LATEST FIGURES FROM THE US CENSUS:

Sarah,

Each year the U.S. Census Bureau gives an annual report on America.  Here are the latest findings:

-The poverty rate held steady at 15% after four years of increases.  The poverty rate is defined as a single person making less than $11,702 or a family of four making less than $23,208.

- Median household income fell.  The hardest hit American households were those in the 60^th percentile.  Income for this group fell 23%.

- Average income in the richest households held steady.  The proportion of the nation’s wealth held by the top 20% of earners increased slightly.

- Why did middle class incomes fall while the poverty rate held steady?  Experts think it’s because there are new jobs but they do not pay well.  Thus, people can find work that keeps them above the poverty line but below traditional average incomes for the middle class.

- The proportion of Americans with health insurance rose.

- The South experienced the most economic gain.

-California’s economy continued to deteriorate and their poverty rate increased, bucking the national trend.

Bottom line: Things are not better.