Income and Poverty in the United States

When compared to other States throughout the United States, the United States reported a medium-high median household income of $49,133. The household income has declined from the inflation-adjusted 2000 income levels. The income level has decreased to $46,242, representing a 5.9 percent decline.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the United States range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $97,027 in Douglas County, Colorado to a low of $10,920 in Kalawao County, Hawaii.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the United States
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Douglas County, Colorado ($97,027)
2. Fairfax County, Virginia ($94,829 )
3. Loudoun County, Virginia ($94,358)
4. Hunterdon County, New Jersey ($93,469)
5. Los Alamos County, New Mexico ($92,422)
6. Morris County, New Jersey ($90,488)
7. Somerset County, New Jersey ($90,012)
8. Falls Church city, Virginia ($87,661)
9. Santa Clara County, California ($86,972)
10. Howard County, Maryland ($86,775)


According to the 2000 Census, the Asian headed households in the area have median household incomes of $60,732. This median is 23.6 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the United States, for all households. According to the 2000 Census, the Asian headed households in the area have median household incomes of $60,732. This median is 23.6 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the United States, for all households. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in United States reported an income level of $35,801, this was 27.1 percent less than the median income level in the United States. Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 29.9 percent less than the overall median reported in 2000, with a reported median of $34,425. In the United States, White headed households reported household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $52,284 as reported in 2000 by the census, which was 6.4 percent greater than the median household income in 2000.

Hispanic headed households in United Statesrecorded a median income of $39,401, this median household income is 19.8 percent less than the areas median income level for all households.
The American Indian and Alaska Native households in United States reported an income level of $35,801, this was 27.1 percent less than the median income level in the United States.
Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 29.9 percent less than the overall median reported in 2000, with a reported median of $34,425.
In the United States, White headed households reported household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $52,284 as reported in 2000 by the census, which was 6.4 percent greater than the median household income in 2000.

As the median income level saw a decline from 2000 to 2005 in the United States, the Race/Ethnicity group that experienced the largest decline in median household income was the Black or African American category. This group felt a decline of 10.1 percent in the last five years. The Asian Race/Ethnicity category has been least effected by the income level decline in United States, experiencing a 0.6 percent decline in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

When put side-by-side with other States throughout the United States, the United States may be understood as having a medium-high poverty rate amid the residents with a poverty rate of 12.4 percent of the individuals existing in families with incomes under the poverty level in 1999. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity population cohort, has the uppermost poverty rate with 25.7 percent of the people in 2000 living in poverty. The population that is aged Under 5 years have the most percent of people living in poverty in United States, with 18.2 percent of this age cohort living in poverty. The rate of poverty in the United States has increased by 4.6 percent since the 2000 rates, moving from 12.4 percent to 17 percent.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the United States range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 56.9 percent in Buffalo County, South Dakota to a low of 2.1 percent in Douglas County, Colorado.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the United States
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Buffalo County, South Dakota (56.9 percent)
2. Shannon County, South Dakota (52.3 )
3. Starr County, Texas (50.9 percent)
4. Ziebach County, South Dakota (49.9 percent)
5. Todd County, South Dakota (48.3 percent)
6. Owsley County, Kentucky (45.4 percent)
7. Zavala County, Texas (41.8 percent)
8. Holmes County, Mississippi (41.1 percent)
9. Corson County, South Dakota (41 percent)
10. East Carroll Parish, Louisiana (40.5 percent)


Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.