Residents Living in Poverty
The U.S Census Bureau uses poverty thresholds that are set by the Federal Government in order to determine the number and percentage of individuals living in poverty. Poverty thresholds vary with a family’s size and composition, and the poverty status assigned to a family applies to all of its individual members. For example, as of 2012 a family of four is determined to be living in poverty if its combined annual income is below $23,050 while the threshold for a family of 3 in 2012 is $19,090. Poverty thresholds are adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index and according to the U.S. Census these figures should be used as a statistical yardstick, and not as a complete description of what people and families need to live. However, monitoring changes in the number of individuals living in poverty provides insight into the number of people going without having their basic needs met, such as healthcare, stable housing, or adequate food. According to 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) one-year estimates, the poverty rate in Pierce County in 2010 was 12.0%, which is equivalent to 93,471 residents living below the federally defined poverty threshold. This figure is down from the 2009 ACS one-year estimate of 12.3%, or 94,966 residents, but still up from the 2007 one-year estimate that placed the poverty rate at 11.1%. |
The chart below compares the rates of poverty in Pierce County to similar urban counties and Washington State as a whole using ACS 2010 one-year estimates. The rates in King County, Snohomish County, and in Washington State are as follows:
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2010 1-year Estimate