SOURCE & METHODOLOGY

Poverty Rates

Persons for Whom Poverty Status has been Determined: This includes all persons except institutionalized persons, persons in military group quarters and in college dormitories, and unrelated individuals under 15 years old (foster children). These groups also were excluded from the denominator when calculating poverty rates.

Persons Below Poverty Level: This includes all persons with a status below the poverty threshold of a given family size.

Poverty Rate: The ratio of persons below the poverty level to the total number of persons for whom poverty status has been determined.

Poverty Rate, Percent of the U.S. Average: This value is computed by dividing the poverty rate of a county, state, or region by the national average.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2005–Present;

U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing 2000 Summary File 3;

U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing 1990 Summary Tape File 3A;

U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population and Housing 1980 Summary Tape File 3A.

Compiled by the Appalachian Regional Commission.