In 2023, the around 11.1 percent of the population was living below the national poverty line in the United States. Poverty in the United StatesAs shown in the statistic above, the poverty rate among all people living in the United States has shifted within the last 15 years. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines poverty as follows: “Absolute poverty measures poverty in relation to the amount of money necessary to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The concept of absolute poverty is not concerned with broader quality of life issues or with the overall level of inequality in society.” The poverty rate in the United States varies widely across different ethnic groups. American Indians and Alaska Natives are the ethnic group with the most people living in poverty in 2022, with about 25 percent of the population earning an income below the poverty line. In comparison to that, only 8.6 percent of the White (non-Hispanic) population and the Asian population were living below the poverty line in 2022. Children are one of the most poverty endangered population groups in the U.S. between 1990 and 2022. Child poverty peaked in 1993 with 22.7 percent of children living in poverty in that year in the United States. Between 2000 and 2010, the child poverty rate in the United States was increasing every year; however,this rate was down to 15 percent in 2022. The number of people living in poverty in the U.S. varies from state to state. Compared to California, where about 4.44 million people were living in poverty in 2022, the state of Minnesota had about 429,000 people living in poverty.

In the U.S., the share of the population living in poverty fluctuated significantly throughout the six decades between 1987 and 2023. In 2023, the poverty level across all races and ethnicities was 11.1 percent. Black Americans have been the ethnic group with the highest share of their population living in poverty almost every year since 1974. In 1979 alone, Black poverty was well over double the national average, and over four times the poverty rate in white communities; in 1982, almost 48 percent of the Black population lived in poverty. Although poverty rates have been trending downward across all ethnic groups, 17.8 percent of Black Americans and 18.9 percent of American Indian and Alaskan Natives still lived below the poverty line in 2022.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for United States (PPAAUS00000A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about percent, child, poverty, and USA.

VITAL SIGNS INDICATOR
Poverty (EQ5)

FULL MEASURE NAME
The share of the population living in households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit

LAST UPDATED
January 2023

DESCRIPTION
Poverty refers to the share of the population living in households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit, which varies based on the number of individuals in a given household. It reflects the number of individuals who are economically struggling due to low household income levels.

DATA SOURCE
U.S Census Bureau: Decennial Census - http://www.nhgis.org
1980-2000

U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey - https://data.census.gov/
2007-2021
Form C17002

CONTACT INFORMATION
vitalsigns.info@mtc.ca.gov

METHODOLOGY NOTES (across all datasets for this indicator)
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a national poverty level (or household income) that varies by household size, number of children in a household, and age of householder. The national poverty level does not vary geographically even though cost of living is different across the United States. For the Bay Area, where cost of living is high and incomes are correspondingly high, an appropriate poverty level is 200% of poverty or twice the national poverty level, consistent with what was used for past equity work at MTC and ABAG. For comparison, however, both the national and 200% poverty levels are presented.

For Vital Signs, the poverty rate is defined as the number of people (including children) living below twice the poverty level divided by the number of people for whom poverty status is determined. The household income definitions for poverty change each year to reflect inflation. The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or non-cash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid and food stamps).

For the national poverty level definitions by year, see: US Census Bureau Poverty Thresholds - https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html.

For an explanation on how the Census Bureau measures poverty, see: How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty - https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/poverty/guidance/poverty-measures.html.

American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year data is used for larger geographies – Bay counties and most metropolitan area counties – while smaller geographies rely upon 5-year rolling average data due to their smaller sample sizes. Note that 2020 data uses the 5-year estimates because the ACS did not collect 1-year data for 2020.

To be consistent across metropolitan areas, the poverty definition for non-Bay Area metros is twice the national poverty level. Data were not adjusted for varying income and cost of living levels across the metropolitan areas.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Poverty Thresholds for 2024 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html. (Retrieved 2 April 2025).

VITAL SIGNS INDICATOR
Poverty (EQ5)

FULL MEASURE NAME
The share of the population living in households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit

LAST UPDATED
January 2023

DESCRIPTION
Poverty refers to the share of the population living in households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit, which varies based on the number of individuals in a given household. It reflects the number of individuals who are economically struggling due to low household income levels.

DATA SOURCE
U.S Census Bureau: Decennial Census - http://www.nhgis.org
1980-2000

U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey - https://data.census.gov/
2007-2021
Form C17002

CONTACT INFORMATION
vitalsigns.info@mtc.ca.gov

METHODOLOGY NOTES (across all datasets for this indicator)
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a national poverty level (or household income) that varies by household size, number of children in a household, and age of householder. The national poverty level does not vary geographically even though cost of living is different across the United States. For the Bay Area, where cost of living is high and incomes are correspondingly high, an appropriate poverty level is 200% of poverty or twice the national poverty level, consistent with what was used for past equity work at MTC and ABAG. For comparison, however, both the national and 200% poverty levels are presented.

For Vital Signs, the poverty rate is defined as the number of people (including children) living below twice the poverty level divided by the number of people for whom poverty status is determined. The household income definitions for poverty change each year to reflect inflation. The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or non-cash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid and food stamps).

For the national poverty level definitions by year, see: US Census Bureau Poverty Thresholds - https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html.

For an explanation on how the Census Bureau measures poverty, see: How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty - https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/poverty/guidance/poverty-measures.html.

American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year data is used for larger geographies – Bay counties and most metropolitan area counties – while smaller geographies rely upon 5-year rolling average data due to their smaller sample sizes. Note that 2020 data uses the 5-year estimates because the ACS did not collect 1-year data for 2020.

To be consistent across metropolitan areas, the poverty definition for non-Bay Area metros is twice the national poverty level. Data were not adjusted for varying income and cost of living levels across the metropolitan areas.

Historical chart and dataset showing Brazil poverty rate by year from 1981 to 2023.

World poverty rate for 2023 was 47.00%, a 1% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>World poverty rate for 2022 was <strong>48.00%</strong>, a <strong>0.6% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>World poverty rate for 2021 was <strong>48.60%</strong>, a <strong>1.8% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>World poverty rate for 2020 was <strong>50.40%</strong>, a <strong>4.1% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Poverty Thresholds for 2020 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html. (Retrieved 5 February 2021).

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) in Argentina was reported at 41.7 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Argentina - Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) in Nigeria was reported at 40.1 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

VITAL SIGNS INDICATOR
Poverty (EQ5)

FULL MEASURE NAME
The share of the population living in households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit

LAST UPDATED
January 2023

DESCRIPTION
Poverty refers to the share of the population living in households that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty limit, which varies based on the number of individuals in a given household. It reflects the number of individuals who are economically struggling due to low household income levels.

DATA SOURCE
U.S Census Bureau: Decennial Census - http://www.nhgis.org
1980-2000

U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey - https://data.census.gov/
2007-2021
Form C17002

CONTACT INFORMATION
vitalsigns.info@mtc.ca.gov

METHODOLOGY NOTES (across all datasets for this indicator)
The U.S. Census Bureau defines a national poverty level (or household income) that varies by household size, number of children in a household, and age of householder. The national poverty level does not vary geographically even though cost of living is different across the United States. For the Bay Area, where cost of living is high and incomes are correspondingly high, an appropriate poverty level is 200% of poverty or twice the national poverty level, consistent with what was used for past equity work at MTC and ABAG. For comparison, however, both the national and 200% poverty levels are presented.

For Vital Signs, the poverty rate is defined as the number of people (including children) living below twice the poverty level divided by the number of people for whom poverty status is determined. The household income definitions for poverty change each year to reflect inflation. The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or non-cash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid and food stamps).

For the national poverty level definitions by year, see: US Census Bureau Poverty Thresholds - https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html.

For an explanation on how the Census Bureau measures poverty, see: How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty - https://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/poverty/guidance/poverty-measures.html.

American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year data is used for larger geographies – Bay counties and most metropolitan area counties – while smaller geographies rely upon 5-year rolling average data due to their smaller sample sizes. Note that 2020 data uses the 5-year estimates because the ACS did not collect 1-year data for 2020.

To be consistent across metropolitan areas, the poverty definition for non-Bay Area metros is twice the national poverty level. Data were not adjusted for varying income and cost of living levels across the metropolitan areas.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Washington was 7678884.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Washington reached a record high of 7678884.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 5727098.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Washington - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Wyoming was 571034.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Wyoming reached a record high of 572327.00000 in January of 2015 and a record low of 477428.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Wyoming - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Madison County, IN was 126594.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Madison County, IN reached a record high of 129223.00000 in January of 1999 and a record low of 122792.00000 in January of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Madison County, IN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for North Carolina was 10549803.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for North Carolina reached a record high of 10549803.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 7552005.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for North Carolina - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Manassas City, VA was 42437.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Manassas City, VA reached a record high of 42476.00000 in January of 2021 and a record low of 33216.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Manassas City, VA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Wayne County, NC was 115031.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Wayne County, NC reached a record high of 121505.00000 in January of 2014 and a record low of 105413.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Wayne County, NC - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Salt Lake County, UT was 1169794.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Salt Lake County, UT reached a record high of 1172028.00000 in January of 2022 and a record low of 857518.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Salt Lake County, UT - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Poverty Universe, All Ages for Roane County, TN was 55624.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Poverty Universe, All Ages for Roane County, TN reached a record high of 55624.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 50544.00000 in January of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Poverty Universe, All Ages for Roane County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.