About 73 mln US households now have discretionary income, up from about 57 mln in 2002, according to The Conference Board. The% of the US population with discretionary income has increased to nearly 64%, up from 52% in 2002. Total discretionary income in the US topped $1.7 trillion in 2006, with the household average at $24,335. Per capita income stood at $9,148. Nearly 78% of all discretionary income is held by households earning more than $100,000. Average discretionary income for this segment, $66,451, is 2.7 times the national average. The region with the wealthiest concentration of households is New England (including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). About 63% of households have discretionary income, with an average amount of $27,337. Household discretionary income is lowest in the West North Central region (including Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota). Average household discretionary income in this region is $20,749.