In 2023, about 10.2 percent of Virginia's population lived below the poverty line. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, when 10.6 percent of the state's population lived below the poverty line. The poverty rate of the United States since 1990 can be accessed here.

This dataset uses U.S. Census table B17020 - Poverty Status by Age The data shows the number of people per locality, the overall number of people living below the poverty level per locality, and then the number of people under age 18 living below the poverty level per locality. This last data element is broken down into three segments - aged <6 years, 6-11 years, and 12-17 years, which when added together equal the total number of children under age 18 living below the poverty level per locality.

In 2023, 16.7 percent of West Virginia's population lived below the poverty line. This was a decrease from the previous year, when about 17.9 percent of the state's population lived below the poverty line. The poverty rate of the United States since 1990 can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Richmond city, VA (S1701ACS051760) from 2012 to 2023 about Richmond City, VA; Richmond; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

2013-2023 Virginia Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months by Census Block Group. Contains estimates and margins of error.

U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table C17002 Data accessed from: Census Bureau's API for American Community Survey (https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets.html)

The United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS): -What is the American Community Survey? (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about.html) -Geography & ACS (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/geography-acs.html) -Technical Documentation (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation.html)

Supporting documentation on code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Technical Documentation section. (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/code-lists.html)

Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section. (https://www.census.gov/acs/www/methodology/sample_size_and_data_quality/)

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation.html). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Wise County, VA (S1701ACS051195) from 2012 to 2023 about Wise County, VA; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Virginia Beach city, VA (S1701ACS051810) from 2012 to 2023 about Virginia Beach City, VA; Virginia Beach; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fairfax city, VA (S1701ACS051600) from 2012 to 2023 about Fairfax City, VA; Washington; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

In Virginia, the poverty rate is 9.9% and the uninsured rate is 7.1%. Percent of people below the federal poverty line and the share without health insurance. Source: ACS 5-year estimates (derived).

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lexington city, VA (S1701ACS051678) from 2012 to 2023 about Lexington City, VA; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

In West Virginia, the poverty rate is 16.6% and the uninsured rate is 6.2%. Percent of people below the federal poverty line and the share without health insurance. Source: ACS 5-year estimates (derived).

This spotlight uses 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to examine the relationship between serious mental illness and poverty among adults aged 18 or older.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Roanoke city, VA (S1701ACS051770) from 2012 to 2023 about Roanoke City, VA; Roanoke; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Madison County, VA was 7.00% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Madison County, VA reached a record high of 13.80 in January of 2014 and a record low of 6.60 in January of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Madison County, VA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

This dataset represents the geospatial extent as polygons and the corresponding attribution for census block groups that meet the definition of low-income communities according to the Virginia 2020 Environmental Justice Act: “Low-income community” definition: “’Low-income community’ means any census block group in which 30 percent or more of the population is composed of people with low income.” The referenced “low income” definition is also provided below: “Low income” definition: “’Low income’ means having an annual household income equal to or less than the greater of (i) an amount equal to 80 percent of the median income of the area in which the household is located, as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and (ii) 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.”Click Here to view Data Fact Sheet.

Office of Child Support Enforecment (OCSE) Story Behind the Numbers - Child Support Fact Sheet #3. This fact sheet focuses on data reported in a recent U.S. Census Bureau report, Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2011. The data reported are estimated based on a biennial survey of custodial parents, the Child Support Supplement to the Current Population Survey, March/April 2012, co-sponsored by the Office of Child Support Enforcement. The proportion of custodial parents living below poverty line continues to increase in 2011. The report found that 4.2 million custodial parents lived in poverty in 2011, representing 29 percent of all custodial parents, about twice the poverty rate for the total population. These statistics reinforce the essential role that child support services can play in helping low-income families, especially during an economic downturn.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Loudoun County, VA (S1701ACS051107) from 2012 to 2023 about Loudoun County, VA; Washington; VA; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Manassas Park City, VA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Manassas Park city, VA was 5.80% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Manassas Park City, VA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Manassas Park city, VA reached a record high of 10.30 in January of 2017 and a record low of 4.40 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Manassas Park City, VA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Manassas Park city, VA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

The following table provides eligibility levels in each state for key coverage groups that use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), as of April 1, 2018. The data represent the principal, but not all, MAGI coverage groups in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program (BHP). All income standards are expressed as a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL). The MAGI-based rules generally include adjusting an individual’s income by an amount equivalent to a 5% FPL disregard. Other eligibility criteria also apply, such as citizenship, immigration status, and state residency. For more information, see: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/program-information/medicaid-and-chip-eligibility-levels/index.html

Fairfax City, VA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fairfax city, VA was 9.90% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Fairfax City, VA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fairfax city, VA reached a record high of 10.10 in January of 2021 and a record low of 6.00 in January of 2012. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Fairfax City, VA - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Fairfax city, VA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.