Income, Poverty, and Health 

Insurance Coverage: 2010

September 2011
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Presenters

Host Stanley J. Rolark

Chief, Public Information Office

Opening Remarks Dr. Robert M. Groves

Director, U.S. Census Bureau

Income Edward J. Welniak, Jr.

Chief, Income Statistics Branch

Poverty Trudi Renwick, Ph.D.

Chief, Poverty Statistics Branch

Health Insurance Brett O’Hara, Ph.D.

Chief, Health and Disability Statistics Branch

2

Resources for Today’s News Conference

Go to www.census.gov and click on the slider at the top 

to obtain –

• Today’s PowerPoint Presentation

• News Release and Supporting Tables

• Links to the Report and Other Reference Pages

• Links to Fact Sheets 

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• Measures the impact of changing economic 

conditions between 2009 and 2010 on 

Americans and their families. 

• Allows policymakers to understand the 

impact of our changing economy on the 

well-being of Americans and their families.

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in 

the United States: 2010

4
8
Money Income 

Presenter:

Edward J. Welniak, Jr.

Chief, Income Statistics Branch

U.S. Census Bureau

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• Median household money income for the nation was $49,400 in 

2010, a decline of 2.3 percent from 2009, in real terms.

• The 2010 official poverty rate for the nation was 15.1 percent, 

up from 14.3 percent in 2009, with 46.2 million people in 

poverty, an increase of 2.6 million since 2009.

• The percentage of people without health insurance coverage in 

2010, 16.3 percent, was not statistically different from the rate 

in 2009. The number of uninsured increased to 49.9 million in 

2010 from 49.0 million in 2009.

Highlights

Note: Income rounded to nearest $100.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplements. 6

Real Median Household Income: 1967 to 2010

Note: Income rounded to nearest $100.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Income in thousands (2010 dollars) Recession

$49,400

$40,800

7

Change in Real Median Household Income in the First Full 

Calendar Year After the End of a Recession: 1967 to 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Income in thousands (2010 dollars)

Changes in percent Change following recession

Recession

-2.3%

-1.2%

-1.7%

+1.7%

-1.0%

No 

significant 

difference

No 

significant 

difference

8

Real Median Household Income by Age of 

Householder: 2009 and 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

15 to 24 

years

25 to 34 

years

35 to 44 

years

45 to 54 

years

55 to 64 

years

65 years 

and older

Income in thousands (2010 dollars) 2009 2010

-9.3%

-1.9%

-4.3%

No 

significant 

difference

No 

significant 

difference

No 

significant 

difference

9

Real Median Household Income by Race and 

Hispanic Origin of Householder: 1967 to 2010

Income in thousands (2010 dollars)

Note: Income rounded to nearest $100.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

Recession

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Hispanic 

(any race)

Asian

Black

$64,300

$54,600

$32,100

$37,800

White, not 

Hispanic

$59,200

$48,100

$35,800

$24,700

10

Real Median Household Income by Disability Status of 

Householders Aged 18 to 64: 2009 and 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

All householders Householders with a 

disability

Householders with no 

disability

Income in thousands (2010 dollars) 2009 2010

-2.5%

-8.5%

-2.1%

11

Real Household Income at Selected Percentiles: 

1967 to 2010

Note: Income rounded to nearest $100.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Income in thousands (2010 dollars)

10th

50th (median)

90th

$85,800

$9,300

$40,800

Recession

$138,900

$11,900

$49,400

12

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Real Median Earnings and Women’s-to-Men’s 

Earnings Ratio: 1960 to 2010

(Full-time, year-round workers)

Note: Earnings rounded to nearest $100.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1961 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

Earnings of men

$34,600 $47,700

Earnings of women $21,000

$36,900

Women’s- to- men’s 

earnings ratio

61%

77%

2010 dollars Recession

Percent

13

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Total and Full-Time Year-Round Workers With 

Earnings by Sex: 1967 to 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

All male workers

Females, full- time

year- round

Males, full- time 

year- round

14.8 million

Numbers in millions

53.2 

million

36.6 

million

34.4 

million

Recession

42.8 million

81.2 million

72.1 million

56.4 million

All female

workers

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Presenter:

Trudi Renwick, Ph.D.

Chief, Poverty Statistics Branch

U.S. Census Bureau

Poverty

15

5%

10%

15%

20%

1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Poverty rate

Percent

35,000 

40,000 

45,000 

50,000 

55,000 

60,000 

Real median 

household income

2010 dollars

Real Median Household Income and 

Poverty Rate: 1967 to 2010

Note: Income rounded to nearest $100. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1968 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

15.1%

14.2%

Recession

$49,400

$40,800

16

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

1959 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Poverty rate

Percent

20 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

Numbers in millions

Poverty Rate and Number in Poverty: 

1959 to 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

15.1%

Recession

Number in Poverty

39.5 

million

46.2 

million

22.4%

17

Change in Poverty Rates in the First Full Calendar Year After 

the End of a Recession: 1959 to 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

10 

12 

14 

16 

18 

20 

22 

24 

1959 1967 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

+1.0

-0.9

Rates in percent

Changes in percentage points

+0.4

+0.8

-0.5

+0.6

Change following recession

Recession

No 

significant 

difference

No 

significant 

difference

18

Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic 

Origin: 1959 to 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1959 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Percent

White, not Hispanic

Hispanic 

(any race)

Asian

Black

55.1%

22.8%

16.1%

7.5% 

Recession

26.6%

27.4%

12.1%

9.9% 

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Poverty Rates by Age: 1959 to 2010

Note: Data from 1960 to 1965 available only for people under 18 years old.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1959 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Percent

18 to 64 years old

Under 18 years old 17.0%

27.3%

35.2%

65 years and older

Recession

22.0%

13.7%

9.0%

20

Poverty Rates for Families with Related Children 

Under 18 by Family Type: 1959 to 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1960 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1959 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

59.9%

6.0%

Married- couple families

Female householder, no 

husband present

Percent Recession

40.7%

8.8%

21

Poverty Rates by Disability Status for People Aged 

18 to 64: 2009 and 2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

With a disability With no disability

Percent 2009 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

22

+2.9

+0.5

Evidence of “Doubling Up” in Response to the 

Economic Downturn: 2007 Compared to 2011

Notes: A household is counted as “doubled-up” if it includes at least one “additional” adult, a person aged 18 or older who is 

not enrolled in school and is not the householder, spouse, or cohabiting partner of the householder.

While the CPS ASEC estimates poverty and income for the previous calendar year, household composition is measured at the 

time of the survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2007 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic Supplements. 

0

5

10

15

20

25

Doubled-up households 25 to 34 year olds living with parents

Numbers in millions 2007 2011

23

+10.7%

+25.5%

• Interagency Technical Working Group on Developing a Supplemental 

Poverty Measure – OMB Chief Statistician

– March 2010 road map/Federal register notice

– First estimates will be released in October 2011

– Will supplement, not replace, the official measure

– Will not be used for eligibility determinations

• Thresholds derived by BLS from Consumer Expenditure data

– Separate thresholds for renters, owners with and without mortgages

– Adjusted for geographic differences in housing costs

• Resource measure – money income

– PLUS tax credits, nutritional, housing, and energy assistance

– MINUS child support paid, child care paid, other work expenses, taxes, 

and medical out of pocket expenditures

Supplemental Poverty Measure

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Change in the Number of People Below Their 

Poverty Threshold Using Alternative Resource 

Measures: 2010

Alternative resource 

measures 

All 

people

Children 

under 

18

Adults 

18 to 64

Adults 65 

and older

Money income after the 

federal earned income tax 

credit

-5.4 -3.0 -2.4 -

Money income less 

Unemployment Insurance 

Benefits

+3.2 +0.9 +2.3 +0.1

Money income less 

Social Security income +20.3 +1.1 +5.4 +13.8

Note: - Represents or rounds to zero.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplement. Unpublished data.

Numbers in millions

25

Presenter:

Brett O’Hara, Ph.D.

Chief, Health and Disability Statistics Branch

U.S. Census Bureau

Health Insurance

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People Without Health 

Insurance Coverage: 1987 to 2010

Note: The data for 1999 reflect the results of follow-up verification questions, creating a break in 

the historical series.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1988 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1987 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Percent

12.9%

All people

Children 12.9%

Recession

16.3%

9.8%

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Note: Estimates by type of coverage are not mutually exclusive.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 1988 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

People by Type of Health Insurance 

Coverage: 1987 to 2010

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1987 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Percent

75.5%

Government 

coverage

Employment- based 

coverage

Any private coverage

62.1%

12.9%

23.3%

Uninsured rate

Recession

64.0%

55.3%

31.0%

16.3%

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

Uninsured Rates by Age: 2009 and 2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

Under 18 18 to 64

years old

65 years

and older

Percent 2009 2010

+0.4

No 

significant 

difference

No 

significant 

difference

29

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

Uninsured Rates by Age, 

Detailed: 2009 and 2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

18 to 24

years old

25 to 34

years old

35 to 44

years old

45 to 64

years old

Percent 2009 2010

-2.0

+0.8

+0.8

No 

significant 

difference

30

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2010 and 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

Uninsured Rates by Disability Status 

for People Aged 18 to 64: 2009 and 2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

With a disability With no disability

Percent 2009 2010

+1.2

No 

significant 

difference

31

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1999 2005 2010

Uninsured Rates by

Race and Hispanic Origin: 1999 to 2010

Hispanic 

(any race)

Asian

Black

White, not Hispanic

Percent Recession

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2000 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

31.9%

18.7%

9.0%

17.0%

30.7%

20.8%

11.7%

18.1%

32

Note: Income in 2010 dollars.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2000 to 2011 Annual Social and Economic 

Supplements.

Uninsured Rates for All People by 

Household Income: 1999 to 2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1999 2005 2010

Percent

$50,000 to $74,999

$25,000 to $49,999

Less than $25,000

$75,000 and over

23.3%

16.4%

5.8%

8.9%

Recession

8.0%

15.4%

21.8%

26.9%

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For additional questions, contact:

Questions?

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American Community Survey (ACS)

September 20 Webinar on the 2010 ACS One-Year Estimates

September 22 ACS 2010 Estimates and News Release, (Embargoed September 20 

for release on September 22)

October ACS Three-Year Estimates (2008-2010)

December ACS Five-Year Estimates (2006-2010)

2010 Census

September 27 2010 Census: Same Sex Households

September 29 2010 Census Brief: The Black Population

2010 Census Brief: The White Population

Media Webinar on 2010 Census Briefs

Other Releases

Early October Small Area Health Insurance Estimates for 2008 and 2009

Upcoming Releases

35

For additional questions, contact:

U.S. Census Bureau

Public Information Office

301-763-3030

www.census.gov

36