socioeconomic status

[soh-see-oh-ek-uh-nom-ik stey-tuhs, stat-uhs, ‐-ee-kuh‐, soh-shee-oh‐, soh‐]

noun

1. the position or standing of a person or group in a society as determined by a combination of social and economic factors that affect access to education and other resources crucial to an individual’s upward mobility: SES

   Low socioeconomic status is linked to many health risks, including cardiovascular disease.

socioeconomic status

1. An individual's or group's position within a hierarchical social structure. Socioeconomic status depends on a combination of variables, including occupation, education, income, wealth, and place of residence. Sociologists often use socioeconomic status as a means of predicting behavior.

Word History and Origins

Origin of socioeconomic status¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Yet Americans need to acknowledge that perpetrators comes from all political affiliations, they come from all races, socioeconomic status.

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The most powerful person in a small town may not be a billionaire like Epstein, but they have disposable income and high socioeconomic status for the area, or they may hold a prominent position in government, church or a civic organization.

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Our family isn’t wealthy, and we were unconcerned with the socioeconomic status of other students on campus.

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The American Dental Association “is very concerned for people of all ages and socioeconomic status” in communities stopping water fluoridation, a spokesperson wrote in an email.

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Among the disadvantages linked to having darker skin are less income, lower socioeconomic status and more health problems.

Read more on Los Angeles Times