Not Quite What You’d Expect
The Democratic Socialist Party of America often criticizes the wealthiest 1 percent, yet an internal study reveals that almost a third of its members earn salaries exceeding six figures.
About 28% of DSA members make more than $100,000 a year, while 56% of them are in relatively comfortable administrative roles in sectors like academia, technology, public service, nonprofits, white-collar jobs, or healthcare.
Interestingly, over 80% of these individuals have attended college, and around 35% hold advanced degrees, which is significantly higher than the national average.
The data comes from a 2021 survey that has made the rounds this week and arguably, reflects contemporary trends better than the latest version released in 2025 by the group.
Prominent members include Ahmed Hussein, a Bahraini engineer living in New York, who has been vocal about wanting to see “the end of the American empire.” Reema Nasrati, an immigration attorney engaged in anti-ICE training, and Hannah Johnson, a DSA leader also working as deputy chief of staff for state representative Emily Gallagher, are among those in this so-called laptop class.
Then there’s Mayor Zoran Mamdani, DSA’s face, whose family enjoys considerable wealth, including a substantial estate in Uganda equipped with staff like housekeepers and security. His mother is known for the film “Mississippi Masala,” which famously featured the property.
While the DSA frequently references class struggle and emphasizes taxing the wealthy, critics point out the apparent hypocrisy in their ranks.
“It’s impressive how they’ve convinced a lot of people that these trust fund socialists are genuinely looking out for them,” remarked former City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli. “They might not have personal experience with the working class, but they sure read a lot about it.”
Following the footsteps of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), the group shows a significant lack of those working in bars—just 6% of members are in the service or retail sectors. Even Ocasio-Cortez, who often brands herself as a “Bronx Girl,” has faced criticism for exaggerating her brief past as a bartender since she actually grew up in a well-off area.
The statistics are telling; only 4% of members hold blue-collar jobs, and an equal percentage are involved in creative fields like writing or performance. Additionally, 5% are self-employed, 8% are students, and 15% are either unemployed or retired.
The DSA, which celebrated hitting 100,000 members earlier this year, has undergone noticeable demographic changes since the mid-2010s. A wave of younger individuals, motivated by Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, have joined what was once predominantly an older demographic of hippies and retirees.
Back in 2013, the median age of DSA members was 68, but as of 2021, it has dropped to just 33, with 73% identifying as Millennials or Gen Z.
The report also highlights that 54% of members have invested their own money into DSA initiatives or related purchases, which hints at their financial stability.
Despite its calls for equity, the DSA’s representation among Black members is strikingly low, with just 4% compared to 15% of the total U.S. population. One area where they do stand out is in gender identity—10% identify as non-binary, while an impressive 32% consider themselves LGBTQIA+.
This certainly presents a complex picture, and interestingly, DSA did not reply to requests for comments on their findings.
