Posted on September 12, 2012 |
The Census Bureau just released new data on poverty in the U.S. in 2011. In the second full year of the recovery that began when the recession officially ended in June 2009, poverty began to stabilize, though at a very high level: the overall poverty rate was 15.0 percent, statistically unchanged from the rate in 2010 (15.1 percent). Here’s a quick look at the numbers for women and families:
- The poverty rate among women was 14.6 percent in 2011, statistically unchanged from 14.5 percent in 2010, but still the highest rate in 18 years. Men’s poverty rate was lower, at 10.9 percent in 2011 (statistically unchanged from 11.2 percent in 2010). A 14.6 percent poverty rate means 17.7 million women were living in poverty in 2011.
- The poverty rate for women 65 and older was 10.7 percent in 2011, unchanged from 2010 and lower than the poverty rate for women overall. However, the poverty rate for elderly women living alone increased significantly to 18.4 percent in 2011 from 17.0 percent in 2010.
- Poverty rates in 2011 were higher for women of color than for women overall – 25.9 percent for black women (statistically unchanged from 25.6 percent in 2010), and 23.9 percent for Hispanic women (a statistically significant drop from 25.0 percent in 2010).
- About 44 percent of poor women (7.8 million) lived in extreme poverty last year, with incomes less than half of the federal poverty level. The rate of extreme poverty among women was 6.4 percent in 2011, statistically unchanged from 6.3 percent in 2010, but still the highest level since the Census Bureau began recording this figure 23 years ago.
- Among women who head families, 4 in 10 (40.9 percent) lived in poverty in 2011, statistically unchanged from 40.7 percent in 2010.
- The child poverty rate remained high in 2011, at 21.9 percent (not a statistically significant change from the 2010 rate of 22.0 percent). More than half of poor children lived in female-headed families in 2011.
More to come as we continue to analyze the new Census data. And check out NWLC’s other posts to find out what happened to health insurance coverage and the wage gap!
Articles by Topic
Join the New Reproductive Health Campaign
Go to ThisIsPersonal.org to get the facts and tools you need to help protect women's reproductive health.
Blogroll
How You Can Help
Sign Up for Email Updates
Follow Us on the Web
Comments
Parents in college
No doubt the number of women raising children alone or caring for elders signoficantly increases the chance of a woman living in poverty. Is there data for the number of women in college, both pursuing 2 yr & 4 yr degrees? What about the women who could pursue higher education but dont know where to begin. Or those working in dead end jobs only to be caught in the vicious dead end cycle of poverty. Education is key to helping women succeed and helping their children escape the cycle. But there must be avenues to help them start the process.
Post new comment