January 7, 2014
We like a good map. And the latest from the New York Times, available by clicking the image on the right, does an expert job of tracking poverty in each of America’s counties. Click around and let us know what you think.
We were struck by a few things. First, the New Jersey county with the lowest poverty rate was Hunterdon, with 4.6% of residents – a total of 5,664 – living below the poverty line. The New Jersey county with the highest poverty rate by far is Cumberland, where about 18% of residents are below the line; the next highest is Atlantic County with around 14% classified as poor. Looking nationally, several counties in the Deep South and a few out west registered near 50% for total poverty.
So what are the poverty thresholds for 2012? That would be total incomes of $23,283 for a family of four or $11,945 for an individual under 65 years of age.
Take a look at the map and check out the poverty rate in your county.