Q&A: New Income and Poverty Statistics and the Social Safety Net

Gregory Acs, Linda J. Blumberg, Harry Holzer, Pamela J. Loprest, Jennifer Ehrle Macomber, Karin Martinson, Signe-Mary McKernan, Cynthia Perry, Caroline Ratcliffe, Margaret Simms, Margery Austin Turner, Shelley Waters Boots

The Census Bureau released its annual report on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage for the U.S. population on August 26, 2008. According to the report, median household income increased by 1.3 percent in 2007, while the overall poverty rate dipped slightly and the number and percentage of people without health insurance decreased. While the overall numbers were positive, not everyone shared in the economic gains. The number and percentage of children in poverty increased, and households in the lowest 40 percent of the income distribution had no significant income gains.

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