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Poverty
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How poverty measurement methods affect interpretation of the data
(for more technical explanations see the Census Bureau's Poverty Measurement site)
Not everybody stays in poverty for the same amount of time. If you look at who is in poverty in a given year, you get a different picture than if you look at those temporarily in poverty or the long-term poverty population.
- See these groups compared in the latest report on Dynamics of Economic Well-Being:Poverty
- highlights of the report
The report above used data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)—unlike the official poverty data, SIPP data can show for how long, on average, individuals remain in poverty.
How you define income matters.
- Not counting government cash assistance as income raises the poverty rate.
- Counting noncash benefits (such as Medicaid, Medicare, and subsidized school lunches) as income lowers the poverty rate.
- See the effects of noncash benefits and taxes on income and poverty
Table showing U.S. poverty rate under alternative income definitions.
Detailed Reports about alternative income definitions.
- Not counting certain types of expenses as income changes who is considered to be in poverty.
- Not counting work-related expenses raises poverty rates for married-couple families.
- Not counting out-of-pocket medical expenses as income raises the poverty rate for older Americans.
- For further details, see the research conducted by the Census Bureau based on National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) recommendations.
Tables about NAS-based alternative poverty measures
Report [PDF]
How you define need (in the thresholds) changes who is considered to be in poverty.
- For further details, see the research conducted by the Census Bureau based on National Academy of Sciences’ recommendations.
Tables about NAS-based alternative poverty measures
Report [PDF]
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Contact the Demographic Call Center Staff at 301-763-2422 or 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit
ask.census.gov for further information on Poverty Statistics.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division
Last Revised: August 11, 2008
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