Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates

Model-based Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) for School Districts, Counties, and States

The U.S. Census Bureau, with support from other Federal agencies, created the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program to provide more current estimates of selected income and poverty statistics than those from the most recent decennial census.

Estimates are created for school districts, counties, and states. The main objective of this program is to provide updated estimates of income and poverty statistics for the administration of federal programs and the allocation of federal funds to local jurisdictions.  Estimates for 2008 were released in November 2009. These estimates combine data from administrative records, intercensal population estimates, and the decennial census with direct estimates from the American Community Survey to provide consistent and reliable single-year estimates. These model-based single-year estimates are more reflective of current conditions than multi-year survey estimates.

The challenge period for the 2008 estimates is November 18, 2009 to February 16, 2010. Information about the challenge procedures is available here.