RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Effects of Minimum Wages on the Distribution of Family Incomes JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 867 OP 894 DO 10.3368/jhr.XL.4.867 VO XL IS 4 A1 Neumark, David A1 Schweitzer, Mark A1 Wascher, William YR 2005 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/XL/4/867.abstract AB An oft-stated goal of the minimum wage is to raise incomes of poor or low-income families. We present nonparametric estimates of the effects of minimum wages on the distribution of family income relative to needs in the United States. Although minimum wages increase the incomes of some poor families, the evidence indicates that their overall net effect is, if anything, to increase the proportions of families with incomes below or near the poverty line. It would appear that reductions in the proportions of families that are poor or near-poor should not be counted among the potential benefits of minimum wages.