Data On Your Community

National poverty and income data based on an alternative measure, which uses recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences.

(HTML versions also available: Income Data, Poverty Data and Health Insurance Data)

An annual report on poverty rates, which includes national- and state-level data on income, poverty and health insurance from the Current Population Survey.

The American Community Survey annually provides figures on income, earnings and poverty for areas with populations of 65,000 or more. Among the findings, the data shows a rise in child poverty and an overall increase in poverty since the end of the last recession in 2001. However, the official poverty rate went unchanged between 2006 and 2007. The 2008 American Community Survey will be released on September 22, 2009.

Data provided in the 2005-2007 American Community Survey (ACS) are based on figures collected between January 2005 and December 2007. Unlike the annual ACS data, this report provides figures for areas with populations of 20,000 or more.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Center provides an annual assessment of the rate of poverty for children and families in America. The web site provides child well-being figures using several indicators such as health, education, income, family stability and violence. The Data Center offers information for states, cities, counties and school districts.

The State of America's Children 2008 compiles the most recent and reliable national and state-level data on a variety of indicators such as poverty, health, education nutrition and housing. Among the findings, the data illustrates that in the past year, the number of poor children has increased by nearly 500,000 to 13.3 million, with 5.8 million living in extreme poverty.

The vast majority of America’s homeless children – 75 percent – reside in just 11 states, according to this report from the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH). America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness follows up on a study released by NCFH 12 years ago and finds that the problem of child homelessness is getting worse. The Report Card takes a state-by-state look at the extent of child homelessness, well-being, risk factors and state policy efforts.

This report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition details the hourly wage needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment at the local Fair Market Rent, which is estimated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Out of Reach also compares this housing wage figure to local wage and income levels for every county, state and metropolitan area. Among the results, the report finds that in 30 states, more than two full-time minimum wage jobs are necessary for an individual to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

The vast majority of America’s homeless children – 75 percent – reside in just 11 states, according to this report from the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH). America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness follows up on a study released by NCFH 12 years ago and finds that the problem of child homelessness is getting worse. The Report Card takes a state-by-state look at the extent of child homelessness, well-being, risk factors and state policy efforts.

The Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) scorecard measures the success of state policies in promoting asset building for low-income families. The Assets and Opportunity Scorecard evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia in six key areas: financial assets and income, business development, homeownership, health care, and education. CFED also also includes a state-by-state examination of 12 policy priorities, such as homebuyer assistance and payday lending protections, that can help residents build and protect their assets.

This tool from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service assess how food choices and diet quality are affected by a community’s environmental, economic and social characteristics. The Food Environment Atlas provides local- and state-level data across 90 indicators, including income and poverty, metro-nonmetro status, number of grocery stores, and rate of participation in food and nutrition assistance programs. Among the various functions of The Atlas is the ability for users to map out variations of a single indicator in communities across the country.

This annual poll from the Northwest Area Foundation examines the public's perception of poverty in America. The survey was conducted among 4,004 Americans age 18 and older, from June 18 -- July 13, 2009. The survey provides national figures, as well as sate-level data for eight states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

This annual scorecard from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law rates all Members of Congress based on how they voted on anti-poverty legislation in 2008. The 22 bills selected cover a wide range of issue areas, such as affordable housing, homelessness, labor, employment, health care, higher education and veterans.

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity does not support or oppose any candidate for public office and does not take positions on legislation.

In July 2008, The American Human Development Project released the first human development index for an industrialized nation. The Measure of America: American Human Development Report 2008-2009 is modeled on the United Nations Development Programme's worldwide Human Development Report. The report measures health, access to education and standard of living, and also breaks down results by state, congressional district, gender, race and ethnicity.

In The News Exclusive Commentary