In September 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau released sobering new figures on poverty, income, and health insurance coverage:
- In 2011, 46.2 million people lived in poverty, some 15.0% of the population.
- For the second consecutive year, real median household income declined to $50,054, a 1.5 percent decrease from 2010, and an 8.1% decrease relative to pre-recession income levels from 2007.
- The number of people without health insurance decreased from 50.0 million in 2010 to 48.6 million in 2011, with 15.7% of the population remaining uninsured.
Racial and Regional Inequality
- Poverty continues to disproportionately high for children (21.9%), African-Americans (27.6%), Hispanics (25.3%), the disabled (28.8%), and women (16.3%) – these groups all experience poverty at a higher rate than the national average of 15.0%
- Despite a statistically significant decrease in poverty rate in the South between 2010 and 2011, this region continues to have the highest poverty rate (16.0%), followed closely by the West (15.8%).
For more, read the Census Bureau’s full report: Income, Poverty and Health Coverage in the United States: 2011.
