The Census Bureau poverty stat is pretty useless for the US.
- The rate is the same across the country, so it doesn't matter if you live in NY city or Buttfuck, Alabama.
- As mentioned, it also hasn't been adjusted enough for the recent huge increase in prices within the last couple years.
- The rate is extremely low, and counted BEFORE tax.
So for example, a family of four would have a cut-off of about $32,970 pre tax. If a family lived in NY, but made $33,000 pre tax, they wouldn't be counted as impoverished. Taxes in more profitable states are much higher, so that $33k would go down even further for actual spendable money. I don't think that someone can even afford the rent in NY city for that much.
So a question back to you would be: Would a family making only $32,970 pre tax in NY be considered living in poverty to you? Hell, could you raise a family of four anywhere in the US for that amount? Because the Census Bureau doesn't.
