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General Research on Income and Poverty

According to the US Census Bureau, the official poverty rate in 2012 was 15.0– down slightly from 15.1 percent in 2010. After an increase of 2.6 percentage points between 2007 and 2010 (from 12.5 percent to 15.1 percent), the poverty rate has stagnated, decreasing only 0.1 percentage point between 2010 and 2012. The official poverty threshold is based on the costs of food for different types of families. Other measures of poverty are based on different thresholds of need, definitions of income, or regional adjustments and may show different trends. 

The number of people in poverty in 2012 (46.5 million) is the largest number in the 54 years for which poverty estimates have been published. Numerous studies have examined the effects of programs and policies on poverty and other economic self-sufficiency outcomes, such as income, earnings, and employment. The General Research on Income and Poverty section explores theories, trends, measures, and predictors and outcomes as they relate to income and poverty for low-income individuals and families.

View recommendations from the SSRC Librarian on General Research on Income and Poverty and relevant Federal laws and regulations below. 

woman in a library

 

Poverty measures establish the income level used to determine whether a family/individual lives in poverty. Poverty measures also provide a framework for understanding the number and demographics of people living in poverty. Alternative measures have been developed at the federal, state, and local levels to supplement the official poverty measure, which the U.S. Census Bureau reports annually. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are using the official poverty measure, supplemental poverty measure (also reported annually by the U.S. Census Bureau), and other measures to capture poverty and income trends and data. Click the phrase below to view selected research and resources on poverty measures.

SSRC Notes: The pervasiveness of poverty in rural America

This note provides an overview of rural poverty, including a brief introduction to efforts to ameliorate it.

 

SSRC Selections: Emergency preparedness

This set of selections focuses on emergency preparedness.

 

A new look at chronic and transient poverty using the Supplemental Poverty Measure

This webinar explored the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which accounts for a broad range of government benefits, geographic differences in living expenses, and updated poverty thresholds.

 

SSRC Notes: An overview of poverty measurements

All poverty research, policy, and practice is built on the decision of who to count as poor or in need. In actuality, there are multiple dimensions of need, and people generally fall on a spectrum of poverty, not into categories. For many practical purposes, however, a decision must be made as to who to categorize as poor, and simple metrics are critical in making that decision.

 

SSRC Selections: The Great Recession

This set of selections focuses on the Great Recession.

 

SSRC Selections: Native American and Alaska Native populations

This set of selections focuses on Native American and Alaska Native populations.

 

Understanding supplemental poverty measures: Their development and application

The Self-Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse (SSRC) and Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality co-hosted this Webinar which provided information on the development and purpose of supplemental poverty measures (SPMs).

 

Federal Laws and Regulations serve as the building blocks of policy and practice on General Research on Income and Poverty. The impact of these laws and regulations are a focus of research. Click the first link below to view legislative resources related to income and poverty. Click the second link to browse additional self-sufficiency legislation and policy in the SSRC library.

Search the SSRC library for additional self-sufficiency legislation and policy

  • Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
  • Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
  • Social Security Act of 1935

Search the SSRC library for additional self-sufficiency legislation and policy

  • Search Statutes
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