Examples Of Poverty In America

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The Economics of the Poverty What is Poverty? Poverty in America is the state of being poor, and one lacks the means of providing material needs or comforts. Unfortunately, I have to say that this is still happening in many parts of the world. Poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs. Poverty has been associated, for example, with poor health, low levels of education or skills, an inability or an unwillingness to work. Whatever definition one uses, authorities commonly assume that the effects of poverty are harmful to both individuals and society. Some poor Americans do experience significant hardships including temporary food shortages or inadequate housing. Poverty among blacks and Hispanics is…show more content…
Please Note: What about geographical differences in regard to poverty?Although still majority white (79%), the population on Long Island has been becoming steadily more diverse over the last two decades, with a greater proportion of black, Hispanic and Asian populations in particular. Hispanics are the largest minority population at 12.6%. This reflects the national trend toward greater diversity and growth of Hispanic and Asian populations. Nassau County is notably more diverse than Suffolk County (74.3% vs. 83.6%), although Suffolk has a higher percentage of Hispanics (13% vs. 12.1%). The median household income in the region is significantly higher than the national average, and is substantially higher in Suffolk County than Nassau County ($85,994 vs. $76,847). According to 2000 census Nassau County is the third richest county per capita in New York State, and the 10th richest in the nation. The region had a lower poverty rate (5.2%) than the U.S. as a whole (9.8%) and significantly more households making over $100,000 a year (38.3% vs. 18.9%), although there are still pockets of poverty and unemployment.…show more content…
In the communities of Suffolk County, where the cost of living is so high, the national poverty level is unrealistic. Because of this, any families with slightly higher incomes that still can’t make ends meet it prevents them from getting the programs and services they desperately need. The 2010 poverty rate for blacks is 9.6 percent in Nassau and 10.2 percent in Suffolk. Hispanics is 14.9 percent Nassau and 10.3 percent Suffolk and for whites 4.5 percent Nassau; 5.4 percent Suffolk. Asians is about 4 percent in Nassau and 8.4 percent Suffolk County. Long Island's median household income dropped 2.1 percent from 2009, to $86,328 last year. At the same time, the ranks of those without health insurance rose -- to 10.3 percent, from 9.6 percent. "We are dealing with a major crisis," said Suffolk Social Services Commissioner Gregory Blass, who said 12 percent of the population is now on Medicaid "and that's climbing."How do we calculate the Federal Poverty Level? Is the US realizing higher levels of poverty? If yes why? The federal poverty measures are updated each year by the Census Bureau. The thresholds are used mainly for statistical purposes for instance, preparing estimates of the number of Americans in poverty each year. As per a report in the NY times, “The bureau’s findings were worse than many economists expected, and brought into sharp relief the toll the past decade — including the painful
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