In 2023, **** percent of Black people living in the United States were living below the poverty line, compared to *** percent of white people. That year, the total poverty rate in the U.S. across all races and ethnicities was **** percent. Poverty in the United States Single people in the United States making less than ****** U.S. dollars a year and families of four making less than ****** U.S. dollars a year are considered to be below the poverty line. Women and children are more likely to suffer from poverty, due to women staying home more often than men to take care of children, and women suffering from the gender wage gap. Not only are women and children more likely to be affected, racial minorities are as well due to the discrimination they face. Poverty data Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States had the third highest poverty rate out of all OECD countries in 2019. However, the United States' poverty rate has been fluctuating since 1990, but has been decreasing since 2014. The average median household income in the U.S. has remained somewhat consistent since 1990, but has recently increased since 2014 until a slight decrease in 2020, potentially due to the pandemic. The state that had the highest number of people living below the poverty line in 2020 was California.

In 2023, 15.4 percent of Black families were living below the poverty line in the United States. Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing, and shelter.

In 2023, 6.5 percent of Black married-couple families were living below the poverty line in the United States. Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter.

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.

This map shows child poverty in the US by county, with an emphasis on the Black children living in poverty.The darkest colors in the map highlight where there are a higher percentage of Black children living in poverty. The symbol size shows the count of all children living in poverty. The data comes from County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, measure the health of nearly all counties in the nation and rank them within states. The layer used in the map comes from ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, and the full documentation for the layer can be found here. To explore other child poverty patterns, visit the following maps:Where is Black child poverty higher than total child poverty?Which race has the highest rate of child poverty?

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Black Hawk County, IA (S1701ACS019013) from 2012 to 2023 about Black Hawk County, IA; Waterloo; IA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

This dataset contains R/ECAP data for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Region at the census tract level.

To assist communities in identifying racially/ethnically-concentrated areas of poverty (R/ECAPs), HUD has developed a census tract-based definition of R/ECAPs.

To assist communities in identifying racially/ethnically-concentrated areas of poverty (R/ECAPs), HUD has developed a census tract-based definition of R/ECAPs. The definition involves a racial/ethnic concentration threshold and a poverty test. The racial/ethnic concentration threshold is straightforward: R/ECAPs must have a non-white population of 50 percent or more. Regarding the poverty threshold, Wilson (1980) defines neighborhoods of extreme poverty as census tracts with 40 percent or more of individuals living at or below the poverty line. Because overall poverty levels are substantially lower in many parts of the country, HUD supplements this with an alternate criterion. Thus, a neighborhood can be a R/ECAP if it has a poverty rate that exceeds 40% or is three or more times the average tract poverty rate for the metropolitan/micropolitan area, whichever threshold is lower. Census tracts with this extreme poverty that satisfy the racial/ethnic concentration threshold are deemed R/ECAPs.

Data Source: Decennial census (2010); American Community Survey (ACS), 2006-2010; Brown Longitudinal Tract Database (LTDB) based on decennial census data, 2000 & 1990 References: Wilson, William J. (1980). The Declining Significance of Race: Blacks and Changing American Institutions. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Data Source: American Community Survey (ACS), 2009-2013; Decennial Census (2010); Brown Longitudinal Tract Database (LTDB) based on decennial census data, 1990, 2000 & 2010.

Related AFFH-T Local Government, PHA Tables/Maps: Table 4, 7; Maps 1-17.

Related AFFH-T State Tables/Maps: Table 4, 7; Maps 1-15, 18.

References: Wilson, William J. (1980). The Declining Significance of Race: Blacks and Changing American Institutions. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Graph and download economic data for 90% Confidence Interval Upper Bound of Estimate of Percent of Related Children Age 5-17 in Families in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA (PPCIUB5T17IA19013A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Black Hawk County, IA; Waterloo; 5 to 17 years; IA; child; family; poverty; percent; persons; and USA.

In 1990, 48.1 percent of all Black families with a single mother in the United States lived below the poverty level. In 2023, that figure had decreased to 25.9 percent. This is significantly higher than white households with a single mother. Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter.

This map compares two different rates of child poverty:The percent of all children who live below the poverty lineThe percent of Black children who live below the poverty lineThe higher rate between the two is shown by the associated color. The size of the symbol shows the count of all children living in poverty. The pattern is shown by US counties.The data comes from County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, measure the health of nearly all counties in the nation and rank them within states. The layer used in the map comes from ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, and the full documentation for the layer can be found here. To explore other child poverty patterns, visit the following maps:Black Children in Poverty in the USWhich race has the highest rate of child poverty?

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA (PPAAIA19013A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Black Hawk County, IA; Waterloo; IA; child; poverty; percent; and USA.

Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA was 14.20% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA reached a record high of 18.00 in January of 2010 and a record low of 9.80 in January of 2001. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of Related Children Age 5-17 in Families in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA (PP5T17IA19013A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Black Hawk County, IA; Waterloo; 5 to 17 years; IA; child; family; poverty; percent; and USA.

Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA was 15.10% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA reached a record high of 25.20 in January of 2010 and a record low of 12.20 in January of 2001. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

This map highlights child poverty in the US by which race has the highest percentage of children in poverty. The pattern is shown by county, and the popup provides a breakdown of child poverty rates by race (where available). Note that not all counties have data for all races, so the map will show the predominant value based on the data available.The data comes from County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, measure the health of nearly all counties in the nation and rank them within states. The layer used in the map comes from ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, and the full documentation for the layer can be found here. To explore other child poverty patterns, visit the following maps:Where is Black child poverty higher than total child poverty?Black Children in Poverty in the US

[Disclaimer: This application is a DRAFT and is still under development. Your feedback is welcome.]Data Use: This map visualizes the levels of poverty across various tracts in Dallas, offering a clear picture of the economic challenges faced by different communities. By presenting data on the percentage of residents living below the poverty line, this dashboard helps users identify areas with high economic need. This understanding is vital for directing social services, economic development programs, and community support initiatives to where they are most needed, ultimately aiming to reduce poverty and improve quality of life for vulnerable populations.Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months," American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S1701, 2022.Variables:S1701_C01_001E: Estimate Total Population for whom poverty status is determinedS1701_C03_001E: Estimate Percent below poverty level Population for whom poverty status is determinedS1701_C03_021E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: White alone, not Hispanic or LatinoS1701_C03_014E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: Black or African American aloneS1701_C03_015E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: American Indian and Alaska Native aloneS1701_C03_016E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: Asian aloneS1701_C03_017E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander aloneS1701_C03_018E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: Some other race aloneS1701_C03_019E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: Two or more racesS1701_C03_020E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race)S1701_C03_010E: Estimate Percent below poverty level: AGE 65 years and overPoverty_Rank: Poverty RankRank Scoring Process: Census tracts were grouped into quintiles based on the percentage of residents living below the poverty line (S1701_C03_001E).The scoring process categorizes each tract as follows:Score of 1: 0.4% - 5% (lowest poverty rates)Score of 2: 5.1% - 9.8%Score of 3: 9.9% - 16.3%Score of 4: 16.4% - 23.4%Score of 5: 23.4% - 80.4% (highest poverty rates)Year: 2022Provider: U.S. Census Bureau

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People Age 0-17 in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA (PPU18IA19013A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Black Hawk County, IA; Waterloo; under 18 years; IA; child; poverty; percent; and USA.

ACS 1-year estimates are based on data collected over one calendar year, offering more current information but with a higher margin of error. ACS 5-year estimates combine five years of data, providing more reliable information but less current. Both are based on probability samples. Some racial and ethnic categories are suppressed to avoid misleading estimates when the relative standard error exceeds 30%.

Data Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 1- & 5-Year Estimates

Why This Matters

Poverty threatens the overall well-being of individuals and families, limiting access to stable housing, healthy foods, health care, and educational and employment opportunities, among other basic needs.Poverty is associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, including chronic physical and mental illness, lower life expectancy, developmental delays, and others.

Racist policies and practices have contributed to racial economic inequities. Nationally, Black, Indigenous, and people of color experience poverty at higher rates than white Americans, on average.

The District's Response

Boosting assistance programs that provide temporary cash and health benefits to help low-income residents meet their basic needs, including Medicaid, TANF For District Families, SNAP, etc.

Housing assistance and employment and career training programs to support resident’s housing and employment security. These include the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Permanent Supportive Housing vouchers, Career MAP, the DC Infrastructure Academy, among other programs and services.

Creation of the DC Commission on Poverty to study poverty issues, evaluate poverty reduction initiatives, and make recommendations to the Mayor and the Council.

In 2023, there were about 211,000 Black families with a single father living below the poverty level in the United States. Poverty is the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter.

Estimated Percent of Related Children Age 5-17 in Families in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA was 13.60% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Estimated Percent of Related Children Age 5-17 in Families in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA reached a record high of 21.30 in January of 2010 and a record low of 9.10 in January of 2001. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Estimated Percent of Related Children Age 5-17 in Families in Poverty for Black Hawk County, IA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.