Poverty In The United States 2021 P60 277
Summary
Current Population Report P60-277, Poverty in the United States: 2021, issued by the U.S. Census Bureau in September 2022 and prepared by John Creamer, Emily A. Shrider, Kalee Burns and Frances Chen. The report draws on the 2022 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC). Its chapters cover changes in official poverty and in Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) rates between 2020 and 2021 by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, educational attainment and work experience, plus poverty rates by state and income-to-poverty ratios. A further section covers the effect of cash and noncash transfers, taxes and other nondiscretionary expenses on the SPM, and appendixes explain how official poverty and the SPM are calculated. The report closes with other Census Bureau poverty data, including ACS, SAIPE and SIPP estimates.
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Poverty in the United States: 2021
Current Population Reports
By John Creamer, Emily A. Shrider, Kalee Burns, and Frances Chen
Issued September 2022
P60-277
Acknowledgments
The Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division of the U.S. Census
Bureau recognizes Trudi J. Renwick for her 14 years of service with the
Census Bureau. Dr. Renwick retired in 2022. From her dissertation that
developed a methodology for basic family budgets to her research on the
development of the Supplemental Poverty Measure, she spent her career
dedicated to improving the measurement of poverty and the well-being
of low-income families. While at the Census Bureau, Dr. Renwick provided
leadership to the income, poverty, and program participation branches. Her
dedication to her staff, subject matter expertise, and overall guidance were
appreciated and will be greatly missed.
John Creamer, Emily A. Shrider, Kalee Burns, and Frances Chen prepared this
report under the direction of Liana E. Fox, Assistant Division Chief for Economic
Characteristics in the Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division. Sharon
Stern, Assistant Division Chief for Employment Characteristics in the Social,
Economic, and Housing Statistics Division, provided overall direction.
Mallory Bane and Susan S. Gajewski, under the supervision of David Watt, all
of the Demographic Systems Division, and Lisa Cheok of the Demographic
Programs Directorate—Survey Operations, processed the 2022 Current
Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) file.
Adam W. Reilly, with the assistance of Kirk E. Davis, Raymond E. Dowdy,
Lan N. Huynh, and Chandararith R. Phe, programmed and produced the
historical, detailed, and publication tables under the direction of Hung X. Pham,
Chief of the Tabulation and Applications Branch, Demographic Surveys Division.
Alfred G. Meier and Jana Hatch, under the supervision of Emily Hood and
David V. Hornick, all of the Demographic Statistical Methods Division, conducted
statistical review.
Lisa Cheok, assisted by Roberto Cases, of the Demographic Programs
Directorate—Survey Operations, provided overall direction for the survey
implementation. Charlie Carter, Agatha Jung, and Johanna Rupp, of the
Application Development and Services Division, prepared and programmed the
computer-assisted interviewing instrument used to conduct the CPS ASEC.
Additional people within the U.S. Census Bureau also made significant
contributions to the preparation of the report. Brian Glassman, Matthew Marlay,
Lindsay Monte, Rachel Shattuck, and Danielle Wilson reviewed the contents.
Daniel C. Lin prepared the tax model.
Christine E. Geter, Kevin Lathrop, Andrew Quach, and Stacey Barber provided
publication management, graphic design and composition, editorial review,
and 508 compliancy for print and electronic media under the direction of Corey
Beasley, Chief of the Graphic and Editorial Services Branch, Public Information
Office.
The authors would like to also thank the Census Bureau field representatives and
telephone interviewers who conducted the interviews that provide the data in
this report. Without their dedication, the preparation of this report or any report
from the Current Population Survey would be impossible.
Poverty in the United States: 2021 Issued September 2022
P60-277
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Robert L. Santos,
Director
Suggested Citation
John Creamer, Emily A. Shrider,
Kalee Burns, and Frances Chen,
U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Reports,
P60-277,
Poverty in the United States: 2021,
U.S. Government Publishing Office,
Washington, DC,
September 2022.
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Robert L. Santos,
Director
Ron S. Jarmin,
Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer
Victoria A. Velkoff,
Associate Director for Demographic Programs
David G. Waddington,
Chief, Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division
Contents
TEXT
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CHANGES IN OFFICIAL POVERTY BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021. . . . . . . 3
Sex and Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Families. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Race and Hispanic Origin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Educational Attainment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Work Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Supplementing the Official Poverty Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CHANGES IN SPM RATES BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sex and Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Type of Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Race and Hispanic Origin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Educational Attainment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Work Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
POVERTY ESTIMATES FOR 2021: OFFICIAL+ AND SPM. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
POVERTY RATES BY STATE: OFFICIAL+ AND SPM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DISTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE BY INCOME-TO-POVERTY
RATIOS: 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
THE EFFECT OF CASH AND NONCASH TRANSFERS, TAXES,
AND OTHER NONDISCRETIONARY EXPENSES ON THE SPM . . . . . 15
SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
U.S. Census Bureau Poverty in the United States: 2021 iii
FIGURES
Figure 1. Number in Poverty and Poverty Rate Using the Official Poverty Measure: 1959 to 2021. . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 2. People in Poverty Using the Official Poverty Measure: 2020 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figure 3. Distribution of Total Population and Poverty by Race Using the Official Poverty Measure:
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 4. Poverty Rates Using the Official+ and Supplemental Poverty Measures: 2009 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . 7
Figure 5. Change in Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 6. Percentage of People in Poverty by Different Poverty Measures: 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 7. Poverty Rates Using the Official+ and Supplemental Poverty Measures by Age Group:
2009 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 8. Child Supplemental Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Figure 9. Difference in Poverty Rates by State Using the Official+ and Supplemental Poverty Measures:
3-Year Average 2019 to 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 10. Distribution of People by Income-to-Poverty Ratios: 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Figure 11. Change in Number of People in Poverty After Including Each Element: 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
APPENDIXES
Appendix A. Estimates of Official Poverty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
How Official Poverty Is Calculated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
How Income Is Measured. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Appendix B. The Supplemental Poverty Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Updates for 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SPM History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SPM Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Appendix C. Effects of 2020 Census-Based Population Controls on 2020 Poverty and
Supplemental Poverty Measure Estimates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Effects on Official Poverty Estimates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Effects on Supplemental Poverty Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Appendix D. Additional Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Source and Accuracy of the Estimates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
The Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on the CPS ASEC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Business Cycles—Recessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Accessing Poverty Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Other Sources of Poverty Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Questions and Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
iv Poverty in the United States: 2021 U.S. Census Bureau
APPENDIX TABLES
Table A-1. People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2020 and 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Table A-2. Families and People in Poverty by Type of Family: 2020 and 2021.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Table A-3. People With Income Below Specified Ratios of Their Poverty Thresholds by
Selected Characteristics: 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Table A-4. Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021. . . . . . 25
Table A-5. Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Table A-6. Poverty Status of Families by Type of Family: 1959 to 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Table B-1. Two-Adult, Two-Child Poverty Thresholds: 2020 and 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Table B-2. Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by
Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Table B-3. Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 and 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Table B-4. Number and Percentage of People in Poverty by Different Poverty Measures: 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Table B-5. Number and Percentage of People in Poverty by State Using 3-Year Average:
2019, 2020, and 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Table B-6. Percentage of People by Ratio of Income/Resources to Poverty Threshold: 2020 and 2021 . . . . . 69
Table B-7. Effect of Individual Elements on Supplemental Poverty Measure Rates: 2020 and 2021 . . . . . . . . . 71
Table B-8. Effect of Individual Elements on the Number of Individuals in Poverty: 2020 and 2021 . . . . . . . . . 72
Table C-1. People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based
Population Controls and 2020 Census-Based Population Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Table C-2. Families and People in Poverty by Type of Family: 2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based
Population Controls and 2020 Census-Based Population Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Table C-3. Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based Population Controls and 2020 Census-Based
Population Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
U.S. Census Bureau Poverty in the United States: 2021 v
Poverty in the United States: 2021
INTRODUCTION The estimates contained in the Highlights3
report are based on information
Since the 1960s, the U.S. Census Official Poverty Measure
collected in the 2022 and earlier
Bureau has produced poverty esti-
Current Population Survey Annual • The official poverty rate in 2021
mates to measure the economic
Social and Economic Supplements was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 mil-
well-being of households, fami-
(CPS ASEC) conducted by the lion people in poverty. Neither
lies, and individuals in the United
Census Bureau.* Estimates for the rate nor the number in pov-
States. The official poverty mea-
2020 in this report will not match erty was significantly different
sure defines poverty by comparing
those published last year due to from 2020 (Figure 1 and Table
pretax money income to a poverty
the implementation of the 2020 A-1).4
threshold that is adjusted by family
Census-based population controls.
composition.1 In many cases, the • Official poverty rates decreased
Appendix C provides details.
official poverty measure is used to for people under the age of 18
determine program eligibility and The combined poverty report and increased for people 65
has been used as a benchmark of provides two distinct indicators of years and older, but were not
economic well-being for nearly 60 economic well-being in the United statistically different for 18- to
years. States. In 2021, this distinction is 64-year-olds (Figure 2 and
particularly important because Table A-1).
In 2011, the Census Bureau began
the effects of the American • The majority of the demo-
producing the Supplemental
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), passed graphic groups discussed in this
Poverty Measure (SPM), releasing
in response to the COVID-19 report did not experience sig-
estimates back to 2009. Produced
pandemic, are reflected differently nificant changes in their poverty
with support from the U.S. Bureau
in the two measures. Additional rates between 2020 and 2021
of Labor Statistics (BLS), the
resources stemming from (Figure 2 and Tables A-1 and
SPM extends the official poverty
stimulus payments, expansions A-2).
measure by accounting for many
to refundable tax credits, and
of the government programs that Supplemental Poverty Measure
pandemic-specific school lunch
are designed to assist low-income
benefits are considered in the • The SPM rate in 2021 was 7.8
families, but are not included in
SPM but not the official poverty percent, a decrease of 1.4
the official poverty measure. The
measure. These differences are percentage points from 2020.
SPM also includes federal and
discussed in Appendix B. This is the lowest SPM poverty
state taxes and work and medi-
cal expenses. In addition, the SPM rate since estimates were first
This report is released alongside
accounts for geographic variation published and the third con-
two other reports focused on
in poverty thresholds, while the secutive decline (Figure 4 and
household income estimates and
official poverty measure does not. Table B-2).
health insurance coverage in the
Though the SPM does not replace United States. These estimates can • The SPM child poverty rate fell
the official poverty measure, it be found in “Income in the United 46 percent in 2021, from 9.7
provides a different metric of States: 2021” and “Health Insurance percent in 2020 to 5.2 percent
economic well-being that includes in the United States: 2021.”2 in 2021, a 4.5 percentage-point
resources from government decline. This is the lowest SPM
programs and tax credits to low- child poverty rate on record.
income families. In 2021, SPM rates for non-
Hispanic White (2.7 percent),
This report presents estimates
Black (8.1 percent), and Hispanic
using the official poverty mea- * The Census Bureau reviewed this data
for unauthorized disclosure of confidential (8.4 percent) children were
sure and the SPM for calendar information and approved the disclosure also the lowest rates on record,
year 2021, marking the first time avoidance practices applied to this release:
CBDRB-FY22-358. All comparative state- falling from 2020. (Figure 8 and
both poverty measures have been ments have undergone statistical testing and Table B-2).5
integrated into a single report. are statistically significant at the 90 percent
confidence level unless otherwise noted.
U.S. Census Bureau 1
Poverty in the United States: 2021
• SPM rates decreased for 18- to consistent universe in 3 states, and analysis and is based on
64-year-olds, while increasing lower in 38 states, and not sta- the recommendations of the
for people 65 years and older tistically different in 9 states and Interagency Technical Working
(Figure 5 and Table B-3). the District of Columbia (Figure Group (ITWG) on Developing a
• Social Security continued to be 9 and Table B-5). Supplemental Poverty Measure
the most important antipoverty and the 1995 report of the National
Background
program in 2021, moving 26.3 Academy of Sciences Panel on
million people out of SPM pov- Poverty estimates have been pro- Poverty and Family Assistance.
erty. Meanwhile, refundable tax duced by the Census Bureau since The SPM complements the official
credits and stimulus payments the 1960s. Following the Office poverty measure by expanding
moved 9.6 million and 8.9 mil- of Management and Budget’s resources to include noncash
lion people out of SPM poverty Statistical Policy Directive 14, the benefits and deducting key
(Figure 11 and Table B-8). official poverty measure defines expenses, while redefining poverty
a family and the individuals in the thresholds to account for a wider
Differences in Poverty Measures family as being in poverty if their set of needs and geographical
• The share of the population with pretax money income is below a variation.7 Additionally, the SPM
resources below 50 percent threshold adjusted by family com- includes unrelated children under
of their poverty threshold was position. That threshold is adjusted age 15, while the official poverty
lower for the SPM than for the annually for inflation using the measure does not. To account for
official poverty measure with a Consumer Price Index for All Urban this difference, this report uses
consistent universe.6 In particu- Consumers (CPI-U). The official the designation “official+” when
lar, 1.4 percent of children had poverty measure can be used to directly comparing the official and
SPM resources below half their evaluate economic well-being SPM poverty measures. Estimates
SPM poverty threshold, com- from 1959 through the present. of official+ poverty add unrelated
pared to 7.2 percent using the More information on how official individuals under age 15 to the
official poverty methodology poverty is defined can be found in official poverty universe. These
(Figure 10 and Table B-6). Appendix A. individuals are given the official
poverty status of the household
• SPM rates were higher than the The SPM was developed
reference person.8
official poverty measure with a after many years of research
POVERTY MEASURE CONCEPTS: OFFICIAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL
Concept Official Poverty Measure Supplemental Poverty Measure
Measurement Families (individuals related by birth, Resource units (official family definition plus any coresident unre-
Units marriage, or adoption) or unrelated lated children, foster children, and unmarried partners and their
individuals. relatives) or unrelated individuals (who are not otherwise included
in the family definition).
Poverty Three times the cost of a minimum food Based on recent expenditures of food, clothing, shelter, utilities,
Threshold diet in 1963. telephone, and internet (FCSUti).
Threshold Vary by family size, composition, and Vary by family size, composition, and tenure with geographic
Adjustments age of householder. adjustments for differences in housing costs.
Updating Consumer Price Index for All Urban Most recent 5-year moving average of expenditures on FCSUti,
Thresholds Consumers: all items. lagged 1 year.
Resource Gross before-tax cash income. Sum of cash income, plus noncash benefits that resource units
Measure can use to meet their FCSUti needs, minus taxes (or plus tax cred-
its), work expenses, medical expenses, and child support paid to
another household.
Universe Civilian noninstitutionalized population, Official poverty measure universe, plus unrelated individuals
excluding unrelated individuals under under age 15.
age 15 for whom poverty status cannot
be determined.
Time Series 1959–present. 2009–present.
2 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
The SPM does not replace the and Table A-1). Neither the rate rate for people under the age of
official poverty measure, nor is it nor the number in poverty was 18 decreased by 0.7 percentage
designed to be used for program significantly different from 2020. points between 2020 and 2021,
eligibility or funding distribution. The majority of the demographic while the poverty rate increased
The main differences in official and groups presented in Figure 2 did by 1.4 percentage points for those
supplemental poverty concepts not experience significant changes 65 years and older. The poverty
are summarized in the “Poverty in their poverty rates between rate for 18- to 64-year-olds in 2021
Measure Concepts: Official and 2020 and 2021. Estimates for was not statistically different from
Supplemental” table. In 2020, additional demographic and family 2020.9
the SPM implemented several groups are available in Tables A-1
methodological improvements to and A-2. Families
resource and threshold estimation. Poverty rates did not change sig-
Appendix B contains additional Sex and Age
nificantly between 2020 and 2021
details on the definition of SPM The official poverty rate for for people in families or unrelated
poverty and changes made in females (12.6 percent) was higher individuals, regardless of family
2021. than that for males (10.5 percent). type (Figure 2 and Table A-2).10
Neither rate changed signifi- Of people in families, those in
CHANGES IN OFFICIAL
cantly from 2020 (Figure 2 and married-couple primary families
POVERTY BETWEEN 2020
Table A-1). While poverty rates had the lowest poverty rate (5.2
AND 2021
by sex did not change signifi- percent) while those in female-
The official poverty rate in 2021 cantly, there were differences for householder families had the high-
was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 mil- some age groups. The poverty est poverty rate (25.3 percent).11
lion people in poverty (Figure 1
Figure 1.
Number in Poverty and Poverty Rate Using the Official Poverty Measure: 1959 to 2021
Numbers in millions Recession
50
45
Number in poverty
40
37.9 million
35
30
25
0
Percent
25
20
Poverty rate
15
11.6 percent
10
5
0
1959 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2021
Note: Population as of March of the following year. The data for 2017 and beyond reflect the implementation of an updated
processing system. The data for 2013 and beyond reflect the implementation of the redesigned income questions. Refer to Table
A-4 for historical footnotes. The data points are placed at the midpoints of the respective years. Information on recessions is
available in Appendix D. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 3
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 2.
People in Poverty Using the Official Poverty Measure: 2020 to 2021
2020 2021
20201 2021 Change
All people 11.5 11.6 0.1
Sex
Male 10.3 10.5 0.2
Female 12.6 12.6 Z
Age
Under 18 years 16.0 15.3 *-0.7
18 to 64 years 10.5 10.5 0.1
65 years and older 8.9 10.3 *1.4
People in Families
In primary families 9.5 9.5 Z
In married-couple families 5.3 5.2 Z
In female householder families 25.5 25.3 -0.2
In male householder families 12.1 12.7 0.5
Unrelated individuals 19.3 19.7 0.5
Race and Hispanic Origin
White 10.1 10.0 -0.1
White, not Hispanic 8.2 8.1 -0.1
Black 19.6 19.5 -0.1
Asian 8.1 9.3 *1.2
American Indian and Alaska Native 20.0 24.3 4.2
Two or More Races 13.1 14.2 1.0
Hispanic (any race) 17.0 17.1 0.1
Educational Attainment 2
No high school diploma 24.7 27.2 *2.5
High school, no college 13.3 13.2 -0.1
Some college 8.4 9.2 *0.8
Bachelor's degree or higher 4.0 4.1 Z
Work Experience3
All workers 5.0 4.7 *-0.3
Worked full-time, year-round 1.6 1.8 *0.2
Less than full-time, year-round 11.3 12.2 *0.9
Did not work at least 1 week 28.8 30.0 *1.2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Percent
Z Rounds to zero.
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
1
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
2
Population limited to individuals aged 25 and older. In 2021, the overall poverty rate for this group was 10.0 percent.
3
Population limited to individuals aged 18 to 64. In 2021, the overall poverty rate for this group was 10.5 percent.
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. More details are available in Tables A-1 and
A-2. More information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
4 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Race and Hispanic Origin
Figure 3.
For the first time, this report
Distribution of Total Population and Poverty by Race Using
includes estimates for the
the Official Poverty Measure: 2021
American Indian and Alaska Native
(AIAN) and Two or More Races Total population
populations. However, due to small Poverty population
sample size and sampling variabil-
59.2
ity, caution should be used when White, not Hispanic
41.7
examining rates and year-to-year
19.0
changes for these groups. Hispanic (any race)
28.2
From 2020 to 2021, the major- 13.4
Black
ity of the racial groups shown in 22.6
Figure 2 and Table A-1 did not have 6.3
Asian
5.1
significant changes in their poverty
rates.12 The exception is for Asians, 2.8
Two or More Races
3.4
who saw increased poverty in
2021.13 American Indian and 1.3
Alaska Native 2.6
Year-to-year poverty rate changes 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
from 2020 to 2021 were not statis- Percent
tically different for Blacks, Whites,
non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, Ratio of poverty population
American Indians and Alaska to total population
Natives, and those reporting Two
or More Races. Of the racial groups White, not Hispanic 0.7
shown in Figure 2 and Table A-1, Hispanic (any race) 1.5
non-Hispanic Whites had the
lowest poverty rate (8.1 percent), Black 1.7
while American Indians and Alaska Asian 0.8
Natives had the highest poverty
Two or More Races 1.2
rate (24.3 percent).14
American Indian and 2.1
Figure 3 shows the composition Alaska Native
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
of the total population by
Ratio
race and Hispanic origin.
This figure highlights which Note: Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality
groups are overrepresented or protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
underrepresented among the Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2022 Annual Social and
population defined as poor by Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
comparing the share of a particular
group in poverty to that group’s
share of the overall population. the official poverty measure. As Natives are overrepresented.
Groups with a ratio of less than 1.0 shown in the bottom panel of Although American Indians and
are considered underrepresented Figure 3, this results in a ratio of Alaska Natives make up the
in poverty while groups over 1.0 0.7, indicating that non-Hispanic smallest share of both the total
are considered overrepresented. Whites are underrepresented in and poverty populations, they
For example, while non-Hispanic the poverty population. Asians are the most disproportionately
Whites make up 59.2 percent of are also underrepresented in overrepresented group in poverty.
the total population, they only poverty, while Hispanics, Blacks, Their share of the poverty
make up 41.7 percent of the and American Indians and Alaska population is twice as large as their
population classified as poor by share of the total population.
U.S. Census Bureau 5
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Educational Attainment those working less than full-time, denotes the official poverty mea-
year-round was 12.2 percent in sure using the same universe as
Figure 2 also shows poverty
2021. the SPM, which includes unrelated
rates by educational attainment.15
individuals under 15. Using official+
Poverty rates increased for those
Supplementing the Official allows for direct comparisons of
aged 25 and older with no high
Poverty Measure the two concepts with the same
school diploma and for those with
reference universe.
some college experience. Poverty Overall, few demographic groups
rates were not statistically different saw significant changes in poverty
CHANGES IN SPM RATES
for those with only a high school rates between 2020 and 2021. By
BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021
diploma or at least a bachelor’s considering pretax money income
degree. The poverty rate for those alone, official poverty provides a In 2021, the overall SPM rate was
without a high school diploma was consistent definition of poverty 7.8 percent. This was 1.4 percent-
27.2 percent, six-and-a-half times over long periods, but it does not age points lower than the 2020
higher than for those with at least capture many short-term policy SPM rate of 9.2 percent, and the
a bachelor’s degree (4.1 percent). changes that could affect family lowest SPM poverty rate on record
People with a bachelor’s degree or household resources. As the (Figure 4 and Table B-2). Figure 4
or higher had the lowest poverty Supplemental Poverty Measure presents official+ and SPM esti-
rate of the educational attainment (SPM) demonstrates, post-tax pro- mates from 2009 to 2021.16 The fig-
groups. grams, such as stimulus payments ure provides two estimates for ref-
and the Child Tax Credit, can have erence years 2013, 2017, and 2019,
Work Experience a significant impact on poverty that reflect CPS ASEC survey and
rates. processing system changes and a
The percentage of individuals aged
change to the SPM methodology.17
18 to 64 working full-time, year- The rest of this report explores Comparisons over time should be
round increased from 65.3 percent poverty using the SPM. The SPM made with caution.18
of all workers in 2020 to 72.4 provides an additional perspec-
percent in 2021. The share of those tive on economic well-being by While the SPM historically has
working less than full-time, year- expanding the definition of official been 0.6 to 1.6 percentage points
round in turn decreased from 34.7 poverty to include noncash ben- higher than the official+, SPM
percent in 2020 to 27.6 percent in efits in resources, subtracting taxes rates fell below official+ for the
2021. Although the official poverty and other necessary expenses, first time in 2020. The measures
rate increased for these groups using a more inclusive resource continued to diverge in 2021. The
separately, these changes in work- sharing unit, and accounting for results of the last 2 years reflect
force composition resulted in an geographic differences in housing the antipoverty impact of stimulus
overall net decrease in poverty for costs. payments and tax credits—both
all workers. In 2021, the poverty of which are excluded from the
rate for all workers 18 to 64 years The remainder of this report uses definition of money income used in
old was 4.7 percent. The poverty official+ when drawing compari- official poverty but are included in
rate among those working full- sons between the SPM and the the SPM.
time, year-round was 1.8 percent, official poverty measure. Official+
while the poverty rate among
6 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 4.
Poverty Rates Using the Official+ and Supplemental Poverty Measures: 2009 to 2021
Recession
Percent
18
16 15.1
SPM
14 14.4
Official+
12
11.6
10
7.8
8
6
4
2
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. The Supplemental Poverty
Measure (SPM) estimates for 2019 and beyond reflect the implementation of revised SPM methodology. More information is available in
Appendix B. The data for 2017 and beyond reflect the implementation of an updated processing system. The data for 2013 and beyond
reflect the implementation of the redesigned income questions. Refer to Table B-2 for historical footnotes. The data points are placed at the
midpoints of the respective years. More information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is
available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
Figure 5 presents annual SPM among the three age categories. cohabiting partners and their
rates for 2020 and 2021 across a SPM rates for adults aged 18 to relatives, foster children under the
set of demographic characteris- 64 declined 1.0 percentage points age of 22, and unrelated individu-
tics.19 Many groups in Figure 5 saw between 2020 and 2021. In con- als under age 15. These SPM units
declines in their SPM rate between trast, adults aged 65 and older saw determine poverty status and vary
2020 and 2021. a 1.2 percentage-point increase in slightly compared to similar family
their SPM rate, from 9.5 percent in concepts.
Sex and Age 2020 to 10.7 percent in 2021. The
Between 2020 and 2021, SPM rates
SPM rates fell for both males and decline in the SPM rate for children
fell for married couple, cohabiting
females in 2021. The male SPM was largely driven by stimulus
partner, and female-headed SPM
rate was 7.6 percent, a decline of payments and the refundable Child
units. SPM rates for male-headed
1.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, Tax Credit, which led to increased
SPM units and unrelated individu-
the SPM rate for females was 7.9 resources for families with children.
als did not change significantly
percent, a decline of 1.7 percent- between 2020 and 2021. Married
Type of Unit
age points. While the SPM rate couple SPM units had the lowest
for males was lower than that of The official poverty measure SPM rates (4.4 percent), fol-
females, the year-to-year decline assumes that only individuals lowed by cohabiting partners (6.5
in SPM rates for females was larger. related by birth, marriage, and percent). The SPM rate for male-
adoption (i.e., Census Bureau- headed units was 10.6 percent,
SPM rates fell substantially for
defined families) share resources. while the SPM rate for female-
children (individuals under age
This resource-sharing unit is used headed units was 11.7 percent.20
18) in 2021, decreasing 4.5 per-
to sum resources and determine Unrelated individuals had the high-
centage points (a 46.4 percent
the appropriate poverty thresh- est SPM rates among unit types
decline) from 9.7 percent in 2020
old. In comparison, the SPM (18.1 percent).
to 5.2 percent in 2021. Children
expands the resource-sharing
saw the largest decline in SPM
unit to include families, unmarried
rates between 2020 and 2021
U.S. Census Bureau 7
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 5.
Change in Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 to 2021
Decrease Increase
( Statistically different from zero)
2020 1
2021
All people 9.2 7.8 1.4
Sex
Male 8.7 7.6 1.1
Female 9.6 7.9 1.7
Age
Under 18 years 9.7 5.2 4.5
18 to 64 years 8.9 7.9 1.0
65 years and older 9.5 10.7 1.2
Type of Unit
Married couple 5.0 4.4 0.7
Cohabiting partners 8.6 6.5 2.1
Female reference person 18.2 11.7 6.4
Male reference person 11.7 10.6 1.0
Unrelated individuals 17.7 18.1 0.5
Race and Hispanic Origin
White 8.1 6.9 1.2
White, not Hispanic 6.5 5.7 0.8
Black 14.7 11.3 3.3
Asian 8.8 9.5 0.7
American Indian and Alaska Native 15.5 12.4 3.1
Two or More Races 9.0 7.3 1.7
Hispanic (any race) 14.0 11.2 2.8
Educational Attainment2
No high school diploma 20.3 19.7 0.6
High school, no college 11.1 10.3 0.8
Some college 7.3 7.3 Z
Bachelor's degree or higher 4.3 4.3 Z
Work Experience3
All workers 4.6 3.8 0.8
Worked full-time, year-round 1.9 2.0 0.1
Less than full-time, year-round 9.8 8.7 1.1
Did not work at least 1 week 23.0 21.5 1.5
0 5 10 15 20 25
Percent
Z Rounds to zero.
1
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
2
Population limited to individuals aged 25 and older. In 2021, the overall Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) rate for this group was 8.1 percent.
3
Population limited to individuals aged 18 to 64. In 2021, the overall SPM rate for this group was 7.9 percent.
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Statistically significant indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent
confidence level. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. More details are available in Table B-3. More information on confidentiality protection,
sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
8 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Race and Hispanic Origin the increase of full-time workers in to 64 in 2021 were at their lowest
2021 compared to 2020. level since 2009.
By race and Hispanic origin, SPM
rates were lowest for non-Hispanic Figure 8 shows historical SPM
POVERTY ESTIMATES FOR
Whites (5.7 percent), followed by rates for children by race and
2021: OFFICIAL+ AND SPM
those reporting Two or More Races Hispanic origin, providing further
(7.3 percent) and Asians (9.5 The overall SPM rate (7.8 percent) estimates of the effect of stimulus
percent).21 SPM rates for Hispanics was 3.8 percentage points lower and refundable tax credits in 2021
(11.2 percent), Blacks (11.3 percent), than the official+ rate (11.6 percent) (Table B-2). Figure 8 shows that
and American Indians and Alaska (Figure 6 and Table B-4). While the 2021 had the lowest child poverty
Natives (12.4 percent) were not SPM rates were lower than official+ rates for Blacks, Hispanics, and
statistically different from one rates for most groups in Figure 6, non-Hispanic Whites.22 The SPM
another. Whites, non-Hispanic the SPM rates were higher than rate for Hispanic children fell the
Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics official+ rates for individuals 65 most, from 29.1 percent in 2009
all had statistically significant years and older and those with to 8.4 percent in 2021. From 2009
decreases in SPM rates between a bachelor’s degree or higher. to 2021, the SPM rate for Black
2020 and 2021. The year-to-year Official+ and SPM rates for Asian children fell by 17.1 percentage
change in SPM rates for Asians, individuals, individuals living in a points, from 25.2 percent in 2009
American Indians and Alaska male reference-person unit, and to 8.1 percent in 2021. Between
Natives, and Two or More Race workers who work full-time were 2020 and 2021, the SPM rate for
individuals were not significant. not statistically different. Black children fell by 8.8 percent-
Figure 7 shows official+ and SPM age points while the SPM rates
Educational Attainment for Hispanic children fell by 6.3
rates from 2009 to 2021 by age
The SPM rate for those with a high (Table B-2). Both the SPM and percentage points.23
school diploma declined from 11.1 official+ rates for children declined
percent to 10.3 percent between between 2020 and 2021. The SPM POVERTY RATES BY STATE:
2020 and 2021. For all other edu- OFFICIAL+ AND SPM
rate for children declined from
cational groups, differences in SPM 9.7 percent in 2020 to 5.2 per- To create state-level estimates
rates between 2020 and 2021 were cent in 2021, while the official+ using the CPS ASEC, the Census
not statistically significant. In 2021, rate decreased from 16.0 per- Bureau recommends using 3-year
the SPM rate for those with less cent in 2020 to 15.3 percent. The averages for additional statisti-
than a high school diploma (19.7 gap between the two measures cal reliability.24, 25 Table B-5 shows
percent) was about four-and-a-half increased from 6.3 percentage 3-year averages of poverty rates
times greater than for those with points to 10.1 percentage points. by poverty measure for the United
a bachelor’s degree or higher (4.3 The difference in year-to-year States and each state. The official+
percent). changes between the two mea- 3-year average poverty rate for
sures is largely driven by the the United States from 2019–2021
Work Experience impact of stimulus payments was 11.2 percent, while the SPM
For all workers 18 to 64 years old, and the expansion of the Child rate was 9.6 percent, a differ-
SPM rates decreased between Tax Credit, as these additional ence of 1.6 percentage points. It
2020 (4.6 percent) and 2021 (3.8 resources are only considered in should be noted that this was a
percent). Within the worker cat- the SPM. period with considerable economic
egories, SPM rates fell for those change, covering a year of eco-
The SPM rate for individuals aged
working less than full-time, year- nomic expansion in 2019, a global
18 to 64 was also lower than their
round to 8.7 percent. The SPM rate pandemic and associated reces-
official+ rate in 2021 for the sec-
for full-time, year-round workers sion in 2020, and significant social
ond consecutive year. The official+
was 2.0 percent, not statistically safety net expansions in response
and SPM rates for individuals 65
different from 2020. The SPM to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
and older were 10.3 percent and
rate for nonworkers fell from 23.0 and 2021. Given these different
10.7 percent, respectively, a gap of
percent to 21.5 percent. As was the economic changes, 3-year aver-
0.4 percentage points. Even after
case with official poverty esti- ages across this period will mod-
accounting for breaks in series,
mates, the change in SPM rates erate the impact of the 3 years
SPM rates for individuals under 18
for these groups is likely related to separately.
years old and individuals aged 18
U.S. Census Bureau 9
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 6.
Percentage of People in Poverty by Different Poverty Measures: 2021
Official+ SPM Difference Official+ SPM
All people 11.6 7.8 *-3.8
Sex
Male 10.5 7.6 *-2.9
Female 12.6 7.9 *-4.6
Age
Under 18 years 15.3 5.2 *-10.1
18 to 64 years 10.5 7.9 *-2.6
65 years and older 10.3 10.7 *0.4
Type of Unit
Married couple 5.2 4.4 *-0.9
Cohabiting partners 24.1 6.5 *-17.6
Female reference person 23.4 11.7 *-11.6
Male reference person 11.2 10.6 -0.6
Unrelated individuals 19.4 18.1 *-1.3
Race and Hispanic Origin
White 10.0 6.9 *-3.1
White, not Hispanic 8.1 5.7 *-2.4
Black 19.5 11.3 *-8.2
Asian 9.3 9.5 0.2
American Indian and Alaska Native 24.2 12.4 *-11.8
Two or More Races 14.1 7.3 *-6.9
Hispanic (any race) 17.1 11.2 *-5.9
Educational Attainment 1
No high school diploma 27.2 19.7 *-7.4
High school, no college 13.2 10.3 *-2.9
Some college 9.2 7.3 *-1.9
Bachelor's degree or higher 4.1 4.3 *0.3
Work Experience 2
All workers 4.7 3.8 *-0.9
Worked full-time, year-round 1.8 2.0 0.1
Less than full-time, year-round 12.2 8.7 *-3.5
Did not work at least 1 week 30.0 21.5 *-8.5
0 10 20 30 40
Percent
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
1
Population limited to individuals aged 25 and older. In 2021, the overall Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) rate for this group was
8.1 percent.
2
Population limited to individuals aged 18 to 64. In 2021, the overall SPM rate for this group was 7.9 percent.
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. Details may not sum to
totals due to rounding. More details are available in Table B-4. More information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is avaiable at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
10 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 7.
Poverty Rates Using the Official+ and Supplemental Poverty Measures by Age Group:
2009 to 2021
Under 18 years Recession
Percent
25
20.7 Official+ children
20
17.0 SPM children
15 15.3
10
5.2
5
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
18 to 64 years
Percent
25
20
SPM 18–64
14.4
15
13.0
Official+ 18–64 10.5
10
7.9
5
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
65 years and older
Percent
25
20
14.9 SPM 65+
15
Official+ 65+ 10.7
10
10.3
8.9
5
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. The Supplemental Poverty
Measure (SPM) estimates for 2019 and beyond reflect the implementation of revised SPM methodology. More information is available in Appendix B.
The data for 2017 and beyond reflect the implementation of an updated processing system. The data for 2013 and beyond reflect the implementation
of the redesigned income questions. Refer to Table B-2 for historical footnotes. The data points are placed at the midpoints of the respective
years. More information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 11
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 8.
Child Supplemental Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021
Recession
Percent
35
30 Hispanic (any race)
29.1
25 25.2 Black
20
Asian
18.3
15
10 8.4
9.8 Non-Hispanic White 8.1
5 5.1
2.7
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Note: Population as of March of the following year. The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) estimates for 2019 and beyond reflect the
implementation of revised SPM methodology. More information is available in Appendix B. The data for 2017 and beyond reflect the implementation
of an updated processing system. The data for 2013 and beyond reflect the implementation of the redesigned income questions. Refer to Table B-2
for historical footnotes. The data points are placed at the midpoints of the respective years. More information on confidentiality protection,
sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
While the national SPM poverty different mixes of housing tenure, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
rate was lower than the official+ may result in higher SPM thresh- The magnitude of the difference
rate, that difference varies by olds. Higher nondiscretionary between SPM and official+ rates
geographic area.26 Figure 9 shows expenses, such as taxes or medical varies across states, potentially
the United States divided into expenses, may also drive higher reflecting lower housing costs, a
three categories by state. States SPM rates. different mix of housing tenure, or
where the SPM rates were higher more generous noncash benefits.
SPM rates were lower than the offi-
than official+ rates are shaded blue,
cial+ rates in 38 states: Alabama, SPM and official+ rates were not
states where SPM was lower than
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, statistically different in nine states:
official+ are shaded orange, and
Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida,
states where the differences in the
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New
rates were not statistically signifi-
Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Hampshire, New York, Virginia,
cant are gray.
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Washington. The SPM rate for
SPM rates were higher than Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New the District of Columbia was also
the official+ rates in California, Mexico, North Carolina, North not statistically different from the
Maryland, and New Jersey. Higher Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, official+ rate. Details are provided
SPM rates by state may occur for Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South in Table B-5.
many reasons. Geographic adjust- Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee,
ments for housing costs, as well as Texas, Utah, Vermont, West
12 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 9.
AK
Difference in Poverty Rates by State Using the Official+ and
Supplemental Poverty Measures: 3-Year Average 2019 to 2021
0 500 Miles
WA
ME
MT ND
OR MN VT
ID NH MA
SD WI NY
MI
WY CT
RI
IA PA
NE NJ
NV OH
DE
UT IL IN
CA CO WV MD
KS MO VA
KY
DC
NC
TN
AZ OK
NM AR SC
MS AL GA SPM higher than Official+
Not statistically different
TX LA SPM lower than Official+
FL
0 100 Miles
HI
0 100 Miles
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15.
SPM: Supplemental Poverty Measure. All years reflect the implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
More details are available in Table B-5. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and
definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2020 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
DISTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE the respective poverty threshold noncash benefits and tax credits/
BY INCOME-TO-POVERTY controls income by unit size and stimulus payments and subtract-
RATIOS: 2021 composition. Table B-6 shows the ing necessary expenses reduced
distribution of income-to-poverty the percentage of the population
Comparing the distribution of
ratios for various groups in 2020 with resources below half of their
pretax cash income with that
and 2021. poverty threshold for children and
of SPM resources demonstrates
adults aged 18 to 64. The share
the effect of taxes and noncash Overall, the comparison shows that
of people aged 65 and older with
transfers across the income/ a smaller share of the population
income below half their poverty
resource distribution. Figure 10 had incomes below half of their
threshold was not statistically
shows the percentage distribution poverty threshold using the SPM
different between the SPM and
of income-to-poverty ratio cat- (2.9 percent) compared to official+
official+.
egories for all people and by major (5.5 percent). Including targeted
age categories. Dividing income by
U.S. Census Bureau 13
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 10.
Distribution of People by Income-to-Poverty Ratios: 2021
(In percent)
Less than 0.50 0.50 to 0.99 1.00 to 1.99 2.00 to 3.99 4.00 or more
Total population
Official+ 5.5 6.0 16.0 28.3 44.1
SPM 2.9 4.9 26.2 40.2 25.9
Under 18 years
Official+ 7.2 8.1 19.6 29.1 36.0
SPM 1.4 3.8 31.4 44.1 19.3
18 to 64 years
Official+ 5.3 5.2 13.9 27.8 47.8
SPM 3.1 4.8 24.2 40.3 27.6
65 years and older
Official+ 4.2 6.1 19.0 29.1 41.5
SPM 4.1 6.6 26.6 34.6 28.1
Note: Population as of March of the following year. Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. SPM: Supplemental
Poverty Measure. More details are available in Table B-6. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. More information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
Many of the noncash benefits below 50 percent of their pov- with income in the highest cat-
included in the SPM are targeted erty thresholds was 1.4 percent in egory in the SPM.
at families with children, or provide 2021, about five times lower (7.2
Another notable difference
a larger benefit when children are percent) than the comparable
between the two measures is that
present. This includes tax credits, share using official+. The targeted
a larger number of individuals have
stimulus payments, and programs nature of these benefits is appar-
income-to-threshold ratios in the
such as the Supplemental Nutrition ent when children are compared
1.00 to 1.99 and 2.00 to 3.99 ratio
Assistance Program (SNAP); the to other age groups, as the share
categories using the SPM. This is to
Special Supplemental Nutrition of children with resources below
be expected, as taxes and trans-
Program for Women, Infants, and 50 percent of their poverty thresh-
fers often move individuals from
Children (WIC); and school lunch. old is lower than the share of
the extremes of the income-to-
The response to the COVID-19 18- to 64-year-olds (3.1 percent)
threshold distribution to the center
pandemic increased resources and those 65 years and older (4.1
of the distribution. For example,
further in 2021, as the expansions percent).
receiving targeted transfers moves
to the school lunch program and
At the other end of the distribu- recipients towards the center of
pandemic electronic benefits
tion, the SPM shows a smaller the distribution as they receive
transfer (P-EBT) benefits, the third
percentage of the population more income than cash income
round of stimulus payments, and
with income four or more times alone. Meanwhile, paying out taxes
the expanded refundability of the
the poverty threshold relative to and other expenses moves indi-
Child Tax Credit further increased
official+ poverty. The SPM sub- viduals from the higher end of the
resources for these families. As
tracts taxes from resources, while income-to-threshold distribution
a result, the SPM shows that the
the official+ measure does not. This by reducing their income.
share of children with income
reduces the percentage of people
14 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-6 shows similar calcula- to resources had on the number larger impact on poverty rates in
tions by race and Hispanic origin. of people who would have been 2021 compared to 2020, reflecting
All groups had smaller percent- considered poor in 2021. These legislative changes made in 2021.
ages of income below half of their estimates show the effect of a Refundable tax credits prevented
poverty thresholds when using the given resource or expense, assum- 9.6 million individuals (2.9 per-
SPM compared with official+. ing no behavioral changes, such centage points) from falling into
as shifts in employment status or poverty, with about half of that
THE EFFECT OF CASH AND expenses. Additions and subtrac- number (5.3 million) coming from
NONCASH TRANSFERS, tions are shown for the total popu- the Child Tax Credit (1.6 percent-
TAXES, AND OTHER lation and for three age groups. age points). This was about four
NONDISCRETIONARY Additions shown in the figure times larger than the impact of the
EXPENSES ON THE SPM include cash benefits like Social Child Tax Credit in 2020 (1.2 million
To conclude the report, this section Security that are also included individuals). As displayed in Tables
examines the specific effect of the in the official poverty measure, B-7 and B-8, the Child Tax Credit
different government assistance as well as noncash benefits and kept 2.9 million children out of
programs, taxes, and nondiscre- tax credits included only in the poverty and lowered the child pov-
tionary expenses that are consid- SPM like SNAP, school lunch, erty rate by 4.0 percentage points,
ered in SPM resources on poverty and refundable tax credits like holding all else equal.27
rates. Measuring the individual the Child Tax Credit in 2021. This
In comparison to 2020, the
effect of specific programs indi- allows us to examine the effects of
2021 antipoverty impacts of the
cates which transfers or expenses government transfers on poverty
stimulus payments, unemploy-
are leading to the largest changes estimates. Since child support paid
ment insurance, and Temporary
in SPM poverty rates. is subtracted from income, we also
Assistance for Needy Families
examine the effect of child sup-
Income used for estimating the (TANF)/general assistance
port receipt on alleviating poverty.
official poverty measure includes decreased (Table B-8). The smaller
Child support payments received
cash benefits from the government impacts of stimulus payments and
are counted as income in both
(e.g., Social Security, unemploy- unemployment insurance reflect
the official poverty measure and
ment insurance benefits, public the changing economic and leg-
the SPM (but child support paid is
assistance benefits, and workers’ islative landscape. In 2021, there
only deducted in the SPM). Table
compensation benefits), but does was only one round of stimulus
B-7 complements this figure by
not take into account taxes or checks compared to two rounds
presenting the percentage-point
noncash benefits aimed at improv- in 2020. When stimulus payments
impact that these additions and
ing the economic situation of the are included in resources, 8.9 mil-
subtractions had on poverty rates
population. The SPM incorporates lion fewer people were considered
for 2020 and 2021, while Table B-8
all these elements, adding cash poor (2.7 percentage points), hold-
provides the number of people
benefits, noncash transfers, and ing all else constant. Furthermore,
moved into or out of poverty by
stimulus payments, while sub- pandemic-specific unemployment
each element.
tracting necessary expenses such benefits expired in 2021 while the
as taxes, medical expenses, and Removing one item from the number of full-time, year-round
work-related expenses. An impor- calculation of SPM resources and workers increased, reducing the
tant contribution of the SPM is that recalculating poverty rates shows, antipoverty impact of unemploy-
it allows us to gauge the potential for example, that Social Security ment benefits from keeping 5.6
magnitude of the effect of tax benefits decreased the SPM rate million people out of poverty in
credits and transfers in alleviat- by 8.0 percentage points, from 2020 to 2.3 million people in 2021.
ing poverty. We can also examine 15.8 percent to 7.8 percent (Table
The SPM also considers other cash
the effects of nondiscretionary B-7). This means that with Social
and noncash benefits such as util-
expenses such as work and medi- Security benefits, 26.3 million
ity assistance, housing subsidies,
cal expenses. fewer people were living below the
WIC, and received child support
poverty line (Figure 11 and Table
Figure 11 shows the effect that payments. In 2021, utility assistance
B-8). Refundable tax credits had a
various additions and subtractions
U.S. Census Bureau 15
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Figure 11.
Change in Number of People in Poverty After Including Each Element: 2021
(In millions)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and older
Social Security –26.3
Refundable tax credits 1
–9.6
Economic Impact/stimulus 2
–8.9 –4.4
Child Tax Credit –5.3
SNAP and school lunch –3.4
SNAP –2.8
SSI –2.7
Housing subsidies –2.4
Unemployment insurance –2.3
Other noncash benefits3 –0.8
Other cash benefits 4
–0.7
Child support paid 0.2
Federal income tax 0.8
FICA 1.9
Work expenses 2.2
Medical expenses 4.7
1
Refundable tax credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
2
Includes the third stimulus payment. Details are available in Appendix B.
3
Other noncash benefits include utility assistance, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC),
and school lunch.
4
Other cash benefits include workers’ compensation, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/general assistance, and child
support received.
Note: SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; SSI: Supplemental Security Income; FICA: Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
Population as of March of the following year. More details are available in Table B-8. More information on confidentiality protection, sampling
error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
in the SPM was expanded to percentage points higher, moving kept from falling into poverty by
include the Emergency Broadband 4.7 million individuals into pov- the inclusion of these payments.
Benefit (EBB) in addition to energy erty. Federal income taxes pushed Subtracting medical expenses,
assistance.28 Housing subsidies more individuals into poverty in such as contributions toward the
kept 2.4 million people out of pov- 2021 compared to 2020, while cost of medical care and health
erty in 2021, while the combination work expenses pushed fewer insurance premiums, from the
of other noncash and cash benefits people into poverty. The other income of families with children
kept 775,000 and 726,000 individ- subtractions were not statistically resulted in a child poverty rate
uals out of poverty, respectively.29 different. 0.8 percentage points higher. For
the group aged 65 and older, SPM
Additionally, the SPM subtracts Tables B-7 and B-8 also show the
rates increased by 2.8 percent-
amounts paid for child support, effects of individual elements for
age points with the inclusion of
income and payroll taxes, work- different age groups. In addition
medical expense deductions from
related expenses, and medical to the impacts of the refundable
income, while Social Security ben-
expenses from resources, increas- Child Tax Credit, accounting for
efits lowered poverty rates by 32.2
ing the number and percentage stimulus payments resulted in a
percentage points for this group,
of individuals in poverty. When 3.1 percentage-point decrease in
lifting 18.1 million individuals above
subtracting medical expenses the child poverty rate, represent-
the poverty line.30
from income, the SPM rate was 1.4 ing 2.3 million children who were
16 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
SUMMARY The official poverty measure allows 8
Since the CPS ASEC does not ask
income questions for individuals under
for the uniform measurement of the age of 15, unrelated individuals
This report provides estimates
poverty over time by using defini- under 15 are excluded from the official
of poverty using both the official poverty universe. Official+ includes these
tions that have been consistent individuals for a consistent universe with
poverty measure and SPM for the
since the 1960s. The downside of SPM. Appendix B contains more details, as
United States. The results illustrate does Fox (2017), available at <www.census.
this approach is that it does not
differences between the official gov/library/working-papers/2017/demo/
capture changes to tax and trans- SEHSD-WP2017-42.html>.
measure of poverty and a pov- 9
The 2021 poverty rates for 18- to
fer programs that can affect family
erty measure that takes account 64-year-olds and those over 65 years old
and household resources. In con- were not statistically different.
of noncash benefits received 10
A family is a group of two or more
trast, the SPM captures the effects
by families and nondiscretion- people (not necessarily including the
of a wide range of government householder), related by birth, marriage, or
ary expenses that they must pay. adoption and residing together. A primary
programs on poverty, including
The SPM also employs a poverty family includes the householder and
short-term changes in response to members related by the same categories.
threshold that is updated by the All such people (including related subfamily
current events, by accounting for
BLS with information on expen- members) are considered as members of one
many governmental assistance and family.
ditures for food, clothing, shelter,
post-tax programs. Together, the 11
In the report text and figures, families
utilities, telephone, and internet. with a female householder with no spouse
two measures tell different stories present will be referred to as female-
In 2021, the American Rescue Plan
of economic well-being—historic householder families. Families with a male
Act (ARPA) was passed amidst householder with no spouse present will be
and current—which are particu- referred to as male-householder families.
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,
larly useful during periods of rapid 12
Federal surveys give respondents the
providing households with addi- option of reporting more than one race.
change. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race
tional resources in the form of
group are possible. A group, such as Asian,
one round of stimulus payments, ENDNOTES may be defined as those who reported
expanded SNAP, Pandemic Asian and no other race (the race-alone
1
The Office of Management and Budget or single-race concept) or as those who
Electronic Benefits Transfer (OMB) determined the official definition reported Asian regardless of whether they
(P-EBT), and school lunch benefits. of poverty in Statistical Policy Directive also reported another race (the race-alone-
14. Appendix A provides a more detailed or-in-combination concept). The body of
Additionally, ARPA expanded the description of how the U.S. Census Bureau this report (text and figures) shows data
Child Tax Credit and the Child and calculates official poverty and the definition using the first approach (race alone), along
of money income. with estimates for Two or More Races. The
Dependent Care Tax Credit and 2
Semega, Jessica, and Melissa Kollar, appendix tables show data using both
made both fully refundable in 2021. “Income in the United States: 2021,” Current approaches. Primary use of the single-race
Population Reports, P60-276, U.S. Census population does not imply that it is the
Bureau, Washington, DC, September 2022, preferred method of presenting or analyzing
In 2021, the official poverty rate in
available at <www.census.gov/library/ data. The Census Bureau uses a variety of
the United States was 11.6 percent, publications/2022/demo/p60-276.html>. approaches. In this report, the terms “White,
not statistically different from Keisler-Starkey, Katherine, and Lisa N. Bunch, not Hispanic” and “non-Hispanic White” are
“Health Insurance in the United States: 2021,” used interchangeably and refer to people
2020. Meanwhile, the SPM rate in Current Population Reports, P60-278, U.S. who are not Hispanic and who reported
2021 was 7.8 percent, 1.4 percent- Census Bureau, Washington, DC, September White and no other race. This report uses
2022, available at <www.census.gov/library/ non-Hispanic Whites as the comparison
age points lower than in 2020, and publications/2022/demo/p60-278.html>. group for other race groups and Hispanics.
lower than the official poverty rate 3
Calculated differences throughout this Since Hispanics may be any race, data in this
report may differ due to rounding. report for Hispanics overlap with data for
for the second consecutive year. 4
Because unrelated individuals under race groups. Hispanic origin was reported
The 3.8 percentage-point differ- the age of 15 are excluded from the official by 16.6 percent of White householders
poverty universe, there were 530,541 fewer who reported only one race, 5.6 percent
ence between the two measures is children in the poverty universe than in the of Black householders who reported only
largely driven by pandemic-related total civilian noninstitutionalized population one race, 2.9 percent of Asian householders
and the SPM universe. More information on who reported only one race, and 29.7
assistance, which is included in this difference is provided later in the report percent of American Indian and Alaska
the SPM but not in official poverty. and in Appendix B. Native householders who reported only one
5
The SPM rates for Black and Hispanic race. Data users should exercise caution
In 2021, the refundable tax credit children were not statistically different. The when interpreting aggregate results for
expansions kept 9.6 million people SPM rates for Asian children in 2021 were not the Hispanic population or for race groups
statistically different from 2020. because these populations consist of many
out of poverty, while the stimulus 6
To allow for direct comparisons distinct groups that differ in socioeconomic
payments kept 8.9 million people between the official poverty measure and characteristics, culture, and nativity. Data
SPM, a consistent universe is required. More were first collected for Hispanics in 1972
out of poverty. This is especially
information on the consistent universe is and for Asians and Pacific Islanders and
true for children, as the SPM rate provided later in the report and in Appendix American Indian and Alaska Natives in 1987.
for children fell by 4.5 percentage B. More information is available at <www.
7
Thresholds for the SPM are produced by census.gov/programs-surveys/cps.html>.
points to its lowest level on record the BLS Division of Price and Index Number
(5.2 percent). Research and presented for 2020 and 2021
in Table B-1.
U.S. Census Bureau 17
Poverty in the United States: 2021
13
The small sample size of the Asian 18
This report provides SPM and official+ 21
SPM rates for Whites and for those
and American Indian and Alaska Native estimates from 2009 to 2021. However, reporting Two or More Races were not
populations and the fact that the CPS ASEC it is important to be aware that the CPS statistically different.
does not use separate population controls ASEC is updated periodically to improve 22
The SPM rates for Asian children in
for weighting the Asian or American Indian data quality. These improvements include 2021 were not statistically different from
and Alaska Native samples to national totals changes to survey design such as sampling 2020.
contribute to the large variances surrounding and survey instrument changes, as well 23
The 2021 SPM rates for Black and
estimates for these groups. The American as changes to data processing such as Hispanic children were not statistically
Community Survey (ACS), based on a weighting and data imputation methods. different.
much larger sample of the population, is a When feasible, the Census Bureau provides 24
The Census Bureau recommends
better source for estimating and identifying data users with resources that allow them to using the American Community Survey
changes for small subgroups of the evaluate the impact of these survey changes (ACS) for single-year, state-level poverty
population. across years. Most recently, the 2014 CPS estimates. In 2020, a working paper detailing
14
Poverty rates for the White alone and ASEC introduced new income questions, a methodology for implementing the SPM
Asian alone populations were not statistically the 2015 and 2016 CPS ASEC phased in in the ACS, as well as research data extracts
different in 2021. new relationship categories, and the 2019 and tables for 2009–2019, were released.
15
Information on educational attainment CPS ASEC reflected the implementation More information is available in Fox,
in the CPS ASEC is available at <www. of an updated data processing system. Glassman, and Pacas (2020),
census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/ Given these changes over time, historical <www.census.gov/library/working-
technical-documentation/subject-definitions. comparisons should be made with caution. papers/2020/demo/SEHSD-WP2020-09.
html#educationalattainment>. Individuals In this report, 2021 SPM estimates are html>.
aged 25 and older with an associate degree compared to published estimates for earlier 25
Weights for all 3 years in this analysis
are included in the “some college” category. years when the questionnaire and processing use updated 2020 Census population
16
SPM estimates from 1967 to 2012 are system changes did not result in statistically controls.
available in Fox et al. (2015), significant differences. When survey changes 26
The SPM is geographically adjusted
<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/ did have statistically significant effects on to account for differences in housing costs
abs/10.1002/pam.21833>. income or poverty estimates, comparisons and tenure, while the official+ is not. More
17
Research at BLS and the Census Bureau were made by adjusting historical published information is available in Appendix B.
is ongoing to extend the methodological estimates to approximate the magnitude 27
Additional analysis of the effect of
improvements implemented this year to of these impacts. More details on the the Child Tax Credit on poverty rates is
historical estimates. Revised estimates and adjustment used for these comparisons available at <www.census.gov/library/
public-use datasets will be available in the are available at <www.census.gov/library/ stories/2022/09/record-drop-in-child-
future to allow for historically consistent stories/2019/09/us-median-household- poverty.html>.
comparisons. income-not-significantly-different-from-2017. 28
More information on the Emergency
html>. Broadband Benefit Program can be found in
19
Table B-3 contains rates for a more Appendix B.
extensive list of demographic groups. 29
The number of people kept out of
20
SPM rates for female-headed units poverty by other noncash benefits and other
and male-headed units are not statistically cash benefits was not statistically different.
different. 30
The percentage-point effect of
stimulus payments on poverty rates was not
statistically different for children and those
aged 65 and older.
18 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
APPENDIX A. ESTIMATES OF OFFICIAL POVERTY
HOW OFFICIAL POVERTY IS A’s poverty threshold in 2021 is inflation-adjust poverty thresholds
CALCULATED $33,148. Each member of Family A from previous years, current
had the following income in 2021: poverty rates would be lower. This
Following the Office of
is because the CPI-U-RS results in
Management and Budget’s (OMB) Mother $12,500
a smaller cost-of-living adjustment
Statistical Policy Directive 14, the
Father $12,500 over time than the CPI-U.
U.S. Census Bureau uses a set of
dollar value thresholds that vary Great-aunt $11,000 While the thresholds, in some
by family size and composition to sense, represent the needs of
determine who is in poverty (avail- First child $0 families, they should be interpreted
able in the table below). as a statistical yardstick rather
Second child $0
than as a complete description of
If a family’s total money income is
Total: $36,000 what people and families need to
less than the applicable threshold,
Since their total family income live. Many government assistance
then that family and every
($36,000) was higher than their programs use different income
individual in it are considered
threshold ($33,148), Family A eligibility cutoffs. While official
to be in poverty. The official
would not be considered “in poverty rates and the number
poverty thresholds are updated
poverty.” of people or families in poverty
annually for inflation using the
are important, the Supplemental
Consumer Price Index for All
The OMB Statistical Policy Poverty Measure (SPM) uses
Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The
Directive 14 directed the Census another approach for setting
official poverty definition uses
Bureau to consistently update thresholds and defining resources.
money income before taxes or tax
the poverty thresholds each year Additional information on SPM
credits and excludes capital gains
for changes in the cost of living. methodology is available in
and noncash benefits (such as
Thresholds in this report series Appendix B.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
are adjusted using the CPI-U
Program benefits and housing For a history of the official poverty
and are compared to current
assistance). The thresholds do not measure, refer to “Poverty: The
year (unadjusted for inflation)
vary geographically. History of the Official Poverty
money income. If, alternatively,
the Consumer Price Index for all Measure” available at <www.
Example: Suppose Family A
Urban Consumers Research Series census.gov/topics/income-
comprises five people: two
(CPI-U-RS) index had been used to poverty/poverty/about/history-
children, their mother, their father,
of-the-poverty-measure.html>
and their great-aunt. Family
Poverty Thresholds by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years Old: 2021
(In dollars)
Related children under 18 years
Size of family unit Eight or
None One Two Three Four Five Six Seven more
One person (unrelated individual):
Under age 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,097
Aged 65 and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,996
Two people:
Householder under age 65 . . . . . . 18,145 18,677
Householder aged 65 and older. . 16,379 18,606
Three people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,196 21,811 21,831
Four people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,949 28,406 27,479 27,575
Five people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,705 34,195 33,148 32,338 31,843
Six people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,767 38,921 38,119 37,350 36,207 35,529
Seven people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,606 44,885 43,925 43,255 42,009 40,554 38,958
Eight people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,888 50,329 49,423 48,629 47,503 46,073 44,585 44,207
Nine people or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,012 60,303 59,501 58,828 57,722 56,201 54,826 54,485 52,386
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
U.S. Census Bureau 19
Poverty in the United States: 2021
or “The Development of the 1. Earnings. The income of the household does
Orshansky Poverty Thresholds 2. Unemployment compensation. not include amounts received by
and Their Subsequent History as people who were members during
3. Workers’ compensation.
the Official U.S. Poverty Measure” all or part of the previous year if
by Gordon M. Fisher, available at 4. Social Security. these people no longer resided in
<www.census.gov/library/working- 5. Supplemenal Security Income. the household at the time of the
papers/1997/demo/fisher-02. 6. Public assistance. interview. However, the CPS ASEC
html>. includes income data for people
7. Veterans’ payments.
who are current residents but did
Weighted Average Thresholds 8. Survivor benefits. not reside in the household dur-
9. Disability benefits. ing the previous year. It should be
Since some data users want a
10. Pension or retirement income. noted that although the income
summary of the 48 thresholds
statistics refer to receipts during
to get a general sense of the 11. Interest.
the preceding calendar year, the
“poverty line,” the following table 12. Dividends. demographic characteristics, such
provides the weighted average
13. Rents, royalties, and estates as age, labor force status, and
thresholds for 2021. The weighted
and trusts. household composition, are as of
average thresholds are based on
14. Educational assistance. the survey date.
the relative number of unrelated
individuals and primary families 15. Alimony. Data users should consider these
of each size and composition and 16. Child support. elements when comparing income
are not used in computing poverty levels. Moreover, readers should
17. Financial assistance from
estimates.1 be aware that for many differ-
outside the household.
ent reasons there is a tendency in
18. Other income.
Weighted Average Poverty household surveys for respondents
Thresholds in 2021 Data on income collected in the to underreport their income. Based
Size of family unit Dollars CPS ASEC by the Census Bureau on an analysis of independently
One person. . . . . . . . . . . 13,788 cover money income received derived income estimates, the
Two people. . . . . . . . . . . 17,529 (exclusive of certain money Census Bureau determined that
Three people. . . . . . . . . 21,559 receipts such as capital gains) respondents report income earned
Four people. . . . . . . . . . 27,740
Five people. . . . . . . . . . . 32,865 before payments for personal from wages or salaries more
Six people. . . . . . . . . . . . 37,161 income taxes, Social Security, accurately than other sources of
Seven people. . . . . . . . . 42,156 union dues, Medicare deductions, income, and that the reported
Eight people. . . . . . . . . . 47,093
etc. Money income also excludes wage and salary income is nearly
Nine people or more . . 56,325
tax credits such as the Earned equal to independent estimates of
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax aggregate income.2
Credit, and special COVID-19-
HOW INCOME IS MEASURED related stimulus payments. Money ENDNOTES
A family’s money income is used income does not reflect that some 1
A primary family is a group of two
to determine the poverty status families receive noncash benefits or more people, one of whom is the
householder, related by birth, marriage,
of the family and all individuals in such as Supplemental Nutrition or adoption and residing together. All
it. Money income is calculated for Assistance/food stamps, health such people (including related subfamily
members) are considered as members of one
each person 15 years and older benefits, and subsidized housing. family.
in the Current Population Survey In addition, money income does 2
For more details on how income
aggregates compare across different surveys,
Annual Social and Economic not reflect the fact that noncash refer to “Comparing Income Aggregates:
Supplement (CPS ASEC) sample. benefits often take the form of the How do the CPS and ACS Match the National
Income and Product Accounts, 2007-2012,”
Respondents are asked questions use of business transportation and Jonathan L. Rothbaum, U.S. Census Bureau,
on the amount of money income facilities, full or partial payments January 14, 2015, SEHSD Working Paper
2015-01, <www.census.gov/content/dam/
received in the preceding calendar by business for retirement pro-
Census/library/working-papers/2015/demo/
year from each of the following grams, or medical and educational SEHSD-WP2015-01.pdf>.
sources: expenses, etc.
20 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-1.
U.S. Census Bureau
People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2020 and 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
20201 2021
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Change in poverty
Below poverty Below poverty (2021 less 2020)
Characteristic
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Total Number error2 (±) Percent error2 (±) Total Number error2 (±) Percent error2 (±) Number Percent
PEOPLE
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327,570 37,548 899 11.5 0.3 328,191 37,933 908 11.6 0.3 385 0.1
Race and Hispanic Origin
3
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249,083 25,183 671 10.1 0.3 248,909 24,919 650 10.0 0.3 –264 –0.1
White, not Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,078 16,038 518 8.2 0.3 194,309 15,805 528 8.1 0.3 –233 –0.1
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,694 8,556 420 19.6 1.0 43,976 8,583 476 19.5 1.1 27 –0.1
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,352 1,645 176 8.1 0.9 20,676 1,922 183 9.3 0.9 *277 *1.2
American Indian and Alaska Native. . . . 3,950 791 140 20.0 2.8 4,109 998 161 24.3 3.2 *206 4.2
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,220 1,209 142 13.1 1.4 9,166 1,298 176 14.2 1.8 89 1.0
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,769 10,520 480 17.0 0.8 62,482 10,690 469 17.1 0.8 170 0.1
Sex
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161,565 16,621 473 10.3 0.3 161,793 17,019 478 10.5 0.3 398 0.2
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166,006 20,926 538 12.6 0.3 166,398 20,914 542 12.6 0.3 –13 Z
Age
Under age 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,541 11,789 418 16.0 0.6 72,936 11,149 444 15.3 0.6 *–640 *–0.7
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,753 20,907 537 10.5 0.3 199,062 20,982 516 10.5 0.3 75 0.1
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,276 4,852 236 8.9 0.4 56,193 5,802 236 10.3 0.4 *950 *1.4
Nativity
Native-born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282,408 31,485 792 11.1 0.3 281,383 31,083 820 11.0 0.3 –402 –0.1
Foreign-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,162 6,063 318 13.4 0.7 46,808 6,850 344 14.6 0.7 *786 *1.2
Naturalized citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,800 2,087 154 9.2 0.6 22,874 2,428 194 10.6 0.8 *342 *1.5
Not a citizen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,362 3,977 264 17.8 1.1 23,934 4,422 288 18.5 1.1 *445 0.7
Region
Northeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,355 5,734 351 10.2 0.6 56,071 5,664 340 10.1 0.6 –70 –0.1
Midwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,046 6,906 378 10.1 0.6 67,997 7,043 382 10.4 0.6 136 0.2
South. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125,251 16,653 624 13.3 0.5 126,195 16,634 657 13.2 0.5 –20 –0.1
West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77,919 8,254 409 10.6 0.5 77,929 8,592 348 11.0 0.4 338 0.4
Residence4
Inside metropolitan statistical areas . . . 285,163 31,559 860 11.1 0.3 285,790 31,566 942 11.0 0.3 7 Z
Inside principal cities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,483 15,250 641 14.3 0.5 104,568 14,955 652 14.3 0.5 –295 Z
Outside principal cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178,680 16,308 621 9.1 0.3 181,222 16,611 701 9.2 0.4 303 Z
Outside metropolitan statistical areas. . 42,407 5,989 578 14.1 0.9 42,402 6,367 541 15.0 0.8 377 *0.9
Footnotes provided at end of table.
21
22 Table A-1.
People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2020 and 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
20201 2021 Change in poverty
Below poverty Below poverty (2021 less 2020)
Characteristic
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Total Number error2 (±) Percent error2 (±) Total Number error2 (±) Percent error2 (±) Number Percent
Work Experience
Total, aged 18 to 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,753 20,907 537 10.5 0.3 199,062 20,982 516 10.5 0.3 75 0.1
All workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153,659 7,645 267 5.0 0.2 153,008 7,189 266 4.7 0.2 *–456 *–0.3
Worked full-time, year-round. . . . . . . . 100,275 1,618 122 1.6 0.1 110,720 2,045 129 1.8 0.1 *426 *0.2
Less than full-time, year-round. . . . . . 53,383 6,026 232 11.3 0.4 42,288 5,144 210 12.2 0.5 *–882 *0.9
Did not work at least 1 week. . . . . . . . . . . 46,094 13,263 403 28.8 0.7 46,054 13,793 371 30.0 0.7 *531 *1.2
Disability Status5
Total, aged 18 to 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,753 20,907 537 10.5 0.3 199,062 20,982 516 10.5 0.3 75 0.1
With a disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,856 3,715 188 25.0 1.1 16,039 3,993 206 24.9 1.1 *278 –0.1
With no disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,808 17,161 474 9.3 0.3 182,109 16,924 484 9.3 0.3 –237 Z
Educational Attainment
Total, aged 25 and older. . . . . . . . . . . 224,958 21,535 547 9.6 0.2 226,274 22,630 554 10.0 0.2 *1,095 *0.4
No high school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,155 4,983 219 24.7 1.0 19,933 5,417 232 27.2 1.0 *434 *2.5
High school, no college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,815 8,337 295 13.3 0.4 64,465 8,518 307 13.2 0.5 181 –0.1
Some college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,904 4,784 209 8.4 0.4 56,659 5,229 237 9.2 0.4 *444 *0.8
Bachelor’s degree or higher. . . . . . . . . . . 85,083 3,431 214 4.0 0.2 85,217 3,467 198 4.1 0.2 36 Z
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
Z Rounds to zero.
1
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
2
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to
and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
3
Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are possible. A group, such as Asian, may be
defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the
race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population
does not imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates for Native Hawaiians and Other
Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
4
Information on metropolitan statistical areas and principal cities is available at <www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/about/glossary.html>.
5
The sum of those with and without a disability does not equal the total because disability status is not defined for individuals in the U.S. armed forces.
Note: Details may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
U.S. Census Bureau
Table A-2.
Families and People in Poverty by Type of Family: 2020 and 2021
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Poverty in the United States: 2021
20201 2021 Change in poverty
Below poverty Below poverty (2021 less 2020)
Characteristic Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error2 of error2 of error2 of error2
Total Number (±) Percent (±) Total Number (±) Percent (±) Number Percent
FAMILIES
Primary Families3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,723 7,284 227 8.7 0.3 84,283 7,415 218 8.8 0.3 132 0.1
Married-couple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,297 2,853 139 4.7 0.2 61,448 2,951 146 4.8 0.2 98 0.1
Female householder, no spouse present . . 15,462 3,634 156 23.5 0.9 15,621 3,596 167 23.0 1.0 –38 –0.5
Male householder, no spouse present. . . . . 6,964 797 72 11.4 1.0 7,214 869 71 12.0 1.0 72 0.6
Unrelated Subfamilies4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434 144 30 33.2 5.4 420 139 35 33.2 6.9 –5 Z
PEOPLE
People in Families
In primary families3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264,437 25,232 787 9.5 0.3 263,764 25,077 765 9.5 0.3 –156 Z
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . . . 72,755 11,439 406 15.7 0.6 72,129 10,796 440 15.0 0.6 *–644 *–0.8
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . . . 22,635 3,917 188 17.3 0.8 22,203 3,573 191 16.1 0.9 *–344 *–1.2
In married-couple families. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,889 10,270 510 5.3 0.3 194,353 10,162 531 5.2 0.3 –108 Z
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . . . 49,331 3,721 253 7.5 0.5 49,183 3,320 253 6.7 0.5 *–401 *–0.8
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . . . 15,717 1,244 124 7.9 0.8 15,602 1,055 118 6.8 0.7 *–189 *–1.2
In families with a female householder, no
spouse present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,984 12,469 516 25.5 1.0 48,476 12,264 563 25.3 1.0 –205 –0.2
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . . . 17,621 6,683 302 37.9 1.5 17,422 6,474 343 37.2 1.6 –209 –0.8
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . . . 5,069 2,341 150 46.2 2.3 5,009 2,204 158 44.0 2.5 –136 –2.2
In families with a male householder, no
spouse present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,564 2,493 246 12.1 1.2 20,935 2,650 237 12.7 1.1 157 0.5
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . . . 5,803 1,036 130 17.9 2.1 5,524 1,002 129 18.1 2.1 –34 0.3
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . . . 1,849 331 66 17.9 3.3 1,593 313 54 19.7 3.1 –18 1.8
In unrelated subfamilies4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,036 353 74 34.1 5.6 1,029 343 84 33.3 6.7 –10 –0.8
Children under age 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519 197 44 38.0 6.6 550 197 51 35.9 7.3 Z –2.1
People Not in Families
Unrelated individuals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,097 11,963 315 19.3 0.5 63,398 12,513 386 19.7 0.5 *551 0.5
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,604 5,277 214 17.2 0.7 31,559 5,620 253 17.8 0.7 *343 0.6
Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,493 6,686 229 21.2 0.7 31,839 6,893 256 21.7 0.7 208 0.4
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
Z Rounds to zero.
1
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
2
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to
and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
3
A primary family is a group of two or more people, one of whom is the householder, related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together. All such people (including related
subfamily members) are considered as members of one family.
4
An unrelated subfamily is defined as a married couple with or without children or a single parent with one or more own, never-married children under the age of 18 living in a house-
hold and not related by birth, marriage, or adoption to the householder.
Note: Details may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
23
24 Table A-3.
People With Income Below Specified Ratios of Their Poverty Thresholds by Selected Characteristics: 2021
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Income-to-poverty ratio¹
Under 0.50 Under 1.25 Under 1.50 Under 2.00
Characteristic Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error² of error² of error² of error² of error² of error² of error² of error²
Total Number (±) Percent (±) Number (±) Percent (±) Number (±) Percent (±) Number (±) Percent (±)
All people. . . . . . . . . 328,191 18,185 592 5.5 0.2 50,445 1,001 15.4 0.3 63,764 1,069 19.4 0.3 90,584 1,184 27.6 0.4
Age
Under age 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,936 5,229 317 7.2 0.4 14,684 488 20.1 0.7 18,471 511 25.3 0.7 25,501 498 35.0 0.7
18 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,062 10,603 352 5.3 0.2 27,261 574 13.7 0.3 34,266 626 17.2 0.3 48,581 750 24.4 0.4
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . 56,193 2,353 152 4.2 0.3 8,500 261 15.1 0.5 11,027 316 19.6 0.6 16,502 377 29.4 0.7
Sex
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161,793 8,168 324 5.0 0.2 22,761 534 14.1 0.3 29,062 572 18.0 0.4 41,600 638 25.7 0.4
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166,398 10,017 355 6.0 0.2 27,685 597 16.6 0.4 34,702 628 20.9 0.4 48,984 676 29.4 0.4
Race³ and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248,909 11,905 442 4.8 0.2 33,809 788 13.6 0.3 43,321 874 17.4 0.4 62,933 1,016 25.3 0.4
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . 194,309 7,629 343 3.9 0.2 21,295 660 11.0 0.3 27,509 716 14.2 0.4 40,927 860 21.1 0.4
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,976 4,109 349 9.3 0.8 11,112 543 25.3 1.2 13,629 567 31.0 1.3 18,227 524 41.4 1.2
Asian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,676 1,010 129 4.9 0.6 2,435 207 11.8 1.0 3,075 228 14.9 1.1 4,399 279 21.3 1.3
American Indian and
Alaska Native. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,109 425 82 10.3 1.9 1,231 181 30.0 3.3 1,420 190 34.6 3.2 1,803 214 43.9 3.5
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . 9,166 597 109 6.5 1.2 1,593 185 17.4 1.9 2,002 198 21.8 2.0 2,748 226 30.0 2.2
Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . 62,482 4,931 310 7.9 0.5 14,482 511 23.2 0.8 18,320 547 29.3 0.9 25,298 574 40.5 0.9
Family Status
In primary families⁴. . . . . . . . 263,764 11,172 533 4.2 0.2 33,890 853 12.8 0.3 43,551 922 16.5 0.4 63,763 1,035 24.2 0.4
Householder. . . . . . . . . . . 84,283 3,426 164 4.1 0.2 9,943 240 11.8 0.3 12,768 268 15.1 0.3 18,818 323 22.3 0.4
Related children
under age 18. . . . . . . . . . 72,129 4,986 310 6.9 0.4 14,281 492 19.8 0.7 17,993 518 24.9 0.7 24,915 501 34.5 0.7
Related children
under age 6 . . . . . . . . 22,203 1,744 149 7.9 0.7 4,721 205 21.3 0.9 5,791 223 26.1 1.0 8,042 226 36.2 1.0
In unrelated subfamilies⁵. . . 1,029 188 59 18.2 5.0 409 89 39.7 6.9 524 106 51.0 7.1 684 117 66.5 6.7
Unrelated individuals . . . . . . 63,398 6,826 283 10.8 0.4 16,147 433 25.5 0.6 19,688 482 31.1 0.6 26,137 571 41.2 0.7
Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,559 3,232 184 10.2 0.5 7,189 278 22.8 0.7 8,744 308 27.7 0.8 11,543 347 36.6 0.8
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,839 3,594 189 11.3 0.6 8,958 297 28.1 0.8 10,945 321 34.4 0.9 14,594 377 45.8 0.9
¹ The estimates for people with income below 100 percent of their poverty thresholds (under 1.00) can be found in Table A-1.
U.S. Census Bureau
² A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to
and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
³ Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are possible. A group, such as Asian, may be
defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the
race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population
does not imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates for Native Hawaiians and Other
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
⁴ A primary family is a group of two or more people, one of whom is the householder, related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together. All such people (including related
subfamily members) are considered as members of one family.
⁵ An unrelated subfamily is defined as a married couple with or without children or a single parent with one or more own, never-married children under the age of 18 living in a house-
hold and not related by birth, marriage, or adoption to the householder.
Note: Details may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
ALL RACES
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328,191 37,933 11.6 263,764 25,077 9.5 48,476 12,264 25.3 63,398 12,513 19.7
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327,570 37,548 11.5 264,437 25,232 9.5 48,984 12,469 25.5 62,097 11,963 19.3
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324,754 33,984 10.5 263,696 22,431 8.5 46,255 11,262 24.3 60,117 11,300 18.8
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323,847 38,146 11.8 262,010 25,489 9.7 46,660 12,491 26.8 60,768 12,287 20.2
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322,548 39,564 12.3 261,599 26,720 10.2 47,517 13,525 28.5 59,835 12,465 20.8
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322,549 39,698 12.3 260,709 26,766 10.3 47,999 13,378 27.9 60,786 12,593 20.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319,911 40,616 12.7 259,863 27,762 10.7 48,243 13,914 28.8 58,839 12,336 21.0
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318,454 43,123 13.5 258,121 29,893 11.6 48,497 14,719 30.4 58,988 12,671 21.5
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315,804 46,657 14.8 256,308 32,615 12.7 48,019 15,905 33.1 57,937 13,374 23.1
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313,096 46,269 14.8 256,070 32,786 12.8 49,951 17,170 34.4 55,400 12,707 22.9
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312,965 45,318 14.5 254,988 31,530 12.4 47,007 15,606 33.2 56,564 13,181 23.3
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310,648 46,496 15.0 252,863 33,198 13.1 47,085 15,957 33.9 56,185 12,558 22.4
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308,456 46,247 15.0 252,316 33,126 13.1 48,103 16,451 34.2 54,517 12,416 22.8
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306,130 46,343 15.1 250,200 33,120 13.2 46,454 15,911 34.3 54,250 12,449 22.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303,820 43,569 14.3 249,384 31,197 12.5 45,315 14,746 32.5 53,079 11,678 22.0
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301,041 39,829 13.2 248,301 28,564 11.5 44,027 13,812 31.4 51,534 10,710 20.8
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298,699 37,276 12.5 245,443 26,509 10.8 43,961 13,478 30.7 51,740 10,189 19.7
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296,450 36,460 12.3 245,199 25,915 10.6 43,223 13,199 30.5 49,884 9,977 20.0
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293,135 36,950 12.6 242,389 26,068 10.8 42,244 13,153 31.1 49,526 10,425 21.1
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290,617 37,040 12.7 240,754 26,544 11.0 42,053 12,832 30.5 48,609 9,926 20.4
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287,699 35,861 12.5 238,903 25,684 10.8 41,311 12,413 30.0 47,594 9,713 20.4
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285,317 34,570 12.1 236,921 24,534 10.4 40,529 11,657 28.8 47,156 9,618 20.4
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281,475 32,907 11.7 233,911 23,215 9.9 39,261 11,223 28.6 46,392 9,226 19.9
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278,944 31,581 11.3 231,909 22,347 9.6 38,375 10,926 28.5 45,624 8,653 19.0
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276,208 32,791 11.9 230,789 23,830 10.3 38,580 11,764 30.5 43,977 8,400 19.1
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271,059 34,476 12.7 227,229 25,370 11.2 39,000 12,907 33.1 42,539 8,478 19.9
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268,480 35,574 13.3 225,369 26,217 11.6 38,412 13,494 35.1 41,672 8,687 20.8
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266,218 36,529 13.7 223,955 27,376 12.2 38,584 13,796 35.8 40,727 8,452 20.8
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263,733 36,425 13.8 222,792 27,501 12.3 38,908 14,205 36.5 39,484 8,247 20.9
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261,616 38,059 14.5 221,430 28,985 13.1 37,253 14,380 38.6 38,538 8,287 21.5
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259,278 39,265 15.1 219,489 29,927 13.6 37,861 14,636 38.7 38,038 8,388 22.1
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256,549 38,014 14.8 217,936 28,961 13.3 36,446 14,205 39.0 36,842 8,075 21.9
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251,192 35,708 14.2 212,723 27,143 12.8 34,795 13,824 39.7 36,845 7,773 21.1
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248,644 33,585 13.5 210,967 25,232 12.0 33,795 12,578 37.2 36,056 7,446 20.7
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245,992 31,528 12.8 209,515 24,066 11.5 32,525 11,668 35.9 35,185 6,760 19.2
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243,530 31,745 13.0 208,056 24,048 11.6 32,164 11,972 37.2 34,340 7,070 20.6
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240,982 32,221 13.4 206,877 24,725 12.0 31,893 12,148 38.1 32,992 6,857 20.8
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238,554 32,370 13.6 205,459 24,754 12.0 31,152 11,944 38.3 31,679 6,846 21.6
198515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236,594 33,064 14.0 203,963 25,729 12.6 30,878 11,600 37.6 31,351 6,725 21.5
198416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233,816 33,700 14.4 202,288 26,458 13.1 30,844 11,831 38.4 30,268 6,609 21.8
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231,700 35,303 15.2 201,338 27,933 13.9 30,049 12,072 40.2 29,158 6,740 23.1
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229,412 34,398 15.0 200,385 27,349 13.6 28,834 11,701 40.6 27,908 6,458 23.1
198117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227,157 31,822 14.0 198,541 24,850 12.5 28,587 11,051 38.7 27,714 6,490 23.4
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225,027 29,272 13.0 196,963 22,601 11.5 27,565 10,120 36.7 27,133 6,227 22.9
197918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222,903 26,072 11.7 195,860 19,964 10.2 26,927 9,400 34.9 26,170 5,743 21.9
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215,656 24,497 11.4 191,071 19,062 10.0 26,032 9,269 35.6 24,585 5,435 22.1
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213,867 24,720 11.6 190,757 19,505 10.2 25,404 9,205 36.2 23,110 5,216 22.6
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212,303 24,975 11.8 190,844 19,632 10.3 24,204 9,029 37.3 21,459 5,344 24.9
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210,864 25,877 12.3 190,630 20,789 10.9 23,580 8,846 37.5 20,234 5,088 25.1
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209,362 23,370 11.2 190,436 18,817 9.9 23,165 8,462 36.5 18,926 4,553 24.1
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 25
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207,621 22,973 11.1 189,361 18,299 9.7 21,823 8,178 37.5 18,260 4,674 25.6
197220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206,004 24,460 11.9 189,193 19,577 10.3 21,264 8,114 38.2 16,811 4,883 29.0
1971 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204,554 25,559 12.5 188,242 20,405 10.8 20,153 7,797 38.7 16,311 5,154 31.6
1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202,183 25,420 12.6 186,692 20,330 10.9 19,673 7,503 38.1 15,491 5,090 32.9
1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,517 24,147 12.1 184,891 19,175 10.4 17,995 6,879 38.2 14,626 4,972 34.0
1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,628 25,389 12.8 183,825 20,695 11.3 18,048 6,990 38.7 13,803 4,694 34.0
1967²². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,672 27,769 14.2 182,558 22,771 12.5 17,788 6,898 38.8 13,114 4,998 38.1
1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193,388 28,510 14.7 181,117 23,809 13.1 17,240 6,861 39.8 12,271 4,701 38.3
1965. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191,413 33,185 17.3 179,281 28,358 15.8 16,371 7,524 46.0 12,132 4,827 39.8
1964. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189,710 36,055 19.0 177,653 30,912 17.4 N 7,297 44.4 12,057 5,143 42.7
1963. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187,258 36,436 19.5 176,076 31,498 17.9 N 7,646 47.7 11,182 4,938 44.2
1962. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184,276 38,625 21.0 173,263 33,623 19.4 N 7,781 50.3 11,013 5,002 45.4
1961. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,277 39,628 21.9 170,131 34,509 20.3 N 7,252 48.1 11,146 5,119 45.9
1960. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179,503 39,851 22.2 168,615 34,925 20.7 N 7,247 48.9 10,888 4,926 45.2
1959. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176,557 39,490 22.4 165,858 34,562 20.8 N 7,014 49.4 10,699 4,928 46.1
WHITE ALONE23
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248,909 24,919 10.0 199,319 15,795 7.9 28,961 6,575 22.7 48,788 8,877 18.2
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249,083 25,183 10.1 200,217 16,456 8.2 29,829 6,993 23.4 48,044 8,456 17.6
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248,086 22,512 9.1 200,954 14,295 7.1 27,848 6,007 21.6 46,332 7,998 17.3
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247,634 24,945 10.1 200,479 16,240 8.1 28,375 6,972 24.6 46,338 8,429 18.2
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247,255 26,026 10.5 200,267 17,022 8.5 28,671 7,399 25.8 46,147 8,731 18.9
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247,272 26,436 10.7 199,462 17,386 8.7 29,019 7,473 25.8 47,005 8,779 18.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245,985 27,113 11.0 199,330 18,022 9.0 29,420 7,793 26.5 45,643 8,661 19.0
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245,536 28,566 11.6 198,571 19,444 9.8 29,396 8,205 27.9 45,963 8,717 19.0
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244,253 31,089 12.7 197,607 21,072 10.7 29,134 8,680 29.8 45,409 9,476 20.9
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243,346 31,287 12.9 198,041 21,486 10.8 30,428 9,796 32.2 43,924 9,132 20.8
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243,085 29,936 12.3 197,001 19,944 10.1 28,795 8,404 29.2 44,998 9,544 21.2
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242,147 30,816 12.7 196,378 21,328 10.9 28,707 8,691 30.3 44,509 8,940 20.1
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241,334 30,849 12.8 196,709 21,456 10.9 29,636 8,999 30.4 43,295 8,809 20.3
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239,982 31,083 13.0 195,441 21,543 11.0 28,032 8,721 31.1 43,324 8,971 20.7
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242,047 29,830 12.3 197,938 20,701 10.5 28,163 8,283 29.4 43,010 8,580 19.9
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240,548 26,990 11.2 197,763 18,558 9.4 27,010 7,340 27.2 41,810 7,982 19.1
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239,133 25,120 10.5 195,944 17,141 8.7 27,159 7,188 26.5 41,931 7,505 17.9
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237,619 24,416 10.3 196,061 16,644 8.5 27,057 7,160 26.5 40,461 7,334 18.1
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235,430 24,872 10.6 194,277 16,782 8.6 25,943 7,021 27.1 40,164 7,718 19.2
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233,741 25,327 10.8 193,024 17,445 9.0 26,139 6,892 26.4 39,712 7,416 18.7
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231,866 24,272 10.5 192,074 16,740 8.7 25,536 6,530 25.6 38,913 7,225 18.6
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230,376 23,466 10.2 190,823 16,043 8.4 24,903 5,992 24.1 38,575 7,105 18.4
WHITE24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229,675 22,739 9.9 190,413 15,369 8.1 24,619 5,972 24.3 38,294 6,996 18.3
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227,846 21,645 9.5 188,966 14,692 7.8 24,166 5,609 23.2 37,699 6,454 17.1
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225,361 22,169 9.8 187,833 15,353 8.2 23,913 5,947 24.9 36,441 6,411 17.6
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222,837 23,454 10.5 186,184 16,549 8.9 24,211 6,674 27.6 35,563 6,386 18.0
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221,200 24,396 11.0 185,147 17,258 9.3 23,773 7,296 30.7 34,858 6,593 18.9
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219,656 24,650 11.2 184,119 17,621 9.6 23,744 7,073 29.8 34,247 6,463 18.9
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218,028 24,423 11.2 183,450 17,593 9.6 23,732 7,047 29.7 33,399 6,336 19.0
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216,460 25,379 11.7 182,546 18,474 10.1 22,713 7,228 31.8 32,569 6,292 19.3
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214,899 26,226 12.2 181,330 18,968 10.5 23,224 7,199 31.0 32,112 6,443 20.1
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213,060 25,259 11.9 180,409 18,294 10.1 22,453 6,907 30.8 31,170 6,147 19.7
Footnotes provided at end of table.
26 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210,133 23,747 11.3 177,619 17,268 9.7 21,608 6,806 31.5 31,207 5,872 18.8
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208,611 22,326 10.7 176,504 15,916 9.0 20,845 6,210 29.8 30,833 5,739 18.6
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206,853 20,785 10.0 175,857 15,179 8.6 20,362 5,723 28.1 29,993 5,063 16.9
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205,235 20,715 10.1 175,111 15,001 8.6 20,396 5,950 29.2 29,315 5,314 18.1
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203,605 21,195 10.4 174,488 15,593 8.9 20,244 5,989 29.6 28,290 5,174 18.3
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202,282 22,183 11.0 174,024 16,393 9.4 20,163 6,171 30.6 27,143 5,198 19.2
198515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200,918 22,860 11.4 172,863 17,125 9.9 20,105 5,990 29.8 27,067 5,299 19.6
198416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198,941 22,955 11.5 171,839 17,299 10.1 19,727 5,866 29.7 26,094 5,181 19.9
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,496 23,984 12.1 171,407 18,377 10.7 19,256 6,017 31.2 25,206 5,189 20.6
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,919 23,517 12.0 170,748 18,015 10.6 18,374 5,686 30.9 24,300 5,041 20.7
198117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,504 21,553 11.1 169,868 16,127 9.5 18,795 5,600 29.8 23,913 5,061 21.2
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192,912 19,699 10.2 168,756 14,587 8.6 17,642 4,940 28.0 23,370 4,760 20.4
197918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191,742 17,214 9.0 168,461 12,495 7.4 17,349 4,375 25.2 22,587 4,452 19.7
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186,450 16,259 8.7 165,193 12,050 7.3 16,877 4,371 25.9 21,257 4,209 19.8
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185,254 16,416 8.9 165,385 12,364 7.5 16,721 4,474 26.8 19,869 4,051 20.4
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184,165 16,713 9.1 165,571 12,500 7.5 15,941 4,463 28.0 18,594 4,213 22.7
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,164 17,770 9.7 165,661 13,799 8.3 15,577 4,577 29.4 17,503 3,972 22.7
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182,376 15,736 8.6 166,081 12,181 7.3 15,433 4,278 27.7 16,295 3,555 21.8
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,185 15,142 8.4 165,424 11,412 6.9 14,303 4,003 28.0 15,761 3,730 23.7
197220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180,125 16,203 9.0 165,630 12,268 7.4 13,739 3,770 27.4 14,495 3,935 27.1
1971 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179,398 17,780 9.9 165,184 13,566 8.2 13,502 4,099 30.4 14,214 4,214 29.6
1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177,376 17,484 9.9 163,875 13,323 8.1 13,226 3,761 28.4 13,500 4,161 30.8
1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175,349 16,659 9.5 162,779 12,623 7.8 12,285 3,577 29.1 12,570 4,036 32.1
1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173,732 17,395 10.0 161,777 13,546 8.4 12,190 3,551 29.1 11,955 3,849 32.2
196722 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172,038 18,983 11.0 160,720 14,851 9.2 12,131 3,453 28.5 11,318 4,132 36.5
1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170,247 19,290 11.3 159,561 15,430 9.7 12,261 3,646 29.7 10,686 3,860 36.1
1965. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168,732 22,496 13.3 158,255 18,508 11.7 11,573 4,092 35.4 10,477 3,988 38.1
1964. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167,313 24,957 14.9 156,898 20,716 13.2 N 3,911 33.4 10,415 4,241 40.7
1963. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165,309 25,238 15.3 155,584 21,149 13.6 N 4,051 35.6 9,725 4,089 42.0
1962. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162,842 26,672 16.4 153,348 22,613 14.7 N 4,089 37.9 9,494 4,059 42.7
1961. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160,306 27,890 17.4 150,717 23,747 15.8 N 4,062 37.6 9,589 4,143 43.2
1960. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158,863 28,309 17.8 149,458 24,262 16.2 N 4,296 39.0 9,405 4,047 43.0
1959. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156,956 28,484 18.1 147,802 24,443 16.5 N 4,232 40.2 9,154 4,041 44.1
WHITE ALONE, NOT
HISPANIC23
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,309 15,805 8.1 152,526 8,705 5.7 18,658 3,468 18.6 41,232 6,923 16.8
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,078 16,038 8.2 153,252 9,117 5.9 18,852 3,686 19.6 41,246 6,785 16.4
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,643 14,152 7.3 154,328 7,608 4.9 17,528 3,064 17.5 39,747 6,406 16.1
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,815 15,725 8.1 154,545 8,883 5.7 18,179 3,740 20.6 39,694 6,664 16.8
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,218 16,619 8.5 154,636 9,343 6.0 18,334 3,800 20.7 40,012 7,090 17.7
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,256 16,993 8.7 153,956 9,732 6.3 18,597 3,893 20.9 40,760 7,096 17.4
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,221 17,263 8.8 154,627 9,853 6.4 19,390 4,252 21.9 39,875 7,108 17.8
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,450 17,786 9.1 154,713 10,373 6.7 19,339 4,404 22.8 40,043 7,122 17.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,208 19,652 10.1 154,734 11,566 7.5 19,015 4,630 24.4 39,603 7,779 19.6
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,118 19,552 10.0 155,965 11,688 7.5 19,141 5,123 26.8 38,256 7,492 19.6
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,167 18,796 9.6 155,119 10,710 6.9 18,889 4,325 22.9 39,245 7,758 19.8
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,112 18,940 9.7 155,395 11,387 7.3 19,180 4,655 24.3 38,822 7,202 18.6
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,960 19,171 9.8 155,982 11,562 7.4 19,909 4,746 23.8 38,003 7,222 19.0
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,783 19,251 9.9 155,723 11,509 7.4 18,914 4,689 24.8 38,211 7,351 19.2
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 27
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,164 18,530 9.4 158,646 11,211 7.1 19,033 4,532 23.8 37,757 6,946 18.4
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196,940 17,024 8.6 159,344 10,138 6.4 18,799 4,046 21.5 36,848 6,539 17.7
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196,583 16,032 8.2 158,703 9,553 6.0 19,179 4,099 21.4 36,909 6,155 16.7
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196,049 16,013 8.2 159,572 9,676 6.1 19,349 4,353 22.5 35,642 6,021 16.9
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,553 16,227 8.3 159,204 9,604 6.0 18,899 4,278 22.6 35,626 6,393 17.9
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,098 16,908 8.7 159,221 10,323 6.5 19,009 4,116 21.7 35,141 6,237 17.7
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,595 15,902 8.2 159,215 9,658 6.1 18,792 3,959 21.1 34,683 6,015 17.3
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,144 15,567 8.0 158,764 9,389 5.9 18,664 3,733 20.0 34,614 5,947 17.2
WHITE, NOT HISPANIC24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,538 15,271 7.8 159,178 9,122 5.7 18,365 3,661 19.9 34,603 5,882 17.0
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193,691 14,366 7.4 158,838 8,664 5.5 18,196 3,412 18.8 33,943 5,356 15.8
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192,565 14,735 7.7 158,550 9,013 5.7 17,892 3,545 19.8 33,189 5,412 16.3
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192,754 15,799 8.2 159,301 10,061 6.3 18,547 4,074 22.0 32,573 5,352 16.4
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191,859 16,491 8.6 158,796 10,401 6.5 18,474 4,604 24.9 32,049 5,632 17.6
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191,459 16,462 8.6 159,044 10,553 6.6 18,597 4,339 23.3 31,410 5,455 17.4
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190,951 16,267 8.5 159,402 10,599 6.6 18,340 4,183 22.8 30,586 5,303 17.3
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192,543 18,110 9.4 161,254 12,118 7.5 18,186 4,743 26.1 30,157 5,500 18.2
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190,843 18,882 9.9 160,062 12,756 8.0 18,508 4,724 25.5 29,681 5,570 18.8
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189,001 18,202 9.6 159,102 12,277 7.7 18,016 4,640 25.8 28,775 5,350 18.6
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189,116 17,741 9.4 158,850 11,998 7.6 17,609 4,710 26.7 29,215 5,261 18.0
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188,129 16,622 8.8 158,394 11,086 7.0 17,160 4,284 25.0 28,688 5,002 17.4
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186,979 15,599 8.3 158,127 10,723 6.8 16,827 3,922 23.3 28,055 4,466 15.9
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185,961 15,565 8.4 157,687 10,467 6.6 16,828 3,988 23.7 27,552 4,746 17.2
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184,936 16,029 8.7 157,785 11,051 7.0 16,787 4,075 24.3 26,439 4,613 17.4
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184,119 17,244 9.4 157,665 12,078 7.7 16,739 4,350 26.0 25,525 4,668 18.3
198515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,455 17,839 9.7 157,106 12,706 8.1 16,749 4,136 24.7 25,544 4,789 18.7
198416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182,469 18,300 10.0 156,930 13,234 8.4 16,742 4,193 25.0 24,671 4,659 18.9
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,393 19,538 10.8 156,719 14,437 9.2 16,369 4,448 27.2 23,894 4,746 19.9
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,903 19,362 10.6 157,818 14,271 9.0 15,830 4,161 26.3 23,329 4,701 20.2
198117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180,909 17,987 9.9 157,330 12,903 8.2 16,323 4,222 25.9 22,950 4,769 20.8
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179,798 16,365 9.1 156,633 11,568 7.4 15,358 3,699 24.1 22,455 4,474 19.9
197918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178,814 14,419 8.1 156,567 10,009 6.4 15,410 3,371 21.9 21,638 4,179 19.3
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174,731 13,755 7.9 154,321 9,798 6.3 15,132 3,390 22.4 20,410 3,957 19.4
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173,563 13,802 8.0 154,449 9,977 6.5 14,888 3,429 23.0 19,114 3,825 20.0
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173,235 14,025 8.1 155,324 10,066 6.5 14,261 3,516 24.7 17,912 3,959 22.1
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172,417 14,883 8.6 155,539 11,137 7.2 13,809 3,570 25.9 16,879 3,746 22.2
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171,463 13,217 7.7 155,764 9,854 6.3 13,763 3,379 24.6 15,699 3,364 21.4
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170,488 12,864 7.5 155,330 9,262 6.0 12,731 3,185 25.0 15,158 3,602 23.8
BLACK ALONE OR
IN COMBINATION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,225 9,298 19.3 38,000 6,751 17.8 15,433 4,691 30.4 10,067 2,476 24.6
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,258 9,311 19.3 38,359 6,675 17.4 15,532 4,647 29.9 9,771 2,576 26.4
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47,260 8,836 18.7 37,689 6,374 16.9 15,323 4,571 29.8 9,492 2,433 25.6
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,825 9,695 20.7 36,729 6,910 18.8 14,820 4,692 31.7 9,942 2,726 27.4
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,337 10,050 21.7 36,675 7,290 19.9 15,201 5,258 34.6 9,480 2,688 28.4
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,391 9,820 21.2 36,702 7,013 19.1 15,297 5,089 33.3 9,535 2,758 28.9
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,683 9,965 21.8 36,463 7,353 20.2 15,315 5,231 34.2 9,105 2,563 28.2
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,227 10,797 23.9 36,028 7,965 22.1 15,809 5,642 35.7 8,999 2,744 30.5
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,566 11,581 26.0 35,545 8,711 24.5 15,304 6,179 40.4 8,836 2,793 31.6
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,154 11,162 25.3 35,958 8,533 23.7 16,188 6,277 38.8 8,045 2,588 32.2
Footnotes provided at end of table.
28 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,112 11,959 27.1 35,657 9,174 25.7 14,906 6,319 42.4 8,199 2,657 32.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,583 11,809 27.1 35,205 9,016 25.6 15,113 6,220 41.2 8,179 2,663 32.6
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,648 11,730 27.5 34,495 9,012 26.1 15,282 6,500 42.5 7,986 2,635 33.0
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,385 11,597 27.4 34,347 8,891 25.9 15,362 6,269 40.8 7,730 2,587 33.5
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,876 10,575 25.9 33,330 8,184 24.6 14,463 5,755 39.8 7,368 2,285 31.0
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,097 9,882 24.6 32,818 7,768 23.7 14,332 5,782 40.3 7,123 2,042 28.7
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,564 9,668 24.4 32,427 7,668 23.6 14,396 5,702 39.6 7,036 1,968 28.0
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,013 9,447 24.2 32,130 7,411 23.1 13,848 5,422 39.2 6,715 1,935 28.8
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,551 9,517 24.7 31,663 7,459 23.6 14,080 5,524 39.2 6,754 2,003 29.7
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,037 9,411 24.7 31,468 7,495 23.8 13,830 5,484 39.7 6,418 1,840 28.7
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,503 9,108 24.3 31,059 7,162 23.1 13,664 5,312 38.9 6,194 1,814 29.3
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,207 8,884 23.9 31,008 6,985 22.5 13,551 5,145 38.0 6,034 1,851 30.7
BLACK ALONE25
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,976 8,583 19.5 34,323 6,202 18.1 14,035 4,328 30.8 9,514 2,315 24.3
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,694 8,556 19.6 34,451 6,062 17.6 14,082 4,214 29.9 9,141 2,434 26.6
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,965 8,073 18.8 34,033 5,777 17.0 13,939 4,118 29.5 8,863 2,271 25.6
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,773 8,884 20.8 33,237 6,242 18.8 13,500 4,277 31.7 9,388 2,584 27.5
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,477 9,224 21.7 33,261 6,594 19.8 13,986 4,811 34.4 9,064 2,573 28.4
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,474 8,993 21.2 33,250 6,315 19.0 14,066 4,628 32.9 9,101 2,644 29.1
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,962 9,234 22.0 33,199 6,709 20.2 13,964 4,777 34.2 8,679 2,484 28.6
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,625 10,020 24.1 32,890 7,305 22.2 14,549 5,198 35.7 8,549 2,635 30.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,112 10,755 26.2 32,546 8,013 24.6 14,091 5,670 40.2 8,419 2,685 31.9
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,498 10,186 25.2 32,658 7,665 23.5 14,838 5,759 38.8 7,717 2,483 32.2
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,615 11,041 27.2 32,564 8,390 25.8 13,816 5,871 42.5 7,842 2,536 32.3
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,125 10,911 27.2 32,122 8,251 25.7 13,931 5,735 41.2 7,841 2,549 32.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,609 10,929 27.6 31,800 8,334 26.2 14,145 5,980 42.3 7,659 2,524 33.0
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,283 10,746 27.4 31,596 8,181 25.9 14,236 5,831 41.0 7,419 2,479 33.4
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,556 9,944 25.8 31,306 7,642 24.4 13,680 5,427 39.7 7,102 2,209 31.1
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,966 9,379 24.7 30,986 7,339 23.7 13,648 5,533 40.5 6,835 1,970 28.8
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,665 9,237 24.5 30,778 7,312 23.8 13,741 5,459 39.7 6,807 1,898 27.9
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,306 9,048 24.3 30,621 7,072 23.1 13,244 5,180 39.1 6,545 1,897 29.0
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,802 9,168 24.9 30,154 7,164 23.8 13,481 5,303 39.3 6,521 1,949 29.9
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,426 9,014 24.7 30,065 7,153 23.8 13,244 5,247 39.6 6,217 1,792 28.8
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,989 8,781 24.4 29,727 6,870 23.1 13,118 5,115 39.0 6,034 1,781 29.5
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,678 8,602 24.1 29,671 6,761 22.8 13,030 4,980 38.2 5,858 1,800 30.7
BLACK 24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,871 8,136 22.7 29,869 6,389 21.4 12,550 4,694 37.4 5,873 1,692 28.8
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,425 7,982 22.5 29,378 6,221 21.2 12,383 4,774 38.6 5,885 1,702 28.9
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,756 8,441 23.6 29,819 6,758 22.7 12,823 5,232 40.8 5,668 1,562 27.5
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,877 9,091 26.1 29,333 7,259 24.7 13,156 5,629 42.8 5,390 1,752 32.5
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,458 9,116 26.5 28,962 7,386 25.5 13,218 5,654 42.8 5,316 1,645 31.0
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,110 9,694 28.4 28,933 7,993 27.6 13,193 6,123 46.4 4,989 1,606 32.2
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,740 9,872 29.3 28,777 8,189 28.5 13,604 6,553 48.2 4,756 1,551 32.6
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,353 10,196 30.6 28,499 8,447 29.6 12,926 6,489 50.2 4,649 1,617 34.8
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,910 10,877 33.1 28,106 9,242 32.9 13,132 6,955 53.0 4,608 1,541 33.4
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,411 10,827 33.4 27,790 9,134 32.9 12,591 6,799 54.0 4,410 1,569 35.6
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,313 10,242 32.7 26,565 8,504 32.0 11,960 6,557 54.8 4,505 1,590 35.3
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,806 9,837 31.9 26,296 8,160 31.0 11,866 6,005 50.6 4,244 1,491 35.1
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,332 9,302 30.7 25,931 7,704 29.7 11,190 5,530 49.4 4,180 1,471 35.2
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,849 9,356 31.3 25,484 7,650 30.0 10,794 5,601 51.9 4,095 1,509 36.8
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,362 9,520 32.4 25,128 7,848 31.2 10,701 5,789 54.1 3,977 1,471 37.0
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 29
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,871 8,983 31.1 24,910 7,410 29.7 10,175 5,473 53.8 3,714 1,431 38.5
198515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,485 8,926 31.3 24,620 7,504 30.5 10,041 5,342 53.2 3,641 1,264 34.7
198416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,087 9,490 33.8 24,387 8,104 33.2 10,384 5,666 54.6 3,501 1,255 35.8
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,678 9,882 35.7 24,138 8,376 34.7 10,059 5,736 57.0 3,287 1,338 40.7
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,216 9,697 35.6 23,948 8,355 34.9 9,699 5,698 58.8 3,051 1,229 40.3
198117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,834 9,173 34.2 23,423 7,780 33.2 9,214 5,222 56.7 3,277 1,296 39.6
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,408 8,579 32.5 23,084 7,190 31.1 9,338 4,984 53.4 3,208 1,314 41.0
197918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,944 8,050 31.0 22,666 6,800 30.0 9,065 4,816 53.1 3,127 1,168 37.3
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,956 7,625 30.6 22,027 6,493 29.5 8,689 4,712 54.2 2,929 1,132 38.6
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,710 7,726 31.3 21,850 6,667 30.5 8,315 4,595 55.3 2,860 1,059 37.0
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,399 7,595 31.1 21,840 6,576 30.1 7,926 4,415 55.7 2,559 1,019 39.8
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,089 7,545 31.3 21,687 6,533 30.1 7,679 4,168 54.3 2,402 1,011 42.1
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,699 7,182 30.3 21,341 6,255 29.3 7,483 4,116 55.0 2,359 927 39.3
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,512 7,388 31.4 21,328 6,560 30.8 7,188 4,064 56.5 2,183 828 37.9
197220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,144 7,710 33.3 21,116 6,841 32.4 7,125 4,139 58.1 2,028 870 42.9
1971 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,784 7,396 32.5 20,900 6,530 31.2 6,398 3,587 56.1 1,884 866 46.0
1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,515 7,548 33.5 20,724 6,683 32.2 6,225 3,656 58.7 1,791 865 48.3
1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,011 7,095 32.2 20,192 6,245 30.9 5,537 3,225 58.2 1,819 850 46.7
1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,944 7,616 34.7 N 6,839 33.7 N 3,312 58.9 N 777 46.3
196722 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,590 8,486 39.3 N 7,677 38.4 N 3,362 61.6 N 809 49.3
1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,206 8,867 41.8 N 8,090 40.9 N 3,160 65.3 N 777 54.4
1959. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,013 9,927 55.1 N 9,112 54.9 N 2,416 70.6 1,430 815 57.0
ASIAN ALONE OR
IN COMBINATION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,451 2,112 9.0 20,094 1,330 6.6 2,364 370 15.7 3,324 780 23.5
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,923 1,827 8.0 19,776 1,196 6.0 2,145 361 16.9 3,092 619 20.0
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,440 1,588 7.1 19,366 1,026 5.3 1,822 291 16.0 3,026 562 18.6
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,046 2,166 9.8 18,745 1,360 7.3 1,943 380 19.5 3,231 783 24.2
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,556 2,063 9.6 18,562 1,350 7.3 2,041 354 17.3 2,943 694 23.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,511 2,104 9.8 18,484 1,379 7.5 2,086 338 16.2 2,963 720 24.3
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,756 2,062 9.9 17,856 1,287 7.2 1,931 365 18.9 2,858 761 26.6
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,037 2,234 11.1 17,183 1,361 7.9 1,675 254 15.2 2,762 839 30.4
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,685 2,268 11.5 16,964 1,479 8.7 1,994 355 17.8 2,621 754 28.8
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,182 2,398 12.5 16,800 1,680 10.0 1,873 525 28.1 2,339 700 29.9
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,023 1,974 10.4 16,642 1,305 7.8 1,923 323 16.8 2,333 660 28.3
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,173 2,072 11.4 15,751 1,467 9.3 1,756 374 21.3 2,334 580 24.8
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,813 2,189 12.3 15,591 1,550 9.9 1,847 411 22.2 2,133 614 28.8
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,237 2,064 12.0 14,950 1,463 9.8 1,804 386 21.4 2,208 578 26.2
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,272 1,901 12.4 13,403 1,361 10.2 1,539 290 18.9 1,826 527 28.8
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,543 1,686 11.6 12,817 1,270 9.9 1,471 228 15.5 1,707 410 24.0
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,430 1,467 10.2 12,527 1,012 8.1 1,421 250 17.6 1,837 426 23.2
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,331 1,447 10.1 12,463 984 7.9 1,210 220 18.1 1,801 449 24.9
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,731 1,501 10.9 11,931 1,039 8.7 1,223 220 18.0 1,771 457 25.8
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,291 1,295 9.7 11,661 876 7.5 1,190 170 14.3 1,599 417 26.1
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,891 1,527 11.8 11,266 1,116 9.9 1,184 294 24.8 1,590 402 25.3
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,487 1,243 10.0 10,742 816 7.6 1,146 175 15.3 1,708 417 24.4
ASIAN ALONE26
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,676 1,922 9.3 17,674 1,206 6.8 1,989 301 15.1 2,972 714 24.0
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,352 1,645 8.1 17,550 1,080 6.2 1,783 310 17.4 2,754 553 20.1
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,926 1,464 7.3 17,134 946 5.5 1,576 254 16.1 2,752 518 18.8
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,768 1,996 10.1 16,765 1,243 7.4 1,686 327 19.4 2,946 732 24.8
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,526 1,891 9.7 16,748 1,220 7.3 1,715 288 16.8 2,737 652 23.8
Footnotes provided at end of table.
30 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,475 1,953 10.0 16,666 1,276 7.7 1,757 275 15.7 2,758 674 24.4
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,879 1,908 10.1 16,220 1,179 7.3 1,657 326 19.7 2,627 715 27.2
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,241 2,078 11.4 15,597 1,260 8.1 1,435 222 15.5 2,556 784 30.7
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,790 2,137 12.0 15,261 1,391 9.1 1,725 315 18.2 2,431 713 29.3
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,257 2,255 13.1 15,057 1,589 10.6 1,574 442 28.1 2,180 661 30.3
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,063 1,785 10.5 14,895 1,154 7.7 1,657 228 13.7 2,128 623 29.3
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,417 1,921 11.7 14,190 1,357 9.6 1,515 309 20.4 2,156 547 25.4
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,086 1,973 12.3 14,100 1,389 9.9 1,570 327 20.8 1,921 571 29.7
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,611 1,899 12.2 13,515 1,341 9.9 1,471 327 22.2 2,040 547 26.8
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,005 1,746 12.5 12,296 1,244 10.1 1,353 250 18.5 1,673 491 29.3
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,310 1,576 11.8 11,719 1,192 10.2 1,308 209 16.0 1,574 378 24.0
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,257 1,349 10.2 11,471 930 8.1 1,256 217 17.3 1,720 391 22.7
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,177 1,353 10.3 11,428 912 8.0 1,057 187 17.7 1,683 428 25.4
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,580 1,402 11.1 10,911 970 8.9 1,059 189 17.8 1,645 427 26.0
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,231 1,201 9.8 10,734 812 7.6 1,024 135 13.2 1,472 388 26.3
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,856 1,401 11.8 10,333 1,017 9.8 1,028 242 23.6 1,494 375 25.1
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,541 1,161 10.1 9,899 763 7.7 1,019 155 15.2 1,613 390 24.2
ASIAN AND PACIFIC
ISLANDER24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,465 1,275 10.2 10,745 873 8.1 1,333 198 14.8 1,682 393 23.4
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,672 1,258 9.9 11,044 895 8.1 1,231 289 23.4 1,588 350 22.0
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,955 1,285 10.7 10,507 1,010 9.6 1,201 275 22.9 1,415 270 19.1
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,873 1,360 12.5 9,576 1,087 11.4 1,123 373 33.2 1,266 257 20.3
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,482 1,468 14.0 9,312 1,116 12.0 932 313 33.6 1,134 327 28.9
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,054 1,454 14.5 8,900 1,172 13.2 1,018 300 29.5 1,120 255 22.8
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,644 1,411 14.6 8,582 1,112 13.0 919 266 28.9 1,013 260 25.6
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,654 974 14.6 5,915 776 13.1 582 137 23.6 696 179 25.7
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,434 1,134 15.3 6,609 898 13.6 725 126 17.4 791 228 28.8
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,779 985 12.7 6,922 787 11.4 729 183 25.0 828 193 23.3
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,192 996 13.8 6,367 773 12.1 721 177 24.6 785 209 26.6
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,014 858 12.2 6,300 712 11.3 638 132 20.7 668 124 18.5
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,673 939 14.1 5,917 779 13.2 614 212 34.6 712 144 20.2
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,447 1,117 17.3 5,767 942 16.3 650 263 40.5 651 160 24.5
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,322 1,021 16.1 5,785 875 15.1 584 187 32.0 516 138 26.8
AMERICAN INDIAN AND
ALASKA NATIVE
ALONE OR IN
COMBINATION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,066 1,550 21.9 5,849 1,138 19.5 1,726 644 37.3 1,183 390 33.0
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,758 1,111 16.4 5,592 797 14.3 1,484 445 30.0 1,144 304 26.6
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,541 1,062 16.2 5,338 752 14.1 1,211 403 33.3 1,196 304 25.4
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,816 1,335 19.6 5,549 971 17.5 1,463 449 30.7 1,252 361 28.8
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,914 1,401 20.3 5,668 1,036 18.3 1,556 563 36.2 1,213 349 28.8
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,914 1,356 19.6 5,649 997 17.6 1,550 550 35.5 1,237 343 27.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,836 1,387 20.3 5,641 1,024 18.1 1,625 585 36.0 1,158 337 29.1
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,111 1,507 21.2 5,871 1,130 19.3 1,710 706 41.3 1,191 346 29.1
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,679 1,526 22.8 5,643 1,165 20.6 1,599 671 42.0 1,003 345 34.4
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,831 1,372 23.5 4,760 1,022 21.5 1,421 597 42.0 1,022 307 30.0
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,368 1,490 23.4 5,287 1,139 21.5 1,498 599 40.0 1,046 329 31.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,284 1,759 28.0 5,135 1,360 26.5 1,588 695 43.8 1,109 372 33.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,224 1,515 24.3 5,144 1,157 22.5 1,410 607 43.1 1,046 344 32.9
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,073 1,552 25.6 5,074 1,208 23.8 1,376 552 40.2 915 274 30.0
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,244 1,218 23.2 4,365 916 21.0 1,155 431 37.3 847 282 33.2
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 31
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,471 1,211 22.1 4,552 924 20.3 1,169 431 36.9 866 266 30.7
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,292 1,076 20.3 4,281 739 17.3 979 359 36.7 919 295 32.1
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,133 1,148 22.4 4,237 883 20.8 1,087 406 37.4 859 252 29.3
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,233 1,093 20.9 4,324 809 18.7 1,023 417 40.8 846 265 31.3
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,269 1,027 19.5 4,363 752 17.2 926 335 36.2 845 254 30.0
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,061 940 18.6 4,175 680 16.3 984 315 32.0 845 246 29.1
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,844 952 19.6 4,000 675 16.9 944 359 38.0 787 237 30.2
AMERICAN INDIAN AND
ALASKA NATIVE ALONE27
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,109 998 24.3 3,432 759 22.1 999 434 43.5 649 218 33.5
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,950 791 20.0 3,271 591 18.1 877 303 34.6 665 194 29.2
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,735 677 18.1 3,076 481 15.6 701 231 33.0 652 191 29.3
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,663 808 22.1 2,993 597 20.0 828 233 28.1 656 209 31.8
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,616 790 21.8 2,973 573 19.3 888 299 33.7 618 206 33.4
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,619 750 20.7 2,971 541 18.2 884 299 33.8 629 198 31.5
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,701 811 21.9 3,037 598 19.7 892 323 36.2 635 189 29.7
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,269 995 23.3 3,534 742 21.0 1,090 481 44.1 701 231 32.9
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,808 1,013 26.6 3,225 791 24.5 940 445 47.4 559 210 37.6
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,074 837 27.2 2,587 664 25.7 840 359 42.7 485 173 35.6
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,344 914 27.3 2,785 709 25.5 819 349 42.6 537 184 34.2
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,459 1,184 34.2 2,820 928 32.9 920 481 52.2 606 236 39.0
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,210 917 28.6 2,600 684 26.3 749 357 47.6 592 229 38.7
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,076 886 28.8 2,589 718 27.7 727 333 45.8 459 151 33.0
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,671 732 27.4 2,197 546 24.9 650 243 37.4 445 166 37.4
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,845 770 27.1 2,377 600 25.3 706 296 42.0 441 159 36.0
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,742 649 23.7 2,195 439 20.0 535 194 36.2 487 184 37.8
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,536 744 29.3 2,061 592 28.7 593 273 46.0 453 146 32.2
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,238 603 26.9 1,825 459 25.2 535 242 45.3 381 136 35.6
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,319 584 25.2 1,930 447 23.1 450 189 41.9 370 129 34.9
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,240 532 23.8 1,876 390 20.8 515 149 29.0 349 134 38.5
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,273 547 24.1 1,901 401 21.1 491 202 41.2 333 112 33.5
AMERICAN INDIAN AND
ALASKA NATIVE24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,463 757 21.9 2,885 584 20.3 758 358 47.3 543 145 26.7
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,001 696 23.2 2,521 538 21.3 595 254 42.7 453 147 32.6
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,135 897 28.6 2,630 710 27.0 643 310 48.3 453 158 35.0
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,472 571 23.1 2,135 475 22.3 510 231 45.2 320 83 26.0
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,340 594 25.4 1,948 457 23.4 488 231 47.4 364 122 33.5
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,399 731 30.5 2,003 590 29.5 628 300 47.7 371 128 34.5
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,321 718 31.0 1,983 607 30.6 653 340 52.0 317 101 31.9
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,482 392 26.4 1,232 309 25.1 263 119 45.0 232 72 30.9
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,690 399 23.6 1,400 305 21.8 336 121 36.1 270 80 29.5
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,054 600 29.2 1,707 455 26.7 430 203 47.1 307 123 40.0
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,793 562 31.3 1,541 469 30.4 347 207 59.6 227 74 32.5
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,560 444 28.5 1,317 348 26.4 334 181 54.1 219 75 34.2
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,445 345 23.9 1,232 286 23.2 269 152 56.5 196 47 23.8
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,454 440 30.2 1,215 354 29.1 269 115 42.9 213 71 33.3
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,345 387 28.8 1,183 333 28.2 325 158 48.4 156 52 33.2
Footnotes provided at end of table.
32 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
TWO OR MORE RACES24
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,166 1,298 14.2 7,867 943 12.0 2,238 552 24.7 1,273 346 27.2
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,220 1,209 13.1 7,874 920 11.7 2,190 609 27.8 1,305 285 21.8
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,920 1,135 12.7 7,563 842 11.1 1,992 606 30.4 1,340 288 21.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,793 1,381 15.7 7,490 1,067 14.2 2,029 638 31.4 1,275 302 23.7
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,423 1,441 17.1 7,292 1,157 15.9 1,990 672 33.8 1,083 265 24.5
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,475 1,408 16.6 7,314 1,118 15.3 2,010 664 33.0 1,109 270 24.4
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,094 1,312 16.2 6,976 1,062 15.2 2,102 653 31.1 1,068 241 22.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,622 1,323 17.4 6,535 1,048 16.0 1,850 591 32.0 1,058 260 24.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,473 1,352 18.1 6,463 1,069 16.5 1,895 686 36.2 962 259 26.9
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,739 1,562 20.2 6,679 1,255 18.8 2,034 763 37.5 965 246 25.5
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,731 1,450 18.8 6,740 1,176 17.4 1,750 675 38.6 936 260 27.8
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,349 1,462 19.9 6,377 1,175 18.4 1,815 676 37.2 914 252 27.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,166 1,443 20.1 6,204 1,167 18.8 1,849 760 41.1 904 242 26.7
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,172 1,507 21.0 6,192 1,172 18.9 1,872 651 34.8 872 244 27.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,715 1,168 20.4 4,946 949 19.2 1,345 509 37.8 728 201 27.6
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,502 941 17.1 4,703 742 15.8 1,203 383 31.8 764 188 24.7
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,172 845 16.3 4,420 639 14.4 1,168 399 34.1 704 185 26.3
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,103 811 15.9 4,423 630 14.2 1,148 362 31.5 641 151 23.6
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,472 839 15.3 4,692 644 13.7 1,129 378 33.5 732 179 24.5
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,298 847 16.0 4,506 636 14.1 1,104 354 32.1 734 189 25.8
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,053 771 15.2 4,317 604 14.0 1,027 357 34.7 686 157 22.8
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,670 686 14.7 3,974 496 12.5 984 295 30.0 653 175 26.8
HISPANIC (ANY RACE)28
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,482 10,690 17.1 53,549 8,288 15.5 12,382 3,754 30.3 8,643 2,303 26.6
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,769 10,520 17.0 53,621 8,379 15.6 12,856 3,866 30.1 7,871 1,992 25.3
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,602 9,545 15.7 52,743 7,587 14.4 12,248 3,512 28.7 7,627 1,878 24.6
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,957 10,526 17.6 52,041 8,368 16.1 11,939 3,716 31.1 7,645 2,047 26.8
2017². . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,051 10,816 18.3 51,651 8,760 17.0 12,155 4,274 35.2 7,063 1,946 27.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59,053 10,790 18.3 51,517 8,708 16.9 12,244 4,198 34.3 7,206 1,954 27.1
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57,556 11,137 19.4 50,525 9,200 18.2 11,926 4,136 34.7 6,697 1,793 26.8
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,780 12,133 21.4 49,524 10,109 20.4 11,878 4,401 37.1 6,884 1,876 27.2
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,504 13,104 23.6 48,296 10,853 22.5 11,919 4,817 40.4 6,776 1,981 29.2
2013³. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,181 13,356 24.7 47,266 11,128 23.5 13,060 5,406 41.4 6,414 1,915 29.9
2013⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,145 12,744 23.5 47,254 10,536 22.3 11,679 4,860 41.6 6,545 2,063 31.5
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,105 13,616 25.6 46,183 11,358 24.6 11,255 4,816 42.8 6,502 2,018 31.0
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,279 13,244 25.3 45,781 11,143 24.3 11,368 4,996 44.0 6,096 1,882 30.9
2010⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,971 13,522 26.5 44,612 11,384 25.5 10,719 4,748 44.3 5,846 1,863 31.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,811 12,350 25.3 42,717 10,345 24.2 10,283 4,176 40.6 5,718 1,801 31.5
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47,398 10,987 23.2 41,732 9,303 22.3 9,265 3,751 40.5 5,417 1,577 29.1
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,933 9,890 21.5 40,125 8,248 20.6 8,917 3,527 39.6 5,508 1,490 27.1
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,784 9,243 20.6 39,177 7,650 19.5 8,652 3,189 36.9 5,317 1,468 27.6
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,020 9,368 21.8 37,759 7,767 20.6 7,868 3,069 39.0 4,971 1,451 29.2
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,690 9,122 21.9 36,438 7,705 21.1 7,825 3,072 39.3 4,971 1,293 26.0
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,300 9,051 22.5 35,469 7,637 21.5 7,452 2,861 38.4 4,620 1,325 28.7
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,216 8,555 21.8 34,598 7,184 20.8 7,013 2,554 36.4 4,364 1,255 28.8
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,312 7,997 21.4 33,110 6,674 20.2 6,830 2,585 37.8 3,981 1,211 30.4
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,955 7,747 21.5 31,700 6,430 20.3 6,469 2,444 37.8 3,978 1,163 29.2
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,632 7,876 22.7 30,872 6,702 21.7 6,527 2,642 40.5 3,481 1,068 30.7
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 33
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-4.
Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling
error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people People in families Unrelated individuals
Families with female
All families householder,
Race, Hispanic origin, Below no spouse present Below
and year poverty poverty
Below Below
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,515 8,070 25.6 28,055 6,814 24.3 6,074 2,837 46.7 3,218 1,097 34.1
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,637 8,308 27.1 27,467 7,198 26.2 5,718 2,911 50.9 2,976 1,017 34.2
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,614 8,697 29.4 26,340 7,515 28.5 5,641 3,020 53.5 2,985 1,066 35.7
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,344 8,574 30.3 25,165 7,341 29.2 5,785 3,053 52.8 2,947 1,092 37.0
199410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,442 8,416 30.7 24,390 7,357 30.2 5,328 2,920 54.8 2,798 926 33.1
199311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,559 8,126 30.6 23,439 6,876 29.3 5,333 2,837 53.2 2,717 972 35.8
199212 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,646 7,592 29.6 22,695 6,455 28.4 4,806 2,474 51.5 2,577 881 34.2
199113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,070 6,339 28.7 19,658 5,541 28.2 4,326 2,282 52.7 2,146 667 31.1
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,405 6,006 28.1 18,912 5,091 26.9 3,993 2,115 53.0 2,254 774 34.3
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,746 5,430 26.2 18,488 4,659 25.2 3,763 1,902 50.6 2,045 634 31.0
198814 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,064 5,357 26.7 18,102 4,700 26.0 3,734 2,052 55.0 1,864 597 32.0
198714 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,395 5,422 28.0 17,342 4,761 27.5 3,678 2,045 55.6 1,933 598 31.0
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,758 5,117 27.3 16,880 4,469 26.5 3,631 1,921 52.9 1,685 553 32.8
198515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,075 5,236 29.0 16,276 4,605 28.3 3,561 1,983 55.7 1,602 532 33.2
198416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,916 4,806 28.4 15,293 4,192 27.4 3,139 1,764 56.2 1,481 545 36.8
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,544 4,633 28.0 15,075 4,113 27.3 3,032 1,670 55.1 1,364 457 33.5
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,385 4,301 29.9 13,242 3,865 29.2 2,664 1,601 60.1 1,018 358 35.1
198117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,021 3,713 26.5 12,922 3,349 25.9 2,622 1,465 55.9 1,005 313 31.1
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,600 3,491 25.7 12,547 3,143 25.1 2,421 1,319 54.5 970 312 32.2
197918 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,371 2,921 21.8 12,291 2,599 21.1 2,058 1,053 51.2 991 286 28.8
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,079 2,607 21.6 11,193 2,343 20.9 1,817 1,024 56.4 886 264 29.8
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,046 2,700 22.4 11,249 2,463 21.9 1,901 1,077 56.7 797 237 29.8
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,269 2,783 24.7 10,552 2,516 23.8 1,766 1,000 56.6 716 266 37.2
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,117 2,991 26.9 10,472 2,755 26.3 1,842 1,053 57.2 645 236 36.6
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,201 2,575 23.0 10,584 2,374 22.4 1,723 915 53.1 617 201 32.6
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,795 2,366 21.9 10,269 2,209 21.5 1,534 881 57.4 526 157 29.9
197220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,588 2,414 22.8 10,099 2,252 22.3 1,370 733 53.5 488 162 33.2
Footnotes provided on next page.
34 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
N Not available. 15
Full implementation of 1980 Census-based sample design.
1
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls. 16
Implementation of Hispanic population weighting controls and
² Estimates reflect the implementation of an updated process- introduction of 1980 Census-based sample design.
ing system and should be used to make comparisons to 2018 and 17
Implemented three technical changes to the poverty defi-
subsequent years. nition. More information is available in “Characteristics of the
³ The 2014 CPS ASEC included redesigned questions for income Population Below the Poverty Level: 1980,” P60-133.
and health insurance coverage. All of the approximately 98,000 18
Implementation of 1980 Census-based population controls.
addresses were eligible to receive the redesigned set of health Questionnaire expanded to show 27 possible values from 51 pos-
insurance coverage questions. The redesigned income questions sible sources of income.
were implemented to a subsample of the 98,000 addresses using 19
Implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system.
a probability split panel design. Approximately 68,000 addresses Questionnaire expanded to ask 11 income questions.
were eligible to receive a set of income questions similar to those 20
Full implementation of 1970 Census-based sample design.
used in the 2013 CPS ASEC, and the remaining 30,000 addresses 21
Introduction of 1970 Census-based sample design and popula-
were eligible to receive the redesigned income questions. The tion controls.
source of these 2013 estimates is the portion of the CPS ASEC 22
Implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system.
sample that received the redesigned income questions, approxi- 23
Beginning with the 2003 CPS ASEC, respondents were allowed
mately 30,000 addresses. to choose one or more races. White alone refers to people who
⁴ The source of these 2013 estimates is the portion of the CPS reported White and did not report any other race category. The use
ASEC sample that received the income questions consistent with of this single-race population does not imply that it is the preferred
the 2013 CPS ASEC, approximately 68,000 addresses. method of presenting or analyzing the data. The Census Bureau
⁵ Implementation of 2010 Census-based population controls. uses a variety of approaches.
⁶ Data have been revised to reflect a correction to the weights in 24
For the year 2001 and earlier, the CPS ASEC allowed respon-
the 2005 CPS ASEC. dents to report only one race group.
⁷ Implementation of a 28,000-household expansion. 25
Black alone refers to people who reported Black and did not
⁸ Implementation of 2000 Census-based population controls. report any other race category.
⁹ Full implementation of 1990 Census-based sample design and 26
Asian alone refers to people who reported Asian and did not
metropolitan definitions, 7,000-household sample reduction, and report any other race category.
revised editing of responses on race. 27
American Indian and Alaska Native alone refers to people who
10
Introduction of 1990 Census-based sample design. reported American Indian and Alaska Native and did not report any
11
Data collection method changed from paper and pencil to other race category.
computer-assisted interviewing. In addition, the 1994 CPS ASEC 28
Because Hispanics may be any race, data in this report
was revised to allow for the coding of different income amounts on for Hispanics overlap with data for racial groups. Of those who
selected questionnaire items. Limits either increased or decreased reported only one race, being Hispanic was reported by 16.6 per-
in the following categories: earnings limits increased to $999,999; cent of White householders, 5.6 percent of Black householders, 2.9
Social Security limits increased to $49,999; Supplemental Security percent of Asian householders, and 29.7 percent of American Indian
Income and public assistance limits increased to $24,999; veterans’ and Alaska Native householders. Data users should exercise caution
benefits limits increased to $99,999; child support and alimony when interpreting aggregate results for the Hispanic population and
limits decreased to $49,999. for race groups because these populations consist of many distinct
12
Implementation of 1990 Census-based population controls. groups that differ in socioeconomic characteristics, culture, and
13
Estimates are revised to correct for nine omitted weights from recency of immigration. Data were first collected for Hispanics in
the original 1992 CPS ASEC. More information is available in “Money 1972.
Income of Households, Families, and Persons in the United States: Note: Before 1979, unrelated subfamilies were included in all
1992,” P60-184. families. Beginning in 1979, unrelated subfamilies are excluded
14
Estimates reflect the implementation of a new CPS ASEC pro- from all families. An unrelated subfamily is defined as a married
cessing system and are also revised to reflect corrections to the files couple family with or without children or a single parent with one
after publication of the 1988 advance report “Money Income and or more own, never-married children under the age of 18 living in
Poverty Status in the United States: 1988,” P60-166. a household and not related by birth, marriage, or adoption to the
householder.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to
2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 35
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
ALL RACES
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,936 11,149 15.3 72,129 10,796 15.0 199,062 20,982 10.5 56,193 5,802 10.3
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,541 11,789 16.0 72,755 11,439 15.7 199,753 20,907 10.5 54,276 4,852 8.9
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,637 10,466 14.4 71,854 10,165 14.1 197,475 18,660 9.4 54,642 4,858 8.9
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,284 11,869 16.2 72,425 11,491 15.9 197,775 21,130 10.7 52,788 5,146 9.7
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,470 12,759 17.4 72,612 12,358 17.0 198,012 21,913 11.1 51,066 4,893 9.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,356 12,808 17.5 72,532 12,439 17.1 198,113 22,209 11.2 51,080 4,681 9.2
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,586 13,253 18.0 72,674 12,803 17.6 197,051 22,795 11.6 49,274 4,568 9.3
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,647 14,509 19.7 72,558 13,962 19.2 197,260 24,414 12.4 47,547 4,201 8.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,556 15,540 21.1 72,383 14,987 20.7 196,254 26,527 13.5 45,994 4,590 10.0
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,439 15,801 21.5 72,246 15,116 20.9 194,694 25,899 13.3 44,963 4,569 10.2
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,625 14,659 19.9 72,573 14,142 19.5 194,833 26,429 13.6 44,508 4,231 9.5
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,719 16,073 21.8 72,545 15,437 21.3 193,642 26,497 13.7 43,287 3,926 9.1
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,737 16,134 21.9 72,568 15,539 21.4 193,213 26,492 13.7 41,507 3,620 8.7
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,873 16,286 22.0 72,581 15,598 21.5 192,481 26,499 13.8 39,777 3,558 8.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74,579 15,451 20.7 73,410 14,774 20.1 190,627 24,684 12.9 38,613 3,433 8.9
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74,068 14,068 19.0 72,980 13,507 18.5 189,185 22,105 11.7 37,788 3,656 9.7
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,996 13,324 18.0 72,792 12,802 17.6 187,913 20,396 10.9 36,790 3,556 9.7
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,727 12,827 17.4 72,609 12,299 16.9 186,688 20,239 10.8 36,035 3,394 9.4
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,285 12,896 17.6 72,095 12,335 17.1 184,345 20,450 11.1 35,505 3,603 10.1
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,241 13,041 17.8 72,133 12,473 17.3 182,166 20,545 11.3 35,209 3,453 9.8
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,999 12,866 17.6 71,907 12,340 17.2 180,041 19,443 10.8 34,659 3,552 10.2
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,696 12,133 16.7 71,619 11,646 16.3 178,388 18,861 10.6 34,234 3,576 10.4
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,021 11,733 16.3 70,950 11,175 15.8 175,685 17,760 10.1 33,769 3,414 10.1
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,741 11,587 16.2 70,538 11,005 15.6 173,638 16,671 9.6 33,566 3,323 9.9
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,685 12,280 17.1 70,424 11,678 16.6 171,146 17,289 10.1 33,377 3,222 9.7
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,338 13,467 18.9 70,253 12,845 18.3 167,327 17,623 10.5 32,394 3,386 10.5
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,069 14,113 19.9 69,844 13,422 19.2 165,329 18,085 10.9 32,082 3,376 10.5
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,650 14,463 20.5 69,411 13,764 19.8 163,691 18,638 11.4 31,877 3,428 10.8
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,566 14,665 20.8 69,425 13,999 20.2 161,508 18,442 11.4 31,658 3,318 10.5
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,020 15,289 21.8 68,819 14,610 21.2 160,329 19,107 11.9 31,267 3,663 11.7
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,292 15,727 22.7 68,040 14,961 22.0 159,208 19,781 12.4 30,779 3,755 12.2
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,440 15,294 22.3 67,256 14,521 21.6 157,680 18,793 11.9 30,430 3,928 12.9
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,918 14,341 21.8 64,800 13,658 21.1 154,684 17,586 11.4 30,590 3,781 12.4
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,049 13,431 20.6 63,908 12,715 19.9 153,502 16,496 10.7 30,093 3,658 12.2
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64,144 12,590 19.6 63,225 12,001 19.0 152,282 15,575 10.2 29,566 3,363 11.4
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,747 12,455 19.5 62,906 11,935 19.0 150,761 15,809 10.5 29,022 3,481 12.0
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,294 12,843 20.3 62,423 12,275 19.7 149,201 15,815 10.6 28,487 3,563 12.5
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,948 12,876 20.5 62,009 12,257 19.8 147,631 16,017 10.8 27,975 3,477 12.4
198515. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,876 13,010 20.7 62,019 12,483 20.1 146,396 16,598 11.3 27,322 3,456 12.6
198416. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,447 13,420 21.5 61,681 12,929 21.0 144,551 16,952 11.7 26,818 3,330 12.4
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,334 13,911 22.3 61,578 13,427 21.8 143,052 17,767 12.4 26,313 3,625 13.8
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,345 13,647 21.9 61,565 13,139 21.3 141,328 17,000 12.0 25,738 3,751 14.6
198117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,449 12,505 20.0 61,756 12,068 19.5 139,477 15,464 11.1 25,231 3,853 15.3
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,914 11,543 18.3 62,168 11,114 17.9 137,428 13,858 10.1 24,686 3,871 15.7
197918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,375 10,377 16.4 62,646 9,993 16.0 135,333 12,014 8.9 24,194 3,682 15.2
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,311 9,931 15.9 61,987 9,722 15.7 130,169 11,332 8.7 23,175 3,233 14.0
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63,137 10,288 16.2 62,823 10,028 16.0 128,262 11,316 8.8 22,468 3,177 14.1
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64,028 10,273 16.0 63,729 10,081 15.8 126,175 11,389 9.0 22,100 3,313 15.0
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,079 11,104 17.1 64,750 10,882 16.8 124,122 11,456 9.2 21,662 3,317 15.3
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,134 10,156 15.4 65,802 9,967 15.1 122,101 10,132 8.3 21,127 3,085 14.6
Footnotes provided at end of table.
36 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,959 9,642 14.4 66,626 9,453 14.2 120,060 9,977 8.3 20,602 3,354 16.3
197220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,930 10,284 15.1 67,592 10,082 14.9 117,957 10,438 8.8 20,117 3,738 18.6
1971 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,816 10,551 15.3 68,474 10,344 15.1 115,911 10,735 9.3 19,827 4,273 21.6
1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,159 10,440 15.1 68,815 10,235 14.9 113,554 10,187 9.0 19,470 4,793 24.6
1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,090 9,691 14.0 68,746 9,501 13.8 111,528 9,669 8.7 18,899 4,787 25.3
1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,385 10,954 15.6 70,035 10,739 15.3 108,684 9,803 9.0 18,559 4,632 25.0
196722. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,408 11,656 16.6 70,058 11,427 16.3 107,024 10,725 10.0 18,240 5,388 29.5
1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,218 12,389 17.6 69,869 12,146 17.4 105,241 11,007 10.5 17,929 5,114 28.5
1965. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,986 14,676 21.0 69,638 14,388 20.7 N N N N N N
1964. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,711 16,051 23.0 69,364 15,736 22.7 N N N N N N
1963. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,181 16,005 23.1 68,837 15,691 22.8 N N N N N N
1962. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,722 16,963 25.0 67,385 16,630 24.7 N N N N N N
1961. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,121 16,909 25.6 65,792 16,577 25.2 N N N N N N
1960. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,601 17,634 26.9 65,275 17,288 26.5 N N N N N N
1959. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64,315 17,552 27.3 63,995 17,208 26.9 96,685 16,457 17.0 15,557 5,481 35.2
WHITE ALONE23
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,693 6,631 12.8 51,098 6,392 12.5 150,671 14,052 9.3 46,545 4,236 9.1
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,334 7,313 14.0 51,735 7,053 13.6 151,424 14,357 9.5 45,326 3,513 7.8
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,494 6,443 12.3 51,866 6,209 12.0 149,832 12,535 8.4 45,760 3,534 7.7
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,763 7,049 13.4 52,153 6,783 13.0 150,564 14,133 9.4 44,307 3,762 8.5
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,101 7,796 14.7 52,481 7,520 14.3 151,156 14,653 9.7 42,999 3,577 8.3
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,022 8,041 15.2 52,412 7,772 14.8 151,259 15,027 9.9 42,991 3,368 7.8
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,319 8,324 15.6 52,594 7,963 15.1 151,044 15,467 10.2 41,623 3,322 8.0
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,550 9,204 17.2 52,786 8,838 16.7 151,731 16,325 10.8 40,254 3,037 7.5
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,637 9,602 17.9 52,732 9,172 17.4 151,562 18,086 11.9 39,054 3,400 8.7
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,638 10,296 19.2 52,657 9,702 18.4 151,234 17,629 11.7 38,475 3,362 8.7
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,846 8,808 16.4 53,074 8,428 15.9 151,334 17,931 11.8 37,905 3,197 8.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,066 9,979 18.5 53,201 9,547 17.9 151,042 17,946 11.9 37,039 2,891 7.8
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,186 10,103 18.6 53,268 9,643 18.1 151,416 18,007 11.9 35,732 2,739 7.7
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,490 10,092 18.5 53,573 9,590 17.9 151,218 18,353 12.1 34,274 2,638 7.7
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,266 9,938 17.7 55,397 9,440 17.0 152,367 17,391 11.4 33,414 2,501 7.5
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,153 8,863 15.8 55,339 8,441 15.3 151,681 15,356 10.1 32,714 2,771 8.5
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,419 8,395 14.9 55,483 8,002 14.4 150,875 14,135 9.4 31,839 2,590 8.1
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,205 7,908 14.1 55,330 7,522 13.6 150,143 14,035 9.3 31,270 2,473 7.9
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,075 8,085 14.4 55,152 7,652 13.9 148,450 14,086 9.5 30,905 2,700 8.7
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,053 8,308 14.8 55,212 7,876 14.3 146,974 14,486 9.9 30,714 2,534 8.3
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,779 7,985 14.3 54,989 7,624 13.9 145,783 13,622 9.3 30,303 2,666 8.8
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,703 7,549 13.6 54,900 7,203 13.1 144,694 13,178 9.1 29,980 2,739 9.1
WHITE24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,089 7,527 13.4 55,238 7,086 12.8 143,796 12,555 8.7 29,790 2,656 8.9
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,980 7,307 13.1 55,021 6,834 12.4 142,164 11,754 8.3 29,703 2,584 8.7
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,833 7,639 13.7 54,873 7,194 13.1 139,974 12,085 8.6 29,553 2,446 8.3
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,016 8,443 15.1 55,126 7,935 14.4 138,061 12,456 9.0 28,759 2,555 8.9
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,863 8,990 16.1 54,870 8,441 15.4 136,784 12,838 9.4 28,553 2,569 9.0
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,606 9,044 16.3 54,599 8,488 15.5 135,586 12,940 9.5 28,464 2,667 9.4
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,444 8,981 16.2 54,532 8,474 15.5 134,149 12,869 9.6 28,436 2,572 9.0
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,186 9,346 16.9 54,221 8,826 16.3 133,289 13,187 9.9 27,985 2,846 10.2
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,639 9,752 17.8 53,614 9,123 17.0 132,680 13,535 10.2 27,580 2,939 10.7
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,110 9,399 17.4 53,110 8,752 16.5 131,694 12,871 9.8 27,256 2,989 11.0
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 37
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,523 8,848 16.8 51,627 8,316 16.1 130,312 12,097 9.3 27,297 2,802 10.3
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,929 8,232 15.9 51,028 7,696 15.1 129,784 11,387 8.8 26,898 2,707 10.1
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,400 7,599 14.8 50,704 7,164 14.1 128,974 10,647 8.3 26,479 2,539 9.6
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,203 7,435 14.5 50,590 7,095 14.0 128,031 10,687 8.3 26,001 2,593 10.0
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,012 7,788 15.3 50,360 7,398 14.7 126,991 10,703 8.4 25,602 2,704 10.6
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,111 8,209 16.1 50,356 7,714 15.3 125,998 11,285 9.0 25,173 2,689 10.7
198515. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,031 8,253 16.2 50,358 7,838 15.6 125,258 11,909 9.5 24,629 2,698 11.0
198416. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,814 8,472 16.7 50,192 8,086 16.1 123,922 11,904 9.6 24,206 2,579 10.7
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,726 8,862 17.5 50,183 8,534 17.0 123,014 12,347 10.0 23,754 2,776 11.7
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,920 8,678 17.0 50,305 8,282 16.5 121,766 11,971 9.8 23,234 2,870 12.4
198117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,140 7,785 15.2 50,553 7,429 14.7 120,574 10,790 8.9 22,791 2,978 13.1
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,653 7,181 13.9 51,002 6,817 13.4 118,935 9,478 8.0 22,325 3,042 13.6
197918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,262 6,193 11.8 51,687 5,909 11.4 117,583 8,110 6.9 21,898 2,911 13.3
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51,669 5,831 11.3 51,409 5,674 11.0 113,832 7,897 6.9 20,950 2,530 12.1
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52,563 6,097 11.6 52,299 5,943 11.4 112,374 7,893 7.0 20,316 2,426 11.9
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,428 6,189 11.6 53,167 6,034 11.3 110,717 7,890 7.1 20,020 2,633 13.2
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,405 6,927 12.7 54,126 6,748 12.5 109,105 8,210 7.5 19,654 2,634 13.4
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,590 6,223 11.2 55,320 6,079 11.0 107,579 7,053 6.6 19,206 2,460 12.8
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 56,211 5,462 9.7 N N N N 2,698 14.4
197220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 57,181 5,784 10.1 N N N N 3,072 16.8
1971 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 58,119 6,341 10.9 N N N N 3,605 19.9
1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 58,472 6,138 10.5 N N N N 4,011 22.6
1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 58,578 5,667 9.7 N N N N 4,052 23.3
1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 6,373 10.7 N N N 17,062 3,939 23.1
196722. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 6,729 11.3 N N N 16,791 4,646 27.7
1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 7,204 12.1 N N N 16,514 4,357 26.4
1965. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 8,595 14.4 N N N N N N
1960. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 11,229 20.0 N N N N N N
1959. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 11,386 20.6 N N N N 4,744 33.1
WHITE ALONE, NOT
HISPANIC23
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,902 3,162 8.8 35,522 3,013 8.5 116,561 9,289 8.0 41,845 3,354 8.0
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,452 3,593 9.9 36,071 3,454 9.6 117,763 9,677 8.2 40,863 2,768 6.8
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,391 3,030 8.3 35,976 2,886 8.0 116,810 8,321 7.1 41,442 2,801 6.8
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,619 3,265 8.9 36,245 3,107 8.6 117,979 9,510 8.1 40,218 2,951 7.3
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,122 3,793 10.2 36,727 3,614 9.8 118,969 9,884 8.3 39,127 2,942 7.5
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,047 4,026 10.9 36,655 3,860 10.5 119,078 10,230 8.6 39,131 2,737 7.0
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,485 4,050 10.8 36,982 3,799 10.3 119,785 10,526 8.8 37,951 2,687 7.1
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,859 4,563 12.1 37,342 4,301 11.5 120,908 10,812 8.9 36,682 2,411 6.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,057 4,679 12.3 37,457 4,440 11.9 121,424 12,173 10.0 35,727 2,801 7.8
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,167 5,116 13.4 37,572 4,784 12.7 121,629 11,691 9.6 35,322 2,745 7.8
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,395 4,094 10.7 37,849 3,833 10.1 121,991 12,133 9.9 34,781 2,569 7.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,759 4,782 12.3 38,167 4,510 11.8 122,221 11,833 9.7 34,131 2,324 6.8
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,955 4,850 12.5 38,322 4,554 11.9 123,101 12,112 9.8 32,904 2,210 6.7
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,437 4,866 12.3 38,823 4,544 11.7 123,731 12,230 9.9 31,616 2,155 6.8
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40,917 4,850 11.9 40,319 4,518 11.2 125,511 11,658 9.3 30,736 2,022 6.6
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,309 4,364 10.6 40,707 4,059 10.0 125,482 10,380 8.3 30,149 2,280 7.6
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,979 4,255 10.1 41,304 3,996 9.7 125,161 9,598 7.7 29,442 2,179 7.4
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,212 4,208 10.0 41,563 3,930 9.5 124,847 9,761 7.8 28,990 2,044 7.0
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,523 4,254 10.0 41,867 3,973 9.5 124,326 9,708 7.8 28,704 2,264 7.9
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,978 4,519 10.5 42,363 4,190 9.9 123,481 10,236 8.3 28,639 2,153 7.5
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,150 4,233 9.8 42,547 3,957 9.3 123,110 9,391 7.6 28,335 2,277 8.0
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,614 4,090 9.4 43,017 3,848 8.9 122,511 9,157 7.5 28,018 2,321 8.3
Footnotes provided at end of table.
38 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
WHITE,
NOT HISPANIC24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,095 4,194 9.5 43,459 3,887 8.9 122,470 8,811 7.2 27,973 2,266 8.1
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,244 4,018 9.1 43,554 3,715 8.5 121,499 8,130 6.7 27,948 2,218 7.9
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,272 4,155 9.4 43,570 3,832 8.8 120,341 8,462 7.0 27,952 2,118 7.6
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,355 4,822 10.6 44,670 4,458 10.0 120,282 8,760 7.3 27,118 2,217 8.2
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,491 5,204 11.4 44,665 4,759 10.7 119,373 9,088 7.6 26,995 2,200 8.1
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,605 5,072 11.1 44,844 4,656 10.4 118,822 9,074 7.6 27,033 2,316 8.6
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,689 5,115 11.2 44,973 4,745 10.6 118,228 8,908 7.5 27,034 2,243 8.3
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,668 5,823 12.5 45,874 5,404 11.8 119,192 9,732 8.2 26,684 2,556 9.6
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,096 6,255 13.6 45,322 5,819 12.8 118,475 9,964 8.4 26,272 2,663 10.1
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,590 6,017 13.2 44,833 5,558 12.4 117,386 9,461 8.1 26,025 2,724 10.5
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,236 5,918 13.1 44,506 5,497 12.4 117,672 9,244 7.9 26,208 2,580 9.8
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,797 5,532 12.3 44,045 5,106 11.6 117,477 8,619 7.3 25,854 2,471 9.6
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,492 5,110 11.5 43,938 4,779 10.9 116,983 8,154 7.0 25,504 2,335 9.2
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,438 4,888 11.0 43,910 4,594 10.5 116,479 8,293 7.1 25,044 2,384 9.5
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,461 5,230 11.8 43,907 4,902 11.2 115,721 8,327 7.2 24,754 2,472 10.0
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,664 5,789 13.0 44,041 5,388 12.2 115,157 8,963 7.8 24,298 2,492 10.3
198515. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,752 5,745 12.8 44,199 5,421 12.3 114,969 9,608 8.4 23,734 2,486 10.5
198416. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,886 6,156 13.7 44,349 5,828 13.1 114,180 9,734 8.5 23,402 2,410 10.3
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,830 6,649 14.8 44,374 6,381 14.4 113,570 10,279 9.1 22,992 2,610 11.4
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,531 6,566 14.4 45,001 6,229 13.8 113,717 10,082 8.9 22,655 2,714 12.0
198117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,950 5,946 12.9 45,440 5,639 12.4 112,722 9,207 8.2 22,237 2,834 12.7
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,578 5,510 11.8 45,989 5,174 11.3 111,460 7,990 7.2 21,760 2,865 13.2
197918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,967 4,730 10.1 46,448 4,476 9.6 110,509 6,930 6.3 21,339 2,759 12.9
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,819 4,506 9.6 46,606 4,383 9.4 107,481 6,837 6.4 20,431 2,412 11.8
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47,689 4,714 9.9 47,459 4,582 9.7 106,063 6,772 6.4 19,812 2,316 11.7
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,824 4,799 9.8 48,601 4,664 9.6 104,846 6,720 6.4 19,565 2,506 12.8
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,670 5,342 10.8 49,421 5,185 10.5 103,496 7,039 6.8 19,251 2,503 13.0
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,759 4,820 9.5 50,520 4,697 9.3 101,894 6,051 5.9 18,810 2,346 12.5
BLACK ALONE OR
IN COMBINATION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,440 3,484 25.9 13,295 3,412 25.7 28,940 4,776 16.5 5,845 1,038 17.8
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,569 3,575 26.3 13,451 3,515 26.1 29,202 4,797 16.4 5,487 939 17.1
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,023 3,338 25.6 12,918 3,297 25.5 28,842 4,531 15.7 5,394 966 17.9
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,222 3,773 28.5 13,061 3,704 28.4 28,423 4,948 17.4 5,180 975 18.8
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,163 3,903 29.7 12,999 3,816 29.4 28,231 5,216 18.5 4,942 930 18.8
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,187 3,731 28.3 13,042 3,663 28.1 28,253 5,142 18.2 4,952 948 19.1
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,190 3,916 29.7 13,084 3,866 29.5 27,834 5,186 18.6 4,660 864 18.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,128 4,146 31.6 12,944 4,052 31.3 27,653 5,835 21.1 4,447 816 18.4
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,875 4,639 36.0 12,706 4,564 35.9 27,442 6,137 22.4 4,249 805 19.0
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,044 4,359 33.4 12,915 4,325 33.5 27,056 6,031 22.3 4,054 772 19.0
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,104 4,838 36.9 12,882 4,730 36.7 26,923 6,410 23.8 4,085 712 17.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,108 4,815 36.7 12,908 4,675 36.2 26,482 6,265 23.7 3,993 730 18.3
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,968 4,849 37.4 12,815 4,762 37.2 25,962 6,241 24.0 3,718 640 17.2
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,015 4,923 37.8 12,759 4,814 37.7 25,815 6,031 23.4 3,555 643 18.1
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,655 4,480 35.4 12,445 4,349 34.9 24,815 5,441 21.9 3,405 655 19.2
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,388 4,202 33.9 12,201 4,104 33.6 24,404 5,017 20.6 3,305 663 20.0
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,380 4,178 33.7 12,227 4,106 33.6 23,968 4,742 19.8 3,215 748 23.3
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,375 4,086 33.0 12,206 3,977 32.6 23,510 4,652 19.8 3,128 710 22.7
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,159 4,074 33.5 11,975 3,972 33.2 23,338 4,735 20.3 3,053 708 23.2
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,190 4,059 33.3 12,012 3,962 33.0 22,842 4,638 20.3 3,005 714 23.8
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,215 4,108 33.6 11,989 3,977 33.2 22,355 4,313 19.3 2,933 688 23.5
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,114 3,817 31.5 11,931 3,733 31.3 22,170 4,376 19.7 2,922 691 23.6
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 39
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
BLACK ALONE25
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,187 3,056 27.3 11,059 2,990 27.0 27,114 4,519 16.7 5,675 1,008 17.8
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,168 3,086 27.6 11,080 3,033 27.4 27,198 4,552 16.7 5,328 919 17.2
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,851 2,865 26.4 10,761 2,831 26.3 26,857 4,261 15.9 5,257 947 18.0
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,084 3,273 29.5 10,940 3,212 29.4 26,644 4,660 17.5 5,045 951 18.9
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,005 3,350 30.4 10,877 3,280 30.2 26,645 4,960 18.6 4,827 915 19.0
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,991 3,184 29.0 10,882 3,134 28.8 26,648 4,877 18.3 4,834 932 19.3
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,115 3,418 30.8 11,040 3,382 30.6 26,286 4,963 18.9 4,561 853 18.7
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,087 3,651 32.9 10,928 3,571 32.7 26,194 5,568 21.3 4,343 801 18.4
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,015 4,090 37.1 10,887 4,036 37.1 25,954 5,869 22.6 4,143 796 19.2
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,003 3,708 33.7 10,896 3,678 33.8 25,562 5,742 22.5 3,933 736 18.7
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,088 4,244 38.3 10,916 4,153 38.0 25,552 6,099 23.9 3,975 698 17.6
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,078 4,201 37.9 10,931 4,097 37.5 25,154 6,002 23.9 3,893 708 18.2
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,138 4,320 38.8 11,005 4,247 38.6 24,831 5,980 24.1 3,640 630 17.3
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,173 4,355 39.0 10,953 4,271 39.0 24,667 5,775 23.4 3,443 617 17.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,282 4,033 35.7 11,102 3,919 35.3 23,953 5,264 22.0 3,320 647 19.5
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,172 3,878 34.7 10,998 3,781 34.4 23,565 4,855 20.6 3,229 646 20.0
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,302 3,904 34.5 11,174 3,838 34.3 23,213 4,602 19.8 3,150 731 23.2
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,315 3,777 33.4 11,168 3,690 33.0 22,907 4,570 19.9 3,085 701 22.7
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,136 3,841 34.5 10,962 3,743 34.2 22,659 4,627 20.4 3,007 701 23.3
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,244 3,788 33.7 11,080 3,702 33.4 22,226 4,521 20.3 2,956 705 23.8
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,367 3,877 34.1 11,162 3,750 33.6 21,746 4,224 19.4 2,876 680 23.7
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,275 3,645 32.3 11,111 3,570 32.1 21,547 4,277 19.9 2,856 680 23.8
BLACK 24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,556 3,492 30.2 11,419 3,423 30.0 21,462 4,018 18.7 2,853 626 21.9
20007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,480 3,581 31.2 11,296 3,495 30.9 21,160 3,794 17.9 2,785 607 21.8
19998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,488 3,813 33.2 11,260 3,698 32.8 21,518 4,000 18.6 2,750 628 22.8
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,317 4,151 36.7 11,176 4,073 36.4 20,837 4,222 20.3 2,723 718 26.4
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,367 4,225 37.2 11,193 4,116 36.8 20,400 4,191 20.5 2,691 700 26.0
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,338 4,519 39.9 11,155 4,411 39.5 20,155 4,515 22.4 2,616 661 25.3
19959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,369 4,761 41.9 11,198 4,644 41.5 19,892 4,483 22.5 2,478 629 25.4
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,211 4,906 43.8 11,044 4,787 43.3 19,585 4,590 23.4 2,557 700 27.4
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,127 5,125 46.1 10,969 5,030 45.9 19,272 5,049 26.2 2,510 702 28.0
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,956 5,106 46.6 10,823 5,015 46.3 18,952 4,884 25.8 2,504 838 33.5
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,350 4,755 45.9 10,178 4,637 45.6 18,355 4,607 25.1 2,606 880 33.8
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,162 4,550 44.8 9,980 4,412 44.2 18,097 4,427 24.5 2,547 860 33.8
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,012 4,375 43.7 9,847 4,257 43.2 17,833 4,164 23.3 2,487 763 30.7
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,865 4,296 43.5 9,681 4,148 42.8 17,548 4,275 24.4 2,436 785 32.2
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,730 4,385 45.1 9,546 4,234 44.4 17,245 4,361 25.3 2,387 774 32.4
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,629 4,148 43.1 9,467 4,037 42.7 16,911 4,113 24.3 2,331 722 31.0
198515. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,545 4,157 43.6 9,405 4,057 43.1 16,667 4,052 24.3 2,273 717 31.5
198416. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,480 4,413 46.6 9,356 4,320 46.2 16,369 4,368 26.7 2,238 710 31.7
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,417 4,398 46.7 9,245 4,273 46.2 16,065 4,694 29.2 2,197 791 36.0
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,400 4,472 47.6 9,269 4,388 47.3 15,692 4,415 28.1 2,124 811 38.2
198117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,374 4,237 45.2 9,291 4,170 44.9 15,358 4,117 26.8 2,102 820 39.0
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,368 3,961 42.3 9,287 3,906 42.1 14,987 3,835 25.6 2,054 783 38.1
197918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,307 3,833 41.2 9,172 3,745 40.8 14,596 3,478 23.8 2,040 740 36.2
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,229 3,830 41.5 9,168 3,781 41.2 13,774 3,133 22.7 1,954 662 33.9
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,296 3,888 41.8 9,253 3,850 41.6 13,483 3,137 23.3 1,930 701 36.3
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,322 3,787 40.6 9,291 3,758 40.4 13,224 3,163 23.9 1,852 644 34.8
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,421 3,925 41.7 9,374 3,884 41.4 12,872 2,968 23.1 1,795 652 36.3
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,439 3,755 39.8 9,384 3,713 39.6 12,539 2,836 22.6 1,721 591 34.3
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 9,405 3,822 40.6 N N N 1,672 620 37.1
197220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 9,426 4,025 42.7 N N N 1,603 640 39.9
Footnotes provided at end of table.
40 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1971 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 9,414 3,836 40.4 N N N 1,584 623 39.3
1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 9,448 3,922 41.5 N N N 1,422 683 48.0
1969. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 9,290 3,677 39.6 N N N 1,373 689 50.2
1968. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 4,188 N N N N 1,374 655 47.7
196722. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 4,558 N N N N 1,341 715 53.3
1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 4,774 N N N N 1,311 722 55.1
1965. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N N 5,022 N N N N N 711 62.5
ASIAN ALONE OR
IN COMBINATION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,612 452 8.1 5,591 446 8.0 14,828 1,257 8.5 3,011 403 13.4
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,565 445 8.0 5,529 431 7.8 14,612 1,071 7.3 2,747 311 11.3
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,234 329 6.3 5,198 315 6.1 14,483 1,007 7.0 2,724 252 9.3
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,158 538 10.4 5,095 508 10.0 14,348 1,334 9.3 2,539 294 11.6
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,170 524 10.1 5,124 505 9.9 13,993 1,259 9.0 2,392 280 11.7
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,133 537 10.5 5,088 524 10.3 13,970 1,303 9.3 2,408 263 10.9
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,922 495 10.1 4,874 477 9.8 13,581 1,301 9.6 2,253 266 11.8
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,728 539 11.4 4,631 489 10.6 13,133 1,443 11.0 2,176 252 11.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,792 577 12.0 4,722 544 11.5 12,834 1,390 10.8 2,059 301 14.6
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,900 628 12.8 4,858 600 12.4 12,393 1,457 11.8 1,889 312 16.5
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,740 457 9.6 4,701 442 9.4 12,374 1,258 10.2 1,910 259 13.6
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,557 570 12.5 4,485 533 11.9 11,913 1,291 10.8 1,703 211 12.4
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,572 607 13.3 4,495 566 12.6 11,660 1,397 12.0 1,581 185 11.7
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,308 586 13.6 4,256 560 13.2 11,414 1,265 11.1 1,515 214 14.1
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,996 531 13.3 3,946 507 12.9 9,898 1,154 11.7 1,378 216 15.7
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,717 494 13.3 3,678 476 12.9 9,507 1,031 10.8 1,319 162 12.3
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,606 431 11.9 3,558 402 11.3 9,531 892 9.4 1,293 144 11.2
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,573 408 11.4 3,530 398 11.3 9,553 897 9.4 1,205 142 11.8
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,472 359 10.3 3,435 352 10.2 9,115 999 11.0 1,144 144 12.6
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,406 329 9.7 3,367 311 9.2 8,780 819 9.3 1,104 147 13.3
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,316 420 12.7 3,279 406 12.4 8,510 956 11.2 1,065 152 14.2
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,199 353 11.0 3,159 338 10.7 8,292 804 9.7 995 86 8.7
ASIAN ALONE26
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,199 371 8.8 4,185 365 8.7 13,577 1,167 8.6 2,900 385 13.3
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,284 358 8.4 4,257 347 8.2 13,422 985 7.3 2,646 302 11.4
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,916 286 7.3 3,887 272 7.0 13,373 932 7.0 2,638 246 9.3
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,998 453 11.3 3,948 426 10.8 13,292 1,254 9.4 2,479 289 11.7
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,058 420 10.4 4,023 405 10.1 13,120 1,193 9.1 2,348 277 11.8
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,019 455 11.3 3,985 442 11.1 13,097 1,244 9.5 2,358 255 10.8
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,875 430 11.1 3,839 412 10.7 12,796 1,217 9.5 2,209 261 11.8
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,786 466 12.3 3,693 420 11.4 12,325 1,360 11.0 2,130 252 11.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,750 524 14.0 3,681 492 13.4 12,012 1,314 10.9 2,029 299 14.7
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,766 555 14.7 3,746 538 14.4 11,646 1,393 12.0 1,845 307 16.7
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,651 367 10.1 3,621 354 9.8 11,531 1,162 10.1 1,881 256 13.6
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,596 497 13.8 3,542 470 13.3 11,153 1,220 10.9 1,669 205 12.3
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,657 494 13.5 3,600 466 13.0 10,873 1,297 11.9 1,555 182 11.7
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,431 494 14.4 3,399 477 14.0 10,696 1,191 11.1 1,484 214 14.4
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,311 463 14.0 3,271 444 13.6 9,344 1,069 11.4 1,350 213 15.8
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,052 446 14.6 3,016 430 14.2 8,961 974 10.9 1,296 157 12.1
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,980 374 12.5 2,932 345 11.8 9,012 832 9.2 1,265 143 11.3
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,956 360 12.2 2,915 351 12.0 9,039 851 9.4 1,182 142 12.0
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,871 317 11.1 2,842 312 11.0 8,591 941 11.0 1,118 143 12.8
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,854 281 9.9 2,823 265 9.4 8,294 774 9.3 1,083 146 13.5
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 41
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,759 344 12.5 2,726 331 12.1 8,044 907 11.3 1,052 151 14.3
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,683 315 11.7 2,648 302 11.4 7,881 764 9.7 977 82 8.4
ASIAN AND PACIFIC
ISLANDER24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,215 369 11.5 3,169 353 11.1 8,352 814 9.7 899 92 10.2
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,294 420 12.7 3,256 407 12.5 8,500 756 8.9 878 82 9.3
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,212 381 11.9 3,178 367 11.5 7,879 807 10.2 864 96 11.1
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,137 564 18.0 3,099 542 17.5 6,951 698 10.0 785 97 12.4
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,096 628 20.3 3,061 608 19.9 6,680 753 11.3 705 87 12.3
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,924 571 19.5 2,899 553 19.1 6,484 821 12.7 647 63 9.7
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,900 564 19.5 2,858 532 18.6 6,123 757 12.4 622 89 14.3
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,739 318 18.3 1,719 308 17.9 4,401 589 13.4 513 67 13.0
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,061 375 18.2 2,029 358 17.6 4,871 680 14.0 503 79 15.6
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,218 363 16.4 2,199 352 16.0 5,067 568 11.2 494 53 10.8
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,056 360 17.5 2,036 348 17.1 4,582 565 12.3 555 70 12.7
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,126 374 17.6 2,098 356 17.0 4,375 422 9.6 514 62 12.1
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,983 392 19.8 1,945 368 18.9 4,225 512 12.1 465 34 7.4
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,970 474 24.1 1,949 458 23.5 4,035 583 14.4 442 60 13.5
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,937 455 23.5 1,908 432 22.7 4,010 510 12.7 375 56 15.0
AMERICAN INDIAN
AND ALASKA
NATIVE ALONE OR
IN COMBINATION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,148 570 26.6 2,103 536 25.5 4,111 847 20.6 807 133 16.5
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,976 411 20.8 1,947 393 20.2 4,079 615 15.1 703 85 12.1
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,896 343 18.1 1,881 331 17.6 3,926 611 15.6 719 107 14.9
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,023 497 24.6 2,003 489 24.4 4,072 721 17.7 721 117 16.2
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,016 549 27.2 1,993 532 26.7 4,193 743 17.7 706 110 15.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,002 521 26.0 1,981 505 25.5 4,210 730 17.3 702 105 14.9
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,067 518 25.1 2,034 496 24.4 4,090 757 18.5 679 113 16.6
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,194 620 28.3 2,150 584 27.2 4,281 790 18.5 636 97 15.3
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,138 620 29.0 2,111 604 28.6 3,937 823 20.9 604 83 13.7
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,793 525 29.3 1,755 499 28.4 3,518 727 20.7 519 121 23.2
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,971 599 30.4 1,943 586 30.1 3,841 821 21.4 556 69 12.5
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,924 712 37.0 1,890 687 36.4 3,831 961 25.1 529 86 16.3
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,967 615 31.3 1,951 607 31.1 3,808 845 22.2 450 55 12.2
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,023 690 34.1 1,956 636 32.5 3,617 793 21.9 434 69 15.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,637 505 30.9 1,598 482 30.2 3,198 659 20.6 409 53 12.9
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,747 491 28.1 1,700 470 27.7 3,281 652 19.9 443 67 15.2
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,566 357 22.8 1,498 329 22.0 3,286 635 19.3 440 84 19.0
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,538 446 29.0 1,510 426 28.2 3,173 632 19.9 422 71 16.8
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,603 404 25.2 1,560 388 24.9 3,230 637 19.7 401 53 13.2
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,560 371 23.8 1,511 352 23.3 3,319 597 18.0 391 59 15.0
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,625 384 23.6 1,589 366 23.0 3,087 508 16.4 349 48 13.8
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,615 405 25.1 1,567 365 23.3 2,907 482 16.6 321 64 20.0
AMERICAN INDIAN
AND ALASKA
NATIVE ALONE27
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,154 341 29.6 1,120 312 27.8 2,539 574 22.6 415 82 19.7
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,098 278 25.4 1,079 267 24.8 2,466 454 18.4 386 59 15.3
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,036 223 21.5 1,022 211 20.7 2,301 369 16.1 398 85 21.3
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 986 278 28.2 972 273 28.1 2,325 465 20.0 351 66 18.7
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 959 278 29.0 943 267 28.3 2,323 455 19.6 335 57 17.1
Footnotes provided at end of table.
42 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 948 253 26.7 935 243 26.0 2,335 438 18.8 336 58 17.3
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,042 265 25.5 1,019 248 24.4 2,326 475 20.4 333 71 21.2
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,298 399 30.8 1,264 370 29.3 2,649 536 20.3 323 59 18.4
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,175 415 35.3 1,155 402 34.8 2,317 540 23.3 315 58 18.3
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 958 295 30.8 952 291 30.6 1,868 468 25.0 249 75 30.0
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 964 337 34.9 951 324 34.1 2,114 549 25.9 266 29 10.7
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,048 473 45.1 1,019 453 44.4 2,135 651 30.5 276 60 21.7
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943 360 38.2 935 357 38.2 2,060 530 25.7 207 27 13.0
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 938 367 39.1 912 351 38.5 1,964 492 25.0 174 28 15.9
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 813 286 35.1 784 264 33.7 1,689 413 24.4 169 34 20.0
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 887 328 37.0 859 315 36.7 1,770 408 23.1 188 34 18.0
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 790 207 26.2 742 185 24.9 1,743 393 22.6 209 49 23.3
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734 285 38.8 715 273 38.1 1,637 413 25.2 166 47 28.2
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675 219 32.5 655 214 32.6 1,426 357 25.1 137 26 18.9
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 207 30.2 668 200 30.0 1,478 350 23.7 156 28 17.8
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725 218 30.0 707 208 29.4 1,385 290 20.9 131 25 19.1
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764 250 32.8 730 218 29.8 1,385 268 19.3 125 29 23.6
AMERICAN INDIAN
AND ALASKA
NATIVE24
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,161 344 29.6 1,124 313 27.9 2,075 374 18.0 227 40 17.4
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988 279 28.2 965 269 27.9 1,813 367 20.2 199 50 25.1
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,152 448 38.9 1,113 419 37.7 1,774 397 22.4 210 52 24.7
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867 308 35.5 852 295 34.6 1,478 247 16.7 127 16 12.7
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741 270 36.4 720 257 35.7 1,466 303 20.7 133 21 15.7
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 782 330 42.2 758 311 41.1 1,466 364 24.9 150 37 24.5
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853 358 42.0 837 350 41.8 1,344 331 24.6 124 29 23.3
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448 165 36.9 431 154 35.8 940 209 22.2 95 18 18.6
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514 172 33.5 502 162 32.3 1,064 208 19.6 111 19 17.3
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648 245 37.8 623 228 36.6 1,275 319 25.0 130 36 27.9
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670 292 43.5 650 275 42.3 1,015 245 24.1 108 26 23.7
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563 211 37.4 547 196 35.8 892 210 23.5 104 23 22.1
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507 161 31.8 497 154 31.0 839 160 19.0 100 24 24.2
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 198 39.5 478 182 38.1 843 210 24.9 110 32 28.7
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 488 178 36.6 481 174 36.2 747 185 24.8 110 23 21.3
TWO OR MORE
RACES24
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,349 673 15.5 4,315 660 15.3 4,230 541 12.8 587 83 14.2
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,293 690 16.1 4,248 674 15.9 4,424 471 10.6 503 48 9.6
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,084 595 14.6 4,062 587 14.5 4,330 501 11.6 506 38 7.6
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,126 763 18.5 4,088 745 18.2 4,159 552 13.3 508 65 12.8
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,981 835 21.0 3,928 808 20.6 3,975 546 13.7 467 60 12.9
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,011 808 20.2 3,958 785 19.8 3,995 541 13.5 469 59 12.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,879 736 19.0 3,826 719 18.8 3,764 521 13.8 451 55 12.3
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,658 736 20.1 3,620 713 19.7 3,556 543 15.3 408 44 10.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,580 748 20.9 3,532 724 20.5 3,521 573 16.3 372 32 8.6
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,775 900 23.9 3,697 863 23.3 3,564 584 16.4 400 78 19.5
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,789 832 22.0 3,726 813 21.8 3,550 569 16.0 392 49 12.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,598 843 23.4 3,529 797 22.6 3,404 571 16.8 347 48 13.8
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,482 806 23.1 3,434 774 22.5 3,361 601 17.9 323 36 11.1
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,534 888 25.1 3,440 817 23.7 3,285 560 17.0 353 59 16.8
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,700 683 25.3 2,654 659 24.8 2,699 456 16.9 316 29 9.1
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 43
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,570 488 19.0 2,540 477 18.8 2,625 409 15.6 307 44 14.3
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,321 423 18.2 2,281 411 18.0 2,567 383 14.9 284 40 13.9
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,333 465 19.9 2,300 435 18.9 2,475 316 12.8 295 30 10.2
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,395 421 17.6 2,351 401 17.0 2,773 390 14.1 305 29 9.4
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,272 436 19.2 2,217 410 18.5 2,752 374 13.6 274 37 13.4
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,192 414 18.9 2,150 401 18.7 2,609 330 12.7 252 26 10.4
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,085 339 16.3 2,046 320 15.6 2,346 308 13.1 238 39 16.4
HISPANIC (ANY
RACE)28
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,647 4,168 22.4 18,385 4,033 21.9 38,622 5,547 14.4 5,213 975 18.7
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,774 4,338 23.1 18,512 4,195 22.7 38,089 5,369 14.1 4,906 813 16.6
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,608 3,888 20.9 18,386 3,796 20.6 37,207 4,836 13.0 4,787 821 17.1
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,739 4,436 23.7 18,479 4,316 23.4 36,673 5,205 14.2 4,544 884 19.5
2017² . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,595 4,643 25.0 18,319 4,525 24.7 36,136 5,446 15.1 4,320 726 16.8
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,575 4,639 25.0 18,312 4,519 24.7 36,156 5,415 15.0 4,322 736 17.0
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,385 4,890 26.6 18,129 4,764 26.3 35,113 5,542 15.8 4,057 706 17.4
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,231 5,269 28.9 17,944 5,139 28.6 34,686 6,188 17.8 3,863 676 17.5
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,995 5,745 31.9 17,636 5,522 31.3 33,873 6,701 19.8 3,636 658 18.1
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,898 5,907 33.0 17,496 5,638 32.2 32,839 6,746 20.5 3,443 704 20.4
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,837 5,415 30.4 17,559 5,273 30.0 32,903 6,654 20.2 3,405 676 19.8
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,664 5,976 33.8 17,341 5,773 33.3 32,228 6,977 21.6 3,213 663 20.6
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,600 6,008 34.1 17,276 5,820 33.7 31,643 6,667 21.1 3,036 569 18.7
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,371 6,059 34.9 16,964 5,815 34.3 30,740 6,948 22.6 2,860 516 18.0
2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,965 5,610 33.1 16,655 5,419 32.5 29,031 6,224 21.4 2,815 516 18.3
2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,370 5,010 30.6 16,138 4,888 30.3 28,311 5,452 19.3 2,717 525 19.3
2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,647 4,482 28.6 15,375 4,348 28.3 27,731 4,970 17.9 2,555 438 17.1
2006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,147 4,072 26.9 14,907 3,959 26.6 27,209 4,698 17.3 2,428 472 19.4
2005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,654 4,143 28.3 14,361 3,977 27.7 26,051 4,765 18.3 2,315 460 19.9
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,173 4,098 28.9 13,929 3,985 28.6 25,324 4,620 18.2 2,194 403 18.4
2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,730 4,077 29.7 13,519 3,982 29.5 24,490 4,568 18.7 2,080 406 19.5
2002. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,210 3,782 28.6 12,971 3,653 28.2 23,952 4,334 18.1 2,053 439 21.4
2001. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,763 3,570 28.0 12,539 3,433 27.4 22,653 4,014 17.7 1,896 413 21.8
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,399 3,522 28.4 12,115 3,342 27.6 21,734 3,844 17.7 1,822 381 20.9
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,188 3,693 30.3 11,912 3,561 29.9 20,782 3,843 18.5 1,661 340 20.5
1998. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,152 3,837 34.4 10,921 3,670 33.6 18,668 3,877 20.8 1,696 356 21.0
1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,802 3,972 36.8 10,625 3,865 36.4 18,217 3,951 21.7 1,617 384 23.8
1996. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,511 4,237 40.3 10,255 4,090 39.9 17,587 4,089 23.3 1,516 370 24.4
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,213 4,080 40.0 10,011 3,938 39.3 16,673 4,153 24.9 1,458 342 23.5
199410. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,822 4,075 41.5 9,621 3,956 41.1 16,192 4,018 24.8 1,428 323 22.6
199311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,462 3,873 40.9 9,188 3,666 39.9 15,708 3,956 25.2 1,390 297 21.4
199212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,081 3,637 40.0 8,829 3,440 39.0 15,268 3,668 24.0 1,298 287 22.1
199113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,648 3,094 40.4 7,473 2,977 39.8 13,279 3,008 22.7 1,143 237 20.8
1990. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,457 2,865 38.4 7,300 2,750 37.7 12,857 2,896 22.5 1,091 245 22.5
1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,186 2,603 36.2 7,040 2,496 35.5 12,536 2,616 20.9 1,024 211 20.6
198814. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,003 2,631 37.6 6,908 2,576 37.3 12,056 2,501 20.7 1,005 225 22.4
198714. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,792 2,670 39.3 6,692 2,606 38.9 11,718 2,509 21.4 885 243 27.5
1986. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,646 2,507 37.7 6,511 2,413 37.1 11,206 2,406 21.5 906 204 22.5
198515. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,475 2,606 40.3 6,346 2,512 39.6 10,685 2,411 22.6 915 219 23.9
198416. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,068 2,376 39.2 5,982 2,317 38.7 10,029 2,254 22.5 819 176 21.5
1983. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,066 2,312 38.1 5,977 2,251 37.7 9,697 2,148 22.5 782 173 22.1
1982. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,527 2,181 39.5 5,436 2,117 38.9 8,262 1,963 23.8 596 159 26.6
198117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,369 1,925 35.9 5,291 1,874 35.4 8,084 1,642 20.3 568 146 25.7
1980. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,276 1,749 33.2 5,211 1,718 33.0 7,740 1,563 20.2 582 179 30.8
197918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,483 1,535 28.0 5,426 1,505 27.7 7,314 1,232 16.8 574 154 26.8
Footnotes provided at end of table.
44 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-5.
Poverty Status of People by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2021—Con.Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Related children
All people
Race, Hispanic origin, in families Below Below
and year Below Below poverty poverty
poverty poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1978. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,012 1,384 27.6 4,972 1,354 27.2 6,527 1,098 16.8 539 125 23.2
1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,028 1,422 28.3 5,000 1,402 28.0 6,500 1,164 17.9 518 113 21.9
1976. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,771 1,443 30.2 4,736 1,424 30.1 6,034 1,212 20.1 464 128 27.7
1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 4,896 1,619 33.1 N N N N 137 32.6
197419. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 4,939 1,414 28.6 N N N N 117 28.9
1973. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N N N 4,910 1,364 N N N N N 95 24.9
N Not available.
¹ Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
² Estimates reflect the implementation of an updated processing system and should be used to make comparisons to 2018 and subse-
quent years.
³ The 2014 CPS ASEC included redesigned questions for income and health insurance coverage. All of the approximately 98,000
addresses were eligible to receive the redesigned set of health insurance coverage questions. The redesigned income questions were
implemented to a subsample of the 98,000 addresses using a probability split panel design. Approximately 68,000 addresses were eligible to
receive a set of income questions similar to those used in the 2013 CPS ASEC, and the remaining 30,000 addresses were eligible to receive
the redesigned income questions. The source of these 2013 estimates is the portion of the CPS ASEC sample that received the redesigned
income questions, approximately 30,000 addresses.
⁴ The source of these 2013 estimates is the portion of the CPS ASEC sample that received the income questions consistent with the 2013
CPS ASEC, approximately 68,000 addresses.
⁵ Implementation of 2010 Census-based population controls.
⁶ Data have been revised to reflect a correction to the weights in the 2005 CPS ASEC.
⁷ Implementation of a 28,000-household expansion.
⁸ Implementation of 2000 Census-based population controls.
⁹ Full implementation of 1990 Census-based sample design and metropolitan definitions, 7,000-household sample reduction, and revised
editing of responses on race.
10
Introduction of 1990 Census-based sample design.
11
Data collection method changed from paper and pencil to computer-assisted interviewing. In addition, the 1994 CPS ASEC was revised
to allow for the coding of different income amounts on selected questionnaire items. Limits either increased or decreased in the following
categories: earnings limits increased to $999,999; Social Security limits increased to $49,999; Supplemental Security Income and public assis-
tance limits increased to $24,999; veterans’ benefits limits increased to $99,999; child support and alimony limits decreased to $49,999.
12
Implementation of 1990 Census-based population controls.
13
Estimates are revised to correct for nine omitted weights from the original 1992 CPS ASEC. More information is available in “Money
Income of Households, Families, and Persons in the United States: 1992,” P60-184.
14
Estimates reflect the implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system and are also revised to reflect corrections to the files after
publication of the 1988 advance report "Money Income and Poverty Status in the United States: 1988," P60-166.
15
Full implementation of 1980 Census-based sample design.
16
Implementation of Hispanic population weighting controls and introduction of 1980 Census-based sample design.
17
Implemented three technical changes to the poverty definition. More information is available in "Characteristics of the Population
Below the Poverty Level: 1980," P60-133.
18
Implementation of 1980 Census-based population controls. Questionnaire expanded to show 27 possible values from 51 possible
sources of income.
19
Implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system. Questionnaire expanded to ask 11 income questions.
20
Full implementation of 1970 Census-based sample design.
21
Introduction of 1970 Census-based sample design and population controls.
22
Implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system.
23
Beginning with the 2003 CPS ASEC, respondents were allowed to choose one or more races. White alone refers to people who reported
White and did not report any other race category. The use of this single-race population does not imply that it is the preferred method of
presenting or analyzing the data. The Census Bureau uses a variety of approaches.
24
For the year 2001 and earlier, the CPS ASEC allowed respondents to report only one race group.
25
Black alone refers to people who reported Black and did not report any other race category.
26
Asian alone refers to people who reported Asian and did not report any other race category.
27
American Indian and Alaska Native alone refers to people who reported American Indian and Alaska Native and did not report any other
race category.
28
Because Hispanics may be any race, data in this report for Hispanics overlap with data for racial groups. Of those who reported only
one race, being Hispanic was reported by 16.6 percent of White householders, 5.6 percent of Black householders, 2.9 percent of Asian
householders, and 29.7 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native householders. Data users should exercise caution when interpreting
aggregate results for the Hispanic population and for race groups because these populations consist of many distinct groups that differ in
socioeconomic characteristics, culture, and recency of immigration. Data were first collected for Hispanics in 1972.
Note: Before 1979, people in unrelated subfamilies were included as people in families. Beginning in 1979, people in unrelated subfami-
lies are included in all people but are excluded from people in families. An unrelated subfamily is defined as a married-couple family with or
without children or a single parent with one or more own, never-married children under the age of 18 living in a household and not related by
birth, marriage, or adoption to the householder.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 45
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-6.
Poverty Status of Families by Type of Family: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Male householder, Female householder,
All families Married-couple families
no spouse present no spouse present
Year
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
ALL RACES
2021. . . . . . . . . . . 84,283 7,415 8.8 61,448 2,951 4.8 7,214 869 12.0 15,621 3,596 23.0
2020¹. . . . . . . . . . 83,723 7,284 8.7 61,297 2,853 4.7 6,964 797 11.4 15,462 3,634 23.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . 83,698 6,554 7.8 62,355 2,507 4.0 6,506 746 11.5 14,838 3,300 22.2
2018. . . . . . . . . . . 83,508 7,504 9.0 61,971 2,938 4.7 6,485 824 12.7 15,052 3,742 24.9
2017² . . . . . . . . . . 83,539 7,790 9.3 61,883 2,933 4.7 6,351 853 13.4 15,305 4,005 26.2
2017. . . . . . . . . . . 83,103 7,758 9.3 61,254 3,005 4.9 6,424 793 12.4 15,425 3,959 25.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . 82,854 8,081 9.8 60,821 3,096 5.1 6,452 847 13.1 15,581 4,138 26.6
2015. . . . . . . . . . . 82,199 8,589 10.4 60,258 3,245 5.4 6,311 939 14.9 15,630 4,404 28.2
2014. . . . . . . . . . . 81,730 9,467 11.6 60,015 3,735 6.2 6,162 969 15.7 15,553 4,764 30.6
2013³ . . . . . . . . . . 82,316 9,645 11.7 59,643 3,394 5.7 6,497 1,048 16.1 16,176 5,203 32.2
2013⁴ . . . . . . . . . . 81,217 9,130 11.2 59,692 3,476 5.8 6,330 1,008 15.9 15,195 4,646 30.6
2012. . . . . . . . . . . 80,944 9,520 11.8 59,224 3,705 6.3 6,231 1,023 16.4 15,489 4,793 30.9
2011. . . . . . . . . . . 80,529 9,497 11.8 58,963 3,652 6.2 5,888 950 16.1 15,678 4,894 31.2
2010⁵ . . . . . . . . . . 79,559 9,400 11.8 58,667 3,681 6.3 5,649 892 15.8 15,243 4,827 31.7
2009. . . . . . . . . . . 78,867 8,792 11.1 58,428 3,409 5.8 5,582 942 16.9 14,857 4,441 29.9
2008. . . . . . . . . . . 78,874 8,147 10.3 59,137 3,261 5.5 5,255 723 13.8 14,482 4,163 28.7
2007. . . . . . . . . . . 77,908 7,623 9.8 58,395 2,849 4.9 5,103 696 13.6 14,411 4,078 28.3
2006. . . . . . . . . . . 78,454 7,668 9.8 58,964 2,910 4.9 5,067 671 13.2 14,424 4,087 28.3
2005. . . . . . . . . . . 77,418 7,657 9.9 58,189 2,944 5.1 5,134 669 13.0 14,095 4,044 28.7
2004⁶. . . . . . . . . . 76,866 7,835 10.2 57,983 3,216 5.5 4,901 657 13.4 13,981 3,962 28.3
2003. . . . . . . . . . . 76,232 7,607 10.0 57,725 3,115 5.4 4,717 636 13.5 13,791 3,856 28.0
2002. . . . . . . . . . . 75,616 7,229 9.6 57,327 3,052 5.3 4,663 564 12.1 13,626 3,613 26.5
2001. . . . . . . . . . . 74,340 6,813 9.2 56,755 2,760 4.9 4,440 583 13.1 13,146 3,470 26.4
2000⁷. . . . . . . . . . 73,778 6,400 8.7 56,598 2,637 4.7 4,277 485 11.3 12,903 3,278 25.4
1999⁸. . . . . . . . . . 73,206 6,792 9.3 56,290 2,748 4.9 4,099 485 11.8 12,818 3,559 27.8
1998. . . . . . . . . . . 71,551 7,186 10.0 54,778 2,879 5.3 3,977 476 12.0 12,796 3,831 29.9
1997. . . . . . . . . . . 70,884 7,324 10.3 54,321 2,821 5.2 3,911 507 13.0 12,652 3,995 31.6
1996. . . . . . . . . . . 70,241 7,708 11.0 53,604 3,010 5.6 3,847 531 13.8 12,790 4,167 32.6
1995⁹. . . . . . . . . . 69,597 7,532 10.8 53,570 2,982 5.6 3,513 493 14.0 12,514 4,057 32.4
199410. . . . . . . . . . 69,313 8,053 11.6 53,865 3,272 6.1 3,228 549 17.0 12,220 4,232 34.6
199311. . . . . . . . . . 68,506 8,393 12.3 53,181 3,481 6.5 2,914 488 16.8 12,411 4,424 35.6
199212. . . . . . . . . . 68,216 8,144 11.9 53,090 3,385 6.4 3,065 484 15.8 12,061 4,275 35.4
199113. . . . . . . . . . 67,175 7,712 11.5 52,457 3,158 6.0 3,025 392 13.0 11,693 4,161 35.6
1990. . . . . . . . . . . 66,322 7,098 10.7 52,147 2,981 5.7 2,907 349 12.0 11,268 3,768 33.4
1989. . . . . . . . . . . 66,090 6,784 10.3 52,317 2,931 5.6 2,884 348 12.1 10,890 3,504 32.2
198814. . . . . . . . . . 65,837 6,874 10.4 52,100 2,897 5.6 2,847 336 11.8 10,890 3,642 33.4
198714. . . . . . . . . . 65,204 7,005 10.7 51,675 3,011 5.8 2,833 340 12.0 10,696 3,654 34.2
1986. . . . . . . . . . . 64,491 7,023 10.9 51,537 3,123 6.1 2,510 287 11.4 10,445 3,613 34.6
198515. . . . . . . . . . 63,558 7,223 11.4 50,933 3,438 6.7 2,414 311 12.9 10,211 3,474 34.0
198416. . . . . . . . . . 62,706 7,277 11.6 50,350 3,488 6.9 2,228 292 13.1 10,129 3,498 34.5
1983. . . . . . . . . . . 62,015 7,647 12.3 50,081 3,815 7.6 2,038 268 13.2 9,896 3,564 36.0
1982. . . . . . . . . . . 61,393 7,512 12.2 49,908 3,789 7.6 2,016 290 14.4 9,469 3,434 36.3
198117. . . . . . . . . . 61,019 6,851 11.2 49,630 3,394 6.8 1,986 205 10.3 9,403 3,252 34.6
1980. . . . . . . . . . . 60,309 6,217 10.3 49,294 3,032 6.2 1,933 213 11.0 9,082 2,972 32.7
197918. . . . . . . . . . 59,550 5,461 9.2 49,112 2,640 5.4 1,733 176 10.2 8,705 2,645 30.4
1978. . . . . . . . . . . 57,804 5,280 9.1 47,692 2,474 5.2 1,654 152 9.2 8,458 2,654 31.4
1977. . . . . . . . . . . 57,215 5,311 9.3 47,385 2,524 5.3 1,594 177 11.1 8,236 2,610 31.7
1976. . . . . . . . . . . 56,710 5,311 9.4 47,497 2,606 5.5 1,500 162 10.8 7,713 2,543 33.0
1975. . . . . . . . . . . 56,245 5,450 9.7 47,318 2,904 6.1 1,445 116 8.0 7,482 2,430 32.5
197419. . . . . . . . . . 55,698 4,922 8.8 47,069 2,474 5.3 1,399 125 8.9 7,230 2,324 32.1
1973. . . . . . . . . . . 55,053 4,828 8.8 46,812 2,482 5.3 1,438 154 10.7 6,804 2,193 32.2
197220. . . . . . . . . . 54,373 5,075 9.3 46,314 N N 1,452 N N 6,607 2,158 32.7
1971 21. . . . . . . . . . 53,296 5,303 10.0 45,752 N N 1,353 N N 6,191 2,100 33.9
1970. . . . . . . . . . . 52,227 5,260 10.1 44,739 N N 1,487 N N 6,001 1,952 32.5
Footnotes provided at end of table.
46 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table A-6.
Poverty Status of Families by Type of Family: 1959 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Male householder, Female householder,
All families Married-couple families
no spouse present no spouse present
Year
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent Total Number Percent
1969. . . . . . . . . . . 51,586 5,008 9.7 44,436 N N 1,559 N N 5,591 1,827 32.7
1968. . . . . . . . . . . 50,511 5,047 10.0 43,842 N N 1,228 N N 5,441 1,755 32.3
196722. . . . . . . . . . 49,835 5,667 11.4 43,292 N N 1,210 N N 5,333 1,774 33.3
1966. . . . . . . . . . . 48,921 5,784 11.8 42,553 N N 1,197 N N 5,171 1,721 33.1
1965. . . . . . . . . . . 48,278 6,721 13.9 42,107 N N 1,179 N N 4,992 1,916 38.4
1964. . . . . . . . . . . 47,836 7,160 15.0 41,648 N N 1,182 N N 5,006 1,822 36.4
1963. . . . . . . . . . . 47,436 7,554 15.9 41,311 N N 1,243 N N 4,882 1,972 40.4
1962. . . . . . . . . . . 46,998 8,077 17.2 40,923 N N 1,334 N N 4,741 2,034 42.9
1961. . . . . . . . . . . 46,341 8,391 18.1 40,405 N N 1,293 N N 4,643 1,954 42.1
1960. . . . . . . . . . . 45,435 8,243 18.1 39,624 N N 1,202 N N 4,609 1,955 42.4
1959. . . . . . . . . . . 45,054 8,320 18.5 39,335 N N 1,226 N N 4,493 1,916 42.6
N Not available.
¹ Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
² Estimates reflect the implementation of an updated processing system and should be used to make comparisons to 2018 and subse-
quent years.
³ The 2014 CPS ASEC included redesigned questions for income and health insurance coverage. All of the approximately 98,000
addresses were eligible to receive the redesigned set of health insurance coverage questions. The redesigned income questions were
implemented to a subsample of the 98,000 addresses using a probability split panel design. Approximately 68,000 addresses were eligible to
receive a set of income questions similar to those used in the 2013 CPS ASEC, and the remaining 30,000 addresses were eligible to receive
the redesigned income questions. The source of these 2013 estimates is the portion of the CPS ASEC sample that received the redesigned
income questions, approximately 30,000 addresses.
⁴ The source of these 2013 estimates is the portion of the CPS ASEC sample that received the income questions consistent with the 2013
CPS ASEC, approximately 68,000 addresses.
⁵ Implementation of 2010 Census-based population controls.
⁶ Data have been revised to reflect a correction to the weights in the 2005 CPS ASEC.
⁷ Implementation of a 28,000-household expansion.
⁸ Implementation of 2000 Census-based population controls.
⁹ Full implementation of 1990 Census-based sample design and metropolitan definitions, 7,000-household sample reduction, and revised
editing of responses on race.
10
Introduction of 1990 Census-based sample design.
11
Data collection method changed from paper and pencil to computer-assisted interviewing. In addition, the 1994 CPS ASEC was revised
to allow for the coding of different income amounts on selected questionnaire items. Limits either increased or decreased in the following
categories: earnings limits increased to $999,999; Social Security limits increased to $49,999; Supplemental Security Income and public assis-
tance limits increased to $24,999; veterans’ benefits limits increased to $99,999; child support and alimony limits decreased to $49,999.
12
Implementation of 1990 Census-based population controls.
13
Estimates are revised to correct for nine omitted weights from the original 1992 CPS ASEC. More information is available in “Money
Income of Households, Families, and Persons in the United States: 1992,” P60-184.
14
Estimates reflect the implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system and are also revised to reflect corrections to the files after
publication of the 1988 advance report “Money Income and Poverty Status in the United States: 1988,” P60-166.
15
Full implementation of 1980 Census-based sample design.
16
Implementation of Hispanic population weighting controls and introduction of 1980 Census-based sample design.
17
Implemented three technical changes to the poverty definition. More information is available in “Characteristics of the Population Below
the Poverty Level: 1980,” P60-133.
18
Implementation of 1980 Census-based population controls. Questionnaire expanded to show 27 possible values from 51 possible
sources of income.
19
Implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system. Questionnaire expanded to ask 11 income questions.
20
Full implementation of 1970 Census-based sample design.
21
Introduction of 1970 Census-based sample design and population controls.
22
Implementation of a new CPS ASEC processing system.
Note: Before 1979, unrelated subfamilies were included in all families. Beginning in 1979, unrelated subfamilies are excluded from all
families. An unrelated subfamily is defined as a married couple family with or without children or a single parent with one or more own, never-
married children under the age of 18 living in a household and not related by birth, marriage, or adoption to the householder.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 47
Poverty in the United States: 2021
APPENDIX B. THE SUPPLEMENTAL POVERTY MEASURE
UPDATES FOR 2021 (P-EBT) program was continued in with developing a set of initial
2021 and treated similarly to 2020, starting points to permit the
The American Rescue Plan Act
with the estimation of P-EBT ben- Census Bureau, in cooperation
(ARPA), passed in March 2021,
efits depending on SNAP receipt. with the Bureau of Labor Statistics
included changes to existing
For individuals who reported (BLS), to produce the SPM. In
tax credits and a third round
receiving P-EBT and SNAP, the 2010, this ITWG (which included
of economic impact payments,
value of P-EBT is assumed to be representatives from the BLS, the
both of which are included in
collected in their reported SNAP Census Bureau, the Economics
Supplemental Poverty Measure
value. For individuals not reporting and Statistics Administration, the
(SPM) resources. ARPA increased
SNAP but who reported that they Council of Economic Advisers, the
the value of the Child Tax Credit
received P-EBT benefits, a P-EBT U.S. Department of Health and
(CTC) and made it fully refund-
value is added to their school Human Services, and the Office of
able, meaning that more families
lunch value. Finally, the emergency Management and Budget [OMB])
were able to receive it. The Child
expansion of SNAP benefits was issued a series of suggestions to
and Dependent Care Tax Credit
extended further into 2021. In this the Census Bureau and the BLS on
(CDCTC) was also made fully
year’s report, we continue to show how to develop the SPM (ITWG,
refundable and was no longer
the combined marginal impact of 2010). Their suggestions drew on
limited by the taxpayer’s income
SNAP and school lunches in Figure the recommendations of the 1995
liability. Additionally, there was
11, in addition to the individual NAS report and the subsequent
an expansion of Earned Income
impacts, to account for the pos- extensive research on poverty
Tax Credit (EITC) for tax filers
sibility of commingling the report- measurement. These suggestions
with no children. These changes
ing of benefits across the two were published in the Federal
to tax credits were temporary
programs. Full details of the 2021 Register, and the Census Bureau
and limited to calendar year 2021.
school lunch valuation methodol- and the BLS reviewed comments
Finally, ARPA also included a
ogy can be found at <www.census. from the public.1 In November 2011,
third round of stimulus, or eco-
gov/library/working-papers/2022/ the Census Bureau released the
nomic impact payments (EIP). The
demo/SEHSD-WP2022-15.html>. first SPM report, providing SPM
methodology to estimate 2021
estimates for 2009 and 2010.
EIP was similar to the methodol-
SPM HISTORY
ogy to estimate 2020 EIP, which In 2016, OMB convened a new
did not assume full take-up of EIP. The SPM was developed fol- ITWG on improving the SPM to
Details of the methodology for lowing decades of research on provide advice on challenges and
valuing stimulus payments can be poverty measurement. Concerns opportunities brought before it by
found at <www.census.gov/library/ about the adequacy of the offi- the Census Bureau and the BLS
working-papers/2021/demo/ cial measure culminated in a concerning data sources, esti-
SEHSD-WP2021-18.html>. congressional appropriation in mation, survey production, and
1990 for an independent scientific processing activities for develop-
School lunch programs and study of the concepts, measure- ment, implementation, publication,
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ment methods, and information and improvement of the SPM. With
Program (SNAP) benefits also needed for a poverty measure. In OMB as chair, the SPM working
continued to be affected by the response, the National Academy group comprises career federal
COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Many of Sciences (NAS) convened employees representing their
schools experienced transitions a Panel on Poverty and Family respective agencies. The agen-
from in-person to virtual or hybrid Assistance, which released its cies currently represented include
schooling during the first half of report, “Measuring Poverty: A the Bureau of Economic Analysis,
2021, with considerable variation New Approach,” in 1995 (Citro and the BLS, the Council of Economic
across the country. Much like 2020, Michael, 1995). Advisors, the Census Bureau, the
the school lunch value calculation
The Interagency Technical Working Economic Research Service, the
accounts for the number of in-
Group (ITWG) on Developing a Food and Nutrition Service, the
person schooling days at the state
Supplemental Poverty Measure Department of Health and Human
level. Additionally, the Pandemic
was formed in 2009 and charged Services, the U.S. Department of
Electronic Benefits Transfer
Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Census Bureau 49
Poverty in the United States: 2021
(HUD), the Internal Revenue The three-parameter equivalence Equivalence Scales
Service, the National Center for scale is used to convert the estima-
The ITWG guidelines state that
Education Statistics, the National tion sample FCSUti expenditures
the “three-parameter equivalence
Center for Health Statistics, to those of a reference consumer
scale” is to be used to adjust SPM
OMB, and the Social Security unit comprising two adults with
reference thresholds for the num-
Administration. “The Supplemental two children.
ber of adults and children.7 The
Poverty Measure: 2020” report
SPM thresholds are produced for three-parameter scale allows for
implemented many changes to
three housing tenure groups to a different adjustment for single
the SPM methodology that were
account for differences in housing parents (Betson, 1996). This scale
recommended by the ITWG. For
costs. The three groups are owners has been used in several BLS and
more details on these changes
with mortgages, owners without Census Bureau studies (Short et
and their effects on 2019 poverty
mortgages, and renters. Thresholds al., 1999; Short, 2001). The three-
estimates, refer to the working
reflect 83 percent of the median of parameter scale is calculated in the
paper at <www.census.gov/library/
FCSUti expenditures for the esti- following way:
working-papers/2021/demo/
mation sample, multiplied by 1.2 to
SEHSD-WP2021-17.html>. One and two adults: scale =
account for additional basic needs,
(adults)0.5
Additionally, in 2020, a new NAS with adjustments for shelter and
Committee on National Statistics utilities for each housing group. Single parents: scale = (adults
expert panel was convened to Refer to the BLS DPINR Research + 0.8 * first child + 0.5 * other
further evaluate and improve the Experimental Poverty Measures children)0.7
SPM. Recommendations from the website for specifics regarding the
All other families: scale = (adults +
panel are expected in the future. production of the SPM thresholds
0.5 * children)0.7
and related statistics.5
SPM METHODOLOGY In the calculation used to produce
The thresholds used here include
thresholds for two adults, the scale
Poverty Thresholds the value of all noncash benefits
is set to 1.41. The economy of scale
included in the resources. CE data
Consistent with the NAS panel factor is set at 0.70 for other fam-
used to produce the thresholds
recommendations and the sugges- ily types, which is within the 0.65
reflect the use of SNAP benefits
tions of the ITWG, the SPM thresh- to 0.75 range recommended by
for food since these benefits are
olds are based on out-of-pocket the NAS panel.
considered equivalent to cash.
spending on a basic set of goods
However, the CE data as collected
and services that includes food, Geographic Adjustments
do not account for the value of
clothing, shelter, utilities, tele- The American Community Survey
in-kind benefits from other food
phone, and internet (FCSUti), as (ACS) is used to adjust the hous-
programs, rent, and energy assis-
well as a small additional amount ing portion of the FCSUti thresh-
tance. The value of these other
to allow for other needs (e.g., olds for differences in prices across
in-kind benefits is imputed to the
household supplies, personal care, geographic areas. The geographic
CE data using data collected in the
nonwork-related transportation). adjustments are based on 5-year
Current Population Survey Annual
SPM thresholds are produced ACS estimates of median gross
Social and Economic Supplement
by the BLS Division of Price and rents for two-bedroom units with
(CPS ASEC) to assign recipiency of
Index Number Research (BLS complete kitchen and plumbing
school lunch, the Supplementary
DPINR), using 5 years of quarterly facilities. Separate medians are
Nutrition Program for Women,
Consumer Expenditure Survey estimated for each of the 260
Infants, and Children (WIC), and
(CE) interview data for all con- metropolitan statistical areas
energy assistance; CE data on
sumer units with children, lagged (MSAs) large enough to be identi-
rental assistance receipt; and
1 year.2, 3 All individuals who share fied on the public-use version of
program data on average ben-
expenses with others in the house- the CPS ASEC file. For each state,
efit levels. This method produces
hold are included in the consumer a median is estimated for all non-
thresholds that are consistent with
unit.4 FCSUti expenditures are con- metropolitan areas (47 areas) and
the resource measure.6
verted to equivalized values using for a combination of all smaller
a three-parameter equivalence metropolitan areas within a state
scale (refer to the “Equivalence (35 areas). This results in 342
Scales” section for more detail).
50 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
adjustment factors. For details, in the official poverty estimates likely included the value of P-EBT
refer to Renwick (2011).8 The move- used in the SPM reports. Since in their SNAP amount as expan-
ment of telephone expenditures these children were not asked sions to SNAP values happened
from the utility category to the any income questions, they were at the same time and respondents
nongeographically adjusted tele- assigned income of $0 and a pov- were likely unable (and were not
communications category reduced erty threshold for a single-person asked) to separate out SNAP ben-
the share of the thresholds subject unit. efits from P-EBT benefits in their
to geographic adjustment for all response. Due to the potential of
tenure categories. Noncash Benefits commingled response, this report
also shows the joint marginal
Unit of Analysis Supplemental Nutrition Assistance impact of SNAP and school lunch,
Program (SNAP) as well as the individual impacts.
The ITWG suggested that the
resource unit in the SPM include SNAP benefits (formerly known
as food stamps) are designed to National School Lunch Program
all related individuals who live at
the same address, any coresident allow eligible low-income house- This program offers children free
unrelated children who are cared holds to afford a nutritionally school lunches if family income
for by the family (such as foster adequate diet. Households that is below 130 percent of federal
children), and any cohabiters and participate in the SNAP program poverty guidelines, reduced-price
their children.9, 10 This definition are assumed to devote 30 percent school meals if family income is
corresponds broadly with the unit of their countable monthly cash between 130 and 185 percent of
of data collection (the consumer income to the purchase of food, the federal poverty guidelines, and
unit) that is employed for the and SNAP benefits make up the a subsidized school meal for all
CE data that are used to calcu- remaining cost of an adequate other children.12 In the CPS ASEC,
late poverty thresholds. They are low-cost diet. This amount is set at the reference person is asked
referred to as SPM Resource Units. the level of the U.S. Department of how many children “usually” ate
For all resource units that contain Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food a complete lunch at school, and if
a set of male/female unmarried Plan. In the CPS ASEC, respon- any did, whether it was a free or
partners, the female partner’s dents report whether anyone in reduced-price school lunch. The
weight is used as the SPM family the household received SNAP value of school meals is assigned
weight. For all other units, there is benefits in the previous calendar based on the assumption that the
no change in family weight.11 year and, if so, the face value of children received the lunches every
those benefits. The annual house- day during the last school year.
Official Poverty Treatment of hold amount is prorated to the Note that this method may over-
Unrelated Individuals Under the SPM Resource Units within each estimate the benefits received by
Age of 15 household. each family. To value benefits, we
obtain amounts on the cost per
Unrelated children under the age The Families First Coronavirus
lunch from the USDA Food and
of 15 are excluded from the offi- Response Act (FFCRA), passed in
Nutrition Service, which admin-
cial poverty measure universe but 2020, authorized states to distrib-
isters the school lunch program.
included in the SPM universe. To ute P-EBT payments to house-
There is no value included for
compare the two measures in the holds with children who would
school breakfast.
SPM report, unrelated individuals have received free or reduced-
under the age of 15 are assigned price school lunches under the Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
an official poverty status to match National School Lunch Act, if not which resulted in a transition from
that of the reference person of the for a reduction in in-person learn- in-person to virtual schooling and
household in which they reside. ing due to the pandemic. These disbursement of school lunch ben-
The official poverty status is not temporary food benefits were efits for some free/reduced-price
recalculated for anyone else in provided to help cover the cost of school lunch recipients via P-EBT
the household. A comparison of meals children would have other- cards, the methodology for valuing
official poverty estimates using wise received at school. For SNAP school lunch changed for 2021.13
different methods is available in recipients, the value of P-EBT The school lunch methodology for
Fox (2017). Prior to the 2016 SPM was added to existing SNAP EBT 2021 considers state-level variation
report, all unrelated children under cards. As such, CPS ASEC respon- in average number of in-person
the age of 15 were considered poor dents who reported SNAP values
U.S. Census Bureau 51
Poverty in the United States: 2021
school days, the implementation federal Low-Income Home Energy representing about 7 percent of
of universal free lunch in many dis- Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or households in the United States in
tricts, potential reporting of P-EBT similar state/local programs, states 2021. The 2022 CPS ASEC reports
benefits in SNAP values, and may help pay heating or cooling that fewer than 2 percent of
responses to a new ASEC survey bills, provide allotments for low- households reported receiving at
question regarding P-EBT receipt.14 cost weatherization, or provide least 1 month of EBB benefits. As
assistance during energy-related of March 2022, this program is now
Supplementary Nutrition Program emergencies. States determine eli- called the Affordable Connectivity
for Women, Infants, and Children gibility and can provide assistance Program.
(WIC) in various ways, including cash
The following question was added
payments, vendor payments, two-
This program is designed to pro- to the 2022 CPS ASEC to cap-
party checks, vouchers/coupons,
vide food assistance and nutri- ture participation in EBB: “At any
and payments directly to land-
tional screening to low-income time during 2021, did anyone in
lords. In the CPS ASEC, the ques-
pregnant and postpartum women this household receive benefits
tion on energy assistance asks for
and their infants and to low- from the Emergency Broadband
information about the entire previ-
income children up to the age of 5. Discount Program or any other
ous year. Many households receive
Incomes must be at or below 185 program that provided reduced
both a “regular” benefit and one or
percent of the poverty guidelines price Wi-Fi, broadband, or other
more crisis or emergency benefits.
and participants must be nutri- home internet services?” If a
Since energy assistance payments
tionally at-risk (having abnormal household responded yes, then the
are often made directly to a utility
nutritional conditions, nutrition- household was asked how many
company or fuel oil vendor, many
related medical conditions, or months it received the benefits.
households may have difficulty
dietary deficiencies). Benefits If a household reported receiv-
reporting the precise amount of
include supplemental foods in the ing EBB, the value of the benefit
the payment made on their behalf.
form of food items or vouchers for equals $50 multiplied by number
purchases of specific food items. of months of receipt. The monthly
Internet Assistance
There are questions on current EBB value for households in tribal
receipt of WIC in the CPS ASEC. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and lands in Oklahoma and Alaska (not
Lacking additional information, we Economic Security Act (CARES including Oklahoma City, Tulsa,
assume 12 months of participa- Act) provided funding to increase and Anchorage MSAs) was equal
tion and value the benefit using access to broadband internet for to $75 multiplied by the months
state-level average monthly WIC low-income households, called of receipt (Universal Service
values obtained from the USDA.15 Emergency Broadband Benefit Administrative Company, 2022).
As with school lunch, assuming (EBB). Households can receive up In addition, Maryland increased
yearlong participation may over- to $50 per month off their internet the value of its EBB by $15, mean-
estimate the value of WIC benefits bill. Households living on qualifying ing recipients’ EBB is also valued
received by a given SPM unit. In tribal lands may receive up to $75 at $65 multiplied by the months
these estimates, we assume that all per month off their internet bill. To of receipt (with a maximum of 8
children less than 5 years old in a qualify, households’ income must months in 2021). If there is more
household where someone reports meet certain restrictions.16 The than one SPM unit in a household,
receiving WIC are also assigned program began disbursing funds in then the value of EBB is prorated
receipt of WIC. If the child is less May 2021, meaning that recipients based on the number of people
than 2 years old, then we assume could only receive benefits for 8 in the SPM unit relative to the
that the mother also gets WIC. If months in 2021. Given the novelty total number of people in the
there is no child in the family, but of this program, it is expected household.
the household reference person that there is underreporting
said “yes” to the WIC question, we of the program relative to the Housing Assistance
assume this is a pregnant woman number of households that actu-
Households can receive hous-
receiving WIC. ally participated in the program.
ing assistance from a plethora of
According to USAC, approximately
federal, state, and local programs.
Energy Assistance 9 million households enrolled in
Federal housing assistance con-
the program (Universal Service
Energy assistance typically falls sists of a number of programs
Administrative Company, 2022),
into three categories. Under the
52 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
administered primarily by HUD. extent that it meets the need for payment question asked in the
These programs traditionally shelter. Thus, the values for hous- 2021 and 2022 CPS ASEC. This
take the form of rental subsidies ing subsidies included as income methodology assumes less than
and mortgage-interest subsidies are limited to the proportion of the 100 percent take-up among poten-
targeted to very low-income rent- threshold that is allocated to hous- tially eligible recipients. Additional
ers and are either project-based ing costs. The subsidy is capped at details, as well as sensitivity tests,
(public housing) or tenant-based the housing portion of the appro- are available at <www.census.
(vouchers). The value of hous- priate threshold minus the total gov/library/working-papers/2021/
ing subsidies is estimated as the tenant payment. demo/SEHSD-WP2021-18.html>.
difference between the “market
rent” for the housing unit and the Necessary Expenses Subtracted Work-Related Expenses
total tenant payment. The “market From Resources
Going to work and earning a wage
rent” for the household is esti- often entails incurring expenses
mated using a statistical match Taxes
such as travel to work and pur-
with HUD administrative data from The NAS panel and the ITWG chase of uniforms or tools. For
the Public and Indian Housing recommended that the calculation work-related expenses (other than
Information Center and the Tenant of family resources for poverty child care), the NAS panel and
Rental Assistance Certification measurement subtract necessary original SPM ITWG recommended
System. For each household identi- expenses that must be paid by subtracting a fixed amount for
fied in the CPS ASEC as receiving the family. The measure subtracts each earner 18 years or older. Their
help with rent or living in public federal, state, and local income calculation was based on the 1987
housing, an attempt was made to taxes and Social Security payroll Survey of Income and Program
match on state, core-based statis- taxes (FICA) before assessing the Participation (SIPP) data, which
tical area (CBSA), and household ability of a family to obtain basic collected information on work
size.17 The total tenant payment necessities such food, clothing, expenses in a set of supplemen-
is estimated by applying HUD shelter, utilities, telephone, and tary questions. They calculated
program rules to total household internet (FCSUti). Taking account 85 percent of median weekly
income reported in the CPS ASEC. of taxes allows us to account for expenses—$14.42 per week worked
Generally, participants in either receipt of the federal or state for anyone aged 18 or older in the
public housing or tenant-based Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) family in 1992. Total expenses were
subsidy programs administered by and other tax credits. The CPS obtained by multiplying this fixed
HUD are expected to contribute ASEC does not collect information amount by the number of weeks
the greater of one-third of their on taxes paid, but instead relies on respondents reported working in
“adjusted” income or 10 percent of a tax calculator to simulate taxes the year. Each person in the SIPP
their gross income towards hous- paid. These simulations include reports their own expenditures
ing costs.18 More details on this federal and state income taxes and on work-related items in a given
method are available in Johnson FICA taxes.19 These simulations week. The most recent available
et al. (2010). Initially, subsidies are also use a statistical match to the data are used to calculate median
estimated at the household level. IRS Statistics of Income public-use weekly expenses.20 The number of
If there is more than one SPM unit microdata file of tax returns. weeks worked, reported in the CPS
in a household, then the value of ASEC, is multiplied by 85 percent
the subsidy is prorated based on EIPs are included in the CPS ASEC
of median weekly work-related
the number of people in the SPM Tax Model and are modeled based
expenses for each person to arrive
unit relative to the total number of either on 2020 (for the first two
at annual work-related expenses.21
people in the household. EIPs) or 2021 (for the third EIP),
adjusted gross income, number
Housing subsidies help families pay Child Care Expenses
of dependents under age 17, and
their rent and, as such, are added filing status. Presumed nonfilers Another important part of work-
to income for the SPM. However, were assigned EIP values if they related expenses is paying some-
there is general agreement that, either reported receiving Social one to care for children while
while the value of a housing sub- Security, Supplemental Security parents work. These expenses have
sidy can free up a family’s income Income (SSI), and Veterans Affairs become important for families
to purchase food and other basic (VA) payments, or responded affir- with young children in which both
items, it will do so only to the matively to the receipt of stimulus parents (or a single parent) work.
U.S. Census Bureau 53
Poverty in the United States: 2021
To account for child care expenses covered or reimbursed by insur- REFERENCES
while parents worked, the CPS ance. Subtracting these amounts
Many of the working papers
ASEC asks parents whether they from income, like taxes and work
listed below, as well as additional
pay for child care and, if so, how expenses, leaves the amount of
research on the Supplemental
much they spent. The amounts income that the family has avail-
Poverty Measure, are available at
paid for any type of child care able to purchase the basic bundle
<www.census.gov/topics/income-
while parents are at work are of goods.
poverty/supplemental-poverty-
summed over all children. The
When reporting medical expenses, measure/library/working-papers.
ITWG, following the recommenda-
respondents are asked not to html> or <https://stats.bls.gov/pir/
tions of the NAS report, suggested
report Medicare Part B premiums. spmhome.htm>.
capping the amount subtracted
Instead, Medicare Part B premiums
from income, when combined with Berchick, Edward R., and Heide
are estimated using other informa-
other work-related expenses, so M. Jackson, “Health Insurance
tion collected in the CPS ASEC.
that these do not exceed total Coverage in the 2017 CPS ASEC
If respondents received Social
reported earnings of the lowest- Research File,” SEHSD Working
Security benefits, they may have
earning reference person or Paper Number 2019-01, U.S.
reported Medicare premiums, and
spouse/partner of the reference Census Bureau, Washington,
the reported amount is taken. For
person in the family. This capping DC, 2019, <www.census.gov/
respondents aged 65 and older
procedure is applied before deter- library/working-papers/2019/
who reported that their Social
mining poverty status.22
Security payment was after deduc- demo/SEHSD-WP2019-01.
tions but did not report a deduc- html>.
Child Support Paid
tion amount greater than $0, the Betson, David, “Is Everything
The NAS panel recommended Medicare Part B premium is set at Relative? The Role of
that since child support received the standard amount per month Equivalence Scales in Poverty
from other households is counted and added to income and medical Measurement,” University
as income, child support paid expenditures. For the remaining of Notre Dame, Poverty
out to those households should respondents who reported being Measurement Working Paper,
be deducted from the resources covered by Medicare, Medicare
1996, available at <https://
of those households that paid it. Part B premiums are simulated
aspe.hhs.gov/system/files/
Without this subtraction, all child using the rules for income and
support is double-counted in pdf/106776/escale.pdf>.
tax filing status for people aged
overall income statistics. Questions 65 and older (refer to <www. Caswell, Kyle, and Kathleen
ascertaining amounts paid in child medicare.gov/>).23 For married Short, “Medical Out-of-Pocket
support are included in the CPS respondents with a “spouse pres- Spending of the Uninsured:
ASEC, and these reported amounts ent,” combined reported income is Differential Spending and
are subtracted in the estimates used to determine the appropriate the Supplemental Poverty
presented here. Medicare Part B premium assum- Measure,” SEHSD Working
ing that these couples filed mar- Paper Number 2011-24,
Medical Expenses ried, joint returns. Finally, the simu- U.S. Census Bureau,
The ITWG recommended subtract- lation model assumes two groups Washington, DC, 2011, available
ing medical expenses from income, paid zero Part B premiums: (1) at <www.census.gov/library/
following the NAS panel. The NAS respondents enrolled in Medicare working-papers/2011/demo/
panel was aware that expenditures and Medicaid, and (2) those with SEHSD-WP2011-24.html>.
for health care are a significant a family income less than 135
Citro, Constance F., and Robert
portion of a family budget and percent of the federal poverty
T. Michael (eds.), Measuring
have become an increasingly larger level.24 This strategy for estimating
Poverty: A New Approach,
budget item since the 1960s. These Medicare Part B premiums largely
National Academy Press,
expenses include the payment of follows the methodology devel-
Washington, DC, 1995, available
health insurance premiums plus oped by Caswell and Short (2011)
and updated with the processing at <www.census.gov/library/
other medically necessary items
system change in 2017.25 publications/1995/demo/citro-
such as prescription drugs and
01.html>.
doctor copayments that are not
54 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Edwards, Ashley, Brian McKenzie, Renwick, Trudi, “Geographic , Thesia Garner, David
and Kathleen Short, “Work- Adjustments of Supplemental Johnson, and Patricia Doyle,
Related Expenses in the Poverty Measure Thresholds: “Experimental Poverty
Supplemental Poverty Using the American Community Measures: 1990 to 1997,”
Measure,” U.S. Census Bureau, Survey 5-Year Data on Housing Current Population Reports,
Washington, DC, January 2014, Costs,” SEHSD Working Paper P60-205, U.S. Census Bureau,
available at <www.census.gov/ Number 2011-21, U.S. Census Washington, DC, June 1999,
content/dam/Census/library/ Bureau, Washington, DC, 2011, available at <www.census.
working-papers/2014/demo/ available at <www.census.gov/ gov/library/publications/1999/
sgeworkexpense.pdf>. library/working-papers/2011/ demo/p60-205.html>.
Fox, Liana, “Revising Poverty demo/SEHSD-WP2011-21.html>. Universal Service Administration
Assignments of Unrelated , “Estimating the Value of Company, “Emergency
Children under Age 15 in the Federal Housing Assistance Broadband Benefit Program
Supplemental Poverty Measure for the Supplemental Poverty Enrollments and Claims
Report,” SEHSD Working Paper Measure: Eliminating the Tracker, Claimed Support
Number 2017-42, U.S. Census Public Housing Adjustment,” – Monthly,” 2022, <www.
Bureau, Washington, DC, 2017, SEHSD Working Paper Number usac.org/about/emergency-
available at <www.census.gov/ 2017-38, U.S. Census Bureau, broadband-benefit-program/
content/dam/Census/library/ Washington, DC, 2017, available emergency-broadband-
working-papers/2017/demo/ at <www.census.gov/library/ benefit-program-enrollments-
SEHSD-WP2017-42.pdf>. working-papers/2017/demo/ and-claims-tracker/#claimed-
ITWG, “Observations From SEHSD-WP2017-38.html>. support-monthly>.
the Interagency Technical , Eric Figueroa, and U.S. Census Bureau, “Updates
Working Group on Developing Bettina Aten, “Supplemental to the Processing of Out-of-
a Supplemental Poverty Poverty Measure: A Comparison Pocket Medical Expenditures
Measure,” March 2010, available of Geographic Adjustments and Medicare Premiums,”
at <www.census.gov/content/ with Regional Price Parities SEHSD Working Paper
dam/Census/topics/income/ vs. Median Rents From the 2019-31, Washington, DC,
supplemental-poverty- American Community <www.census.gov/library/
measure/spm-twgobservations. Survey: An Update,” SEHSD working-papers/2019/demo/
pdf>. Working Paper 2017-36, SEHSD-WP2019-31.html>.
Johnson, Paul, Trudi Renwick, U.S. Census Bureau, Wheaton, Laura, and Kathryn
and Kathleen Short, Washington, DC, July 2017, Stevens, “The Effect of
“Estimating the Value of available at <www.census.gov/ Different Tax Calculators
Federal Housing Assistance library/working-papers/2017/ on the Supplemental
for the Supplemental demo/SEHSD-WP2017-36. Poverty Measure,” 2016,
Poverty Measure,” SEHSD html>. <www.census.gov/library/
Working Paper 2010-13, U.S. Short, Kathleen, “Experimental working-papers/2016/demo/
Census Bureau, Washington, Poverty Measures: 1999,” wheaton-stevens-2016.html>.
DC, July 2011, available at Current Population Reports,
<www.census.gov/library/ P60-216, U.S. Census Bureau,
working-papers/2010/demo/ Washington, DC, 2001, available
SEHSD-WP2010-13.html>. at <www.census.gov/library/
publications/2001/demo/p60-
216.html>.
U.S. Census Bureau 55
Poverty in the United States: 2021
ENDNOTES 12
The poverty guidelines are issued 18
HUD regulations define “adjusted
each year by the Department of Health household income” as cash income,
1
Federal Register notice Vol. 75, No. and Human Services. The guidelines are a excluding income from certain sources minus
101, p. 29513 was issued on May 26, 2010, simplified version of the Census Bureau’s numerous deductions. Three of the income
soliciting public comments regarding poverty thresholds used for administrative exclusions can be identified from the CPS
specific methods and data sources in purposes—for instance, determining financial ASEC: income from the employment of
developing the SPM. eligibility for certain federal programs. For children, student financial assistance, and
2
For information on the CE, refer to more details and guidelines, refer to <https:// earnings in excess of $480 for each full-time
<https://stats.bls.gov/cex/>. aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines>. student 18 years or older. Deductions that
3
Changes to the threshold estimation 13
The traditional school lunch valuation can be modeled from the CPS ASEC include
were implemented in 2021. Refer to <www. is still available on the public-use CPS ASEC $480 for each dependent, $400 for any
census.gov/library/working-papers/2021/ file at the family level as F_MV_SL, while the elderly or disabled family member, child care,
demo/SEHSD-WP2021-17.html> and <www. new valuation is available at the SPM unit and medical expenses.
bls.gov/pir/spmhome.htm> for details. level as SPM_SCHLUNCH. 19
Wheaton and Stevens (2016) compare
4
This includes unmarried partners and 14
The details of the revised 2021 school the Census Bureau’s tax calculator to
others making joint expenditure decisions. lunch valuation methodology can be found TAXSIM and the Bakija tax model and find
For full definition, refer to <https://stats.bls. at <www.census.gov/library/working- consistency in tax estimates across the
gov/cex/csxfaqs.htm>. papers/2022/demo/SEHSD-WP2022-15. models.
5
These are referred to as BLS DPINR html>. 20
Median weekly work expenses were
Research Experimental Supplemental 15
Details of changing from national $44.78 for 2021 using the 2018 SIPP.
Poverty Measure (SPM) Thresholds. average WIC benefit values to state-varying 21
Edwards et al. (2014) examined an
Additional information available at <https:// average WIC values can be found at <www. alternative method of valuing work-related
stats.bls.gov/pir/spmhome.htm>. census.gov/library/working-papers/2020/ expenses using the ACS.
6
Additional information available at demo/SEHSD-WP2020-16.html>. 22
Some analysts have suggested that this
<www.bls.gov/pir/spm/smp-thresholds-and- 16
More information about income cap may be inappropriate in certain cases,
missing-data-problem-6-16.pdf>. restrictions for EBB can be found at <www. such as if the parent is in school, looking for
7
The official measure adjusts thresholds fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit>. work, or receiving types of compensation
based on family size, number of children and 17
HUD operates two major housing other than earnings.
adults, and whether or not the householder assistance programs: public housing 23
We make the simplifying assumption
is aged 65 or older. and tenant-based or voucher programs. that respondents were insured by Medicare
8
Renwick, Figueroa, and Aten (2017) Previous research has found that households for the entire year.
examined an alternative method of misreport whether they receive public 24
The family income assumption is
calculation for the geographic indexes using housing or rental assistance in the CPS ASEC based on a rough estimate of eligibility and
Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau and that the value of public housing is not participation in at least one of the following
of Economic Analysis. unambiguously worth less than the value programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary,
9
Foster children up to the age of 22 are of rental assistance (Renwick, 2017). Given Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary,
included in the new unit. these ambiguities and increasing challenges or Qualified Individual or Qualified Disabled
10
The official measure of poverty uses in the reporting of housing subsidy values and Working Individuals. We do not take into
the Census Bureau-defined family that across various types of housing assistance, account the possibility of (state-specific)
includes all individuals residing together who beginning in the 2016 SPM report we have asset requirements.
are related by birth, marriage, or adoption eliminated the adjustment factor previously 25
For more details on changes to medical
and treats all unrelated individuals aged 15 applied to public housing subsidy values. expenditures estimation, refer to Berchick
and older independently. and Jackson (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau
11
Appropriate weighting of these new (2019).
units is an area of additional research at the
Census Bureau.
56 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-1.
Two-Adult, Two-Child Poverty Thresholds: 2020 and 2021
(In nominal dollars)
Standard Standard
Measure
2020 error 2021 error
Official Poverty Measure
Official poverty measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,246 N 27,479 N
Research Supplemental Poverty Measure
Owners with mortgages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,959 241 31,107 280
Owners without mortgages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,222 402 26,279 284
Renters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,150 255 31,453 231
N Not available.
Source: The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) thresholds were produced by Juan Munoz in the Division of Price and Index Number
Research, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The thresholds and standard errors are based on data from the U.S. Consumer Expenditure
Survey (CE) Interview, with all data consumer unit weighted. Standard errors of the thresholds are derived using replicate weights available
in the CE Interview data files. Information regarding the estimation of standard errors based on CE replicate weights is available at <www.bls.
gov/cex/pumd-getting-started-guide.htm>. Thresholds and standard errors are produced for research purposes only, and are not considered
BLS production quality. Methodological details and related research regarding the SPM threshold are available at <https://stats.bls.gov/pir/
spmhome.htm>. The 2021 thresholds and related statistics were finalized as of June 1, 2022. Those for 2020 were finalized as of September 3,
2021.
U.S. Census Bureau 57
Poverty in the United States: 2021
58 Table B-2.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Race, Hispanic Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
origin, and year Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of of of of of of of of
error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹
Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±)
ALL RACES
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 328,722 25,584 718 7.8 0.2 73,467 3,829 264 5.2 0.4 199,062 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 56,193 6,003 238 10.7 0.4
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 328,059 30,041 777 9.2 0.2 74,031 7,196 331 9.7 0.4 199,753 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 54,276 5,135 239 9.5 0.4
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 325,268 38,300 876 11.8 0.3 73,151 9,253 358 12.6 0.5 197,475 22,073 603 11.2 0.3 54,642 6,975 251 12.8 0.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 325,268 38,163 895 11.7 0.3 73,151 9,119 354 12.5 0.5 197,475 22,072 606 11.2 0.3 54,642 6,972 258 12.8 0.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 324,356 41,420 861 12.8 0.3 73,793 10,096 381 13.7 0.5 197,775 24,151 564 12.2 0.3 52,788 7,174 250 13.6 0.5
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 323,144 42,075 1,004 13.0 0.3 74,066 10,532 394 14.2 0.5 198,012 24,582 655 12.4 0.3 51,066 6,960 276 13.6 0.5
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 323,156 44,972 993 13.9 0.3 73,963 11,521 399 15.6 0.5 198,113 26,244 628 13.2 0.3 51,080 7,207 274 14.1 0.5
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 320,372 44,752 810 14.0 0.3 74,047 11,281 349 15.2 0.5 197,051 26,303 571 13.3 0.3 49,274 7,168 235 14.5 0.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 318,868 46,250 902 14.5 0.3 74,062 12,026 370 16.2 0.5 197,260 27,719 596 14.1 0.3 47,547 6,506 239 13.7 0.5
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 316,168 49,241 862 15.6 0.3 73,920 12,631 359 17.1 0.5 196,254 29,983 576 15.3 0.3 45,994 6,627 224 14.4 0.5
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 313,443 49,852 1,493 15.9 0.5 73,787 13,367 642 18.1 0.9 194,694 29,467 987 15.1 0.5 44,963 7,019 390 15.6 0.9
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 313,395 48,671 1,051 15.5 0.3 74,055 12,177 388 16.4 0.5 194,833 29,987 700 15.4 0.4 44,508 6,507 271 14.6 0.6
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 311,116 49,730 923 16.0 0.3 74,187 13,358 366 18.0 0.5 193,642 29,953 584 15.5 0.3 43,287 6,419 217 14.8 0.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 308,827 49,567 902 16.1 0.3 74,108 13,349 376 18.0 0.5 193,213 29,971 578 15.5 0.3 41,507 6,247 229 15.1 0.5
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 306,553 48,841 918 15.9 0.3 74,296 13,292 372 17.9 0.5 192,481 29,257 610 15.2 0.3 39,777 6,292 221 15.8 0.6
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 304,282 45,995 867 15.1 0.3 74,554 12,702 389 17.0 0.5 190,781 27,505 564 14.4 0.3 38,947 5,788 230 14.9 0.6
WHITE ALONE⁸
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 249,250 17,268 560 6.9 0.2 52,034 2,347 197 4.5 0.4 150,671 10,455 395 6.9 0.3 46,545 4,466 207 9.6 0.4
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 249,385 20,291 594 8.1 0.2 52,636 4,442 241 8.4 0.5 151,424 12,042 429 8.0 0.3 45,326 3,808 211 8.4 0.5
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 248,400 26,029 645 10.5 0.3 52,808 5,954 266 11.3 0.5 149,832 14,824 455 9.9 0.3 45,760 5,251 235 11.5 0.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 248,400 26,089 669 10.5 0.3 52,808 5,928 270 11.2 0.5 149,832 14,906 459 9.9 0.3 45,760 5,256 246 11.5 0.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 248,001 27,820 665 11.2 0.3 53,130 6,186 268 11.6 0.5 150,564 16,251 437 10.8 0.3 44,307 5,384 233 12.2 0.5
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 247,675 28,380 797 11.5 0.3 53,520 6,645 302 12.4 0.6 151,156 16,496 503 10.9 0.3 42,999 5,239 251 12.2 0.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 247,695 30,433 780 12.3 0.3 53,445 7,365 296 13.8 0.5 151,259 17,662 487 11.7 0.3 42,991 5,406 257 12.6 0.6
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 246,310 30,717 617 12.5 0.3 53,643 7,212 250 13.4 0.5 151,044 18,002 433 11.9 0.3 41,623 5,502 231 13.2 0.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 245,805 31,493 735 12.8 0.3 53,819 7,903 299 14.7 0.6 151,731 18,741 495 12.4 0.3 40,254 4,849 224 12.0 0.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 244,468 33,973 696 13.9 0.3 53,852 8,065 264 15.0 0.5 151,562 20,844 477 13.8 0.3 39,054 5,064 203 13.0 0.5
U.S. Census Bureau
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 243,591 34,906 1,131 14.3 0.5 53,882 8,901 490 16.5 0.9 151,234 20,524 765 13.6 0.5 38,475 5,481 367 14.2 0.9
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 243,399 33,445 818 13.7 0.3 54,160 7,664 292 14.2 0.5 151,334 20,686 564 13.7 0.4 37,905 5,095 240 13.4 0.6
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 242,469 34,002 724 14.0 0.3 54,388 8,374 258 15.4 0.5 151,042 20,526 466 13.6 0.3 37,039 5,102 195 13.8 0.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 241,586 34,339 732 14.2 0.3 54,438 8,622 269 15.8 0.5 151,416 20,774 488 13.7 0.3 35,732 4,943 209 13.8 0.6
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 240,281 33,858 725 14.1 0.3 54,789 8,529 291 15.6 0.5 151,218 20,375 488 13.5 0.3 34,274 4,954 212 14.5 0.6
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 239,024 32,045 704 13.4 0.3 54,981 8,303 284 15.1 0.5 150,363 19,249 476 12.8 0.3 33,680 4,494 207 13.3 0.6
Poverty in the United States: 2021
WHITE ALONE,
NOT HISPANIC
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 194,532 11,146 447 5.7 0.2 36,125 976 116 2.7 0.3 116,561 6,604 316 5.7 0.3 41,845 3,566 201 8.5 0.5
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 195,284 12,699 488 6.5 0.3 36,658 2,071 169 5.7 0.5 117,763 7,618 348 6.5 0.3 40,863 3,009 195 7.4 0.5
Footnotes available at end of table.
Table B-2.
U.S. Census Bureau
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling
error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Race, Hispanic Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
origin, and year Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of of of of of of of of
error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹
Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±)
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 194,858 15,921 477 8.2 0.2 36,607 2,577 176 7.0 0.5 116,810 9,189 342 7.9 0.3 41,442 4,156 209 10.0 0.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 194,858 15,914 492 8.2 0.3 36,607 2,554 178 7.0 0.5 116,810 9,183 347 7.9 0.3 41,442 4,177 224 10.1 0.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,060 16,932 522 8.7 0.3 36,863 2,582 166 7.0 0.4 117,979 10,037 384 8.5 0.3 40,218 4,313 216 10.7 0.5
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 195,487 17,689 555 9.0 0.3 37,391 3,023 190 8.1 0.5 118,969 10,335 376 8.7 0.3 39,127 4,332 231 11.1 0.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,530 19,249 594 9.8 0.3 37,321 3,558 193 9.5 0.5 119,078 11,253 399 9.4 0.3 39,131 4,438 244 11.3 0.6
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,453 19,446 564 9.9 0.3 37,717 3,302 176 8.8 0.5 119,785 11,609 414 9.7 0.3 37,951 4,535 220 11.9 0.6
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,646 20,082 553 10.3 0.3 38,055 4,001 217 10.5 0.6 120,908 12,114 381 10.0 0.3 36,682 3,967 210 10.8 0.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,352 21,320 574 10.9 0.3 38,201 3,790 190 9.9 0.5 121,424 13,381 402 11.0 0.3 35,727 4,148 190 11.6 0.5
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 195,247 21,742 903 11.1 0.5 38,296 4,331 346 11.3 0.9 121,629 12,893 619 10.6 0.5 35,322 4,518 348 12.8 1.0
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 195,399 20,946 668 10.7 0.3 38,626 3,364 214 8.7 0.6 121,991 13,373 481 11.0 0.4 34,781 4,209 229 12.1 0.7
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,330 20,946 596 10.7 0.3 38,978 3,730 191 9.6 0.5 122,221 12,956 401 10.6 0.3 34,131 4,260 189 12.5 0.6
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 195,148 21,406 586 11.0 0.3 39,143 3,949 207 10.1 0.5 123,101 13,288 393 10.8 0.3 32,904 4,169 193 12.7 0.6
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 194,996 21,419 592 11.0 0.3 39,650 3,948 196 10.0 0.5 123,731 13,253 439 10.7 0.4 31,616 4,219 206 13.3 0.6
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 194,814 20,084 569 10.3 0.3 40,078 3,908 200 9.8 0.5 123,579 12,340 391 10.0 0.3 31,157 3,836 198 12.3 0.6
BLACK ALONE
OR IN
COMBINA-
TION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 48,363 5,279 348 10.9 0.7 13,579 1,025 149 7.5 1.1 28,940 3,293 219 11.4 0.8 5,845 962 82 16.5 1.4
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 48,432 6,915 380 14.3 0.8 13,743 2,143 188 15.6 1.3 29,202 3,937 222 13.5 0.8 5,487 834 73 15.2 1.3
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 47,419 8,838 431 18.6 0.9 13,182 2,613 200 19.8 1.5 28,842 5,076 270 17.6 0.9 5,394 1,148 83 21.3 1.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 47,419 8,585 429 18.1 0.9 13,182 2,494 197 18.9 1.5 28,842 4,961 271 17.2 0.9 5,394 1,130 82 21.0 1.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 46,919 9,416 451 20.1 1.0 13,316 3,010 221 22.6 1.6 28,423 5,269 276 18.5 1.0 5,180 1,137 86 22.0 1.6
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 46,476 9,476 397 20.4 0.9 13,302 2,918 210 21.9 1.6 28,231 5,447 245 19.3 0.9 4,942 1,111 77 22.5 1.5
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 46,540 10,094 430 21.7 0.9 13,336 3,129 215 23.5 1.6 28,253 5,800 268 20.5 0.9 4,952 1,165 84 23.5 1.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 45,784 9,659 398 21.1 0.9 13,290 3,068 207 23.1 1.5 27,834 5,520 237 19.8 0.9 4,660 1,070 70 23.0 1.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 45,326 10,221 436 22.5 1.0 13,227 3,090 194 23.4 1.5 27,653 6,056 279 21.9 1.0 4,447 1,075 78 24.2 1.7
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 44,686 10,477 356 23.4 0.8 12,995 3,371 182 25.9 1.4 27,442 6,121 234 22.3 0.8 4,249 986 63 23.2 1.5
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 44,250 10,717 717 24.2 1.5 13,140 3,449 336 26.3 2.4 27,056 6,230 453 23.0 1.6 4,054 1,038 132 25.6 3.2
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 44,188 10,774 513 24.4 1.1 13,179 3,473 231 26.4 1.7 26,923 6,382 330 23.7 1.2 4,085 919 77 22.5 1.9
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 43,692 11,159 450 25.5 1.0 13,217 3,698 235 28.0 1.7 26,482 6,561 255 24.8 1.0 3,993 900 68 22.5 1.7
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 42,750 10,832 416 25.3 1.0 13,070 3,665 211 28.0 1.6 25,962 6,281 247 24.2 0.9 3,718 886 64 23.8 1.7
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 42,472 10,656 383 25.1 0.9 13,102 3,602 190 27.5 1.4 25,815 6,172 236 23.9 0.9 3,555 882 59 24.8 1.7
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 41,802 9,540 386 22.8 0.9 13,145 3,219 197 24.5 1.5 25,207 5,438 234 21.6 0.9 3,450 882 58 25.6 1.7
BLACK ALONE⁹
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 44,087 4,998 336 11.3 0.8 11,298 917 143 8.1 1.3 27,114 3,139 216 11.6 0.8 5,675 942 83 16.6 1.4
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 43,831 6,435 353 14.7 0.8 11,305 1,908 175 16.9 1.5 27,198 3,713 208 13.7 0.8 5,328 814 72 15.3 1.3
59 2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 43,094 8,144 409 18.9 1.0 10,980 2,245 176 20.4 1.6 26,857 4,768 265 17.8 1.0 5,257 1,130 82 21.5 1.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 43,094 7,907 408 18.3 0.9 10,980 2,136 173 19.5 1.6 26,857 4,659 266 17.3 1.0 5,257 1,113 82 21.2 1.5
Footnotes provided at end of table.
60 Table B-2.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling
error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Race, Hispanic Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
origin, and year Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of of of of of of of of
error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹
Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±)
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 42,842 8,727 432 20.4 1.0 11,153 2,624 203 23.5 1.8 26,644 4,985 273 18.7 1.0 5,045 1,118 86 22.2 1.7
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 42,560 8,775 375 20.6 0.9 11,089 2,529 189 22.8 1.7 26,645 5,154 238 19.3 0.9 4,827 1,092 77 22.6 1.6
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 42,564 9,394 410 22.1 1.0 11,081 2,758 196 24.9 1.8 26,648 5,488 261 20.6 1.0 4,834 1,147 84 23.7 1.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 42,040 9,086 390 21.6 0.9 11,193 2,740 198 24.5 1.8 26,286 5,295 235 20.1 0.9 4,561 1,052 69 23.1 1.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 41,703 9,527 423 22.8 1.0 11,166 2,701 182 24.2 1.6 26,194 5,781 274 22.1 1.0 4,343 1,046 75 24.1 1.7
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 41,226 9,746 329 23.6 0.8 11,129 2,938 161 26.4 1.4 25,954 5,837 221 22.5 0.8 4,143 970 62 23.4 1.5
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 40,594 9,729 641 24.0 1.6 11,098 2,876 295 25.9 2.6 25,562 5,853 416 22.9 1.6 3,933 1,000 128 25.4 3.2
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 40,671 10,056 498 24.7 1.2 11,143 3,084 214 27.7 1.9 25,552 6,073 330 23.8 1.3 3,975 899 78 22.6 2.0
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 40,208 10,363 415 25.8 1.0 11,161 3,214 204 28.8 1.8 25,154 6,276 251 24.9 1.0 3,893 873 66 22.4 1.7
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,696 10,180 405 25.6 1.0 11,225 3,283 198 29.2 1.8 24,831 6,032 240 24.3 1.0 3,640 866 63 23.8 1.7
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,350 9,939 382 25.3 1.0 11,239 3,205 180 28.5 1.6 24,667 5,880 234 23.8 0.9 3,443 854 58 24.8 1.7
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 38,946 8,979 363 23.1 0.9 11,414 2,875 177 25.2 1.5 24,166 5,232 225 21.7 0.9 3,366 872 57 25.9 1.7
BLACK ALONE,
NOT HISPANIC
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 40,955 4,596 323 11.2 0.8 10,245 846 138 8.3 1.3 25,257 2,841 207 11.2 0.8 5,454 909 81 16.7 1.5
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 40,766 6,017 344 14.8 0.8 10,298 1,772 169 17.2 1.6 25,339 3,452 206 13.6 0.8 5,128 793 72 15.5 1.4
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 40,206 7,555 388 18.8 0.9 10,065 2,075 173 20.6 1.7 25,093 4,402 242 17.5 0.9 5,048 1,078 80 21.4 1.6
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 40,206 7,330 384 18.2 0.9 10,065 1,966 168 19.5 1.7 25,093 4,296 242 17.1 0.9 5,048 1,068 80 21.2 1.6
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,779 8,109 410 20.4 1.0 10,161 2,407 188 23.7 1.8 24,815 4,641 264 18.7 1.0 4,803 1,061 85 22.1 1.7
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 39,719 8,025 374 20.2 0.9 10,138 2,254 184 22.2 1.8 24,982 4,758 235 19.0 0.9 4,599 1,013 72 22.0 1.5
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,714 8,680 405 21.9 1.0 10,133 2,483 189 24.5 1.9 24,983 5,121 256 20.5 1.0 4,598 1,076 77 23.4 1.7
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,257 8,433 377 21.5 0.9 10,218 2,493 185 24.4 1.8 24,670 4,936 230 20.0 0.9 4,368 1,005 69 23.0 1.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,257 8,966 399 22.8 1.0 10,274 2,476 169 24.1 1.6 24,769 5,469 257 22.1 1.0 4,214 1,021 76 24.2 1.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 38,605 8,994 326 23.3 0.8 10,236 2,686 151 26.2 1.5 24,357 5,388 221 22.1 0.9 4,013 920 63 22.9 1.6
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 38,021 9,130 610 24.0 1.6 10,104 2,632 277 26.1 2.7 24,080 5,517 397 22.9 1.6 3,836 981 126 25.6 3.3
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 37,783 9,306 459 24.6 1.2 10,113 2,813 201 27.8 2.0 23,829 5,633 304 23.6 1.3 3,841 860 76 22.4 2.0
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 37,619 9,601 390 25.5 1.0 10,203 2,905 188 28.5 1.8 23,666 5,862 241 24.8 1.0 3,750 834 62 22.2 1.7
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 37,104 9,356 404 25.2 1.1 10,190 2,928 190 28.7 1.9 23,354 5,586 244 23.9 1.0 3,559 842 60 23.7 1.7
U.S. Census Bureau
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 36,746 9,172 371 25.0 1.0 10,283 2,907 167 28.3 1.6 23,134 5,433 231 23.5 1.0 3,329 832 57 25.0 1.7
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 36,589 8,292 350 22.7 0.9 10,507 2,631 165 25.0 1.6 22,817 4,840 219 21.2 0.9 3,265 821 55 25.1 1.7
ASIAN ALONE
OR IN
COMBINA-
Poverty in the United States: 2021
TION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 23,479 2,098 179 8.9 0.8 5,641 258 61 4.6 1.1 14,828 1,374 134 9.3 0.9 3,011 465 59 15.5 1.9
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 22,926 1,952 209 8.5 0.9 5,568 353 73 6.3 1.3 14,612 1,207 143 8.3 1.0 2,747 392 58 14.3 2.1
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 22,460 2,410 191 10.7 0.8 5,254 419 69 8.0 1.3 14,483 1,534 138 10.6 0.9 2,724 457 67 16.8 2.4
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 22,460 2,489 194 11.1 0.9 5,254 438 70 8.3 1.3 14,483 1,577 140 10.9 1.0 2,724 474 67 17.4 2.4
Footnotes provided at end of table.
Table B-2.
U.S. Census Bureau
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling
error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Poverty in the United States: 2021
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Race, Hispanic Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
origin, and year Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of of of of of of of of
error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹
Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±)
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 22,070 2,938 225 13.3 1.0 5,183 569 86 11.0 1.6 14,348 1,859 144 13.0 1.0 2,539 509 58 20.1 2.2
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 21,567 2,930 213 13.6 1.0 5,182 629 83 12.1 1.6 13,993 1,844 144 13.2 1.0 2,392 457 59 19.1 2.4
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 21,520 3,127 214 14.5 1.0 5,142 682 90 13.3 1.7 13,970 1,974 141 14.1 1.0 2,408 471 57 19.6 2.3
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 20,773 2,976 217 14.3 1.1 4,939 582 85 11.8 1.7 13,581 1,942 160 14.3 1.2 2,253 453 57 20.1 2.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 20,046 3,108 225 15.5 1.1 4,738 599 80 12.7 1.7 13,133 2,064 161 15.7 1.2 2,176 445 56 20.4 2.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 19,694 3,249 245 16.5 1.2 4,800 671 87 14.0 1.8 12,834 2,095 169 16.3 1.3 2,059 483 59 23.5 2.8
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 19,186 2,974 375 15.5 1.9 4,904 672 151 13.7 3.0 12,393 1,921 247 15.5 2.0 1,889 381 88 20.2 4.5
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 19,030 3,022 264 15.9 1.4 4,747 608 93 12.8 1.9 12,374 2,022 186 16.3 1.4 1,910 391 55 20.5 2.7
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 18,191 2,928 223 16.1 1.2 4,575 724 90 15.8 1.9 11,913 1,891 147 15.9 1.2 1,703 312 43 18.3 2.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 17,821 2,948 230 16.5 1.3 4,580 635 83 13.9 1.8 11,660 1,985 169 17.0 1.4 1,581 328 44 20.8 2.8
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 17,249 2,772 215 16.1 1.2 4,319 591 90 13.7 2.0 11,414 1,807 142 15.8 1.3 1,515 374 50 24.7 3.2
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 16,744 2,973 212 17.8 1.2 4,322 714 85 16.5 1.9 11,022 1,929 139 17.5 1.2 1,400 331 46 23.6 3.2
ASIAN ALONE10
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 20,700 1,956 178 9.5 0.9 4,223 217 58 5.1 1.4 13,577 1,295 134 9.5 1.0 2,900 444 56 15.3 1.9
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 20,354 1,788 204 8.8 1.0 4,286 288 70 6.7 1.6 13,422 1,118 139 8.3 1.0 2,646 381 58 14.4 2.2
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 19,940 2,257 189 11.3 0.9 3,930 371 63 9.5 1.6 13,373 1,441 138 10.8 1.0 2,638 445 68 16.9 2.5
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 19,940 2,327 191 11.7 1.0 3,930 383 63 9.8 1.6 13,373 1,481 140 11.1 1.0 2,638 462 67 17.5 2.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 19,790 2,749 220 13.9 1.1 4,019 484 75 12.0 1.8 13,292 1,762 146 13.3 1.1 2,479 503 58 20.3 2.2
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 19,538 2,743 210 14.0 1.1 4,069 527 76 13.0 1.9 13,120 1,767 143 13.5 1.1 2,348 448 57 19.1 2.4
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 19,484 2,948 204 15.1 1.0 4,028 593 79 14.7 1.9 13,097 1,894 138 14.5 1.0 2,358 461 55 19.5 2.3
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 18,897 2,774 204 14.7 1.1 3,892 507 76 13.0 1.9 12,796 1,818 152 14.2 1.2 2,209 448 56 20.3 2.5
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 18,249 2,929 221 16.1 1.2 3,794 536 80 14.1 2.1 12,325 1,958 154 15.9 1.2 2,130 436 56 20.5 2.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 17,796 3,075 243 17.3 1.3 3,755 606 84 16.1 2.2 12,012 1,992 169 16.6 1.4 2,029 477 58 23.5 2.8
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 17,261 2,747 350 15.9 2.0 3,770 559 138 14.8 3.7 11,646 1,815 232 15.6 2.0 1,845 373 89 20.2 4.6
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 17,070 2,800 260 16.4 1.5 3,658 507 85 13.9 2.3 11,531 1,907 183 16.5 1.5 1,881 386 54 20.5 2.7
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 16,433 2,737 213 16.7 1.2 3,611 633 84 17.5 2.3 11,153 1,798 141 16.1 1.2 1,669 305 43 18.3 2.5
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 16,094 2,715 215 16.9 1.3 3,665 533 74 14.5 2.0 10,873 1,861 159 17.1 1.4 1,555 322 44 20.7 2.9
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 15,619 2,590 210 16.6 1.3 3,439 516 85 15.0 2.3 10,696 1,702 141 15.9 1.3 1,484 372 50 25.1 3.2
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 15,238 2,782 199 18.3 1.3 3,480 636 77 18.3 2.1 10,387 1,821 135 17.5 1.3 1,372 326 46 23.8 3.2
AMERICAN
INDIAN
AND ALASKA
NATIVE
ALONE OR IN
COMBINA-
TION
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,092 835 134 11.8 1.8 2,173 176 59 8.1 2.7 4,111 553 91 13.5 2.1 807 106 26 13.1 3.0
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 6,769 836 125 12.3 1.8 1,987 250 72 12.6 3.4 4,079 493 68 12.1 1.6 703 93 23 13.2 3.2
61
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 6,562 977 123 14.9 1.8 1,917 263 57 13.7 2.9 3,926 605 78 15.4 1.9 719 109 26 15.2 3.5
Footnotes provided at end of table.
62 Table B-2.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling
error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Race, Hispanic Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
origin, and year Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of of of of of of of of
error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹
Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±)
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,562 935 120 14.3 1.8 1,917 253 57 13.2 2.8 3,926 581 77 14.8 1.9 719 101 26 14.1 3.5
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,842 1,217 149 17.8 2.0 2,049 347 73 17.0 3.4 4,072 735 92 18.0 2.0 721 135 25 18.7 3.1
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 6,940 1,227 140 17.7 1.9 2,042 342 67 16.7 3.2 4,193 732 87 17.5 1.9 706 153 28 21.7 3.8
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,939 1,251 149 18.0 2.0 2,027 332 70 16.4 3.3 4,210 752 92 17.9 2.0 702 167 31 23.8 4.1
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,857 1,249 153 18.2 2.0 2,088 380 66 18.2 3.0 4,090 729 96 17.8 2.1 679 140 31 20.5 4.1
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,150 1,389 152 19.4 1.9 2,234 446 75 20.0 3.1 4,281 808 87 18.9 1.8 636 136 29 21.4 4.4
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,700 1,379 134 20.6 1.9 2,159 472 70 21.9 3.1 3,937 820 90 20.8 2.1 604 87 26 14.4 3.9
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 5,834 1,263 249 21.7 3.8 1,797 406 109 22.6 5.5 3,518 754 168 21.4 4.3 519 104 38 20.0 6.6
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 6,396 1,359 212 21.3 2.7 1,999 441 102 22.1 4.7 3,841 815 121 21.2 2.7 556 103 39 18.5 6.4
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,308 1,615 204 25.6 2.6 1,947 579 98 29.7 4.0 3,831 940 126 24.5 2.7 529 96 23 18.2 3.8
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,234 1,419 167 22.8 2.4 1,976 447 82 22.6 3.7 3,808 883 108 23.2 2.5 450 89 19 19.8 4.1
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,101 1,466 192 24.0 2.7 2,050 561 88 27.4 3.8 3,617 824 119 22.8 2.9 434 81 16 18.6 3.6
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 6,279 1,321 174 21.0 2.2 2,082 452 73 21.7 3.0 3,786 794 114 21.0 2.3 411 75 20 18.2 4.3
AMERICAN
INDIAN AND
ALASKA
NATIVE
ALONE11
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,127 512 110 12.4 2.4 1,172 87 34 7.4 2.7 2,539 363 84 14.3 3.0 415 62 19 14.8 4.1
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 3,959 613 113 15.5 2.7 1,107 168 58 15.2 5.1 2,466 377 68 15.3 2.5 386 68 21 17.7 5.1
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 3,744 622 105 16.6 2.3 1,045 147 40 14.0 3.3 2,301 391 68 17.0 2.5 398 84 24 21.1 5.3
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,744 591 102 15.8 2.3 1,045 139 39 13.3 3.2 2,301 373 66 16.2 2.4 398 79 25 19.9 5.7
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,684 735 127 20.0 2.7 1,008 211 50 20.9 4.3 2,325 446 81 19.2 2.8 351 79 22 22.4 4.4
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 3,630 664 105 18.3 2.6 972 162 40 16.7 4.0 2,323 422 72 18.2 2.7 335 80 21 23.9 5.7
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,632 672 106 18.5 2.6 961 165 39 17.2 4.0 2,335 417 72 17.9 2.7 336 91 24 27.0 5.9
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,718 757 130 20.4 2.9 1,059 223 50 21.1 4.3 2,326 448 83 19.3 2.9 333 85 25 25.6 5.9
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 4,300 877 126 20.4 2.5 1,329 289 63 21.7 4.3 2,649 520 73 19.6 2.3 323 69 20 21.4 5.7
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,819 881 116 23.1 2.7 1,187 287 57 24.2 4.0 2,317 536 78 23.1 3.0 315 58 22 18.5 6.2
U.S. Census Bureau
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 3,077 645 188 21.0 5.1 961 178 76 18.6 7.6 1,868 404 134 21.7 5.9 249 62 35 25.1 11.0
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 3,369 789 183 23.4 4.0 989 236 82 23.9 7.2 2,114 505 112 23.9 4.0 266 48 25 18.0 8.2
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,475 1,052 193 30.3 3.8 1,064 357 77 33.5 5.2 2,135 630 126 29.5 4.1 276 65 22 23.5 6.6
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,216 851 132 26.5 3.3 949 270 70 28.4 6.1 2,060 543 85 26.4 3.4 207 38 12 18.5 5.8
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 3,093 808 181 26.1 4.7 955 294 80 30.7 6.5 1,964 486 111 24.8 4.7 174 28 9 16.0 5.0
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 3,238 799 188 24.7 3.8 1,043 245 66 23.5 4.5 2,025 510 124 25.2 4.0 170 44 14 26.0 6.8
Poverty in the United States: 2021
TWO OR MORE
RACES
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,203 669 121 7.3 1.3 4,385 220 68 5.0 1.5 4,230 381 67 9.0 1.5 587 69 23 11.7 3.7
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 9,258 830 121 9.0 1.3 4,331 369 76 8.5 1.7 4,424 409 66 9.3 1.4 503 52 18 10.3 3.2
Footnotes provided at end of table.
Table B-2.
U.S. Census Bureau
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure by Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 2009 to 2021—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling
error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Poverty in the United States: 2021
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty Below poverty
Race, Hispanic Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
origin, and year Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin Margin
of of of of of of of of
error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹ error¹
Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Total Estimate (±) Estimate (±)
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 8,967 1,080 145 12.0 1.5 4,131 478 86 11.6 2.1 4,330 556 87 12.8 1.8 506 47 21 9.2 4.0
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,967 1,065 144 11.9 1.5 4,131 473 85 11.4 2.0 4,330 549 86 12.7 1.8 506 43 20 8.6 3.9
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,822 1,197 153 13.6 1.7 4,156 543 102 13.1 2.4 4,159 586 77 14.1 1.8 508 68 20 13.3 3.8
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 8,486 1,313 160 15.5 1.7 4,044 601 99 14.9 2.3 3,975 621 82 15.6 1.8 467 91 22 19.5 4.2
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,541 1,317 152 15.4 1.6 4,077 569 90 14.0 2.2 3,995 656 84 16.4 1.9 469 91 23 19.5 4.5
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 8,119 1,135 137 14.0 1.6 3,904 503 78 12.9 1.9 3,764 563 79 15.0 2.0 451 69 20 15.3 4.2
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,650 1,255 127 16.4 1.6 3,686 557 75 15.1 2.0 3,556 609 78 17.1 2.1 408 89 27 21.8 5.6
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,490 1,257 138 16.8 1.6 3,597 609 81 16.9 2.2 3,521 603 79 17.1 1.9 372 45 15 12.1 3.8
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 7,739 1,636 304 21.1 3.5 3,775 805 182 21.3 4.5 3,564 752 156 21.1 4.0 400 78 37 19.6 8.3
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 7,755 1,335 160 17.2 1.9 3,813 621 98 16.3 2.5 3,550 646 91 18.2 2.1 392 68 25 17.4 6.0
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,380 1,387 159 18.8 2.1 3,629 718 103 19.8 2.8 3,404 612 79 18.0 2.1 347 57 17 16.5 5.1
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,182 1,269 139 17.7 1.8 3,498 577 83 16.5 2.3 3,361 622 78 18.5 2.1 323 70 17 21.8 4.9
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,203 1,399 164 19.4 2.1 3,565 669 97 18.8 2.6 3,285 655 87 19.9 2.4 353 75 18 21.2 4.9
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 6,866 1,153 133 16.8 1.7 3,386 569 84 16.8 2.3 3,164 540 70 17.1 1.8 316 43 16 13.7 4.8
HISPANIC
(ANY RACE)12
2021. . . . . . . . . . . . 62,654 7,022 342 11.2 0.5 18,820 1,575 155 8.4 0.8 38,622 4,465 236 11.6 0.6 5,213 983 82 18.8 1.6
2020². . . . . . . . . . . 61,878 8,672 443 14.0 0.7 18,883 2,768 203 14.7 1.1 38,089 5,050 282 13.3 0.7 4,906 855 80 17.4 1.6
2019³. . . . . . . . . . . 60,724 11,437 478 18.8 0.8 18,731 3,804 223 20.3 1.2 37,207 6,433 310 17.3 0.8 4,787 1,200 82 25.1 1.7
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . 60,724 11,464 475 18.9 0.8 18,731 3,788 214 20.2 1.1 37,207 6,505 312 17.5 0.8 4,787 1,171 81 24.5 1.7
2018. . . . . . . . . . . . 60,095 12,216 442 20.3 0.7 18,878 4,111 224 21.8 1.2 36,673 6,944 275 18.9 0.8 4,544 1,161 75 25.5 1.7
2017⁴. . . . . . . . . . . 59,224 12,146 533 20.5 0.9 18,768 4,152 248 22.1 1.3 36,136 6,949 318 19.2 0.9 4,320 1,044 84 24.2 1.9
2017. . . . . . . . . . . . 59,227 12,654 488 21.4 0.8 18,749 4,355 238 23.2 1.3 36,156 7,187 293 19.9 0.8 4,322 1,112 82 25.7 1.9
2016. . . . . . . . . . . . 57,670 12,670 432 22.0 0.7 18,500 4,449 216 24.0 1.2 35,113 7,160 264 20.4 0.7 4,057 1,061 72 26.2 1.8
2015. . . . . . . . . . . . 56,873 12,862 487 22.6 0.9 18,324 4,485 227 24.5 1.2 34,686 7,425 290 21.4 0.8 3,863 953 69 24.7 1.8
2014. . . . . . . . . . . . 55,614 14,429 449 25.9 0.8 18,105 4,998 228 27.6 1.2 33,873 8,433 265 24.9 0.8 3,636 998 70 27.4 1.9
2013⁵. . . . . . . . . . . 54,330 14,649 857 27.0 1.6 18,047 5,147 390 28.5 2.2 32,839 8,487 546 25.8 1.7 3,443 1,015 148 29.5 4.3
2013⁶. . . . . . . . . . . 54,253 14,085 556 26.0 1.0 17,946 4,882 242 27.2 1.4 32,903 8,239 342 25.0 1.0 3,405 964 77 28.3 2.2
2012. . . . . . . . . . . . 53,230 14,819 450 27.8 0.8 17,789 5,379 212 30.2 1.2 32,228 8,489 275 26.3 0.8 3,213 951 67 29.6 2.1
2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 52,358 14,589 502 27.9 1.0 17,679 5,341 225 30.2 1.3 31,643 8,417 314 26.6 1.0 3,036 832 70 27.4 2.3
2010. . . . . . . . . . . . 51,074 14,141 476 27.7 0.9 17,475 5,270 226 30.2 1.3 30,740 8,095 289 26.3 0.9 2,860 776 59 27.1 2.1
2009⁷. . . . . . . . . . . 49,797 13,510 465 27.1 0.9 17,103 4,984 217 29.1 1.3 29,978 7,800 283 26.0 0.9 2,716 726 52 26.7 1.9
Footnotes provided on next page.
63
1
A margin of error (M O E ) is a measure of an estimate’s variabilit y. The larger the M O E 8 B eginning with the 20 03 CPS AS EC , respondents were allowed to choose one or
64
in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when more races. White alone refers to people who repor ted White and did not repor t any
add ed to and subtrac ted from the estimate, forms the 9 0 percent confidence inter val. othe r race categor y. The use of this single -race population does not imply that it is the
M O Es shown in this table are based on standard errors c alculated using replicate weights. p r e f e r r e d m e t h o d o f p r e s e n ti n g o r a n a l y zi n g t h e d a t a . T h e C e n s u s B u r e a u u s e s a v a r i e t y o f
2
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls. approaches.
3
E stimates reflec t the implementation of revised Supplemental Pover t y Measure 9 B lack alone refers to people who repor ted B lack and did not repor t any other race
methodology. categor y.
4 E stimates reflec t the implementation of an updated processing system and should be 10
A sian alone refers to people who repor ted A sian and did not repor t any other race
use d to make comparisons to 2018 and subsequent years . categor y.
5 The 2014 CP S AS EC included redesigned questions for income and health insur- 11
American Indian and Alaska Native alone refers to people who repor ted American
ance coverage. All of the approximately 9 8,0 0 0 addresses were eligible to receive the Indian and Alaska Native and did not repor t any other race categor y.
red esigned set of health insurance coverage questions. The redesigned income questions 12
B ecause Hispanic s may be any race, data in this repor t for Hispanic s overlap with
were implemented to a subsample of the 9 8,0 0 0 addresses using a probabilit y split panel data for racial groups. Of those who repor ted only one race, being Hispanic was repor ted
desi gn. Approximately 6 8,0 0 0 addresses were eligible to receive a set of income questions by 16.6 percent of White householders, 5.6 percent of B lack householders, 2.9 percent of
simi lar to those used in the 201 3 CP S AS EC , and the remaining 30,0 0 0 addresses were A sian householders, and 2 9.7 percent of Americ an Indian and Alaska Native householders .
eligi ble to receive the redesigned income questions. The source of these 201 3 estimates Data users should exercise caution when interpreting aggregate results for the Hispanic
is th e por tion of the CPS A S EC sample that received the redesigned income questions, population and for race groups because these populations consist of many distinc t groups
app roximately 3 0,0 0 0 addresses. that dif fer in socioeconomic charac teristic s, culture, and recency of immigration. Data
6 The source of these 201 3 estimates is the por tion of the CPS AS EC sample that were f irst collec ted for Hispanic s in 1 972.
rece ived the income questions consistent with the 201 3 CPS AS EC , approximately 6 8,0 0 0 Source: U. S . Census B ureau, Current Population Sur vey, 2010 to 202 2 Annual Social
add resses. and Economic Supplements (CPS AS EC).
7 Implementation of 2010 Census-based population controls.
U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-3.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 and 2021—Con.
(Numbers in thousands. Margin of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidenti-
ality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
SPM 20201 SPM 2021
Difference
Number Percent Number Percent
Characteristic
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Estimate error2 (±) Estimate error2 (±) Estimate error2 (±) Estimate error2 (±) Number Percent
All people. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,041 777 9.2 0.2 25,584 718 7.8 0.2 *–4,458 *–1.4
Sex
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,098 427 8.7 0.3 12,363 409 7.6 0.3 *–1,735 *–1.1
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,943 441 9.6 0.3 13,220 411 7.9 0.2 *–2,723 *–1.7
Age
Under 18 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,196 331 9.7 0.4 3,829 264 5.2 0.4 *–3,367 *–4.5
18 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 *–1,959 *–1.0
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,135 239 9.5 0.4 6,003 238 10.7 0.4 *868 *1.2
Type of Unit
Married couple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,759 460 5.0 0.2 8,470 467 4.4 0.2 *–1,289 *–0.7
Cohabiting partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,481 234 8.6 0.8 1,897 229 6.5 0.7 *–584 *–2.1
Female reference person. . . . . . . . . . 7,793 438 18.2 1.0 4,958 350 11.7 0.8 *–2,835 *–6.4
Male reference person . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,850 207 11.7 1.2 1,755 201 10.6 1.2 –95 –1.0
Unrelated individuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,159 264 17.7 0.5 8,504 338 18.1 0.7 345 0.5
Race3 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,291 594 8.1 0.2 17,268 560 6.9 0.2 *–3,023 *–1.2
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,699 488 6.5 0.3 11,146 447 5.7 0.2 *–1,552 *–0.8
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,435 353 14.7 0.8 4,998 336 11.3 0.8 *–1,438 *–3.3
Asian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,788 204 8.8 1.0 1,956 178 9.5 0.9 169 0.7
American Indian and
Alaska Native. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 113 15.5 2.7 512 110 12.4 2.4 –102 –3.1
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830 121 9.0 1.3 669 121 7.3 1.3 –160 –1.7
Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,672 443 14.0 0.7 7,022 342 11.2 0.5 *–1,650 *–2.8
Nativity
Native-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,828 686 8.4 0.2 19,444 594 6.9 0.2 *–4,384 *–1.5
Foreign-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,213 299 13.8 0.6 6,139 318 13.1 0.7 –74 –0.7
Naturalized citizen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,351 165 10.3 0.7 2,351 185 10.3 0.8 Z Z
Not a citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,862 247 17.3 1.0 3,788 274 15.8 1.1 –74 *–1.5
Educational Attainment
Total, aged 25 and older. . . . . . 18,959 511 8.4 0.2 18,392 522 8.1 0.2 –567 –0.3
No high school diploma. . . . . . . . . . . 4,098 202 20.3 0.9 3,934 208 19.7 0.9 –164 –0.6
High school, no college . . . . . . . . . . . 6,989 286 11.1 0.4 6,629 287 10.3 0.4 –360 *–0.8
Some college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,181 206 7.3 0.3 4,139 209 7.3 0.4 –41 Z
Bachelor’s degree or higher. . . . . . . 3,691 213 4.3 0.2 3,690 201 4.3 0.2 –2 Z
Tenure
Owner/mortgage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,340 350 3.9 0.2 4,802 304 3.5 0.2 *–538 *–0.4
Owner/no mortgage/rent-free. . . . . 7,323 393 8.2 0.4 7,127 363 8.0 0.4 –196 –0.2
Renter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,378 640 17.1 0.6 13,654 522 13.5 0.5 *–3,724 *–3.6
Residence4
Inside metropolitan
statistical areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,498 729 9.3 0.2 22,563 720 7.9 0.2 *–3,934 *–1.4
Inside principal cities. . . . . . . . . 12,688 562 11.9 0.5 10,278 515 9.8 0.4 *–2,410 *–2.1
Outside principal cities . . . . . . . 13,809 472 7.7 0.3 12,285 536 6.8 0.3 *–1,524 *–1.0
Outside metropolitan
statistical areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,544 380 8.3 0.7 3,020 330 7.1 0.6 *–523 *–1.2
Region
Northeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,835 348 8.6 0.6 4,285 334 7.6 0.6 *–551 *–0.9
Midwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,562 305 6.7 0.4 3,788 273 5.6 0.4 *–774 *–1.1
South. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,726 553 10.1 0.4 10,568 480 8.4 0.4 *–2,158 *–1.8
West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,918 414 10.1 0.5 6,943 334 8.9 0.4 *–974 *–1.3
Health Insurance Coverage
With private insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . 9,007 379 4.1 0.2 8,308 370 3.8 0.2 *–699 *–0.3
With public, no private insurance. . 15,434 565 19.0 0.6 12,433 437 14.7 0.5 *–3,001 *–4.3
Not insured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,601 323 19.4 1.0 4,843 310 17.4 1.0 *–758 *–2.0
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 65
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-3.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 and 2021—Con.
(Numbers in thousands. Margin of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidenti-
ality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
SPM 20201 SPM 2021
Difference
Number Percent Number Percent
Characteristic
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Estimate error2 (±) Estimate error2 (±) Estimate error2 (±) Estimate error2 (±) Number Percent
Work Experience
Total, 18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 *–1,959 *–1.0
All workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,131 278 4.6 0.2 5,853 249 3.8 0.2 *–1,278 *–0.8
Worked full-time, year-round. . . . 1,880 120 1.9 0.1 2,172 141 2.0 0.1 *292 0.1
Less than full-time, year-round. . 5,251 237 9.8 0.4 3,680 200 8.7 0.5 *–1,570 *–1.1
Did not work at least 1 week. . . . . . . 10,579 381 23.0 0.7 9,899 367 21.5 0.7 *–680 *–1.5
Disability Status5
Total, 18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 *–1,959 *–1.0
With a disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,635 167 17.7 1.0 2,536 170 15.8 1.0 –99 *–1.9
With no disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,046 477 8.2 0.3 13,178 472 7.2 0.3 *–1,869 *–0.9
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
Z Rounds to zero.
1
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
2
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reli-
able the estimate. This number, when added to and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in
this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
3
Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are
possible. A group, such as Asian, may be defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or
as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table
shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population does not
imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates
for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
4
Information on metropolitan statistical areas and principal cities is available at <www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/
about/glossary.html>.
5
The sum of those with and without a disability does not equal the total because disability status is not defined for individuals in the
U.S. armed forces.
Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
66 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-4.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty by Different Poverty Measures: 2021—Con.
(Numbers in thousands. Margin of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. People as of March of the following year. Information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/tech-
docs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Official+ SPM Difference
Number Percent Number Percent
Characteristic Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error1 of error1 of error1 of error1
Number Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Number Percent
All people. . . . . . . . . . . . . 328,722 38,014 912 11.6 0.3 25,584 718 7.8 0.2 *–12,431 *–3.8
Sex
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162,090 17,073 480 10.5 0.3 12,363 409 7.6 0.3 *–4,709 *–2.9
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166,632 20,942 545 12.6 0.3 13,220 411 7.9 0.2 *–7,721 *–4.6
Age
Under 18 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,467 11,230 448 15.3 0.6 3,829 264 5.2 0.4 *–7,401 *–10.1
18 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199,062 20,982 516 10.5 0.3 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 *–5,230 *–2.6
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,193 5,802 236 10.3 0.4 6,003 238 10.7 0.4 *201 *0.4
Type of Unit
Married couple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193,800 10,144 530 5.2 0.3 8,470 467 4.4 0.2 *–1,674 *–0.9
Cohabiting partners . . . . . . . . . . . 29,331 7,058 388 24.1 1.0 1,897 229 6.5 0.7 *–5,161 *–17.6
Female reference person. . . . . . . 42,209 9,871 554 23.4 1.2 4,958 350 11.7 0.8 *–4,913 *–11.6
Male reference person . . . . . . . . . 16,481 1,846 202 11.2 1.2 1,755 201 10.6 1.2 –92 –0.6
Unrelated individuals . . . . . . . . . . 46,901 9,095 338 19.4 0.6 8,504 338 18.1 0.7 *–591 *–1.3
Race2 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249,250 24,969 653 10.0 0.3 17,268 560 6.9 0.2 *–7,701 *–3.1
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . . . . . 194,532 15,826 528 8.1 0.3 11,146 447 5.7 0.2 *–4,679 *–2.4
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,087 8,611 478 19.5 1.1 4,998 336 11.3 0.8 *–3,613 *–8.2
Asian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,700 1,922 183 9.3 0.9 1,956 178 9.5 0.9 34 0.2
American Indian and Alaska
Native. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,127 998 161 24.2 3.2 512 110 12.4 2.4 *–486 *–11.8
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,203 1,301 176 14.1 1.8 669 121 7.3 1.3 *–632 *–6.9
Hispanic (any race) . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,654 10,719 472 17.1 0.8 7,022 342 11.2 0.5 *–3,696 *–5.9
Nativity
Native-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281,866 31,154 823 11.1 0.3 19,444 594 6.9 0.2 *–11,710 *–4.2
Foreign-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,856 6,860 346 14.6 0.7 6,139 318 13.1 0.7 *–721 *–1.5
Naturalized citizen. . . . . . . . . . . 22,877 2,428 194 10.6 0.8 2,351 185 10.3 0.8 –77 –0.3
Not a citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,979 4,432 289 18.5 1.1 3,788 274 15.8 1.1 *–644 *–2.7
Educational Attainment
Total, aged 25 and older. . . . 226,274 22,630 554 10.0 0.2 18,392 522 8.1 0.2 *–4,238 *–1.9
No high school diploma. . . . . . . . 19,933 5,417 232 27.2 1.0 3,934 208 19.7 0.9 *–1,483 *–7.4
High school, no college . . . . . . . . 64,465 8,518 307 13.2 0.5 6,629 287 10.3 0.4 *–1,889 *–2.9
Some college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,659 5,229 237 9.2 0.4 4,139 209 7.3 0.4 *–1,089 *–1.9
Bachelor’s degree or higher. . . . 85,217 3,467 198 4.1 0.2 3,690 201 4.3 0.2 *223 *0.3
Tenure
Owner/mortgage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138,465 5,857 381 4.2 0.3 4,802 304 3.5 0.2 *–1,055 *–0.8
Owner/no mortgage/
rent-free. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89,164 9,955 438 11.2 0.5 7,127 363 8.0 0.4 *–2,828 *–3.2
Renter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101,093 22,202 748 22.0 0.7 13,654 522 13.5 0.5 *–8,548 *–8.5
Residence3
Inside metropolitan
statistical areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286,219 31,623 943 11.0 0.3 22,563 720 7.9 0.2 *–9,060 *–3.2
Inside principal cities. . . . . . 104,736 14,992 654 14.3 0.5 10,278 515 9.8 0.4 *–4,714 *–4.5
Outside principal cities . . . . 181,483 16,632 702 9.2 0.4 12,285 536 6.8 0.3 *–4,346 *–2.4
Outside metropolitan
statistical areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,503 6,391 541 15.0 0.8 3,020 330 7.1 0.6 *–3,371 *–7.9
Region
Northeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,166 5,682 341 10.1 0.6 4,285 334 7.6 0.6 *–1,398 *–2.5
Midwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,077 7,045 382 10.3 0.6 3,788 273 5.6 0.4 *–3,257 *–4.8
South. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126,417 16,674 661 13.2 0.5 10,568 480 8.4 0.4 *–6,106 *–4.8
West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,062 8,613 348 11.0 0.4 6,943 334 8.9 0.4 *–1,669 *–2.1
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 67
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-4.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty by Different Poverty Measures: 2021—Con.
(Numbers in thousands. Margin of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. People as of March of the following year. Information on
confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/tech-
docs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Official+ SPM Difference
Number Percent Number Percent
Characteristic Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error1 of error1 of error1 of error1
Number Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Estimate (±) Number Percent
Health Insurance Coverage
With private insurance. . . . . . . . . . 216,366 8,567 403 4.0 0.2 8,308 370 3.8 0.2 –258 –0.1
With public, no private
insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84,521 23,195 679 27.4 0.7 12,433 437 14.7 0.5 *–10,762 *–12.7
Not insured . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,835 6,253 343 22.5 1.0 4,843 310 17.4 1.0 *–1,410 *–5.1
Work Experience
Total, 18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . 199,062 20,982 516 10.5 0.3 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 *–5,230 *–2.6
All workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153,008 7,189 266 4.7 0.2 5,853 249 3.8 0.2 *–1,336 *–0.9
Worked full-time, year-round. . 110,720 2,045 129 1.8 0.1 2,172 141 2.0 0.1 128 0.1
Less than full-time,
year-round . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,288 5,144 210 12.2 0.5 3,680 200 8.7 0.5 *–1,464 *–3.5
Did not work at least 1 week. . . . . 46,054 13,793 371 30.0 0.7 9,899 367 21.5 0.7 *–3,894 *–8.5
Disability Status4
Total, 18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . 199,062 20,982 516 10.5 0.3 15,752 501 7.9 0.3 *–5,230 *–2.6
With a disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,039 3,993 206 24.9 1.1 2,536 170 15.8 1.0 *–1,457 *–9.1
With no disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182,109 16,924 484 9.3 0.3 13,178 472 7.2 0.3 *–3,746 *–2.1
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reli-
able the estimate. This number, when added to and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in
this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2
Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are
possible. A group, such as Asian, may be defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or
as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table
shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population does not
imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates
for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
3
Information on metropolitan statistical areas and principal cities is available at <www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/about/
glossary.html>.
4
The sum of those with and without a disability does not equal the total because disability status is not defined for individuals in the
U.S. armed forces.
Note: Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
68 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-5.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty by State Using 3-Year Average: 2019, 2020, and 2021
(Numbers in thousands. Margin of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidenti-
ality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Official+ SPM Difference
Number Percent Number Percent
State
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Estimate error1 (±) Estimate error1 (±) Estimate error1 (±) Estimate error1 (±) Number Percent
United States. . 36,650 583 11.2 0.2 31,400 487 9.6 0.1 *–5,251 *–1.6
Alabama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 726 90 14.6 1.8 513 92 10.3 1.9 *–213 *–4.3
Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 10 11.7 1.4 70 8 9.8 1.1 *–13 *–1.8
Arizona. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806 92 11.2 1.3 646 97 9.0 1.4 *–160 *–2.2
Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447 41 15.1 1.3 287 29 9.7 1.0 *–161 *–5.4
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,323 205 11.0 0.5 5,160 214 13.2 0.5 *837 *2.1
Colorado. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 511 104 8.9 1.8 538 72 9.4 1.3 27 0.5
Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . 325 46 9.2 1.3 319 48 9.0 1.3 –6 –0.2
Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 13 9.6 1.3 83 11 8.4 1.1 *–11 *–1.1
District of Columbia . . . 97 8 14.5 1.2 98 9 14.6 1.3 1 0.1
Florida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,688 186 12.5 0.9 2,563 153 11.9 0.7 –125 –0.6
Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,383 174 13.1 1.7 1,081 114 10.2 1.1 *–302 *–2.9
Hawaii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 19 10.1 1.4 149 18 10.5 1.3 5 0.4
Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 16 8.5 0.9 111 13 6.0 0.7 *–47 *–2.5
Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,175 90 9.3 0.7 984 80 7.8 0.6 *–191 *–1.5
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733 60 10.9 0.9 500 61 7.4 0.9 *–233 *–3.4
Iowa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 39 9.5 1.2 191 37 6.0 1.1 *–110 *–3.5
Kansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 43 8.6 1.5 173 32 6.0 1.1 *–75 *–2.6
Kentucky. . . . . . . . . . . . . 650 72 14.6 1.6 442 59 9.9 1.4 *–208 *–4.7
Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . 786 56 17.2 1.2 533 42 11.7 0.9 *–252 *–5.5
Maine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 18 9.2 1.4 73 17 5.4 1.2 *–52 *–3.8
Maryland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493 65 8.0 1.1 589 68 9.6 1.1 *95 *1.6
Massachusetts . . . . . . . . 547 60 7.9 0.9 559 63 8.0 0.9 12 0.2
Michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,090 114 11.0 1.2 755 89 7.6 0.9 *–335 *–3.4
Minnesota. . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 58 7.0 1.0 287 38 5.1 0.7 *–107 *–1.9
Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . 529 66 18.1 2.3 347 35 11.9 1.2 *–183 *–6.2
Missouri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 656 104 10.8 1.7 453 78 7.5 1.3 *–203 *–3.3
Montana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 11 10.4 1.0 89 9 8.2 0.9 *–24 *–2.2
Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 19 8.4 1.0 120 17 6.2 0.9 *–43 *–2.2
Nevada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 38 12.1 1.2 290 34 9.3 1.1 *–85 *–2.7
New Hampshire . . . . . . . 78 12 5.6 0.9 76 12 5.5 0.9 –2 –0.1
New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . 675 74 7.4 0.8 742 77 8.1 0.8 *67 *0.7
New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . 347 28 16.7 1.4 221 19 10.6 0.9 *–127 *–6.1
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,413 147 12.3 0.7 2,373 156 12.1 0.8 –40 –0.2
North Carolina. . . . . . . . 1,338 105 12.8 1.0 1,034 91 9.9 0.9 *–304 *–2.9
North Dakota. . . . . . . . . . 69 7 9.1 1.0 55 7 7.1 0.9 *–15 *–1.9
Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,439 138 12.3 1.2 946 91 8.1 0.8 *–492 *–4.2
Oklahoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . 539 61 13.8 1.5 356 42 9.1 1.1 *–183 *–4.7
Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 48 9.0 1.2 293 30 7.0 0.7 *–80 *–1.9
Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . 1,275 130 10.0 1.0 966 95 7.6 0.8 *–310 *–2.4
Rhode Island. . . . . . . . . . 99 16 9.0 1.4 65 10 6.0 0.9 *–33 *–3.0
South Carolina . . . . . . . . 723 70 14.1 1.4 515 53 10.0 1.0 *–208 *–4.1
South Dakota. . . . . . . . . . 89 20 10.2 2.3 54 9 6.2 1.0 *–35 *–4.0
Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . 845 89 12.2 1.3 630 85 9.1 1.2 *–214 *–3.1
Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,733 207 12.9 0.7 3,020 178 10.4 0.6 *–713 *–2.5
Utah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 54 7.5 1.7 214 41 6.5 1.3 *–33 *–1.0
Vermont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 7 8.2 1.1 44 7 6.9 1.1 *–8 *–1.3
Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 748 92 8.8 1.1 733 81 8.6 0.9 –15 –0.2
Washington. . . . . . . . . . . 581 97 7.6 1.3 537 69 7.0 0.9 –45 –0.6
West Virginia. . . . . . . . . . 265 29 15.0 1.6 166 20 9.4 1.1 *–99 *–5.6
Wisconsin. . . . . . . . . . . . . 501 75 8.6 1.3 314 42 5.4 0.7 *–188 *–3.2
Wyoming. . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 6 9.4 1.1 41 5 7.3 0.9 *–12 *–2.1
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This
number, when added to and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calcu-
lated using replicate weights.
Note: Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding. All years reflect the implementation of 2020
Census-based population controls.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2020 to 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 69
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-6.
Percentage of People by Ratio of Income/Resources to Poverty Threshold: 2020 and 2021—Con.
(Margin of error in percentage points. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsam-
pling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Less Margin 0.50 Margin 1.00 Margin 1.50 Margin 2.00 Margin 4.00 Margin
Characteristic than of error1 to of error1 to of error1 to of error1 to of error1 or of error1
0.50 (±) 0.99 (±) 1.49 (±) 1.99 (±) 3.99 (±) more (±)
2021
Official+
All people . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 0.2 6.0 0.2 7.9 0.2 8.2 0.2 28.3 0.4 44.1 0.4
Age
Under 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 0.4 8.1 0.4 10.0 0.5 9.6 0.4 29.1 0.7 36.0 0.6
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3 0.2 5.2 0.2 6.7 0.2 7.2 0.2 27.8 0.4 47.8 0.4
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . 4.2 0.3 6.1 0.3 9.3 0.4 9.7 0.4 29.1 0.6 41.5 0.8
Race2 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.8 0.2 5.2 0.2 7.4 0.3 7.9 0.2 28.5 0.5 46.2 0.5
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . 3.9 0.2 4.2 0.2 6.0 0.2 6.9 0.3 27.1 0.5 51.8 0.6
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.4 0.8 10.2 0.8 11.4 0.7 10.4 0.7 29.0 1.1 29.6 1.0
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9 0.6 4.4 0.7 5.6 0.8 6.4 0.8 23.0 1.3 55.7 1.6
American Indian and
Alaska Native. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.3 1.8 13.9 3.0 10.2 2.1 9.3 1.9 31.1 3.5 25.2 3.4
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . 6.5 1.2 7.6 1.3 7.7 1.2 8.1 1.1 31.0 2.0 39.1 2.1
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . 7.9 0.5 9.2 0.6 12.2 0.7 11.2 0.6 32.9 1.0 26.6 0.8
SPM
All people . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9 0.1 4.9 0.2 11.6 0.3 14.6 0.3 40.2 0.4 25.9 0.3
Age
Under 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 0.2 3.8 0.3 12.1 0.5 19.3 0.6 44.1 0.7 19.3 0.5
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1 0.2 4.8 0.2 10.9 0.3 13.3 0.3 40.3 0.5 27.6 0.4
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . 4.1 0.3 6.6 0.3 13.7 0.5 12.9 0.5 34.6 0.8 28.1 0.7
Race2 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 0.1 4.3 0.2 10.5 0.3 13.6 0.3 40.7 0.5 28.2 0.4
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . 2.4 0.1 3.3 0.2 8.1 0.3 11.4 0.4 41.8 0.5 33.1 0.5
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 0.4 7.5 0.6 17.6 0.8 20.0 0.9 37.3 1.2 13.7 0.9
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0 0.6 5.4 0.8 11.0 1.1 12.6 1.2 38.1 1.7 28.9 1.3
American Indian and
Alaska Native. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 1.2 8.3 2.2 16.2 2.8 18.0 2.8 38.9 3.3 14.4 2.6
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . 3.2 0.8 4.1 0.9 13.6 1.5 15.9 1.5 44.2 2.1 19.0 1.6
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . 3.4 0.3 7.8 0.5 19.1 0.8 21.6 0.8 37.2 1.1 10.9 0.5
20203
Official+
All people . . . . . . . . . . . 5.5 0.2 6.0 0.2 7.9 0.2 8.2 0.2 28.3 0.4 44.2 0.4
Age
Under 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6 0.4 8.4 0.4 9.8 0.4 9.9 0.4 28.7 0.7 35.6 0.6
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 0.2 5.3 0.2 6.8 0.2 7.0 0.2 27.8 0.4 48.0 0.5
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . 3.9 0.3 5.1 0.3 9.5 0.4 10.1 0.4 29.7 0.6 41.8 0.8
Race2 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.8 0.2 5.4 0.2 7.3 0.2 7.9 0.2 28.1 0.4 46.5 0.5
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . 4.1 0.2 4.1 0.2 5.8 0.2 6.8 0.2 27.0 0.5 52.1 0.6
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.9 0.7 9.7 0.7 11.3 0.8 9.9 0.7 30.7 1.0 28.5 1.1
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 0.6 4.3 0.7 6.2 0.8 6.1 0.8 23.4 1.4 56.2 1.5
American Indian and
Alaska Native. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.0 2.2 10.0 1.9 12.8 2.2 10.5 2.2 33.1 3.4 23.6 3.6
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . 6.6 1.1 6.5 1.1 9.3 1.4 9.0 1.1 29.0 2.0 39.7 1.9
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . 7.3 0.5 9.7 0.6 12.4 0.6 12.0 0.6 32.5 0.9 26.1 0.7
Footnotes provided at end of table.
70 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-6.
Percentage of People by Ratio of Income/Resources to Poverty Threshold: 2020 and 2021—Con.
(Margin of error in percentage points. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsam-
pling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
Less Margin 0.50 Margin 1.00 Margin 1.50 Margin 2.00 Margin 4.00 Margin
Characteristic than of error1 to of error1 to of error1 to of error1 to of error1 or of error1
0.50 (±) 0.99 (±) 1.49 (±) 1.99 (±) 3.99 (±) more (±)
SPM
All people . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 0.1 5.9 0.2 12.5 0.3 13.9 0.3 38.5 0.4 25.9 0.4
Age
Under 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.9 0.3 6.8 0.4 15.1 0.5 17.0 0.6 39.0 0.6 19.1 0.6
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 0.1 5.6 0.2 11.3 0.3 13.0 0.3 39.1 0.4 27.7 0.4
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . 3.8 0.3 5.7 0.3 13.6 0.5 13.1 0.5 35.1 0.7 28.7 0.8
Race2 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 0.1 5.1 0.2 11.4 0.3 13.1 0.3 39.1 0.4 28.2 0.5
White, not Hispanic. . . . . . 2.8 0.2 3.7 0.2 8.7 0.3 11.2 0.3 40.4 0.5 33.2 0.6
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.7 0.5 9.9 0.7 18.6 0.9 18.3 1.0 34.9 1.1 13.6 0.8
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4 0.5 5.4 0.8 11.4 1.1 12.9 1.2 36.8 1.6 30.2 1.5
American Indian and
Alaska Native. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 1.4 11.4 2.2 16.7 2.7 18.9 2.7 35.6 3.2 13.3 2.3
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . 2.9 0.8 6.0 1.0 13.2 1.5 15.8 1.9 42.1 2.2 19.9 1.7
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . 4.0 0.4 10.0 0.6 21.3 0.8 20.0 0.8 34.6 0.9 10.1 0.5
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reli-
able the estimate. This number, when added to and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in
this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2
Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are
possible. A group, such as Asian, may be defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or
as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table
shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population does not
imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates
for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
3
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
Note: Official+ includes unrelated individuals under the age of 15. SPM: Supplemental Poverty Measure. Details may not sum to totals due
to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 71
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-7.
Effect of Individual Elements on Supplemental Poverty Measure Rates: 2020 and 2021
(Margin of error in percentage points. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsam-
pling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Element Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Estimate error1 (±) Estimate error1 (±) Estimate error1 (±) Estimate error1 (±)
2021
All people . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.78 0.22 5.21 0.36 7.91 0.25 10.68 0.42
ADDITIONS
Social Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –8.01 0.19 –1.45 0.18 –3.61 0.16 –32.19 0.77
Refundable tax credits2. . . . . . . –2.93 0.16 –6.66 0.41 –2.28 0.13 –0.37 0.07
Economic Impact/stimulus3. . . –2.71 0.14 –3.09 0.27 –2.48 0.15 –3.01 0.24
Refundable Child Tax Credit4. . –1.63 0.13 –3.97 0.33 –1.16 0.09 –0.19 0.04
SNAP5 and school lunch. . . . . . –1.04 0.08 –1.62 0.19 –0.95 0.08 –0.61 0.09
SNAP5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.85 0.07 –1.21 0.16 –0.80 0.08 –0.58 0.09
SSI5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.84 0.06 –0.39 0.08 –0.94 0.08 –1.04 0.14
Housing subsidies. . . . . . . . . . . . –0.73 0.06 –0.81 0.13 –0.60 0.07 –1.10 0.13
Unemployment insurance. . . . . –0.70 0.08 –0.71 0.12 –0.79 0.10 –0.35 0.09
School lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.17 0.04 –0.37 0.08 –0.14 0.03 –0.03 0.02
Child support received . . . . . . . –0.09 0.03 –0.19 0.06 –0.08 0.03 Z 0.01
TANF/general assistance5. . . . . –0.09 0.03 –0.15 0.06 –0.08 0.03 –0.03 0.02
Utility assistance 6. . . . . . . . . . . . –0.05 0.02 –0.05 0.02 –0.04 0.02 –0.10 0.05
Energy assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . –0.05 0.02 –0.04 0.02 –0.04 0.02 –0.07 0.04
Workers' compensation . . . . . . –0.04 0.01 –0.02 0.02 –0.06 0.02 –0.02 0.01
WIC 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.02 0.02 –0.05 0.04 –0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00
Broadband assistance. . . . . . . . –0.01 Z Z Z Z Z –0.02 0.02
SUBTRACTIONS
Child support paid. . . . . . . . . . . 0.07 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.09 0.03 0.01 0.01
Federal income tax. . . . . . . . . . . 0.23 0.04 0.17 0.05 0.29 0.05 0.14 0.06
FICA5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.59 0.07 0.51 0.11 0.73 0.08 0.19 0.06
Work expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.66 0.07 0.58 0.11 0.81 0.08 0.21 0.06
Medical expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.42 0.09 0.79 0.12 1.27 0.11 2.78 0.24
20207
All people . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.16 0.24 9.72 0.45 8.87 0.27 9.46 0.44
ADDITIONS
Social Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –7.97 0.20 –1.54 0.17 –3.59 0.18 –32.85 0.77
Refundable tax credits2. . . . . . . –1.62 0.12 –3.74 0.30 –1.26 0.10 –0.09 0.04
Economic Impact/stimulus8. . . –3.59 0.17 –4.45 0.30 –3.24 0.17 –3.68 0.28
Refundable Child Tax Credit4. . –0.35 0.06 –0.83 0.14 –0.27 0.04 –0.02 0.02
SNAP5 and school lunch. . . . . . –0.99 0.09 –1.79 0.21 –0.82 0.09 –0.55 0.09
SNAP5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.89 0.09 –1.55 0.20 –0.75 0.08 –0.54 0.08
SSI5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.83 0.07 –0.48 0.11 –0.93 0.08 –0.91 0.13
Housing subsidies. . . . . . . . . . . . –0.74 0.07 –1.08 0.16 –0.59 0.06 –0.85 0.12
Unemployment insurance. . . . . –1.71 0.11 –1.97 0.22 –1.95 0.12 –0.49 0.11
School lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.09 0.03 –0.22 0.07 –0.07 0.02 –0.01 0.02
Child support received . . . . . . . –0.16 0.03 –0.42 0.10 –0.10 0.02 –0.01 0.01
TANF/general assistance5. . . . . –0.15 0.03 –0.29 0.08 –0.12 0.03 –0.03 0.02
Energy assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . –0.04 0.02 –0.04 0.03 –0.05 0.02 –0.05 0.02
Workers' compensation . . . . . . –0.06 0.02 –0.06 0.04 –0.07 0.03 –0.02 0.02
WIC 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.03 0.02 –0.09 0.05 –0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00
SUBTRACTIONS
Child support paid. . . . . . . . . . . 0.06 0.02 0.08 0.03 0.06 0.02 0.04 0.03
Federal income tax. . . . . . . . . . . 0.15 0.03 0.10 0.04 0.19 0.04 0.11 0.04
FICA5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.63 0.07 0.72 0.12 0.72 0.08 0.17 0.05
Work expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.78 0.08 0.97 0.15 0.86 0.08 0.23 0.05
Medical expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.53 0.09 1.17 0.14 1.36 0.09 2.64 0.22
Z Rounds to zero.
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to and
subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2
In 2021, refundable tax credits included the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. In 2020, refundable tax credits included the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.
3
Includes third round of stimulus payment only. Additional details available in Appendix B.
4
In 2021, the entire Child Tax Credit was refundable.
5
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; SSI: Supplemental Security Income; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; WIC: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children; FICA: Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
6
Utility Assistance includes Emergency Broadband Benefit and other energy noncash benefits.
7
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
8
Includes the first two rounds of stimulus payments. Additional details available in Appendix B.
Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
72 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table B-8.
Effect of Individual Elements on the Number of Individuals in Poverty: 2020 and 2021
(Numbers and margin of error in thousands. People as of March of the following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error,
nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar22.pdf>)
All people Under 18 years 18 to 64 years 65 years and over
Element Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Number error1 (±) Number error1 (±) Number error1 (±) Number error1 (±)
2021
All people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,584 718 3,829 264 15,752 501 6,003 238
ADDITIONS
Social Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –26,338 616 –1,065 134 –7,183 325 –18,091 432
Refundable tax credit2. . . . . . . . . –9,635 530 –4,893 300 –4,536 257 –206 40
Economic Impact/stimulus3. . . . –8,900 473 –2,270 201 –4,939 299 –1,690 134
Refundable Child Tax Credit4. . . –5,343 411 –2,919 240 –2,315 187 –108 25
SNAP5 and school lunch. . . . . . . –3,415 263 –1,188 142 –1,883 153 –343 52
SNAP5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2,805 243 –891 120 –1,589 151 –325 50
SSI5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2,747 208 –288 60 –1,874 155 –585 76
Housing subsidies. . . . . . . . . . . . . –2,411 213 –595 96 –1,200 130 –616 72
Unemployment insurance. . . . . . –2,292 264 –525 90 –1,569 194 –198 51
School lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –571 119 –271 57 –285 66 –15 12
Child support received . . . . . . . . –308 91 –140 46 –165 52 –2 4
TANF/general assistance5. . . . . . –284 94 –109 45 –161 51 –15 11
Utility assistance 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . –178 60 –34 15 –87 36 –56 26
Energy assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . –149 54 –32 15 –77 33 –41 21
Workers' compensation . . . . . . . –138 45 –11 12 –117 41 –10 8
WIC 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –81 52 –39 26 –41 29 0 0
Broadband assistance. . . . . . . . . –20 15 –2 2 –8 8 –10 9
SUBTRACTIONS
Child support paid. . . . . . . . . . . . 215 63 27 20 180 53 7 7
Federal income tax. . . . . . . . . . . . 770 131 122 40 571 101 77 32
FICA5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,937 226 373 83 1,458 164 106 33
Work expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,157 219 424 81 1,614 157 118 35
Medical expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,678 302 582 91 2,532 211 1,565 133
20207
All people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,041 777 7,196 331 17,710 533 5,135 239
ADDITIONS
Social Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –26,146 662 –1,138 125 –7,177 359 –17,831 418
Refundable tax credits2. . . . . . . . –5,328 395 –2,766 223 –2,515 193 –47 19
Economic Impact/stimulus8. . . . –11,761 554 –3,293 225 –6,471 337 –1,997 151
Refundable Child Tax Credit4. . . –1,160 182 –613 102 –537 85 –10 10
SNAP5 and school lunch. . . . . . . –3,259 306 –1,325 159 –1,635 175 –299 47
SNAP5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2,933 282 –1,150 146 –1,491 163 –291 45
SSI5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2,720 224 –359 80 –1,866 163 –495 69
Housing subsidies. . . . . . . . . . . . . –2,435 232 –801 122 –1,173 129 –460 67
Unemployment insurance. . . . . . –5,618 364 –1,458 160 –3,894 247 –267 58
School lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –302 91 –160 50 –137 47 –5 8
Child support received . . . . . . . . –520 109 –311 70 –206 43 –4 5
TANF/general assistance5. . . . . . –480 108 –215 59 –248 62 –17 10
Energy assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . –142 54 –27 19 –90 42 –25 14
Workers' compensation . . . . . . . –193 75 –41 27 –142 55 –10 9
WIC 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –102 53 –66 35 –35 20 0 0
SUBTRACTIONS
Child support paid. . . . . . . . . . . . 199 58 59 26 120 32 19 15
Federal income tax. . . . . . . . . . . . 507 96 76 30 374 75 58 23
FICA5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,060 227 533 89 1,432 167 95 26
Work expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,562 248 715 113 1,723 170 125 29
Medical expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,011 293 869 104 2,709 187 1,434 118
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to and
subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2
In 2021, refundable tax credits included the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. In 2020, refundable tax credits included the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit.
3
Includes third round of stimulus payment only. Additional details available in Appendix B.
4
In 2021, the entire Child Tax Credit was refundable.
5
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; SSI: Supplemental Security Income; TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; WIC: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children; FICA: Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
6
Utility Assistance includes Emergency Broadband Benefit and other energy noncash benefits.
7
Implementation of 2020 Census-based population controls.
8
Includes the first two rounds of stimulus payments. Additional details available in Appendix B.
Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 and 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC).
U.S. Census Bureau 73
Poverty in the United States: 2021
APPENDIX C. EFFECTS OF 2020 CENSUS-BASED POPULATION CONTROLS ON 2020 POVERTY
AND SUPPLEMENTAL POVERTY MEASURE ESTIMATES
To create estimates for the estimates using both the 2010 EFFECTS ON SUPPLEMENTAL
U.S. population from a sample, the and 2020 Census-based popula- POVERTY ESTIMATES
Current Population Survey Annual tion controls. Overall, using 2020
Table C-3 presents 2020 estimates
Social and Economic Supplement Census-based population controls
using the 2010 Census-based
(CPS ASEC) applies weights to resulted in statistically significant
population controls and the 2020
the sample based on independent but substantively minor differences
Census-based population controls
estimates of the civilian noninstitu- in the 2020 estimates.
for SPM estimates. Many of the dif-
tionalized population by sex, age,
ferences between estimates using
race, and Hispanic/non-Hispanic EFFECTS ON OFFICIAL
the 2020 Census-based population
categories.1 These independent POVERTY ESTIMATES
controls and the 2010 Census-
estimates are based off the date Table C-1 shows the effect of the based controls were not statisti-
of the most recent decennial 2020 Census-based population cally significant. The 2020 Census-
census and measure population controls on the 2020 poverty based population controls resulted
change from one year to the next estimates using the official poverty in slight declines in the SPM rate
using administrative data and measure for individuals. Most of for females, those 65 years old or
other sources on births, deaths, the estimates increased when the older, and those with private insur-
and net migration. The estimates updated population controls were ance.3 The new population controls
are updated annually to include applied, but all these changes were slightly raised the SPM rate for sev-
an additional year of data and to less than 0.20 percentage points. eral groups (refer to Table C-3).
revise earlier years of the time Only three estimates showed a
series. Each decade, the base of statistically significant decrease
the estimates is updated to reflect (all less than 0.10 percentage ENDNOTES
new census results.2 Weighting points): poverty rates for those 1
More information on CPS survey design
adjustments mitigate nonresponse is available in Current Population Survey
under 18 years old, all workers, and Design and Methodology Technical Paper
bias based on age, sex, race, and those working less than full-time, 77 at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-
Hispanic origin and ensure that the surveys/cps/methodology/CPS-Tech-
year-round. The differences for Paper-77.pdf>.
weighted sample is representative the remaining estimates were not 2
In recent decades, the decennial census
of the U.S. population. statistically significant.
has usually provided all the data necessary
to produce the population base used in the
population controls. However, changes in
Updated population controls that Table C-2 shows the effects of the disclosure avoidance practices and delays
use the 2020 Census have been 2020 Census-based population in the 2020 Census necessitated changes
to the data sources that produce the base
employed to weight the 2020 and controls on poverty estimates for population for the Vintage 2021 population
2021 estimates in this report. To families. Many of the estimates estimates. The updated population controls
show year-to-year changes across use a Blended Base that draws on the
did not change significantly. The 2020 Census, 2020 Demographic Analysis
consistently weighted data, the remainder increased or decreased Estimates, and Vintage 2020 Postcensal
2020 estimates in this report were Population Estimates. More information
slightly. This includes reductions on this methodology can be found at
updated to use the 2020 Census- in the poverty rate for married- <https://www2.census.gov/programs-
based population controls. As a surveys/popest/technical-documentation/
couple families, related children methodology/2020-2021/methods-
result, the 2020 estimates may under age 18 in primary families, statement-v2021.pdf>.
not match the estimates published people in female-headed families
3
The percentage-point change in the
SPM rate for females, those 65 years old or
in last year’s reports, which used with no spouse present, and older, and those with private insurance are
2010 Census-based population related children under age 18 in
not statistically different from one another.
controls. female-headed families with no
The tables in this appendix demon- spouse present. Poverty rates
strate the effect of using the 2020 increased for primary families,
Census-based population controls female-headed families with no
on the 2020 data by presenting spouse present, people in primary
families, and unrelated individuals,
overall and by gender.
U.S. Census Bureau 75
Poverty in the United States: 2021
76 Table C-1.
People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based Population Controls and
2020 Census-Based Population Controls—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidential-
ity protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar21.pdf>)
2020 Change in poverty
(2020 Census-
2010 Census-based controls 2020 Census-based controls
based controls less
Characteristic 2010 Census-based
Below poverty Below poverty
controls)
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Total Number error1 (±) Percent error1 (±) Total Number error1 (±) Percent error1 (±) Number Percent
PEOPLE
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325,713 37,247 886 11.4 0.3 327,570 37,548 899 11.5 0.3 *301 *0.03
Race and Hispanic Origin
2
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247,865 25,007 663 10.1 0.3 249,083 25,183 671 10.1 0.3 *176 *0.02
White, not Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,319 15,942 510 8.2 0.3 195,078 16,038 518 8.2 0.3 *96 *0.02
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43,355 8,472 415 19.5 1.0 43,694 8,556 420 19.6 1.0 *84 *0.04
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,155 1,629 173 8.1 0.8 20,352 1,645 176 8.1 0.9 *16 Z
American Indian and Alaska Native. . . . . 3,927 779 139 19.8 2.8 3,950 791 140 20.0 2.8 *12 *0.19
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,151 1,198 141 13.1 1.4 9,220 1,209 142 13.1 1.4 *11 0.02
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,196 10,409 474 17.0 0.8 61,769 10,520 480 17.0 0.8 *111 *0.02
Sex
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159,699 16,334 460 10.2 0.3 161,565 16,621 473 10.3 0.3 *287 *0.06
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166,014 20,912 537 12.6 0.3 166,006 20,926 538 12.6 0.3 *14 *0.01
Age
Under 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,295 11,607 411 16.1 0.6 73,541 11,789 418 16.0 0.6 *182 *–0.02
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,582 20,640 524 10.4 0.3 199,753 20,907 537 10.5 0.3 *268 *0.02
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,836 5,000 243 9.0 0.4 54,276 4,852 236 8.9 0.4 *–148 –0.02
Nativity
Native-born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280,926 31,230 781 11.1 0.3 282,408 31,485 792 11.1 0.3 *254 *0.03
Foreign-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,787 6,016 314 13.4 0.7 45,162 6,063 318 13.4 0.7 *47 –0.01
Naturalized citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,664 2,078 153 9.2 0.6 22,800 2,087 154 9.2 0.6 *9 –0.02
Not a citizen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,123 3,939 260 17.8 1.1 22,362 3,977 264 17.8 1.1 *38 –0.02
Region
Northeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,786 5,555 340 10.1 0.6 56,355 5,734 351 10.2 0.6 *180 *0.04
Midwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,461 6,812 371 10.1 0.6 68,046 6,906 378 10.1 0.6 *94 *0.05
South. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125,384 16,619 620 13.3 0.5 125,251 16,653 624 13.3 0.5 *35 *0.04
West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78,081 8,261 409 10.6 0.5 77,919 8,254 409 10.6 0.5 –7 0.01
U.S. Census Bureau
Residence3
Inside metropolitan statistical areas . . . . 283,456 31,297 852 11.0 0.3 285,163 31,559 860 11.1 0.3 *262 *0.03
Inside principal cities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105,849 15,115 631 14.3 0.5 106,483 15,250 641 14.3 0.5 *136 *0.04
Outside principal cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177,606 16,182 614 9.1 0.3 178,680 16,308 621 9.1 0.3 *126 *0.02
Outside metropolitan statistical areas. . . 42,257 5,950 575 14.1 0.9 42,407 5,989 578 14.1 0.9 *39 *0.04
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Footnotes provided at end of table.
Table C-1.
U.S. Census Bureau
People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based Population Controls and
2020 Census-Based Population Controls—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidential-
ity protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar21.pdf>)
Poverty in the United States: 2021
2020 Change in poverty
(2020 Census-
2010 Census-based controls 2020 Census-based controls
based controls less
Characteristic 2010 Census-based
Below poverty Below poverty
controls)
Margin of Margin of Margin of Margin of
Total Number error1 (±) Percent error1 (±) Total Number error1 (±) Percent error1 (±) Number Percent
Work Experience
Total, 18 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,582 20,640 524 10.4 0.3 199,753 20,907 537 10.5 0.3 *268 *0.02
All workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152,246 7,593 266 5.0 0.2 153,659 7,645 267 5.0 0.2 *52 *–0.01
Worked full-time, year-round. . . . . . . . . 99,404 1,609 121 1.6 0.1 100,275 1,618 122 1.6 0.1 *9 *0.00
Less than full-time, year-round. . . . . . . 52,842 5,984 231 11.3 0.4 53,383 6,026 232 11.3 0.4 *42 *–0.04
Did not work at least 1 week. . . . . . . . . . . . 45,336 13,047 392 28.8 0.7 46,094 13,263 403 28.8 0.7 *216 Z
Disability Status4
Total, 18 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197,582 20,640 524 10.4 0.3 199,753 20,907 537 10.5 0.3 *268 *0.02
With a disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,559 3,643 183 25.0 1.1 14,856 3,715 188 25.0 1.1 *73 –0.01
With no disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181,934 16,966 465 9.3 0.3 183,808 17,161 474 9.3 0.3 *195 0.01
Educational Attainment
Total, age 25 and older . . . . . . . . . . . . 224,580 21,443 540 9.5 0.2 224,958 21,535 547 9.6 0.2 *92 *0.02
No high school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,054 4,953 219 24.7 1.0 20,155 4,983 219 24.7 1.0 *30 0.02
High school, no college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,547 8,273 290 13.2 0.4 62,815 8,337 295 13.3 0.4 *64 *0.05
Some college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,942 4,781 210 8.4 0.4 56,904 4,784 209 8.4 0.4 3 0.01
Bachelor’s degree or higher. . . . . . . . . . . . 85,037 3,436 214 4.0 0.2 85,083 3,431 214 4.0 0.2 –5 –0.01
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
Z Rounds to zero.
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to
and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2
Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are possible. A group, such as Asian, may be
defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the
race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population
does not imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates for Native Hawaiians and Other
Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
3
Information on metropolitan statistical areas and principal cities is available at <www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/about/glossary.html>.
4
The sum of those with and without a disability does not equal the total because disability status is not defined for individuals in the U.S. armed forces.
Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
77
78 Table C-2.
Families and People in Poverty by Type of Family: 2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based Population Controls and
2020 Census-Based Population Controls
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the following year. Information on confidential-
ity protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at <https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar21.pdf>)
2020 Change in poverty
(2020 Census-
2010 Census-based controls 2020 Census-based controls
based controls less
2010 Census-based
Characteristic Below poverty Below poverty
controls)
Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error1 of error1 of error1 of error1
Total Number (±) Percent (±) Total Number (±) Percent (±) Number Percent
FAMILIES
Primary Families2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,918 7,294 227 8.7 0.3 83,723 7,284 227 8.7 0.3 *–11 *0.01
Married-couple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,463 2,866 139 4.7 0.2 61,297 2,853 139 4.7 0.2 *–12 *–0.01
Female householder, no spouse present . . 15,491 3,633 156 23.4 0.9 15,462 3,634 156 23.5 0.9 1 *0.05
Male householder, no spouse present. . . . . 6,964 796 72 11.4 1.0 6,964 797 72 11.4 1.0 1 0.01
Unrelated Subfamilies3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 143 30 33.3 5.3 434 144 30 33.2 5.4 1 –0.06
PEOPLE
People in Families
In primary families2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262,398 24,982 778 9.5 0.3 264,437 25,232 787 9.5 0.3 *250 *0.02
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . 71,527 11,265 399 15.7 0.6 72,755 11,439 406 15.7 0.6 *174 *–0.03
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . 22,742 3,937 189 17.3 0.8 22,635 3,917 188 17.3 0.8 *–20 –0.01
In married-couple families . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,009 10,224 505 5.3 0.3 194,889 10,270 510 5.3 0.3 *46 Z
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . 48,517 3,662 248 7.5 0.5 49,331 3,721 253 7.5 0.5 *59 –0.01
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . 15,788 1,249 125 7.9 0.8 15,717 1,244 124 7.9 0.8 *–4 0.01
In families with a female householder,
no spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48,141 12,307 510 25.6 1.0 48,984 12,469 516 25.5 1.0 *162 *–0.11
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . 17,304 6,586 297 38.1 1.5 17,621 6,683 302 37.9 1.5 *97 *–0.13
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . 5,095 2,355 150 46.2 2.3 5,069 2,341 150 46.2 2.3 *–14 –0.05
In families with a male householder,
no spouse present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,248 2,451 241 12.1 1.2 20,564 2,493 246 12.1 1.2 *41 0.01
Related children under age 18. . . . . . . . 5,706 1,018 128 17.8 2.1 5,803 1,036 130 17.9 2.1 *18 0.02
Related children under age 6. . . . . . . 1,859 333 66 17.9 3.3 1,849 331 66 17.9 3.3 *–2 0.01
In unrelated subfamilies3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,023 349 73 34.1 5.6 1,036 353 74 34.1 5.6 *4 –0.04
Children under age 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509 194 43 38.2 6.6 519 197 44 38.0 6.6 *3 –0.12
People Not in Families
Unrelated individuals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,293 11,916 314 19.1 0.5 62,097 11,963 315 19.3 0.5 *47 *0.14
U.S. Census Bureau
Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,409 5,172 211 17.0 0.7 30,604 5,277 214 17.2 0.7 *105 *0.24
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,884 6,743 231 21.2 0.7 31,493 6,686 229 21.2 0.7 *–58 *0.08
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
Z Rounds to zero.
Poverty in the United States: 2021
1
A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reliable the estimate. This number, when added to
and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2
A primary family is a group of two or more people, one of whom is the householder, related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together. All such people (including related
subfamily members) are considered as members of one family.
3
An unrelated subfamily is defined as a married couple with or without children or a single parent with one or more own, never-married children under the age of 18 living in a house-
hold and not related by birth, marriage, or adoption to the householder.
Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
Table C-3.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based Population Controls and 2020 Census-Based
Population Controls—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the
following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar21.pdf>)
2020 Change in SPM
poverty (2020
Census-based
2010 Census-based controls 2020 Census-based controls controls less 2010
Characteristic Census-based
controls)
Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error1 of error1 of error1 of error1
Number (±) Percent (±) Number (±) Percent (±) Number Percent
All people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,805 766 9.1 0.2 30,041 777 9.2 0.2 *236 *0.02
Sex
Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,837 418 8.6 0.3 14,098 427 8.7 0.3 *261 *0.06
Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,968 438 9.6 0.3 15,943 441 9.6 0.3 *–25 *–0.01
Age
Under 18 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,079 325 9.7 0.4 7,196 331 9.7 0.4 *117 –0.01
18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,433 521 8.8 0.3 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 *278 *0.04
65 years and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,293 246 9.5 0.4 5,135 239 9.5 0.4 *–158 *–0.02
Type of Unit
Married couple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,728 457 5.0 0.2 9,759 460 5.0 0.2 *31 –0.01
Cohabiting partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,466 233 8.5 0.8 2,481 234 8.6 0.8 *14 0.02
Female reference person . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,668 429 18.2 1.0 7,793 438 18.2 1.0 *125 –0.04
Male reference person. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,818 204 11.7 1.2 1,850 207 11.7 1.2 *32 –0.01
Unrelated individuals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,125 265 17.5 0.5 8,159 264 17.7 0.5 *34 *0.15
Race2 and Hispanic Origin
White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,156 587 8.1 0.2 20,291 594 8.1 0.2 *135 0.01
White, not Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,646 481 6.5 0.2 12,699 488 6.5 0.3 *53 Z
Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,369 348 14.6 0.8 6,435 353 14.7 0.8 *66 *0.04
Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,770 200 8.8 1.0 1,788 204 8.8 1.0 *18 Z
American Indian and Alaska Native. . . 603 112 15.3 2.7 613 113 15.5 2.7 *11 *0.18
Two or More Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 824 120 9.0 1.3 830 121 9.0 1.3 *6 Z
Hispanic (any race). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,570 436 14.0 0.7 8,672 443 14.0 0.7 *103 *0.04
Nativity
Native-born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,657 678 8.4 0.2 23,828 686 8.4 0.2 *171 *0.02
Foreign-born. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,148 296 13.7 0.6 6,213 299 13.8 0.6 *65 0.03
Naturalized citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,335 163 10.3 0.7 2,351 165 10.3 0.7 *16 0.01
Not a citizen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,813 243 17.2 1.0 3,862 247 17.3 1.0 *49 *0.04
Educational Attainment
Total, age 25 and older . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,866 505 8.4 0.2 18,959 511 8.4 0.2 *93 *0.03
No high school diploma . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,068 202 20.3 0.9 4,098 202 20.3 0.9 *30 0.05
High school, no college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,929 280 11.1 0.4 6,989 286 11.1 0.4 *60 *0.05
Some college. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,177 207 7.3 0.3 4,181 206 7.3 0.3 4 0.01
Bachelor’s degree or higher. . . . . . . . . . 3,692 212 4.3 0.2 3,691 213 4.3 0.2 Z Z
Tenure
Owner/mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,283 344 3.9 0.2 5,340 350 3.9 0.2 *57 0.01
Owner/no mortgage/rent-free . . . . . . . 7,313 390 8.2 0.4 7,323 393 8.2 0.4 11 0.01
Renter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,210 634 17.1 0.6 17,378 640 17.1 0.6 *168 *0.04
Residence3
Inside metropolitan statistical areas . . 26,286 719 9.3 0.2 26,498 729 9.3 0.2 *212 *0.02
Inside principal cities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,573 553 11.9 0.5 12,688 562 11.9 0.5 *115 *0.04
Outside principal cities . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,712 464 7.7 0.3 13,809 472 7.7 0.3 *97 0.01
Outside metropolitan statistical
areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,519 376 8.3 0.7 3,544 380 8.3 0.7 *24 0.03
Region
Northeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,686 337 8.5 0.6 4,835 348 8.6 0.6 *150 *0.03
Midwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,498 299 6.7 0.4 4,562 305 6.7 0.4 *64 *0.04
South. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,704 550 10.1 0.4 12,726 553 10.1 0.4 22 *0.03
West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,918 415 10.1 0.5 7,918 414 10.1 0.5 Z *0.02
Footnotes provided at end of table.
U.S. Census Bureau 79
Poverty in the United States: 2021
Table C-3.
Number and Percentage of People in Poverty Using the Supplemental Poverty Measure:
2020 Estimates Using 2010 Census-Based Population Controls and 2020 Census-Based
Population Controls—Con.
(Populations in thousands. Margins of error in thousands or percentage points as appropriate. Population as of March of the
following year. Information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions is available at
<https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/cpsmar21.pdf>)
2020 Change in SPM
poverty (2020
Census-based
2010 Census-based controls 2020 Census-based controls controls less 2010
Characteristic Census-based
controls)
Margin Margin Margin Margin
of error1 of error1 of error1 of error1
Number (±) Percent (±) Number (±) Percent (±) Number Percent
Health Insurance Coverage
With private insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,976 376 4.1 0.2 9,007 379 4.1 0.2 *30 *–0.01
With public, no private insurance. . . 15,290 558 18.8 0.6 15,434 565 19.0 0.6 *144 *0.13
Not insured. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,538 319 19.4 1.0 5,601 323 19.4 1.0 *62 Z
Work Experience
Total, 18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,433 521 8.8 0.3 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 *278 *0.04
All workers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,056 275 4.6 0.2 7,131 278 4.6 0.2 *75 0.01
Worked full-time, year-round. . . . . . . 1,864 118 1.9 0.1 1,880 120 1.9 0.1 *16 Z
Less than full-time, year-round. . . . . 5,192 234 9.8 0.4 5,251 237 9.8 0.4 *59 0.01
Did not work at least 1 week. . . . . . . . 10,377 369 22.9 0.7 10,579 381 23.0 0.7 *202 0.06
Disability Status4
Total, 18 to 64 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,433 521 8.8 0.3 17,710 533 8.9 0.3 *278 *0.04
With a disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,562 161 17.6 1.0 2,635 167 17.7 1.0 *73 0.14
With no disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,842 469 8.2 0.3 15,046 477 8.2 0.3 *204 *0.03
* An asterisk preceding an estimate indicates change is statistically different from zero at the 90 percent confidence level.
Z Rounds to zero.
1 A margin of error (MOE) is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the MOE in relation to the size of the estimate, the less reli-
able the estimate. This number, when added to and subtracted from the estimate, forms the 90 percent confidence interval. MOEs shown in
this table are based on standard errors calculated using replicate weights.
2 Federal surveys give respondents the option of reporting more than one race. Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race group are
possible. A group, such as Asian, may be defined as those who reported Asian and no other race (the race-alone or single-race concept) or
as those who reported Asian regardless of whether they also reported another race (the race-alone-or-in-combination concept). This table
shows estimates for the race-alone population and the Two or More Races population. The primary use of the single-race population does not
imply that it is the preferred method of presenting or analyzing data. The Census Bureau presents data on race in a variety of ways. Estimates
for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders are not shown separately due to sample size.
3 Information on metropolitan statistical areas and principal cities is available at <www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/
about/glossary.html>.
4 The sum of those with and without a disability does not equal the total because disability status is not defined for individuals in the
U.S. armed forces.
Note: SPM: Supplemental Poverty Measure. Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
80 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
APPENDIX D. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SOURCE AND ACCURACY OF ASEC includes military person- at <https://www2.census.gov/
THE ESTIMATES nel who live in a household with programs-surveys/cps/techdocs/
at least one civilian adult, regard- cpsmar22.pdf>.
The Current Population Survey
less of whether they live off post
(CPS) is the longest-running sur-
or on post. All other armed forces THE IMPACT OF THE
vey conducted by the U.S. Census
personnel are excluded. The CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Bureau. The CPS is a household
estimates in this report are con- PANDEMIC ON THE CPS ASEC
survey primarily used to collect
trolled to March 2022 independent The Census Bureau administers
employment data. The sample
national population estimates by the CPS ASEC each year between
universe for the basic CPS consists
age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. February and April by telephone
of the resident civilian noninstitu-
Beginning with 2020, popula- and in-person interviews, with
tionalized population of the United
tion estimates are based on 2020 most data collected in March.
States. People in institutions, such
Census population counts and In 2020, data collection faced
as prisons, long-term care hospi-
are updated annually, taking into extraordinary circumstances due
tals, and nursing homes, are not
account births, deaths, emigration, to the onset of the COVID-19
eligible to be interviewed in the
and immigration. More information pandemic; the Census Bureau
CPS. Students living in dormito-
on Vintage 2021 population esti- suspended in-person interviews
ries are included in the estimates
mates and the methodology can and closed telephone contact
only if information about them is
be found at <https://www2.census. centers. The response rate for the
reported in an interview at their
gov/programs-surveys/popest/ CPS basic household survey was
parents’ home. Since the CPS is a
technical-documentation/method- 73 percent in March 2020, about
household survey, people who are
ology/2020-2021/methods-state- 10 percentage points lower than
homeless and not living in shelters
ment-v2021.pdf>. preceding months and the same
are not included in the sample.
The estimates in this report (which period in 2019, which were regu-
The CPS Annual Social and larly above 80 percent.
may be shown in text, figures, and
Economic Supplement (CPS
tables) are based on responses During collection of the 2022
ASEC), which estimates in this
from a sample of the population CPS ASEC, in-person interviews
report are based on, collects data
and may differ from actual values resumed except for in geographic
in February, March, and April each
because of sampling variability or areas with a high risk of exposure
year, asking detailed questions
other factors. As a result, apparent to COVID-19. The response rate for
categorizing income into over
differences between the estimates the CPS basic household survey
50 sources. The key purpose of
for two or more groups may not be declined from about 76 percent
the survey is to provide timely
statistically significant. All compar- in March 2021 to 72 percent in
and comprehensive estimates
ative statements have undergone March 2022. Since the response
of income, poverty, and health
statistical testing and are statisti- rates remain below prepandemic
insurance and to measure change
cally significant at the 90 percent levels, it is important to examine
in these national-level estimates.
confidence level unless otherwise how respondents differ from
The survey is the official source of
noted. nonrespondents, as this difference
national poverty estimates calcu-
lated in accordance with the Office In this report, the variances of could affect estimates. Using
of Management and Budget’s estimates were calculated using administrative data, Census Bureau
(OMB) Statistical Policy Directive replication methods. For esti- researchers have documented
14 (Appendix A). mates prior to 2010, or as noted in that nonrespondents in the 2020
historical tables, the Generalized to 2022 surveys are less similar to
The CPS ASEC collects data in respondents than in earlier years.
Variance Function (GVF) method
the 50 states and the District Notably, respondents from 2020 to
was used. More Information on
of Columbia; these data do not 2022 had relatively higher income
replicate weights, standard errors,
represent residents of Puerto Rico than nonrespondents. For more
income top-coding and data swap-
or the U.S. Island Areas.1 The 2022 details on how sample differences
ping on the public-use file, and
CPS ASEC sample consists of and the associated nonresponse
changes to the CPS ASEC data
about 89,200 addresses. The CPS bias impact income and official
file from the prior year is available
U.S. Census Bureau 81
Poverty in the United States: 2021
poverty estimates, refer to chronology, the most recent peak Public-Use Microdata
<www.census.gov/newsroom/ occurred in February 2020. The
Public-use CPS ASEC microdata
blogs/research-matters/2022/09/ most recent trough occurred in
are available for data users of all
how-did-the-pandemic-affect- April 2020. More information on
skill levels.
survey-response.html>. The business cycle dating is avail-
effects of data collection issues able at <www.nber.org/research/ Data users can create custom
on 2020 health insurance business-cycle-dating>. statistics from public-use
coverage estimates are detailed microdata files using the Microdata
in a working paper available ACCESSING POVERTY DATA Access Tool (MDAT), available at
at <www.census.gov/library/ <https://data.census.gov/mdat>.
working-papers/2020/demo/ Additional CPS ASEC Estimates
Microdata for the 2022 CPS ASEC
SEHSD-WP2020-13.html>. Additional estimates from the CPS
and earlier years are available
ASEC are available on the Census
online at <www.census.gov/data/
BUSINESS CYCLES— Bureau’s poverty websites. This
datasets/time-series/demo/
RECESSIONS includes detailed tables, historical
cps/cps-asec.html>. Technical
Business cycle peaks and troughs tables, press releases, briefings,
methods have been applied to
used to delineate the begin- and working papers. The websites
CPS microdata to avoid disclosing
ning and end of recessions, as may be accessed through the
respondents’ identities.
shown in the text box "Business Census Bureau’s home page at
Cycles—Recessions," are deter- <www.census.gov> or directly The Census Data Application
mined by the National Bureau at <www.census.gov/topics/ Programming Interface (API) gives
of Economic Research (NBER), income-poverty/poverty.html> and the public access to raw statistical
a private research organization. <www.census.gov/topics/income- data from various Census Bureau
The data points in the time series poverty/supplemental-poverty- data programs. It is an efficient
figures in this report use July as a measure.html>. way to query data directly from
reference. According to the NBER Census Bureau servers. The
historical poverty data found
in Table A-4 are available in the
API at <www.census.gov/data/
Business Cycles—Recessions
developers/data-sets/Poverty-
Peak month Year Trough month Year Statistics.html>.
November 1948 October 1949
July 1953 May 1954 OTHER SOURCES OF
POVERTY DATA
August 1957 April 1958
April 1960 February 1961 Since the CPS ASEC produces
thorough and timely estimates
December 1969 November 1970
of poverty, the Census Bureau
November 1973 March 1975 recommends that people use it
January 1980 July 1980 for national estimates. However,
July 1981 November 1982 the Census Bureau produces
other data that are appropri-
July 1990 March 1991
ate for subnational areas and
March 2001 November 2001
that can be used for longitudinal
December 2007 June 2009 analysis. The American Community
February 2020 April 2020 Survey (ACS) and the Small Area
Source: National Bureau of Economic Research, <https://www.nber.org/ Income and Poverty Estimates
research/data/us-business-cycle-expansions-and-contractions>. (SAIPE) program can be used for
subnational poverty estimates,
while the Survey of Income and
Program Participation (SIPP)
provides monthly and longitudinal
estimates.
82 U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty in the United States: 2021
American Community Survey consistent and reliable single- QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
(ACS) year estimates for all counties
For questions and assistance with
and school districts regardless of
The ACS is an ongoing survey that poverty data, contact the Census
size each year. In general, SAIPE
collects comprehensive informa- Bureau Customer Service Center
estimates have lower variances
tion on social, economic, and hous- at 1-800-923-8282 (toll-free) or
than ACS estimates but offer fewer
ing topics. Due to its large sample search your topic of interest using
demographic details than the ACS.
size, the ACS provides estimates at the Census Bureau’s “Question and
Estimates from this program are
many levels of geography and for Answer Center” found at <https://
available at <www.census.gov/
smaller population groups. ask.census.gov/>.
programs-surveys/saipe.html>.
The Census Bureau presents The Census Bureau also welcomes
annual estimates of poverty by Survey of Income and Program the comments and advice of data
state and other smaller geographic Participation (SIPP) and report users. If you have sug-
units based on data collected in gestions or comments on this
The SIPP provides both monthly
the ACS. Single-year estimates report, please write to:
and longitudinal data about labor
from the ACS are available for
force participation and income Liana E. Fox
geographic units with populations
sources and amounts at the indi- Assistant Division Chief for
of 65,000 or more. Estimates of
vidual, family, and household level Economic Characteristics
income and poverty for all geo-
by following the same respon- Social, Economic, and Housing
graphic units, including census
dents over time. Whereas the CPS Statistics Division
tracts and block groups, are avail-
ASEC provides reliable estimates U.S. Census Bureau
able by pooling 5 years of ACS
of the net change from one year Washington, DC, 20233-8500
data. Poverty estimates from the
to the next in the overall distribu-
ACS are available at <https://data. Or e-mail <liana.e.fox@census.
tion of economic characteristics
census.gov>. gov>.
for the whole population, it can-
not show how these characteris-
Small Area Income and Poverty ENDNOTE
tics change for the same person,
Estimates (SAIPE)
family, or household. By collect- 1
U.S. Island Areas include American
Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the
The SAIPE program uses statisti- ing monthly data for the same Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin
cal models to produce estimates respondents over multiple years, Islands of the United States.
of median household income and SIPP makes it possible to see how
poverty for states and all counties, economic characteristics change
as well as population and pov- at the individual level. This yields
erty estimates for school districts. insights into the dynamic nature of
Statistics from the SAIPE program these experiences, as well as the
are used by the Department of economic mobility of U.S. resi-
Education to allocate funding dents. Estimates from these data
under Title 1 of the Elementary and are available in table packages,
Secondary Education Act. SAIPE working papers, and the Census
methodology combines data from Bureau’s P70 Series reports, all
a variety of sources, including available at <www.census.gov/
administrative records, popula- programs-surveys/sipp/library/
tion estimates, the decennial publications.html>.
census, and the ACS, to provide
U.S. Census Bureau 83
Poverty in the United States: 2021
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