State-Level Census Data Shows Increase in Poverty Across All Racial Groups

September 26th, 2011

A second round of more definitive 2010 Census data figures released September 22nd as part of the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) show a sharp rise in poverty in every region of Mississippi last year, highlighting the widespread impact of the recession.

  • The number of children living in poverty continued to increase last year amid the recession, 27.1% of the state’s children now live in families that fall below the poverty line.
  • The overall rate of Mississippians aged 65 and younger without health insurance was 18.2 - up from 17% in 2008.
  • Incomes also declined substantially. Adjusting for inflation, median incomes declined $1,526 from $38,377 in 2008 to $36,851 in 2010. 

This past week’s budget hearings have shown that these trends are not limited to the national lens. As we move forward in the crafting of the budget and strategies to address high poverty, it is important that Mississippi take a balanced budgeting approach that includes raising revenues to preserve investments in health care, education and asset development.

Take a closer look at the numbers in this Policy Matters blog:

American Community Survey Release: More Mississippians Living in Poverty than Ever Before