National Poverty Data

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that there were 39.7 million Americans living in poverty in 2017, with nearly half of which living below 50 percent of the poverty threshold, otherwise known as “deep poverty.” Get the latest facts and figures below, and find out how Community Action is helping low-income families and individuals discover paths to prosperity.

Income & Poverty in the United States: 2017

This report presents data on income, earnings, income inequality, and poverty in the United States, based on the latest information collected from surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

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How Hungry is America?

Analysis of the Gallup data provided by the Food Research & Action Center regarding national, regional, state, and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) rates of household struggles with food insecurity and hunger.

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2016 CSBG National Performance Update

This detailed survey of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) network describes the services provided, customers and communities assisted, and the outcomes achieved by over 1,000 agencies nationwide.

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2018 Kids Count Data Book

This report examines state trends in child well-being, finding mixed results in areas of health, education, and family and community factors, despite improvement in overall economic well-being.

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2018 Prosperity Now Scorecard

The Prosperity Now Scorecard offers comprehensive data and rankings based on outcome measures of household financial health, as well as policy recommendations that promote nationwide prosperity.

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2018 Distressed Communities Index

The DCI provides a clear snapshot of the economic and social state of U.S. zip codes, counties and cities from combining seven complementary metrics into a single measure of economic well-being. 

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A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty

 A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty analyzes the poverty-reducing effects of major assistance programs directed at children and families and provides policy and program recommendations for reducing the number of children living in poverty in the United States by half within 10 years.

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State-Level Poverty Reports from Across the Network

Below you will find various reports from state associations across the Community Action network, providing important figures and analysis regarding statewide poverty trends and factors that move low-income families and individuals toward self-sufficiency and success.

New York Annual Poverty Report: 2018

This report provides essential data intended to inform dialogue on how to effectively combat poverty and enhance the capacity of Community Action Agencies in the state of New York.

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2018 Missouri Poverty Report

The 2018 Missouri Poverty Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of poverty in the state of Missouri, including the latest statistics on the barriers preventing Missourians from achieving self-sufficiency.

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How Community Action Works for North Carolina

This study examines how Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding leverages millions of dollars in additional statewide economic output and supports thousands of jobs across all industries in North Carolina.

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2017 State of Poverty in Ohio

The State of Poverty in Ohio report looks at trends across the state preventing low-income Ohioans from breaking the cycle of poverty, such as the rising cost of education and healthcare, as well as the state’s opioid epidemic.

Click here to download the report.