Poverty Level Poverty statistics are based on definitions originally developed by the Social Security Administration. These include a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition. Families or individuals with income below their appropriate thresholds are classified as below the poverty level. These thresholds are updated annually by the U.S. Bureau of the Census to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U). For example, the average poverty threshold for a family of four was $17,603 in 2000 and $13,359 in 1990. National Health Interview Survey--Poverty level, for years prior to 1997, was based on family income and family size using Bureau of the Census poverty thresholds. Beginning in 1997 poverty status is based on family income, family size, number of children in the family, and for families with two or fewer adults, the age of the adults in the family. SOURCE: Health, United States Related Links
This page last reviewed
January 11, 2007
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