America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

The U.S. official poverty rate as measured by the American Community Survey (ACS), was 12.6% in 2022 but the rate was significantly different for the nation?s oldest and youngest populations, according to a Census Bureau report released today.

The ACS shows that in 2022 the child (people under age 18) poverty rate was 16.3%, 3.7 percentage points higher than the overall rate. But the poverty rate among those age 65 and over was 10.9%, 1.6 percentage points lower than the overall rate. The poverty rate for those ages 18 to 64 was 11.7%.

Although lower than the child poverty rate, the poverty rate of those 65 and older?rose?0.7 percentage points while the child poverty rate?decreased?by 0.7 percentage points from 2021 to 2022 ? the first time since 2018 the rates changed in opposite directions. Twice before (2009 and 2010), the reverse happened; that is, child poverty went up and poverty among those age 65 and over went down.

The poverty picture in four states ? Arizona, Georgia, Maryland and New Jersey ? was the same as the national one in 2022: the rate increased among those age 65-plus and decreased for children.

Continue reading?to explore maps and?learn more about:?

• How poverty is measured
• Child poverty by state, region and metro area
• Poverty rate: population 65 and over

Help us spread the word about Census Bureau data!

Share this on social media or forward it to a friend.

You May Be Interested In

U.S. Census Bureau research introduces a proposed expanded definition of persistent poverty at subcounty levels.

About America Counts

America Counts features stories on various topics including:?

• Families,?Housing,?Employment, Business,?Education,?Economy?
• Emergency Management, Health, Population, Income and Poverty

For the Media:?Contact our?Public Information Office?for inquiries or interviews.?

Don't miss an America Counts story!?Use the button below to sign up and update your preferences.