A recent report released by the Census Bureau on Tuesday
shows that more Americans are now living in poverty. This
is further affirmation that the US economy is struggling
to recover after a hard recession.
An estimated 46.2 million Americans remained below the
poverty line last year, which is the highest number since
1959 (the start date of Census tracking.) In 2010, the
poverty line rested at $22,113 for a family of four, and
$11,139 for a single person.
The report noted a steep increase in the poverty rate from
14.3 percent to 15.1 percent from 2009 to 2010 - the third
straight year. For children, the percentage living in
poverty rose 13 points to 22% in 2010.
The real median household income in the United States
declined $1,154 (2.3%)over the last years to $49,445
after adjusting for inflation showing that Americans
not living in poverty also struggled.
Sheila McKinney
