Analysis of Census poverty data

Posted by on August 27, 2004

An analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities of the Census release of income, poverty and health insurance data has been posted to the Center’s web site: http://www.cbpp.org/8-26-04pov.pdf

The data finds that the number and percentage of people living below the poverty line increased for the third consecutive year in 2003, and the number and the percentage of people without health insurance also climbed for the third consecutive year. The increase in poverty was focused among children. By contrast, the increase in the number of uninsured occurred entirely among working-age adults — those between the ages of 18 and 64. Median income declined slightly, but the change was not statistically significant.

Here is a quick summary of the state data:

Poverty
– 7 states had statistically significant increases in the two year CPS poverty rate in 02-03 compared to 01-02 including: Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia
– 2 states had statistically significant declines in the two year poverty rate: Mississippi and North Dakota.

Median Income
– In terms of percent change, 10 states had statistically significant declines in median income in 02-03 compared to 01-02: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas.
– In terms of percent change, 4 states had statistically significant increases in median income: Idaho, North Dakota, Washington and West Virginia.

Health Insurance
– 20 states had statistically significant increases in the two year CPS uninsurance rate in 02-03 compared to 01-02 including: Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
– 2 states had statistically significant declines in the two year uninsurance rate: California and Utah.

Should you have any questions regarding the Census data on poverty or the Center’s analysis, feel free to contact Robert Zahradnik at zahradnik@cbpp.org.