U.S. Poverty Rate (SAIPE)

## What this measures

The percentage of people of all ages in the United States whose family income falls below the official poverty threshold, as estimated by the Census Bureau's Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Annual, from 1995. It is the national figure on the same basis as the state rates (us.state.*.poverty_rate).

## Why it matters

It is the benchmark for the state poverty rates: a state above it has a larger share of people in poverty than the country.

## How to read it

Percent of people. SAIPE's national figure follows the American Community Survey from 2005, so it differs slightly from the official CPS ASEC poverty rate Census reports each September.

## What it does not say

SAIPE estimates are modelled: they combine survey data (the American Community Survey from 2005, the CPS before) with tax, SNAP and population records, so they are more stable than a survey alone, but each comes with a 90% confidence interval (kept with every point). The change of survey in 2005 means comparisons across it should be made with care. Poverty uses the official measure, which counts pre-tax money income only, so tax credits and non-cash benefits such as SNAP do not lift anyone above the line.

## Source

U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), state and county estimates files. Public domain.