US Poverty Rate: 1 in 6

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From the AP:

About 46.2 million people, or nearly 1 in 6, were in poverty. That’s up from 43.6 million, or 14.3 percent, in 2009. It was the highest level since 1983.

The number of people lacking health insurance increased to 49.9 million, a new high after revisions were made to 2009 figures. Losses were due mostly to working-age Americans who lost employer-provided insurance in the weak economy. Main provisions of the health overhaul don’t take effect until 2014.

See also: Poverty threshold table [pdf]

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  • Anonymous

    Of course, the poverty rate is based on some ridiculously low figure that doesn’t truly account for reality. I wonder if the true numbers were widely available if it would make a difference on how poverty is viewed?

    • Anonymous

      Yes! Good morning princss! the US Census Bureau uses the poverty threshold numbers, which can be found here: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/threshld/index.html

      They are available in excel format.

      But basically, for people under 65 without children, the poverty threshold is about 11K. Over 65: about 10K

      Under 65 with three kids: 17K

      These numbers are how the US government defines “poverty,” which discounts reality as you rightfully say, princss.

      I will try to get the table up later.