U.S. Poverty Rate Swells to Nearly 1 in 6

September 13th, 2011

And to see how the so-called Middle Class is doing, this one is worth checking out: It’s Impossible To “Get By” In The U.S. Of course, the situation has gotten much worse since that article was published.

Via: AP:

The ranks of U.S. poor swelled to nearly 1 in 6 people last year, reaching a new high as long-term unemployment woes left millions of Americans struggling and out of work. The number of uninsured edged up to 49.9 million, the biggest in over two decades.

The Census Bureau’s annual report released Tuesday offers a snapshot of the economic well-being of U.S. households for 2010, when joblessness hovered above 9 percent for a second year. It comes at a politically sensitive time for President Barack Obama, who has acknowledged in the midst of his re-election fight that the unemployment rate could persist at high levels through next year.

The overall poverty rate climbed to 15.1 percent, or 46.2 million, up from 14.3 percent in 2009.

Reflecting the lingering impact of the recession, the U.S. poverty rate from 2007-2010 has now risen faster than any three-year period since the early 1980s, when a crippling energy crisis amid government cutbacks contributed to inflation, spiraling interest rates and unemployment.

Measured by total numbers, the 46 million now living in poverty is the largest on record dating back to when the census began tracking poverty in 1959. Based on percentages, it tied the poverty level in 1993 and was the highest since 1983.

Posted in Economy | Top Of Page

One Response to “U.S. Poverty Rate Swells to Nearly 1 in 6”

  1. Eileen says:
    September 15, 2011 at 3:08 am

    This story breaks my heart in two. I listen almost daily to one of mother’s former caregivers and how difficult it is for her to find work. In her whole lifetime, she has never been out of work this long (8 months?).
    Caregiving of the elderly is usually on a cash basis.
    I think these Census Bureau’s numbers are the tip of the iceburg – think of all the income no one knows about that is also now not being earned.
    Harsh times are now upon the people friends. I am doing my best to “put food on my family” of friends and relations, and also store up treats for all during the long winter months to come.
    May the God/dess help us all.

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