1 in 8 Americans lives in Poverty

[irishgrl]

no change from last year (and no progress either Jason!!)

U.S. data show one in eight Americans in poverty By Joanne Morrison

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In the world's biggest economy one in eight Americans and almost one in four blacks lived in poverty last year, the U.S. Census Bureau said on Tuesday, releasing a figure virtually unchanged from 2004.

The survey also showed 15.9 percent of the population, or 46.6 million, had no health insurance, up from 15.6 percent in 2004 and the fifth increase in a row.

It was the first year since President George W. Bush took office in 2001 that the poverty rate did not increase. As in past years, the figures showed poverty especially concentrated among blacks and Hispanics.

In all, some 37 million Americans lived below the poverty line, defined as having an annual income below around $10,000 for an individual or $20,000 for a family of four.

The last decline in poverty was in 2000, the final year of Bill Clinton's presidency, when it fell to 11.3 percent.

"It shows that we are spending more money than ever on anti-poverty programs and we haven't done anything to reduce poverty," said Michael Tanner of CATO Institute, a free market think tank in Washington.

Around a quarter of blacks and 21.8 percent of Hispanics were living in poverty. Among whites, the rate edged down to 8.3 percent from 8.7 percent in 2004.

"Among African Americas the problem correlates primarily to the inner-city and single mothers," said Tanner, adding that blacks also suffer disproportionately from poor education and lower quality jobs.

Black median income, at $30,858, was only 61 percent of the median for whites.

Some 17.6 percent of children under 18 and one in five of those under 6 were in poverty, higher than for any other age group.

Real median household income rose by 1.1 percent between to $46,326 from $45,817 -- its first increase since 1999.

The figures contained wide regional variations, ranging from a median household income of $61,672 in New Jersey to $32,938 for Mississippi.

Major cities with the highest proportions of poor people included Cleveland with 32.4 percent and Detroit with 31.4 percent under the poverty line.

so when Jason posts those "Economy is Improving" threads, this is what comes to MY mind. Sorry Jason, but just because business is booming for big business, doesnt mean the Nation as a whole is doing better....in fact, usually the opposite.

[estranged4life]

In the world's biggest economy one in eight Americans and almost one in four blacks lived in poverty last year, the U.S. Census Bureau said on Tuesday, releasing a figure virtually unchanged from 2004.

Around a quarter of blacks and 21.8 percent of Hispanics were living in poverty. Among whites, the rate edged down to 8.3 percent from 8.7 percent in 2004.

the figures from the Census Bureau always seem to exclude the Native American population? Could it be because the poverty rate could be even higher for Native Americans compared to other groups?

[DrummerDeanna]

This is so depressing NPR reported that though there wasn't an increase in the number of people living in poverty - there was an increase of people living in extreme poverty. So sad.

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

This is so depressing NPR reported that though there wasn't an increase in the number of people living in poverty - there was an increase of people living in extreme poverty. So sad.

in Oklahoma of the number of people living in poverty:

(First number is for the year 2004 unless noted or reported, the second number is in comparison to the US as a total)

Statewide
Population, 2005 estimate 3,547,884 296,410,404
White persons, percent, 2004 (a) 78.6% 80.4%
Black persons, percent, 2004 (a) 7.7% 12.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2004 (a) 8.1% 1.0%
Asian persons, percent, 2004 (a) 1.5% 4.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2004 (a) 0.1% 0.2%
Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2004 4.0% 1.5%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2004 (b) 6.3% 14.1%
White persons, not Hispanic, percent, 2004 72.9% 67.4%

Households, 2000 1,342,293 105,480,101
Persons per household, 2000 2.49 2.59
Per capita money income, 1999 $17,646 $21,587
Median household income, 2003 $35,634 $43,318
Persons below poverty, percent, 2003 14.6% 12.5%

County (Caddo)

(First number is for the year 2004 unless noted or reported, the second number is in comparison to the rest of Oklahoma as a total)

Population, 2005 estimate 30,229 3,547,884
White persons, percent, 2004 (a) 68.8% 78.6%
Black persons, percent, 2004 (a) 3.2% 7.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2004 (a) 24.2% 8.1%
Asian persons, percent, 2004 (a) 0.2% 1.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2004 (a) 0.1% 0.1%
Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2004 3.6% 4.0%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2004 (b) 7.6% 6.3%
White persons, not Hispanic, percent, 2004 63.3% 72.9%

Per capita money income, 1999 $13,298 $17,646
Median household income, 2003 $28,972 $35,634
Persons below poverty, percent, 2003 18.8% 14.6%

[BTFLCHLD]

Yeah Jason...what have you to type of this? Hmmmmm?

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

This is so depressing NPR reported that though there wasn't an increase in the number of people living in poverty - there was an increase of people living in extreme poverty. So sad.

which translates directly to profits for the big boys IMO.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

in Oklahoma of the number of people living in poverty:

(First number is for the year 2004 unless noted or reported, the second number is in comparison to the US as a total)

Statewide
Population, 2005 estimate 3,547,884 296,410,404
White persons, percent, 2004 (a) 78.6% 80.4%
Black persons, percent, 2004 (a) 7.7% 12.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2004 (a) 8.1% 1.0%
Asian persons, percent, 2004 (a) 1.5% 4.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2004 (a) 0.1% 0.2%
Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2004 4.0% 1.5%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2004 (b) 6.3% 14.1%
White persons, not Hispanic, percent, 2004 72.9% 67.4%

Households, 2000 1,342,293 105,480,101
Persons per household, 2000 2.49 2.59
Per capita money income, 1999 $17,646 $21,587
Median household income, 2003 $35,634 $43,318
Persons below poverty, percent, 2003 14.6% 12.5%

County (Caddo)

(First number is for the year 2004 unless noted or reported, the second number is in comparison to the rest of Oklahoma as a total)

Population, 2005 estimate 30,229 3,547,884
White persons, percent, 2004 (a) 68.8% 78.6%
Black persons, percent, 2004 (a) 3.2% 7.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2004 (a) 24.2% 8.1%
Asian persons, percent, 2004 (a) 0.2% 1.5%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2004 (a) 0.1% 0.1%
Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2004 3.6% 4.0%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2004 (b) 7.6% 6.3%
White persons, not Hispanic, percent, 2004 63.3% 72.9%

Per capita money income, 1999 $13,298 $17,646
Median household income, 2003 $28,972 $35,634
Persons below poverty, percent, 2003 18.8% 14.6%

The Census is a FOUNTAIN of info. it takes a bit of work to navigate but its worth it. I also like looking at the data concerning women...The Institute for Women's Policy Research is an excellent source, and is non-profit so its beholden to no one.