This map represents the percentage of people who were below the federal poverty level during the past 12 months, from 1999 to 2008. Poverty estimates compare family income to a set of thresholds that vary by family size and composition and age of householder. If a family’s total pretax cash income is less than the dollar value of the appropriate threshold, then that family and every individual in it are considered to be in poverty. Poverty status is determined for all people except unrelated children under 15 and individuals living in institutions, military group quarters, and college dormitories. For example, in calendar year 2008, a single individual under 65 years of age would fall in the category of “poverty” if their income fell below $ 11,201.
Please note: These figures are slightly different than those used in the hard copy version of the Hunger Report because those figures were obtained from the Census Bureau’s 2008 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.
Source: Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplements
This graph tracks the trends in poverty, extreme poverty, and low income poverty, in the United States over the last ten years.
100% Poverty
The overall percentage of people in the United States who were below the federal poverty level during the past 12 months. Poverty estimates compare family income to a set of thresholds that vary by family size and composition and age of householder. If a family’s total pretax cash income is less than the dollar value of the appropriate threshold, then that family and every individual in it are considered to be in poverty. Poverty status is determined for all people except unrelated children under 15 and individuals living in institutions, military group quarters, and college dormitories. For example, in calendar year 2008, a single individual under 65 years of age would fall in the category of “poverty” if their income fell below $ 11,201.
Extreme Income Poverty – 50% of Poverty
The overall percentage of people in the United States whose incomes were less than 50% of the federal poverty level. For example, in calendar year 2008, a single individual under 65 years of age would fall in the category of “extreme income poverty” if their income fell below $5600.50.
Low Income Poverty – 200% of Poverty
The overall percentage of people in the United States whose incomes were less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, in calendar year 2008, a single individual under 65 years of age would fall in the category of “low-income poverty” if their annual income fell below $22,402.
Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year Estimates
