The US Census Department has released results of its 2008 income survey which indicates mixed news for luxury marketers: The affluent segment of the US population is still the fastest growing, but the rate of growth in affluent households has significantly slowed down in comparison to two years ago.

The survey shows that the affluent segment of the US population (households with incomes of $100,000 and above) continues to be the fastest growing segment based upon income. The total number of affluent households increased by 8.4%, from 22.2 million in 2006 to 24.0 million in 2008. By contrast, the number of households with income less than $75,000 declined in the two-year period.

Ultra-affluent households with incomes of $250,000 and above grew 10.5% from 2.2 million to 2.5 million between 2006 and 2008. In 2008, the ultra-affluent segment constituted 10% of the total affluent market.

On the other hand, the growth rate in affluent households dropped sharply between 2006 and 2008. In the two-year period between 2004 and 2006, the number of affluent households grew by 24.4%. However, during the period between 2006 and 2008, the rate of change was only 8.4%.