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Measuring Poverty: Issues and Approaches
Measuring Poverty: Issues and Approaches
Abstract
Formal measurement of poverty in the United States is less than three decades old. Not since the adoption of official poverty thresholds by the federal government in the late 1960's has there been such a great interest as now in examining and possibly respecifying the thresholds. This paper first briefly describes the origins and basis of the official thresholds. Then, it discusses in some detail some of the more current issues that must be addressed to bring the thresholds up-to-date. The final section discusses a recent effort to propose a comprehensive alternate approach.
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Working Paper
Implications of Geographic Adjustment of Poverty Thresholds
Adjusting poverty thresholds for geographic differences in the cost of living has been recommended by the NAS and other prominent researchers.
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Explores the extent to which the population profile of workers living near rail transit differs from those of other workers within the Washington, DC region.
Related Information
WORKING PAPER
Supplemental Poverty Measure Working Papers
Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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