Number Of Americans In Poverty Up Slightly
The Census Bureau reports that 12.5 percent of Americans, or 37.3 million people, were living in poverty in 2007, up from 36.5 million in 2006.
The Bureau said the rate is not statistically different from the previous year. However, the data released Tuesday do not take into account the consequences of the economic downturn that began late last year.
Although poverty rates were statistically unchanged for non-Hispanic Whites (8.2 percent), Blacks (24.5 percent), and Asians (10.2 percent) from the previous year, it increased for Hispanics (21.5 percent in 2007, up from 20.6 percent in 2006).
The rate also increased for children under 18 years old (18.0 percent in 2007, up from 17.4 percent in 2006). The rates remained statistically unchanged for those 18-to-64 years old (10.9 percent) and those 65 and over (9.7 percent).
The data also revealed that the number of people lacking health insurance dropped by more than 1 million in 2007, the first annual decline since President Bush took office.
Census says 45.7 million people - 15.3 percent of the population - were uninsured in 2007. That's down from 47 million in 2006.
Government health insurance coverage increased to 83.0 million people (up from 80.3 million in 2006), while there was little change in the number of those covered by private health insurance (202 million in 2077, up from 201.7 million in 2006)
Both the percentage and number of children under 18 years old without health insurance were lower than in 2006 (11.0 percent and 8.1 million, respectively). Although the uninsured rate for children in poverty decreased last year, from 19.3 percent to 17.6 percent, children in poverty were more likely to be uninsured than all children.
In 2007, 24.5 percent of people in households with annual incomes of less than $25,000 had no health insurance coverage.
The data is included in a new report by the Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.
The report showed that by region, the number of those living in poverty in the South increased to 15.5 million in 2007 (14.2 percent), up from 14.9 million in 2006. The poverty rates for the Northeast (11.4 percent), Midwest (11.1 percent), and West (12.0 percent) were statistically unchanged from 2006.
Among the positive findings: The median - or midpoint - household income (adjusted for inflation) increased 1.3 percent between 2006 and 2007, from $49,568 to $50,233, the third consecutive annual increase.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2008 Annual Social and Economic SupplementsThe data was collected from the Current Population Survey (CPS), 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the source of official poverty estimates. The CPS ASEC is a sample survey of approximately 100,000 households nationwide.
CBSNews.com producer David Morgan contributed to this report.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Bureau said the rate is not statistically different from the previous year. However, the data released Tuesday do not take into account the consequences of the economic downturn that began late last year.
Although poverty rates were statistically unchanged for non-Hispanic Whites (8.2 percent), Blacks (24.5 percent), and Asians (10.2 percent) from the previous year, it increased for Hispanics (21.5 percent in 2007, up from 20.6 percent in 2006).
The rate also increased for children under 18 years old (18.0 percent in 2007, up from 17.4 percent in 2006). The rates remained statistically unchanged for those 18-to-64 years old (10.9 percent) and those 65 and over (9.7 percent).
The data also revealed that the number of people lacking health insurance dropped by more than 1 million in 2007, the first annual decline since President Bush took office.
Census says 45.7 million people - 15.3 percent of the population - were uninsured in 2007. That's down from 47 million in 2006.
Government health insurance coverage increased to 83.0 million people (up from 80.3 million in 2006), while there was little change in the number of those covered by private health insurance (202 million in 2077, up from 201.7 million in 2006)
Both the percentage and number of children under 18 years old without health insurance were lower than in 2006 (11.0 percent and 8.1 million, respectively). Although the uninsured rate for children in poverty decreased last year, from 19.3 percent to 17.6 percent, children in poverty were more likely to be uninsured than all children.
In 2007, 24.5 percent of people in households with annual incomes of less than $25,000 had no health insurance coverage.
The data is included in a new report by the Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.
The report showed that by region, the number of those living in poverty in the South increased to 15.5 million in 2007 (14.2 percent), up from 14.9 million in 2006. The poverty rates for the Northeast (11.4 percent), Midwest (11.1 percent), and West (12.0 percent) were statistically unchanged from 2006.
Among the positive findings: The median - or midpoint - household income (adjusted for inflation) increased 1.3 percent between 2006 and 2007, from $49,568 to $50,233, the third consecutive annual increase.
Number in Poverty and Poverty Rate: 1959 to 2007(U.S. Census Bureau)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2008 Annual Social and Economic SupplementsThe data was collected from the Current Population Survey (CPS), 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the source of official poverty estimates. The CPS ASEC is a sample survey of approximately 100,000 households nationwide.
CBSNews.com producer David Morgan contributed to this report.
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Not a real shocker, the illegal immigrants from mexico are not the richest and best educated mexicans marching across Rio Grand.
Also Hispanics tend to have Very LARGE Families with little or no education and they dont want to learn english and depend on American Tax Payers to help support their children and educate them.
This is something Legal American Citizens Can look FWD to in the Future as the Undeucated Poor Mexican Population continues to grow extreamly fast.
If you cant afford children and dont want to learn english then DONT have children them and dont depend on hand outs to support your family.
-It''s surprising the Hispanics are stuck with the idea Repukons are better than the Democrats. I just can''t understand what this minority likes in a party of which decision makers like to ship good and well paying jobs abroad (for cheap labor) in order to increase their margin of profit? Some Hispanics of Cuban origin happen to ''personify'' the savage heartless capitalists represented by the Repukon party. And they have managed to hold a strong voice in the community. The balance of Hispanics of Central American origin, need to know their best interests and comfort are represented by the politics proposed by Clinton/Barack Obama/Biden icons.
No, I wouldn''t call it African style poverty yet. However, a person making $25,000 a year isn''t living as well today as he was eight years ago and whom do we thank for that. Might you be one of those who are playing it down? It''s the economy, stupid.
At 25,000/yr you are NOT in poverty.
You don''t eat steak at wine n''dine restaurants, and you do shop at bargain stores with the more down-and-out.
But, you do drive, don''t you? And you''re not underweight, are you?
Don''t get me wrong. I know the disgustingly rich (mostly techies and store franchise dealers etc. who probably criticized big business 20 years ago) are creating a huge standard-of-living gap.
Just don''t call it poverty. Call it life-isn''t-much- fun and we''re p----d off.
A mere 25 years years ago, a family of 5 could live quite comfortably on the income of one spouse. Now, both spouses are forced to work full time & even then, they are barely able to keep their heads above the financial tide. Add government polices which allow corporations to raid or end pension funds, & government programs which have not kept up with inflation, & what you have is millions of elderly & disabled being forced to choose between eating, heating their homes, or purchasing medications.
The middle class & the poor are beginning to realize that our Fascist government is not interested in tending to their Constitutional responsibilities of "tending to the general welfare of the people."