The nation’s poverty rose from 2019 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2020.” It was the first increase in five years, with the poverty rate rising from 10.5% to 11.4%. The report also indicates that 37.2 million people were living in poverty in 2020, nearly 3.3 million more than in 2019.
It surprised some that the poverty rate did not rise higher last year. But government programs to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic helped. According to The New York Times, “The fact that poverty did not rise more during an enormous economic disruption reflects the equally enormous government response.”
The poverty rate has been below 13% most years since 1997. The exception is the period of The Great Recession. The figure moved to 15.1% in 2010, and then 15.1% in 2011 and 2012. Looking further back, poverty was even higher than that in the early 1960s, at around 20%. Looking at the more current situation nationwide, here is the metro with the highest poverty rate in every state.
Poverty has a wide range of effects on America’s poor. People living in poverty are less likely to be healthy than the rest of the population. They are less likely to be well educated. They are less likely to have access to healthy food. To be poor usually also means to stay poor, according to several studies and research from the OECD. While the ability of people to climb out of poverty is not exactly a myth, it is rare. For people living in extreme poverty it’s even harder. Here is the city hit hardest by extreme poverty in every state.
To find the poverty rate the year you were born, 24/7 Wall St. looked at the percentage of Americans who lived below the poverty line from 1959 until 2020. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using the consumer price index. The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits, such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps.
Click here to see the poverty rate the year you were born
Source: Spencer Platt / Staff / Getty Images
2020
> US population: 325,713,000
> Population below poverty line: 37,247,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $13,171
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Source: United States House of Representatives or Office of the Speaker of the House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
2019
> US population: 324,754,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,984,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 10.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $13,011
Source: Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
2018
> US population: 323,847,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,146,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,784
Source: Wikimedia Commons
2017
> US population: 322,549,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,698,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,488
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Source: Krassotkin, Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons
2016
> US population: 319,911,000
> Population below poverty line: 40,616,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,228
Source: Difference engine / Wikimedia Commons
2015
> US population: 318,454,000
> Population below poverty line: 43,123,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,082
Source: TechCrunch / Wikimedia Commons
2014
> US population: 315,804,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,657,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,071
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Source: White House / Sonya Hebert / Wikimedia Commons
2013
> US population: 313,096,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,269,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,880
Source: New Jersey National Guard / Wikimedia Commons
2012
> US population: 310,648,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,496,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,720
Source: David Shankbone / Wikimedia Commons
2011
> US population: 308,456,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,247,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,484
Source: U.S. Coast Guard / Wikimedia Commons
2010
> US population: 306,130,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,343,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,137
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Source: Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
2009
> US population: 303,820,000
> Population below poverty line: 43,569,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,956
Source: CODEPINK Women For Peace / Wikimedia Commons
2008
> US population: 301,041,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,829,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,991
Source: Ben Stanfield / Wikimedia Commons
2007
> US population: 298,699,000
> Population below poverty line: 37,276,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,590
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Source: Kjetil Ree / Wikimedia Commons
2006
> US population: 296,450,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,460,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,294
Source: Jocelyn Augustino / Wikimedia Commons
2005
> US population: 293,135,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,950,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,973
Source: Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr., U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
2004
> US population: 290,617,000
> Population below poverty line: 37,040,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,646
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Source: National Archive Catalog / Wikimedia Commons
2003
> US population: 287,699,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,861,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,393
Source: Sergeant Joseph R. Chenelly, United States Marine Corps / Wikimedia Commons
2002
> US population: 285,317,000
> Population below poverty line: 34,570,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,183
Source: SFC Thomas R. Roberts / Wikimedia Commons
2001
> US population: 281,475,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,907,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,039
Source: Rob Boudon / Wikimedia Commons
2000
> US population: 278,944,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,581,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,791
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Source: Grj23 / Wikimedia Commons
1999
> US population: 276,208,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,791,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.9%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,499
Source: Flickr user Kevin Jarrett / Wikimedia Commons
1998
> US population: 271,059,000
> Population below poverty line: 34,476,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,316
Source: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images
1997
> US population: 268,480,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,574,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,183
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1996
> US population: 266,218,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,529,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,995
Source: NASA / Wikimedia Commons
1995
> US population: 263,733,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,425,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,763
Source: Andrea Booher / FEMA / Wikimedia Commons
1994
> US population: 261,616,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,059,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,547
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Source: Official White House photograph / Wikimedia Commons
1993
> US population: 259,278,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,265,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,363
Source: Gary B. Edstrom / Wikimedia Commons
1992
> US population: 256,549,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,014,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,143
Source: U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
1991
> US population: 251,192,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,708,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,932
Source: Andrew Thomas / Wikimedia Commons
1990
> US population: 248,644,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,585,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,652
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Source: Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1989
> US population: 245,992,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,528,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,310
Source: National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons
1988
> US population: 243,530,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,745,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,022
Source: Virginia Tehan / Wikimedia Commons
1987
> US population: 240,982,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,221,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,778
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Source: A1C Nancy Smelser / Wikimedia Commons
1986
> US population: 238,554,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,370,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,572
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1985
> US population: 236,594,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,064,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,469
Source: Marcin Wichary / Wikimedia Commons
1984
> US population: 233,816,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,700,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,278
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
1983
> US population: 231,700,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,303,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,061
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1982
> US population: 229,412,000
> Population below poverty line: 34,398,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $4,901
Source: White House Photographic Office / The National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1981
> US population: 227,157,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,822,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $4,620
Source: Bogaerts, Rob / Anefo / Wikimedia Commons
1980
> US population: 225,027,000
> Population below poverty line: 29,272,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $4,190
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Source: Frances M Ginter / Getty Images
1979
> US population: 222,903,000
> Population below poverty line: 26,072,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $3,689
Source: Steve Morgan / Wikimedia Commons
1978
> US population: 215,656,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,497,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $3,311
Source: Derzsi Elekes Andor / Wikimedia Commons
1977
> US population: 213,867,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,720,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $3,075
Source: White House Photograph Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library / Wikimedia Commons
1976
> US population: 212,303,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,975,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,884
Source: O'Halloran, Thomas J. / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1975
> US population: 210,864,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,877,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,724
Source: ABC Television / Wikimedia Commons
1974
> US population: 209,362,000
> Population below poverty line: 23,370,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,495
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Source: sterferg / Wikimedia Commons
1973
> US population: 207,621,000
> Population below poverty line: 22,973,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,247
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1972
> US population: 206,004,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,460,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.9%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,109
Source: Leena A. Krohn / Wikimedia Commons
1971
> US population: 204,554,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,559,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,040
Source: CBS Television / Wikimedia Commons
1970
> US population: 202,183,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,420,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,954
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Source: NASA / Wikimedia Commons
1969
> US population: 199,517,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,147,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,840
Source: Ollie Atkins, White House photographer / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1968
> US population: 197,628,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,389,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,748
Source: JOHN LLOYD / Flickr
1967
> US population: 195,672,000
> Population below poverty line: 27,769,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,675
Source: Nationaal Archief / Wikimedia Commons
1966
> US population: 193,388,000
> Population below poverty line: 28,510,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,628
Source: Seattle Municipal Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1965
> US population: 191,413,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,185,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 17.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,582
Source: Harry Pot, / Wikimedia Commons
1964
> US population: 189,710,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,055,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 19.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,558
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Source: Executive Office of the President of the United States / Wikimedia Commons
1963
> US population: 187,258,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,436,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 19.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,539
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1962
> US population: 184,276,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,625,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 21.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,519
Source: The U.S. National Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1961
> US population: 181,277,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,628,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 21.9%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,506
Source: Alden Jewell / Wikimedia Commons
1960
> US population: 179,503,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,851,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 22.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,490
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Source: The Sporting News Archives / Wikimedia Commons
1959
> US population: 176,557,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,490,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 22.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,467
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