46 Million Americans Under Poverty Line in 2010



Beggar, IllustrationAccording to the Census Bureau's annual report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage, a total of 46 million Americans lived below the poverty line in 2010.

This means that a total of 15.1% of the US population lived below the poverty line last year. 2010 was the third straight year in which the poverty rate increased in the United States.

According to the Census Bureau, a total of 43.6 million Americans were living in poverty in 2009.

The Census Bureau also posted some additional disheartening data, including:

-median income declined to $49,445 in 2010

-49.9 million Americans without health insurance last year

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The United States has always had a fairly high poverty rate (especially high when you consider the overall wealth of the nation), and the "Great Recession" has helped to boost the numbers even higher.

46 million Americans lived under the poverty line last year - that number is eye-poppingly high.

Source: Reuters.com - Number of poor hit record 46 million in 2010

Filed under: The Economic Meltdown

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