Monterey, CA Americans Below The Poverty Line Continue To Grow

View From A Nonprofit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

People living under the official poverty level are currently at 15% of the population (defined as $23,492 in income for a family of four).  This is well above pre-recessionary levels (12.5% in 2007), according to the Census Bureau's most recent Current Population Survey.  The number of Americans considered in "deep poverty" has continued to rise over the decades, from 3.7% in 1975 to 4.5% in 2000 to 6.6% of Americans last year, or about 20.4 million people. Worst, 44% of America's poor are now considered to be in deep poverty (50% or more below the Federal poverty level), up from 42% before the recession began.  The 2012 numbers are the highest on record since the government began tracking the data in 1975.  Unfortunately, unemployment rates remain high and with government cutbacks kicking in for many social services program, it doesn't appear that this is going to improve dramatically in the short term.  There are currently 3.9 million Americans that are living below the poverty line, and if Social Security payments were not included, this number would leap to 19.2 million. 

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.