26.9.03
US poverty rises, incomes fall
The Census Bureau reports that over 12% of Americans lived in poverty last year. That comes to about 34.6 milion US citizens. Median household income also declined 1.1%. The poverty level increased and median income decreased for the second straight year.
Blame Bush, or Clinton, if you must. But there are clearly deeper problems when 12% of the citizens of the wealthiest country in the world live in poverty.
ADDITION: Jared Bernstein, a colleague of MaxSpeak's at EPI, examines issues with the Census Bureau's method of determining poverty.
The Census Bureau reports that over 12% of Americans lived in poverty last year. That comes to about 34.6 milion US citizens. Median household income also declined 1.1%. The poverty level increased and median income decreased for the second straight year.
Blame Bush, or Clinton, if you must. But there are clearly deeper problems when 12% of the citizens of the wealthiest country in the world live in poverty.
ADDITION: Jared Bernstein, a colleague of MaxSpeak's at EPI, examines issues with the Census Bureau's method of determining poverty.
