Income limits used to determine the income eligibility of applicants for assistance under three programs authorized by the National Housing Act. These programs are the Section 221(d)(3) Below Market Interest Rate (BMIR) rental program, the Section 235 program, and the Section 236 program. These income limits are listed by dollar amount and family size, and they are effective on the date issued. Due to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-289), Income Limits used to determine qualification levels as well as set maximum rental rates for projects funded with tax credits authorized under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and projects financed with tax exempt housing bonds issued to provide qualified residential rental development under section 142 of the Code (hereafter referred to as Multifamily Tax Subsidy Projects (MTSPs)) are now calculated and presented separately from the Section 8 income limits.

California State Income Limits reflect updated median income and household income levels for acutely low-, extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households for California’s 58 counties (required by Health and Safety Code Section 50093). These income limits apply to State and local affordable housing programs statutorily linked to HUD income limits and differ from income limits applicable to other specific federal, State, or local programs.

Text source: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/HOME-Income-limits.htmlLanding page description:HOME Income Limits data are available from FY 1998 to the present. The HOME Income Limits are calculated using the same methodology that HUD uses for calculating the income limits for the Section 8 program, in accordance with Section 3(b)(2) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended. These limits are based on HUD estimates of median family income, with adjustments based on family size. Please note that the 30 percent income limits for the HOME program have been calculated based on the definition of Extremely Low–Income Family (ELI) as described in Consolidated Submission for CPD Programs section of 24 CFR part 91.5. Therefore, the ELI Limit is calculated as 30 percent of median family income for the area and may not be the same as the Section 8 ELI Limit for your jurisdiction. The Section 8 Limit is calculated based on the definition of ELI as described in The 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, (Section 238 on page 128 Stat 635) which defines ELI as very low–income families whose incomes do not exceed the higher of the Federal poverty level or 30% of area median income. Family sizes in excess of 8 persons are calculated by adding 8% of the four-person income limit for each additional family member. That is, a 9-person limit should be 140% of the 4-person limit, the 10-person limit should be 148%.The HOME income limit values for large households (9-12 persons) must be rounded to the nearest $50. Therefore, all values from 1 to 24 are rounded down to 0, and all values from 25 to 49 are rounded up to 50.Note: The FY 2024 HOME Income Limits effective date is June 01, 2024.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is the most important resource for creating affordable housing in the United States today. The LIHTC database, created by HUD and available to the public since 1997, contains information on 48,672 projects and 3.23 million housing units placed in service since 1987. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Census Tracts must have 50 percent of households with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25 percent or more. Difficult Development Areas (DDA) are areas with high land, construction and utility costs relative to the area median income and are based on Fair Market Rents, income limits, the 2010 census counts, and 5-year American Community Survey (ACS) data.

This dataset and map service provides information on the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) low to moderate income areas. The term Low to Moderate Income, often referred to as low-mod, has a specific programmatic context within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Over a 1, 2, or 3-year period, as selected by the grantee, not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. HUD uses special tabulations of Census data to determine areas where at least 51% of households have incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). This dataset and map service contains the following layer.

This layer shows census tracts that meet the following definitions: Census tracts with median household incomes at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income or with median household incomes at or below the threshold designated as low income by the Department of Housing and Community Development’s list of state income limits adopted under Healthy and Safety Code section 50093 and/or Census tracts receiving the highest 25 percent of overall scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 or Census tracts lacking overall scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 due to data gaps, but receiving the highest 5 percent of CalEnviroScreen 4.0 cumulative population burden scores or Census tracts identified in the 2017 DAC designation as disadvantaged, regardless of their scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 or Lands under the control of federally recognized Tribes.

Thumbnail image by Tony Moody.This dataset includes all housing developments approved by the City of Boise’s (“city”) Planning Division since 2020 that are known by the city to have received or are expected to receive support or incentives from a government entity. Each row represents one development. Data may be unavailable for some projects and details are subject to change until construction is complete. Addresses are excluded for projects with fewer than five homes for privacy reasons.

The dataset includes details on the number of “homes” in a development. We use the word "home" to refer to any single unit of housing regardless of size, type, or whether it is rented or owned. For example, a building with 40 apartments counts as 40 homes, and a single detached house counts as one home.

The dataset includes details about the phase of each project. The process for build a new development is as follows: First, one must receive approval from the city’s Planning Division, which is also known as being “entitled.” Next, one must apply for and receive a permit from the city’s Building Division before beginning construction. Finally, once construction is complete and all city inspections have been passed, the building can be occupied.

The dataset also includes data on the affordability level of each development. To receive a government incentive, a developer is typically required to rent or sell a specified number of homes to households that have an income below limits set by the government and their housing cost must not exceed 30% of their income. The federal government determines income limits based on a standard called “area median income.” The city considers housing affordable if is targeted to households earning at or below 80% of the area median income. For a three-person household in Boise, that equates to an annual income of $60,650 and monthly rent or mortgage of $1,516. See Boise Income Guidelines for more details.Project Address(es) – Includes all addresses that are included as part of the development project.Address – The primary address for the development.Parcel Number(s) – The identification code for all parcels of land included in the development.Acreage – The number of acres for the parcel(s) included in the project.Planning Permit Number – The identification code for all permits the development has received from the Planning Division for the City of Boise. The number and types of permits required vary based on the location and type of development.Date Entitled – The date a development was approved by the City’s Planning Division.Building Permit Number – The identification code for all permits the development has received from the city’s Building Division.Date Building Permit Issued – Building permits are required to begin construction on a development.Date Final Certificate of Occupancy Issued – A certificate of occupancy is the final approval by the city for a development, once construction is complete. Not all developments require a certificate of occupancy.Studio – The number of homes in the development that are classified as a studio. A studio is typically defined as a home in which there is no separate bedroom. A single room serves as both a bedroom and a living room.1-Bedroom – The number of homes in a development that have exactly one bedroom.2-Bedroom – The number of homes in a development that have exactly two bedrooms.3-Bedroom – The number of homes in a development that have exactly three bedrooms.4+ Bedroom – The number of homes in a development that have four or more bedrooms.# of Total Project Units – The total number of homes in the development.# of units toward goals – The number of homes in a development that contribute to either the city’s goal to produce housing affordable at or under 60% of area median income, or the city’s goal to create permanent supportive housing for households experiencing homelessness.Rent at or under 60% AMI - The number of homes in a development that are required to be rented at or below 60% of area median income. See the description of the dataset above for an explanation of area median income or see Boise Income Guidelines for more details. Boise defines a home as “affordable” if it is rented or sold at or below 80% of area median income.Rent 61-80% AMI – The number of homes in a development that are required to be rented at between 61% and 80% of area median income. See the description of the dataset above for an explanation of area median income or see Boise Income Guidelines for more details. Boise defines a home as “affordable” if it is rented or sold at or below 80% of area median income.Rent 81-120% AMI - The number of homes in a development that are required to be rented at between 81% and 120% of area median income. See the description of the dataset above for an explanation of area median income or see Boise Income Guidelines for more details.Own at or under 60% AMI - The number of homes in a development that are required to be sold at or below 60% of area median income. See the description of the dataset above for an explanation of area median income or see Boise Income Guidelines for more details. Boise defines a home as “affordable” if it is rented or sold at or below 80% of area median income.Own 61-80% AMI – The number of homes in a development that are required to be sold at between 61% and 80% of area median income. See the description of the dataset above for an explanation of area median income or see Boise Income Guidelines for more details. Boise defines a home as “affordable” if it is rented or sold at or below 80% of area median income.Own 81-120% AMI - The number of homes in a development that are required to be sold at between 81% and 120% of area median income. See the description of the dataset above for an explanation of area median income or see Boise Income Guidelines for more details.Housing Land Trust – “Yes” if a development receives or is expected to receive this incentive. The Housing Land Trust is a model in which the city owns land that it leases to a developer to build affordable housing.City Investment – “Yes” if the city invests funding or contributes land to an affordable development.Zoning Incentive - The city's zoning code provides incentives for developers to create affordable housing. Incentives may include the ability to build an extra floor or be subject to reduced parking requirements. “Yes” if a development receives or is expected to receive one of these incentives.Project Management - The city provides a developer and their design team a single point of contact who works across city departments to simplify the permitting process, and assists the applicants in understanding the city’s requirements to avoid possible delays. “Yes” if a development receives or is expected to receive this incentive.Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) - A federal tax credit available to some new affordable housing developments. The Idaho Housing and Finance Association is a quasi-governmental agency that administers these federal tax credits. “Yes” if a development receives or is expected to receive this incentive.CCDC Investment - The Capital City Development Corp (CCDC) is a public agency that financially supports some affordable housing development in Urban Renewal Districts. “Yes” if a development receives or is expected to receive this incentive. If “Yes” the field identifies the Urban Renewal District associated with the development.City Goal – The city has set goals to produce housing affordable to households at or below 60% of area median income, and to create permanent supportive housing for households experiencing homelessness. This field identifies whether a development contributes to one of those goals.Project Phase - The process for build a new development is as follows: First, one must receive approval from the city’s Planning Division, which is also known as being “entitled.” Next, one must apply for and receive a permit from the city’s Building Division before beginning construction. Finally, once construction is complete and all city inspections have been passed, the building can be occupied.

The affordable rental housing developments listed below are supported by the City of Chicago to maintain affordability standards. For information on rents, income requirements and availability, contact each property directly. For information on other affordable rental properties in Chicago and Illinois, call (877) 428-8844, or visit www.ILHousingSearch.org.

California State Income Limits reflect updated median income and household income levels for acutely low-, extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households for California’s 58 counties (required by Health and Safety Code Section 50093). These income limits apply to State and local affordable housing programs statutorily linked to HUD income limits and differ from income limits applicable to other specific federal, State, or local programs.

This table contains outcomes for low-income households and households with incomes around the social minimum broken down by various characteristics such as: — composition of the household — age of the main cost winner — main source of income within a household — living situation — region up to the level of municipality. As of the RIO 2010, the results are based on integral observation. The previously published results of the RIO (2005-2009 for method change) are based on a sample of around 2 million households.In order to allow for comparison between 2010 and 2009 sample samples were also published for 2009 following method change on the basis of integral observation, which included both sample-based and integral observation results for the year 2009 (breaking year).

For the classification by income level, the low-income limit and the social/policy minimum are used as income limits.The classification by social minimum applies six limits. For these breakdowns, the number of households and the number of individuals are published, both absolute and in percentage of the target population.The table also provides data on the number of households and individuals who had to reach an income below the income limit used for a long period of time (4 years and longer). Due to the transition to integral observation, full and 2010 are not fully available for a long period (4 years and longer).

The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty. Data available from 2005 to 2014 Status of the figures: The figures for the years 2005 to 2014 are final.

Changes as of 15 March 2018: None, this table has been discontinued. When are new figures coming? No longer applicable. — composition of the household — age of the main cost winner

— main source of income within a household — living situation — region up to the level of municipality. As of the RIO 2010, the results are based on integral observation. The previously published results of the RIO (2005-2009 for method change) are based on a sample of around 2 million households. In order to allow for comparison between 2010 and 2009 sample samples were also published for 2009 following method change on the basis of integral observation, which included both sample-based and integral observation results for the year 2009 (breaking year). For the classification by income level, the low-income limit and the social/policy minimum are used as income limits. The classification by social minimum applies six limits. For these breakdowns, the number of households and the number of individuals are published, both absolute and in percentage of the target population. The table also provides data on the number of households and individuals who had to reach an income below the income limit used for a long period of time (4 years and longer). Due to the transition to integral observation, full and 2010 are not fully available for a long period (4 years and longer). The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty. Data available from 2005 to 2014

Status of the figures: The figures for the years 2005 to 2014 are final.

Changes as of 15 March 2018: None, this table has been discontinued.

When are new figures coming?

No longer applicable. This table contains outcomes for low-income households and households with incomes around the social minimum broken down by various characteristics such as: — composition of the household — age of the main cost winner — main source of income within a household

— living situation — region up to the level of municipality. As of the RIO 2010, the results are based on integral observation. The previously published results of the RIO (2005-2009 for method change) are based on a sample of around 2 million households. In order to allow for comparison between 2010 and 2009 sample samples were also published for 2009 following method change on the basis of integral observation, which included both sample-based and integral observation results for the year 2009 (breaking year). For the classification by income level, the low-income limit and the social/policy minimum are used as income limits. The classification by social minimum applies six limits. For these breakdowns, the number of households and the number of individuals are published, both absolute and in percentage of the target population. The table also provides data on the number of households and individuals who had to reach an income below the income limit used for a long period of time (4 years and longer). Due to the transition to integral observation, full and 2010 are not fully available for a long period (4 years and longer).

The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty.

Data available from 2005 to 2014

Status of the figures:

The figures for the years 2005 to 2014 are final.

Changes as of 15 March 2018:

None, this table has been discontinued.

When are new figures coming?

No longer applicable.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each CDBG funded activity must either principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet a community development need having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to meet that need. With respect to activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, at least 51 percent of the activity's beneficiaries must be low and moderate income. For CDBG, a person is considered to be of low income only if he or she is a member of a household whose income would qualify as "very low income" under the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments program. Generally, these Section 8 limits are based on 50% of area median. Similarly, CDBG moderate income relies on Section 8 "lower income" limits, which are generally tied to 80% of area median. These data are from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey (ACS). To learn more about the Low to Moderate Income Populations visit: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/acs-low-mod-summary-data/, for questions about the spatial attribution of this dataset, please reach out to us at GISHelpdesk@hud.gov. Data Dictionary: DD_Low to Moderate Income Populations by Block GroupDate of Coverage: ACS 2020-2016

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each CDBG funded activity must either principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight or meet a community development need having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to meet that need. With respect to activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, at least 51 percent of the activity's beneficiaries must be low and moderate income. For CDBG, a person is considered to be of low income only if he or she is a member of a household whose income would qualify as "very low income" under the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments program. Generally, these Section 8 limits are based on 50% of area median. Similarly, CDBG moderate income relies on Section 8 "lower income" limits, which are generally tied to 80% of area median. These data are from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey (ACS).To learn more about the Low to Moderate Income Populations visit: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/acs-low-mod-summary-data/ Data Dictionary: DD_Low to Moderate Income Populations by Block Group Date of Coverage: ACS 2016-2020 Data Updated: Every Five Years

This table contains results for households with a relatively low income. The results are broken down into household characteristics such as gender and age of the main breadwinner, and the household composition and main source of income of the household. Two income limits are used for the classification by level of income: the low-income limit and the policy minimum. For these classifications, the number of households is published, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the total population. The table also contains data on the number of households that had to survive on an income below the used income threshold for a long period of time (4 years and more). The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty. The data relate to all private households with income as at 1 January of the year under review. Student households and households that only had an income for part of the year were not taken into account. Data available from: 2011. Status of the figures: The figures for the years 2011 - 2020 are final. The figures for 2021 are provisional. Changes as of March 10, 2023: For the periods 2011 to 2013, the figures for Duration of income position: 4 years or longer have been supplemented. Changes as of December 2, 2022: Update with final figures for 2020 and provisional figures for 2021. When will new figures be released? The new figures will be available in December 2023.

A Qualified Census Tract (QCT) is any census tract (or equivalent geographic area defined by the Census Bureau) in which at least 50% of households have an income less than 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). HUD has defined 60% of AMGI as 120% of HUD's Very Low Income Limits (VLILs), which are based on 50% of area median family income, adjusted for high cost and low income areas.

This table contains results for people in households with a relatively low income. The results are broken down into personal characteristics such as gender, age and migration background. Two income limits are used for the classification by level of income: the low-income limit and the policy minimum. For these classifications, the number of persons is published, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the total population. The table also contains data on the number of people in households that had to survive on an income below the used income threshold for a long period of time (4 years and longer). The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty. The data refer to all persons in private households with an income as at 1 January of the year under review. Student households and households that only had an income for part of the year were not taken into account. Data available from: 2011. Status of the figures: The figures for the years 2011 - 2020 are final. The figures for 2021 are provisional. Changes as of March 10, 2023: For the periods 2011 to 2013, the figures for Duration of income position: 4 years or longer have been supplemented. Changes as of December 2, 2022: Update with final figures for 2020 and provisional figures for 2021. When will new figures be released? The new figures will be available in December 2023.

description: It allows to generate tables for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Qualified Census Tracts (QCT) and for Difficult Development Areas (DDA). LIHTC Qualified Census Tracts must have 50 percent of households with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25 percent or more. DDA are designated by HUD and are based on Fair Market Rents, income limits, and the 2000 Census counts.; abstract: It allows to generate tables for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Qualified Census Tracts (QCT) and for Difficult Development Areas (DDA). LIHTC Qualified Census Tracts must have 50 percent of households with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25 percent or more. DDA are designated by HUD and are based on Fair Market Rents, income limits, and the 2000 Census counts.

Since passage of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, the federal government has provided housing assistance to low-income renters. Most of these housing subsidies were provided under programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or predecessor agencies. All programs covered in this report provide subsidies that reduce rents for low-income tenants who meet program eligibility requirements. Generally, households pay rent equal to 30 percent of their incomes, after deductions, while the federal government pays the remainder of rent or rental costs. To qualify for a subsidy, an applicant’s income must initially fall below a certain income limit. These income limits are HUD-determined, location specific, and vary by household size. Applicants for housing assistance are usually placed on a waiting list until a subsidized unit becomes available.Assistance provided under HUD programs falls into three categories: public housing, tenant-based, and privately owned, project-based.In public housing, local housing agencies receive allocations of HUD funding to build, operate or make improvements to housing. The housing is owned by the local agencies. Public housing is a form of project-based subsidy because households may receive assistance only if they agree to live at a particular public housing project.Currently, tenant based assistance is the most prevalent form of housing assistance provided. Historically, tenant based assistance began with the Section 8 certificate and voucher programs, which were created in 1974 and 1983, respectively. These programs were replaced by the Housing Choice Voucher program, under legislation enacted in 1998. Tenant based programs allow participants to find and lease housing in the private market. Local public housing agencies (PHAs) and some state agencies serving as PHAs enter into contracts with HUD to administer the programs. The PHAs then enter into contracts with private landlords. The housing must meet housing quality standards and other program requirements. The subsidies are used to supplement the rent paid by low-income households. Under tenant-based programs, assisted households may move and take their subsidy with them. The primary difference between certificates and vouchers is that under certificates, there was a maximum rent which the unit may not exceed. By contrast, vouchers have no specific maximum rent; the low-income household must pay any excess over the payment standard, an amount that is determined locally and that is based on the Fair Market Rent. HUD calculates the Fair Market Rent based on the 40th percentile of the gross rents paid by recent movers for non-luxury units meeting certain quality standards.The third major type of HUD rental assistance is a collection of programs generally referred to as multifamily assisted, or, privately-owned, project-based housing. These types of housing assistance fall under a collection of programs created during the last four decades. What these programs have in common is that they provide rental housing that is owned by private landlords who enter into contracts with HUD in order to receive housing subsidies. The subsidies pay the difference between tenant rent and total rental costs. The subsidy arrangement is termed project-based because the assisted household may not take the subsidy and move to another location. The single largest project-based program was the Section 8 program, which was created in 1974. This program allowed for new construction and substantial rehabilitation that was delivered through a wide variety of financing mechanisms. An important variant of project-based Section 8 was the Loan Management Set Aside (LMSA) program, which was provided in projects financed under Federal Housing Administration (FHA) programs that were not originally intended to provide deep subsidy rental assistance. Projects receiving these LMSA “piggyback” subsidies were developed under the Section 236 program, the Section 221(d)(3) Below Market Interest Rate (BMIR) program, and others that were unassisted when originally developed.Picture of Subsidized Households does not cover other housing subsidy programs, such as those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service, unless they also receive subsidies referenced above. Other programs such as Indian Housing, HOME and Community Develo

This table contains regional statistics on relatively low income households. The data shall be broken down by household characteristics such as sex and age of the main cost winner, and household composition and main household income source. There are two income limits for the breakdown by level of income: the low-income threshold and the policy minimum. For these classifications, the number of households is published, both absolute and as a percentage of the total population per region. The table also contains data on the number of households who had to live long-term (4 years and longer) of income below the income limit used. The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty.

The data refer to all private households with income as of 1 January of the year under review. Student households and households with only part of the year’s income have not been taken into account. Reference date for the municipal division is 1 January 2021.

Data available from: 2011.

Status of the figures:

The figures in this table for 2011 to 2021 are final. The figures for 2022 are provisional.

Amendments as of 8 November 2023:

None, this is a new table.

When will there be new figures:

New figures are expected in December 2024, and will appear in a new table.

This table contains regional statistics on relatively low-income households. The data are broken down by household characteristics such as gender and age of the main breadwinner, and the household composition and main source of income of the household. Two income limits are used for the classification by level of income: the low-income limit and the policy minimum. For these classifications, the number of households is published, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the total population per region. The table also contains data on the number of households that had to survive on an income below the used income threshold for a long period of time (4 years and more). The results are used, among other things, in reports on poverty. The data relate to all private households with income as at 1 January of the year under review. Student households and households that only had an income for part of the year were not taken into account. The reference date for the municipal division is January 1, 2021. Data available from 2011 to 2020. Status of the figures: The figures in this table for 2011 to 2019 are final. The figures for 2020 are provisional. Changes as of December 2, 2022: None, this table has been discontinued. When will there be new figures: No longer applicable. This table is followed by the table Low and long-term low income; household characteristics, region (classification 2022). See section 3.

This dataset provides access to Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) in Connecticut to assist in administration of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. The Secretary of HUD must designate QCTs, which are areas where either 50 percent or more of the households have an income less than 60 percent of the AMGI for such year or have a poverty rate of at least 25 percent. HUD designates QCTs based on new income and poverty data released in the American Community Survey (ACS). Specifically, HUD relies on the most recent three sets of ACS data to ensure that anomalous estimates, due to sampling, do not affect the QCT status of tracts. QCTs are identified for the purpose of Low-Income Housing Credits under IRC Section 42, with the purpose of increasing the availability of low-income rental housing by providing an income tax credit to certain owners of newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated low-income rental housing projects. Also included are the number of households from the 2010 census (the “p0150001” variable), the average poverty rate using the 2014-2018 ACS data (the “pov_rate_18” variable), and the ratio of Tract Average Household Size Adjusted Income Limit to Tract Median Household Income using the 2014-2018 ACS data (the “inc_factor_18” variable). For the last variable mentioned in the previous paragraph, the income limit is the limit for being considered a very low income household (size-adjusted and based on Area Mean Gross Income). This value is divided by the median household income for the given tract, to get a sense of how the limit and median incomes compare. For example, if ratio>1, it implies that the tract is very low income because the limit income is greater than the median income. This ratio is a compact way to include the separate variables for the household income limit and median household income for each tract.