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Nearly Half of Americans Are Poor, Low-Income

New metric includes living costs

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2011 10:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Nearly 1 in 2 Americans are living either below the poverty level or within a stone's throw of it, according to a new Census metric designed to give a more complete view of poverty. According to the latest data, 49.1 million Americans are below the poverty line, and another 97.3 million are considered low-income, which is usually defined as having income between 100% and 199% of the poverty level, the AP reports.

The new system is designed to account for living expenses like medical costs and commuting costs, and those factors drove the total higher than the 1 in 3 that was reported in September. But even by traditional tallies, the share of working families who are low income has risen for three straight years, to 31.2%, its highest level in a decade.

Almost half of all Americans are having trouble getting by. (Shutterstock)

Almost half of Americans are having trouble getting by. (Shutterstock)

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New metric includes living costs

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1 in 3 Americans Poor or 'Near Poor'

Census figures show spike in people just getting by: New York Times

Nearly 1 in 6 in US Lives in Poverty

In 2010, 15.1% lived below poverty line: US census data

US Poverty Rate Hits 11-Year High

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Ranks of Poorest Poor Swell to New High

One in 15 live below half the poverty level

White Babies Now a Minority in US

Minority infants now the majority: preliminary census data

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Nearly Half of Americans Are Poor, Low-Income

New metric includes living costs

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

poverty • poverty rate • US Census • Census data • low-income families

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

1 in 3 Americans Poor or 'Near Poor'

Census figures show spike in people just getting by: New York Times

Nearly 1 in 6 in US Lives in Poverty

In 2010, 15.1% lived below poverty line: US census data

US Poverty Rate Hits 11-Year High

First figures since recession reveal decline in incomes

Ranks of Poorest Poor Swell to New High

One in 15 live below half the poverty level

White Babies Now a Minority in US

Minority infants now the majority: preliminary census data

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?