America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

The U.S. national poverty rate declined significantly to 12.5% during the 5-year period from 2018 to 2022, according to American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates released today.

The rate was down from 14.6% during 2013-2017, the most recent nonoverlapping 5-year period.

Poverty rates decreased in more than one-third (1,042) of all counties. Only 102 counties experienced an increase in poverty rates compared to 2013-2017.

Comparing the 2013-2017 and 2018-2022 5-year estimates offers a longer-term look at national and local economic trends. The ACS 5-year estimates differ from the 1-year estimates released in September because they pool five consecutive years of 1-year ACS data, allowing Census Bureau researchers to estimate poverty rates for areas with smaller populations and all 3,144 U.S. counties.

Continue reading to learn more about: 

• How poverty is measured
• County poverty rates
• Where changes in poverty occurred

Help us spread the word about Census Bureau data!

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

Related Content

New 2018-2022 American Community Survey data are now available at both the national and local levels.

Explore Census Bureau data highlights on language spoken at home, the foreign-born population, poverty rates, and more.

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.