America Counts: Income & Poverty Stories

Indirect Impact of COVID-19 Results in Higher Pandemic Death Toll

Independent Census Bureau research shows racial disparities in U.S. COVID-19 mortality rates and a higher death toll indirectly related to the pandemic.

Fewer People Living in Poverty Areas in 2015-2019

The percentage of people living in poverty areas fell 6.6 percentage points since 2010-2014.

A New Way to Measure How Many Americans Work More Than One Job

The number of workers holding two or more jobs has increased from 1996 to 2018. The Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics tracks the growth.

Demographic SNAPshot: Not Everyone Eligible for Food Assistance Program Receives Benefits

A new data visualization shows the demographic characteristics of people eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition...

Can Data and Tech Help Solve Environmental Issues?

The Census Bureau's Opportunity Project celebrates its fifth anniversary with four tech development sprints to create solutions to environmental...

Gaps in the Wealth of Americans by Household Type in 2017

The recently released Survey of Income Program Participation shows household wealth gaps. Home equity and retirement accounts make up 61.7%...

Children in Poverty Less Likely to Participate in Sports, Gifted Programs

New U.S. Census Bureau survey highlights the impact that poverty has on school-aged children’s involvement in extracurricular activities.

Same-Sex Married Couples Have Higher Income Than Opposite-Sex Married Couples

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey releases data on income and poverty levels of same-sex...

More Young Adults Lived with Their Parents in 2019

Poverty rates of people ages 25 to 34 living with their parents remained stable at 5.3%, lower than the U.S. poverty rate of 10.5%.

Was Household Income the Highest Ever in 2019?

Data collection challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic may have pushed income estimates higher.

Poverty Rates for Blacks and Hispanics Reached Historic Lows in 2019

Black and Hispanic poverty rates reached historic lows of 18.8% and 15.7% respectively in 2019 but inequalities persist.

Most Families That Received SNAP Benefits in 2018 Had At Least One Person Working

Most families who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits had at least one worker and about a third...

Supplemental Poverty Measure Shows State-Level Impact of Food Stamps

A recent report shows that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reduced poverty by just over 1 percentage point on average from...

Supplemental Poverty Measure Shows State-Level Impact of Food Stamps

Report released today shows that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reduced poverty by just over 1 percentage point on average from 2016 to 2018.

More Puerto Ricans Move to Mainland United States, Poverty Declines

Migration from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States increased by 36.9% between 2017 and 2018. Poverty in Puerto Rico decreased by...

U.S. Median Household Income Up in 2018 From 2017

The 2018 American Community Survey shows median household income increased in 14 states and 10 of the largest metro areas.

Percentage of People in Poverty Dropped for the Fifth Consecutive Year

The 1-year American Community Survey estimates show declines in poverty in 14 states and Puerto Rico and in seven of the 25 most...

Poverty Rate for People in Female-Householder Families Lowest on Record

The U.S. poverty rate dropped from 12.3% in 2017 to 11.8% in 2018. The decrease in poverty for women-led families comprised much of...

Payday, Poverty, and Women

Between 2017 and 2018, women working full-time, year-round experienced a significant gain in median earnings but more women than men live in poverty.

U.S. Median Household Income Was $63,179 in 2018, Not Significantly Different From 2017

U.S. Census Bureau released 2018 income, poverty and health insurance statistics today. Survey redesigns make comparing statistics from prior years challenging.