Writer: Lucy Lazarony
Editor: Ashley Fricker
Reviewer: Jon McDonald
In such a rich country as America, poverty still exists. These statistics examine the number of people living in poverty in the United States, the childhood poverty rate, the poverty rate by race or ethnic group, by gender, and by age.
This guide also examines how medical expenses can push people into poverty and how Social Security benefits can lift people out of poverty. Federal stimulus payments following the COVID-19 pandemic also moved millions of Americans out of poverty.
Here are 23 revealing statistics about poverty in America.
1. There Are 34.5 Million People Living in Poverty in the United States
In 2025, 34.5 million people were living in poverty in America, and the official poverty rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 10.2%.1
2. The Childhood Poverty Rate is 13.4%
Here is some good news about poverty in America. The poverty rate for children living in the United States fell to a historic low of 13.4% in 2025.1
Percentage of U.S. Children Living in Poverty
3. The Poverty Rate for Hispanic Individuals fell to 13.9%
And here’s more good news. In 2024 and 2025, the poverty rate for Hispanic individuals in America declined to a historic low of 13.9%.1
4. The Supplemental Poverty Measure in America is 13.1%
In 2025, the Supplemental Poverty Measure stood at 13.1%.1 Unlike the Official Poverty Measure, which only counts pretax cash income, the Supplemental Poverty Measure includes resources such as food stamps and housing subsidies.
5. Social Security Moved 28.8 Million People Out of Poverty
Social Security continues to have a big impact on poverty in America. In fact, Social Security is the country’s largest antipoverty program, and it moved 28.8 million individuals out of poverty in 2025.1 More than 70% of the people pulled out of poverty by Social Security were aged 65 and older.2
6. The Supplemental Poverty Measure for People Without High School Diplomas Rose to 32.4%
From 2024 to 2025, the rate of the Supplemental Poverty Measure for Americans without high school diplomas increased 2.0 percentage points to 32.4%.2
7. The Rate of the Supplemental Poverty Measure for 18- to 64-Year-Olds was 12.3%
In 2025, the rate of the Supplemental Poverty Measure for people aged 18 to 64 was 12.3%.2 In comparison, the Official Poverty Measure for this age group was 9.2%.
8. Individuals 65 and Older Had a Supplemental Poverty Measure of 15.4%
Seniors 65 and up had the biggest gap between rates recorded by the two poverty measures. For the Supplemental Poverty Measure, they had a rate of 15.4%.2 The Official Poverty Measure for this age group was 9.8%.
9. Tax Credits Lifted 6.1 Million People Above the Poverty Line
In 2025, tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit reduced the rate of the Supplemental Poverty Measure by 1.8 percentage points, lifting 6.1 million people above the poverty line, including 3.3 million children.2
10. Medical Expenses Pushed 7.7 Million People into Poverty
In 2025, medical expenses propelled 7.7 million people into poverty and raised the poverty rate by 2.3 percentage points.2 For people 65 and up, medical expenses raised the poverty rate by 3.8 percentage points.
11. 11 Million Children Live in Poverty in America
Approximately 15.3% of children in America, or about 11 million children, are living in poverty.3 Childhood poverty affects a child’s long-term health and education, as well as his or her development.
12. More than 20 Million Women Live Below the Poverty Line
Women live in poverty at a higher rate than men with 11.9% of women or roughly 20.1 million living below the poverty line.3 Single mothers and older women are vulnerable to falling into poverty.
13. 17.9% of Black Americans Live in Poverty
Almost 18% of Black Americans live in poverty in America.3 This poverty rate reflects racial disparities in education, employment, and access to resources.
Percentage of Black Americans Living in Poverty
14. 16.6% of Hispanic Americans Are Living in Poverty
In the United States, 16.6% of Hispanic Americans are living in poverty.3 This poverty rate is often due to a combination of linguistic, economic, and immigration issues.
15. 21.2% of Native Americans Live in Poverty
Native Americans have the highest poverty rate among racial and ethnic groups at 21.2%.3 Many Native Americans live in rural areas and have limited support services and infrastructure.
16. 22.3% of People With Disabilities Are Living in Poverty
Among Americans aged 18 to 64, 22.3% of those with disabilities are living in poverty due to limited employment opportunities and high healthcare costs.3
17. The Poverty Rate in Rural Areas in America is 15.4%
The poverty rate for Americans living in rural areas is higher than the poverty rate for Americans living in urban, metro areas, and it has been that way since the 1960s. The poverty rate for Americans living in metro areas stands at 11.9%4
18. The South Has a Poverty Rate of 19.7% in its Rural Areas
This poverty rate of nearly 20% in the South’s rural areas is almost 6 percentage points higher than the poverty rate in the South’s metro areas.4 Severe poverty can be found in rural areas of the Southeast such as the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia.
19. 21.1% of Children Living in Rural Areas in the United States Are Poor
More than one-fifth of children living in rural areas in America are poor. In comparison, 16.1% of children living in American metro areas are poor.4
20. African Americans Living Away From Metro Areas Had a 30.7% Poverty Rate
African Americans who do not live in metro areas have the highest incidence of poverty in any racial or ethnic group in America at more than 30%.4 Native Americans, including Alaskan Natives, living away from metro areas are close behind with a 29.6% poverty rate.4
Hispanic individuals who do not live in metro areas had a poverty rate of 21.7% and are third behind both African Americans and Native Americans.
21. Stimulus Payments Related to COVID-19 Lifted 11.7 Million People Out of Poverty
Economic relief legislation passed because of the COVID-19 pandemic lifted more than 11 million people in America out of poverty.5
22. The Federal Poverty Level in 2026 is $33,000 for a Family of 4
The Federal Poverty Level in 2026 for a family of three is $27,300 and $21,600 for a family of two.6 The Federal Poverty Level is $15,960 for a single person.6
Federal agencies use these Federal Poverty Levels to determine eligibility for programs such as Medicaid, the Children Insurance Program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, National School Lunch Program, and Head Start.
23. From 2023 to 2025, Louisiana had a Poverty Rate of 19.6%
The Louisiana poverty rate is the highest among states, followed by Mississippi at 17.6%. In contrast, New Hampshire had the lowest poverty rate at 5.4%.7
Percentage of People in Poverty by State
Data from Census.gov Using 3-Year Average: 2023-2025
A Snapshot of Poverty in America
These statistics reveal the extent of poverty in America today. Whether by age, race or ethnicity, or gender, poverty cuts across all lines. Education is a factor. The Supplemental Poverty Measure for people without a high school diploma is on the rise.2
Gender also plays a role, with millions of women living below the poverty line.3 And location also has an impact on the poverty rate. Notably, the American South has a poverty rate of almost 20% in its rural areas.4 Louisiana had the highest poverty rate among states and New Hampshire had the lowest poverty rate.7
Data Sources
1. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2026/demo/p60-290.html
2. https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2026/demo/p60-290.pdf
3. https://helpingamericans.org/poverty-alleviation-in-the-us/
4. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy-population/rural-poverty-well-being
5. https://www.povertyusa.org/facts
6. https://usafacts.org/explainers/what-is-the-federal-poverty-level/country/united-states/
7. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2026/09/comparing-opm-spm.html
