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.

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.

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.

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.

In 2024, California had the largest population of residents living below the poverty line, with over **** million residents living in poverty. Texas followed, with **** million people in poverty. Still, among U.S. state, Louisiana had the highest poverty rate.

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 tracks the updates made on the dataset "Poverty Rate (<200% FPL) and Child (under 18) Poverty Rate by California Regions" as a repository for previous versions of the data and metadata.

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).

For the past several censuses, the Census Bureau has invited people to self-respond before following up in-person using census takers. The 2010 Census invited people to self-respond predominately by returning paper questionnaires in the mail. The 2020 Census allows people to self-respond in three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. The 2020 Census self-response rates are self-response rates for current census geographies. These rates are the daily and cumulative self-response rates for all housing units that received invitations to self-respond to the 2020 Census. The 2020 Census self-response rates are available for states, counties, census tracts, congressional districts, towns and townships, consolidated cities, incorporated places, tribal areas, and tribal census tracts. The Self-Response Rate of Los Angeles County is 65.1% for 2020 Census, which is slightly lower than 69.6% of California State rate. More information about these data are available in the Self-Response Rates Map Data and Technical Documentation document associated with the 2020 Self-Response Rates Map or review our FAQs. Animated Self-Response Rate 2010 vs 2020 is available at ESRI site SRR Animated Maps and can explore Census 2020 SRR data at ESRI Demographic site Census 2020 SSR Data. Following Demographic Characteristics are included in this data and web maps to visualize their relationships with Census Self-Response Rate (SRR)..1. Population Density2. Poverty Rate3. Median Household income4. Education Attainment5. English Speaking Ability6. Household without Internet Access7. Non-Hispanic White Population8. Non-Hispanic African-American Population9. Non-Hispanic Asian Population10. Hispanic Population

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.

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.

This map shows where food stores are located across California with gray dots. Along with that, the red indicates the income of the area. The dark red indicates areas with higher poverty rates and, and the lighter area indicates the places with lower poverty rates. When you first look at the graph it looks like California has a lot of food sources in most of the areas people live in. However, there is more to California's food sources when you take a closer look. The blue indicates poverty rates. (The darker blue means higher poverty rates, and the lighter blue mean lower poverty rates). And the blue and green dots indicate whether the food source is a grocery store or not. The red means it is not a food source and is a convenience store, and the green means it is a food source. As you can see there are way more red dots than green, meaning there are more convenience stores compared to regular grocery stores. A lot of the areas that only have red dots mean that that area is a food desert. That means they have no good quality fresh produce near them. Now let's take a closer look at some towns.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Stanislaus County, CA (S1701ACS006099) from 2012 to 2023 about Stanislaus County, CA; Modesto; poverty; percent; CA; 5-year; population; and USA.

Poverty and low-income statistics by visible minority group, Indigenous group and immigration status, Canada and provinces.

Percent of population living below two times the federal poverty level. The U.S. Census Bureau determines the federal poverty level each year. The poverty level is based on the size of the household and the age of family members. If a person or family's total income before taxes is less than the poverty level, the person or family are considered in poverty. Many studies have found that people living in poverty are more likely than others to become ill from pollution.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Tulare County, CA was 17.80% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Tulare County, CA reached a record high of 28.30 in January of 2016 and a record low of 17.80 in January of 2023. 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 Tulare County, CA - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

For the past several censuses, the Census Bureau has invited people to self-respond before following up in-person using census takers. The 2010 Census invited people to self-respond predominately by returning paper questionnaires in the mail. The 2020 Census allows people to self-respond in three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. The 2020 Census self-response rates are self-response rates for current census geographies. These rates are the daily and cumulative self-response rates for all housing units that received invitations to self-respond to the 2020 Census. The 2020 Census self-response rates are available for states, counties, census tracts, congressional districts, towns and townships, consolidated cities, incorporated places, tribal areas, and tribal census tracts. The Self-Response Rate of Los Angeles County is 65.1% for 2020 Census, which is slightly lower than 69.6% of California State rate. More information about these data are available in the Self-Response Rates Map Data and Technical Documentation document associated with the 2020 Self-Response Rates Map or review our FAQs. Animated Self-Response Rate 2010 vs 2020 is available at ESRI site SRR Animated Maps and can explore Census 2020 SRR data at ESRI Demographic site Census 2020 SSR Data. Following Demographic Characteristics are included in this data and web maps to visualize their relationships with Census Self-Response Rate (SRR)..1. Population Density2. Poverty Rate3. Median Household income4. Education Attainment5. English Speaking Ability6. Household without Internet Access7. Non-Hispanic White Population8. Non-Hispanic African-American Population9. Non-Hispanic Asian Population10. Hispanic Population