Special Report

The Poverty Rate The Year You Were Born

Max Whittaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images

The nation’s poverty rose from 2019 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2020.” It was the first increase in five years, with the poverty rate rising from 10.5% to 11.4%. The report also indicates that 37.2 million people were living in poverty in 2020, nearly 3.3 million more than in 2019.

It surprised some that the poverty rate did not rise higher last year. But government programs to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic helped. According to The New York Times, “The fact that poverty did not rise more during an enormous economic disruption reflects the equally enormous government response.”

The poverty rate has been below 13% most years since 1997. The exception is the period of The Great Recession. The figure moved to 15.1% in 2010, and then 15.1% in 2011 and 2012. Looking further back, poverty was even higher than that in the early 1960s, at around 20%. Looking at the more current situation nationwide, here is the metro with the highest poverty rate in every state.

Poverty has a wide range of effects on America’s poor. People living in poverty are less likely to be healthy than the rest of the population. They are less likely to be well educated. They are less likely to have access to healthy food. To be poor usually also means to stay poor, according to several studies and research from the OECD. While the ability of people to climb out of poverty is not exactly a myth, it is rare. For people living in extreme poverty it’s even harder. Here is the city hit hardest by extreme poverty in every state.

To find the poverty rate the year you were born, 24/7 Wall St. looked at the percentage of Americans who lived below the poverty line from 1959 until 2020. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using the consumer price index. The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits, such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps.

Click here to see the poverty rate the year you were born

Spencer Platt / Staff / Getty Images

2020
> US population: 325,713,000
> Population below poverty line: 37,247,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $13,171

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United States House of Representatives or Office of the Speaker of the House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

2019
> US population: 324,754,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,984,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 10.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $13,011

Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 31: Serena Williams of The United States celebrates during the ladies singles second round match against Ashleigh Barty of Ausralia during day five of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on May 31, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

2018
> US population: 323,847,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,146,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,784

Wikimedia Commons

2017
> US population: 322,549,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,698,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,488

Krassotkin, Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons

2016
> US population: 319,911,000
> Population below poverty line: 40,616,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,228

Difference engine / Wikimedia Commons

2015
> US population: 318,454,000
> Population below poverty line: 43,123,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,082

TechCrunch / Wikimedia Commons

2014
> US population: 315,804,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,657,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $12,071

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White House / Sonya Hebert / Wikimedia Commons

2013
> US population: 313,096,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,269,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,880

New Jersey National Guard / Wikimedia Commons

2012
> US population: 310,648,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,496,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,720

David Shankbone / Wikimedia Commons

2011
> US population: 308,456,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,247,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,484

U.S. Coast Guard / Wikimedia Commons

2010
> US population: 306,130,000
> Population below poverty line: 46,343,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $11,137

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Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons

2009
> US population: 303,820,000
> Population below poverty line: 43,569,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,956

CODEPINK Women For Peace / Wikimedia Commons

2008
> US population: 301,041,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,829,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,991

Ben Stanfield / Wikimedia Commons

2007
> US population: 298,699,000
> Population below poverty line: 37,276,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,590

Kjetil Ree / Wikimedia Commons

2006
> US population: 296,450,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,460,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $10,294

Jocelyn Augustino / Wikimedia Commons

2005
> US population: 293,135,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,950,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,973

Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr., U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons

2004
> US population: 290,617,000
> Population below poverty line: 37,040,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,646

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National Archive Catalog / Wikimedia Commons

2003
> US population: 287,699,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,861,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,393

Sergeant Joseph R. Chenelly, United States Marine Corps / Wikimedia Commons

2002
> US population: 285,317,000
> Population below poverty line: 34,570,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,183

SFC Thomas R. Roberts / Wikimedia Commons

2001
> US population: 281,475,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,907,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $9,039

Rob Boudon / Wikimedia Commons

2000
> US population: 278,944,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,581,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,791

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Grj23 / Wikimedia Commons

1999
> US population: 276,208,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,791,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.9%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,499

Flickr user Kevin Jarrett / Wikimedia Commons

1998
> US population: 271,059,000
> Population below poverty line: 34,476,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,316

Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

1997
> US population: 268,480,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,574,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $8,183

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1996
> US population: 266,218,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,529,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,995

NASA / Wikimedia Commons

1995
> US population: 263,733,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,425,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,763

Andrea Booher / FEMA / Wikimedia Commons

1994
> US population: 261,616,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,059,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,547

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Official White House photograph / Wikimedia Commons

1993
> US population: 259,278,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,265,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,363

Gary B. Edstrom / Wikimedia Commons

1992
> US population: 256,549,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,014,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $7,143

U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons

1991
> US population: 251,192,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,708,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,932

Andrew Thomas / Wikimedia Commons

1990
> US population: 248,644,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,585,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,652

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Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons

1989
> US population: 245,992,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,528,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,310

National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons

1988
> US population: 243,530,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,745,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $6,022

Virginia Tehan / Wikimedia Commons

1987
> US population: 240,982,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,221,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,778

A1C Nancy Smelser / Wikimedia Commons

1986
> US population: 238,554,000
> Population below poverty line: 32,370,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,572

Wikimedia Commons

1985
> US population: 236,594,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,064,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,469

Marcin Wichary / Wikimedia Commons

1984
> US population: 233,816,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,700,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,278

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Wikimedia Commons

1983
> US population: 231,700,000
> Population below poverty line: 35,303,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $5,061

Wikimedia Commons

1982
> US population: 229,412,000
> Population below poverty line: 34,398,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 15.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $4,901

White House Photographic Office / The National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons

1981
> US population: 227,157,000
> Population below poverty line: 31,822,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $4,620

Bogaerts, Rob / Anefo / Wikimedia Commons

1980
> US population: 225,027,000
> Population below poverty line: 29,272,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 13.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $4,190

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Frances M Ginter / Getty Images

1979
> US population: 222,903,000
> Population below poverty line: 26,072,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $3,689

Steve Morgan / Wikimedia Commons

1978
> US population: 215,656,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,497,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $3,311

Derzsi Elekes Andor / Wikimedia Commons

1977
> US population: 213,867,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,720,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $3,075

White House Photograph Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library / Wikimedia Commons

1976
> US population: 212,303,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,975,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,884

O'Halloran, Thomas J. / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons

1975
> US population: 210,864,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,877,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,724

ABC Television / Wikimedia Commons

1974
> US population: 209,362,000
> Population below poverty line: 23,370,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,495

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sterferg / Wikimedia Commons

1973
> US population: 207,621,000
> Population below poverty line: 22,973,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,247

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons

1972
> US population: 206,004,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,460,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 11.9%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,109

Leena A. Krohn / Wikimedia Commons

1971
> US population: 204,554,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,559,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $2,040

CBS Television / Wikimedia Commons

1970
> US population: 202,183,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,420,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.6%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,954

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NASA / Wikimedia Commons

1969
> US population: 199,517,000
> Population below poverty line: 24,147,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.1%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,840

Ollie Atkins, White House photographer / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons

1968
> US population: 197,628,000
> Population below poverty line: 25,389,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 12.8%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,748

JOHN LLOYD / Flickr

1967
> US population: 195,672,000
> Population below poverty line: 27,769,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,675

Nationaal Archief / Wikimedia Commons

1966
> US population: 193,388,000
> Population below poverty line: 28,510,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 14.7%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,628

Seattle Municipal Archives / Wikimedia Commons

1965
> US population: 191,413,000
> Population below poverty line: 33,185,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 17.3%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,582

Harry Pot, / Wikimedia Commons

1964
> US population: 189,710,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,055,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 19.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,558

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Executive Office of the President of the United States / Wikimedia Commons

1963
> US population: 187,258,000
> Population below poverty line: 36,436,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 19.5%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,539

Wikimedia Commons

1962
> US population: 184,276,000
> Population below poverty line: 38,625,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 21.0%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,519

The U.S. National Archives / Wikimedia Commons

1961
> US population: 181,277,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,628,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 21.9%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,506

Alden Jewell / Wikimedia Commons

1960
> US population: 179,503,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,851,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 22.2%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,490

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The Sporting News Archives / Wikimedia Commons

1959
> US population: 176,557,000
> Population below poverty line: 39,490,000
> Percent of all people in poverty: 22.4%
> Poverty threshold for unrelated individuals: $1,467

 

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