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Our study uses the median as a measure of household wealth. The median is not affected by extreme values--very high or very low wealth. Mean values are much higher for all groups. The ratios of means across groups are also smaller. In 2009, the mean wealth of white households was 3.7 times that of both Hispanics and blacks. As you note, the mean gives greater weight to high wealth individuals.

Unfortunately, we do not have data on the wealth gap from the early part of the 19th century.

The main reason is a combination of the housing downturn and the recession itself. Minorities draw relatively more of their household wealth from home equity (they have relatively less of financial assets). In the period we studied, 2005 to 2009, home prices fell much more than stock prices. Also, Latinos are concentrated in areas of the country, like Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada, where the housing downturn was more severe. Finally, unemployment rose more among minorities most likely placing greater strain on their finances.

The data in question, the Survey of Income Program and Participation, is clearly very useful for looking at wealth and other economic issues through the prism of race and ethnicity. If these data are no longer available it place greater reliance on wealth data from the Survey of Consumer Finances. The SCF covers wealth more extensively but features smaller sample sizes.

Unfortunately, we don't have a large enough sample size tolook at Indians alone. We did estimate median wealth for Asians and that also fell quite a bit, about 30% after adjustments are made to the sample to remove the effects of rapid rates of immigration. The report offers more details.

Economic trends have a habit of reverting to the mean. Chances are that in the long run the wealth gaps will shrink from the current levels. How soon or how much is anyone's guess. From 2009 to 2011 we know that housing prices have stabilized (helping minorites a bit); foreclosures have continued to climb (not helping minorities); and stock prices have begun to recover (helping the wealthier households).

Wealth, certainly, is passed on from generation to generation. As you note, that can give a head start to future generations and is a key benefit of wealth accumulation (and a reason for studying wealth in addition to indicators such as income).

Our report is not able to parse out the many factors that may have contributed to the changing wealth gap.

We do not have an answer to this. A lot would seem to depend on the economic recovery.