In 2023, about 12 percent of California's population lived below the poverty line. This accounts for persons or families whose collective income in the preceding 12 months was below the national poverty level of the United States.

This table contains data on the percentage of the total population living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and the percentage of children living below 200% FPL for California, its regions, counties, cities, towns, public use microdata areas, and census tracts. Data for time periods 2011-2015 (overall poverty) and 2012-2016 (child poverty) and with race/ethnicity stratification is included in the table. The poverty rate table is part of a series of indicators in the Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity. Poverty is an important social determinant of health (see http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=39) that can impact people’s access to basic necessities (housing, food, education, jobs, and transportation), and is associated with higher incidence and prevalence of illness, and with reduced access to quality health care. More information on the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the About/Attachments section.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for California (PPAACA06000A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about child, poverty, percent, CA, and USA.

From the Public Policy Institute of California:“These interactive maps show poverty rates averaged across 2021–2023 for counties, congressional districts, state senate districts, state assembly districts, and local areas, according to the California Poverty Measure (CPM). The CPM is a joint research effort between PPIC and the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality that, unlike the official poverty measure, takes into account the cost of living and resources from social safety net programs. See Poverty in California: Technical Appendices for regional definitions and adapted methods used in the CPM as compared to pre-pandemic years.”Note from trubel&co: While PPIC averaged data for congressional districts, state senate districts, state assembly districts, and local areas, this map only shows rates at the county level.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Los Angeles County, CA (PPU18CA06037A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Los Angeles County, CA; under 18 years; Los Angeles; child; poverty; percent; CA; and USA.

The California Poverty Measure (CPM) is a joint research effort between Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) and the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality that, unlike the official poverty measure, takes into account the cost of living and resources from social safety net programs.For more on the CPM, see Bohn et al., The California Poverty Measure (PPIC, 2013). For methodological changes that affect comparability with publications prior to 2023, see Kimberlin et al., Poverty in California: Technical Appendices (PPIC, 2023). The official poverty measure is produced by the US Census Bureau.Data downloaded on 9/3/2025 from https://www.ppic.org/interactive/california-poverty-by-county-and-legislative-district/

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Kern County, CA (S1701ACS006029) from 2012 to 2023 about Kern County, CA; Bakersfield; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

In California, the poverty rate is 12.0% and the uninsured rate is 6.9%. Percent of people below the federal poverty line and the share without health insurance. Source: ACS 5-year estimates (derived).

This table contains data on the percentage of the total population living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and the percentage of children living below 200% FPL for California, its regions, counties, cities, towns, public use microdata areas, and census tracts. Data for time periods 2011-2015 (overall poverty) and 2012-2016 (child poverty) and with race/ethnicity stratification is included in the table. The poverty rate table is part of a series of indicators in the Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity. Poverty is an important social determinant of health (see http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=39) that can impact people’s access to basic necessities (housing, food, education, jobs, and transportation), and is associated with higher incidence and prevalence of illness, and with reduced access to quality health care. More information on the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the About/Attachments section.

Timeseries data from 'Poverty California' (raws_cacpov)

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Los Angeles County, CA (PPAACA06037A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Los Angeles County, CA; Los Angeles; child; poverty; percent; CA; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Orange County, CA (S1701ACS006059) from 2012 to 2023 about Orange County, CA; Los Angeles; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

This dataset includes the number of eligible individuals selected and enrolled in a subsidized Covered California qualified health plans (QHPs) by Federal Poverty Level (FPL) range by reporting period. Covered California reported data is from the California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment and Retention System (CalHEERS) and includes eligible individuals who selected and enrolled in a QHP, and paid their first premium. This dataset is part of public reporting requirements set forth by the California Welfare and Institutions Code 14102.5.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Los Angeles County, CA (S1701ACS006037) from 2012 to 2023 about Los Angeles County, CA; Los Angeles; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Napa County, CA (S1701ACS006055) from 2012 to 2023 about Napa County, CA; Napa; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in San Francisco County, CA (S1701ACS006075) from 2012 to 2023 about San Francisco County/City, CA; San Francisco; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Poverty Universe, All Ages for California (PUAACA06000A647NCEN) from 1998 to 2023 about poverty, CA, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lake County, CA (S1701ACS006033) from 2012 to 2023 about Lake County, CA; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Del Norte County, CA (S1701ACS006015) from 2012 to 2023 about Del Norte County, CA; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Siskiyou County, CA (S1701ACS006093) from 2012 to 2023 about Siskiyou County, CA; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.