During January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) recognizes National Poverty in America Awareness Month. In 2022, the national poverty rate was 11.5%, remaining the same as in 2021. CMS OMH recognizes the importance of advancing health equity for Americans in all areas during National Poverty in America Awareness Month and encourages readers to review and share the materials in this resource hub throughout January and the rest of the year.
Key Findings:
-
In 2023, an individual was considered to be living in poverty if their income was lower than $14,580, or $30,000 for a family of four.
-
American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals were the most impacted (24.5%), followed by Black Americans (21.4%), Hispanic Americans (16.7%), Asian/Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (10%), and White Americans (9.5%).
-
Between 2015 and 2019, Southern states had the highest rural and urban poverty rates (19.7% and 13.8%), while those in the Northeast had the lowest (12.9% and 12%).
-
Rural poverty rates are consistently higher than urban rates, with Black Americans being the most likely to live in poverty in rural areas.
Click here to view the National Poverty in America Awareness Month resource hub.