Census Bureau Says Average Income Up, Poverty Levels Down

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released data related to income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States. The Bureau found that median household incomes are up 3.2% since 2015 to $59,039 and poverty had fallen to a rate of 12.7%. Further, health insurance coverage grew with only 8.8% of Americans lacking coverage. The data was compiled from the Current Population Survey, a monthly review of unemployment, yearly economic questionnaires, and government estimates.

With the current administration seeking to cut funds for social programs and healthcare, poverty rates and health coverage could worsen in the coming year. The Census report follows releases by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and private polls earlier this month. BLS found that consumer spending had risen in 2016, but at rates below other recent post-recession years. Slow spending boosts combined with rising income levels might be explained by a private survey that showed almost 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.