Poverty Rate
Poverty is a critical issue that affects of individuals and families across the United States. As of the latest, approximately 41 million out of 324 million people are living in poverty. This means that nearly 13% of the population struggles with insufficient income to meet their basic needs such as, nutrition, and healthcare. Understanding the dynamics and implications of poverty is essential to formulate effective policies and programs aimed at alleviating this pervasive problem. This page delves into the current state of poverty in the U.S., examining its causes, effects, and potential solutions.In the United States, an estimated 41,393,176 of 324,173,084 people live in poverty.
Population
Poverty Rate in the United States
2022
12.6% of 325.5 million people
- Age
Under 18 years
16.3% Poverty Rate for people under 18 years old in the United States
2022
16.3% of 71.2 million people
Under 5 years
17.4% Poverty Rate for children under 5 years old in the United States
2022
17.4% of 18.1 million people
5 to 17 years
15.9% Poverty Rate for children 5 to 17 years old in the United States
2022
15.9% of 53.2 million people
Related children of householder under 18 years
16% Poverty Rate for related children to home owner under 18 years old in the United States
2022
16% of 71 million people
18 to 64 years
11.7% Poverty Rate for people 18 to 64 years old in the United States
2022
11.7% of 197.9 million people
18 to 34 years
14.4% Poverty Rate for people 18 to 34 years old in the United States
2022
14.4% of 72.6 million people
35 to 64 years
10.2% Poverty Rate for people 35 to 64 years old in the United States
2022
10.2% of 125.3 million people
60 years and over
11.2% Poverty Rate for people 60 years and over in the United States
2022
11.2% of 77.8 million people
65 years and over
10.9% Poverty Rate for people 65 years and over in the United States
2022
10.9% of 56.4 million people
- Gender
Male
11.4% Poverty Rate for men in the United States
2022
11.4% of 160.8 million people
Female
13.8% Poverty Rate for women in the United States
2022
13.8% of 164.7 million people
- Race
White
9.9% Poverty Rate for White people in the United States
2022
9.9% of 198.4 million people
Black or African American
21.3% Poverty Rate for Black People in the United States
2022
21.3% of 39.1 million people
American Indian and Alaska Native
21.7% Poverty Rate for Native Americans in the United States
2022
21.7% of 3.1 million people
Asian
10.1% Poverty Rate for Asian People in the United States
2022
10.1% of 19.3 million people
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
17.6% Poverty Rate for Pacific Islanders in the United States
2022
17.6% of 645 thousand people
Some other race
17.9% Poverty Rate for People with another race in the United States
2022
17.9% of 24 million people
Two or more races
14.8% Poverty Rate for People with 2 or more races in the United States
2022
14.8% of 41 million people
Hispanic
16.8% Poverty Rate for Hispanics in the United States
2022
16.8% of 62.4 million people
White, not Hispanic
9.5% Poverty Rate for White people with no other heritage in the United States
2022
9.5% of 187.9 million people
- Education level
Population 25 years and over
10.7% Poverty Rate for people 25 years and over in the United States
2022
10.7% of 226.2 million people
Less than high school graduate
24.5% Poverty Rate for people who did not graduate high school in the United States
2022
24.5% of 23 million people
High school graduate (includes equivalency)
14.4% Poverty Rate for people who graduated high school in the United States
2022
14.4% of 58.4 million people
Some college, associate's degree
10% Poverty Rate for people with some college or an Associate's Degree in the United States
2022
10% of 63.3 million people
Bachelor's degree or higher
4.5% Poverty Rate for people with at least a Bachelor's Degree in the United States
2022
4.5% of 81.5 million people
- Employment status
Civilian labor force 16 years and over
6.7% Poverty Rate for people in the workforce at least 16 years old in the United States
2022
6.7% of 168.7 million people
Employed
5.7% Poverty Rate for employed people in the United States
2022
5.7% of 161.5 million people
Male
4.7% Poverty Rate for employed men in the United States
2022
4.7% of 85.3 million people
Female
6.7% Poverty Rate for employed women in the United States
2022
6.7% of 76.2 million people
Unemployed
30.4% Poverty Rate for unemployed people in the United States
2022
30.4% of 7.1 million people
Male
28.2% Poverty Rate for unemployed men in the United States
2022
28.2% of 3.8 million people
Female
33% Poverty Rate for unemployed women in the United States
2022
33% of 3.3 million people
- Work experience
Population 16 years and over
11.6% Poverty Rate for people 16 and over in the United States
2022
11.6% of 262.8 million people
Worked full-time, year-round in the past 12 months
2.4% Poverty Rate for people who worked full time in the United States
2022
2.4% of 118.6 million people
Worked part-time or part-year in the past 12 months
15.6% Poverty Rate for people who worked part time in the United States
2022
15.6% of 56.6 million people
Did not work
21.7% Poverty Rate for people who did not work in the United States
2022
21.7% of 87.5 million people
- Single people
SINGLE PEOPLE
24.1% Poverty Rate for single people in the United States
2022
24.1% of 66.6 million people
Male
21.6% Poverty Rate for single men in the United States
2022
21.6% of 32.8 million people
Female
26.6% Poverty Rate for single women in the United States
2022
26.6% of 33.8 million people
18 to 24 years
42.3% Poverty Rate for single people 18-24 years old in the United States
2022
42.3% of 7.6 million people
25 to 34 years
16.3% Poverty Rate for single people 25-34 years old in the United States
2022
16.3% of 14.4 million people
35 to 44 years
19.8% Poverty Rate for single people 35-44 years old in the United States
2022
19.8% of 8.4 million people
45 to 54 years
22.7% Poverty Rate for single people 45-54 years old in the United States
2022
22.7% of 7.7 million people
55 to 64 years
27.4% Poverty Rate for single people 55-64 years old in the United States
2022
27.4% of 10.4 million people
65 to 74 years
22.7% Poverty Rate for single people 65-74 years old in the United States
2022
22.7% of 9.4 million people
75 years and over
21.9% Poverty Rate for single people 75 years old and over in the United States
2022
21.9% of 8.4 million people
Worked full-time, year-round in the past 12 months
3.4% Poverty Rate for single people who worked full time in the United States
2022
3.4% of 30 million people
Worked less than full-time, year-round in the past 12 months
34.4% Poverty Rate for single people who worked part time in the United States
2022
34.4% of 13.8 million people
Did not work
45.2% Poverty Rate for single people who did not work in the United States
2022
45.2% of 22.8 million people
Population in housing units for whom poverty status is determined
12.4% Poverty Rate for single people in housing units in the United States
2022
12.4%