Supplemental Poverty Measure
Supplemental Poverty Measure
DATA USER NOTE:
On July 17, 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics re-released SPM thresholds for 2019-2024 following the discovery of coding errors. The U.S. Census Bureau will publish revised SPM poverty rates using these updated thresholds prior to the release of the annual poverty report in September. Refer to BLS statement and Census statement for more information.
Featured
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PublicationPoverty in the United States: 2024This report presents data on poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2025 and earlier CPS ASEC.
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VisualizationSupplemental Poverty MeasureExplore the impact of different programs or expenses on the Supplementary Poverty Measure during each year.
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InfographicHow the U.S. Census Bureau Measures PovertyWe measure poverty two ways every year. The official poverty measure is based on cash resources. The supplemental poverty measure includes noncash benefits.
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Improvements to the Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty MeasureView research on potential changes to the SPM under consideration.
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PublicationPoverty in the United States: 2024This report presents data on poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2025 and earlier CPS ASEC.
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PublicationPoverty in the United States: 2023This report presents data on poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2024 and earlier CPS ASEC.
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PublicationPoverty in the United States: 2022This report presents data on poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2023 and earlier CPS ASEC.
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TablePoverty in the United States: 2024These tables present data on poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2025 and earlier CPS ASEC.
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TableACS SPM State Tables 2009 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023View and download tables on ACS SPM: 2009-2019, 2021-2023
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TablePoverty in the United States: 2023These tables present data on poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2024 and earlier CPS ASEC.
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DatasetACS Supplemental Poverty Measures (SPM) Research FilesThese research files enable researchers to create SPM estimates using public use ACS data.
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DatasetHealth Inclusive Poverty Measure (HIPM) Research FileThis file enables researchers to replicate estimates in Health Inclusive Poverty Measure in the United States: 2023 using the 2024 CPS ASEC Public Use File
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Dataset2019 Revised Supplemental Poverty Measure Research FileThese research files enable researchers to replicate the SPM estimates describe in SEHSD Working Paper #2021-17.
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Working PaperValidating the Supplemental Poverty Measure in the ACSComparing ACS and CPS Supplemental Poverty Measure estimates for 2009–2023, this paper traces the persistent gap to its imputed elements.
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Working PaperSimplifying SPM Poverty Thresholds: A Ten-Year Anchoring ApproachThis paper presents a potential method to produce SPM poverty thresholds by updating the standard of living decennially and adjusting for changes in price level
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Working PaperChild Care Challenges and Adaptations: Findings from the 2025 CPS ASECThis paper examines new questions introduced to the 2025 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
All Subtopics Within 'Income and Poverty'
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IncomeCensus money income is defined as income received on a regular basis before payments for taxes, social security, etc. and does not reflect noncash benefits.
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Income InequalityIncome inequality is the extent to which income is distributed unevenly among a population.
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PovertyIf a family's total income is less than the official poverty threshold for a family of that size and composition, then they are considered to be in poverty.
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Program Income and Public AssistancePublic assistance refers to assistance programs that provide either cash or in-kind benefits to individuals and families from any governmental entity.
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Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)The Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program provides more current estimates for the administration and allocation of federal programs and funds.
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Supplemental Poverty MeasureIn 2009, the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) created a Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) to replace previous experimental poverty measures.
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Wealth and Asset OwnershipHousehold net worth or wealth is an important defining factor of economic well-being - it can become an additional source of income in hard times or retirement.
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Well-BeingFactors that contribute to well-being include income, possession of consumer durables, housing and neighborhood conditions, and the meeting of basic needs.
Page Last Revised - July 17, 2026