1 In 6 Americans Now Live In Poverty

According to the latest Census figures, the population of the United States is a tad over 307 million persons. Of these, 47.8 million, or approximately 1 in 6 Americans, live in poverty. From UPI yesterday:

Using an expanded definition of poverty, the U.S. Census Bureau said it determined that 15.7 percent of Americans — 47.8 million — live in poverty.

Census researchers said data released Wednesday are part of an evolving method of determining how poverty is evaluated by population researchers, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Included in the new calculation are factors such as family and medical expenses, as well as government subsidies, researchers said. The definition of poverty for families generally ranges from $21,000 to $25,000 annually…

People older than 65 and younger than 15 accounted for the rate of poverty being higher, researchers said. Wednesday’s report said 18 percent of children and 16.1 percent of the elderly live in poverty.

Source:

“Census Bureau says 15.7 percent in poverty.” UPI. 6 Jan. 2011. (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/01/06/Census-Bureau-says-157-percent-in-poverty/UPI-69001294319947/). 7 Jan. 2011.

Tags: Census Bureau, children, seniors

Friday, January 7th, 2011 Population, Poverty

1 Comment to 1 In 6 Americans Now Live In Poverty

[...] I love Robin Hood. Who, except the greedy and powerful, could hate a hero who steals from the rich and gives to the poor? I couldn’t help thinking that we need a Robin Hood now. He could start with the billionaire Koch Brothers, just because they’ve been flexing political muscle lately, then begin on the rest on the Forbes list, until he hit all 400. All together, they have 1.37 trillion dollars. That money could make a difference in the lives of many of the almost fifty million Americans living in poverty. [...]