Poverty Statistics

In one of the richest, most powerful nations on earth, tens of millions of people lack some of the basic material necessities of life. The existence of such widespread poverty amidst such enormous wealth is a moral and social wound in the soul of this country. Even while the economy as a whole prospers, this scourge of poverty is getting worse, and the harm it inflicts on our entire nation continues to grow. The fact that this powerful economy is leaving so many behind is a sign that that something in our social and economic system is seriously broken.

• For children, the poverty rate for whites is 10 percent,
• 28 percent for Latino children,
• 27 percent for Native American Children, and
• 33 percent for African American children.
• Most of the poor are workers - Nearly two out of three families with incomes below the poverty line include one or more workers.
• Poverty affects many Americans. Almost half of all Americans will have experienced poverty for a year or more at some point in their lives by the time they reach age 60.