Census Bureau Poverty Figures Increase

U.S. Census Bureau releases Income,

Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage figures for 2010 

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that in 2010, median household income declined, the poverty rate increased and the percentage without health insurance coverage was not statistically different from the previous year. This information covers the first full calendar year after the December 2007-June 2009 recession. These findings are contained in the report Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010.  (The full report can be found: http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/p60-239.pdf)
According to the report, the poverty rate in the US stands at 15.1 percent in 2010, up from 14.3 in 2009.
Key Highlights:
• Real median household income in the United States in 2010 was $49,445, a 2.3 percent decline from the 2009 median.
• The nation’s official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent, up from 14.3 percent in 2009 - the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate.
• There were 46.2 million people in poverty in 2010, up from 43.6 million in 2009 - the fourth consecutive annual increase and the largest number in the 52 years for which poverty estimates have been published.
• According to the Census Bureau, 3.9 million people – 1.7 million children – were lifted above the poverty line in 2010 because of SNAP benefits. In 2009, SNAP lifted 3.6 million people out of poverty.
Additional Data:
• The poverty rate for non-Hispanic whites was lower in 2010 than it was for other racial groups; at 27.4% and 26.6% respectively, poverty rates for blacks and Hispanics were nearly triple that of non-Hispanic whites (9.9%).
• As defined by the Office of Management and Budget and updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, the weighted average poverty threshold for a family of four in 2010 was $22,314.
• The child (younger than 18) poverty rate increased from 20.7 percent in 2009 to 22.0 percent in 2010.
• The number of people 18 to 64  in poverty increased from 24.7 million in 2009 to 26.3 million in 2010.
• Largest number of people in poverty in the 52 years for which poverty estimates have been published.
• Poverty rates differ by region: Northeast (13%), Midwest (14%), South (17%), West (15%)
Ways you can share this information:
• Post on your Facebook page about the report and the importance of food assistance programs
• Tweet: The US poverty level is at 15.1% - highest since 1993. This is an increase of 2.6MM people http://t.co/NEYzoNh

Governor Helps Foodbank Dedicate New Reynolds Distribution Center

Gov. Mike Beebe speaking at the dedication of the Arkansas Foodbank's new $8 million warehouse. Read more . . .

Browse the links in the column on the left to find our blog,  press releases, videos and more.