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Poverty

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Poverty Main

The Census Bureau reports poverty data from several major household surveys and programs. The Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS) is the source of official national poverty estimates. The American Community Survey (ACS) provides single and multi-year estimates for smaller areas. The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) provides longitudinal estimates. The Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program provides model-based poverty estimates for counties and school districts. See Description of Income and Poverty Data Sources to determine which survey or program meets your specific needs.

Latest Releases

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011 (P60-243)

Poverty: 2010 and 2011 American Community Survey (ACSBR/11-01)

Sharing a Household: Household Composition and Economic Well-Being: 2007-2010 (P60-242)

Areas With Concentrated Poverty: 2006-2010 (ACSBR/10-17) [PDF - 764k]

Child Poverty Brief 2009 and 2010: Rates by Race & Hispanic Origin by State (ACSBR/10-05) [PDF - 1.3M]

Poverty: 2009 and 2010 American Community Survey (ACSBR/10-01) [PDF - 737k]

Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Poverty 2004-2006

Latest Research - Supplemental Poverty Measure

Tables of NAS-based Experimental Poverty Estimates: 2009

Effect of Benefits and Taxes on Income and Poverty: 2009 (R&D)

Model-based Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) for School Districts, Counties, and States for 2009

Poverty: 2008 and 2009 American Community Survey (ACSBR/09-01) [PDF - 234k]

Supplemental Poverty Measure -- Federal Register Notice

Observations from the Interagency Technical Working Group on Developing a Supplemental Poverty Measure [PDF - 138k]


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For assistance, please contact the Census Call Center at 1-800-923-8282 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov for further information.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau | Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division: Poverty |  Last Revised: September 20, 2012