth grew. and remained less than 300,000 one-fourth as large as What caused this to occur? the average 200:000 Net worth of an American family 100,000 2001 2004 2001 2004 couteabougiva wedious MEDIAN AVERAGE The New York Times