The US Census Bureau just released the report “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008.” Among the highlights:
- The real median household income declined by 3.6% between 2007 and 2008, from $52,163 to $50,303, following 3 years of annual income increases. The decline coincides with the recession that started in December 2007.
- The official poverty rate in 2008 was 13.2%, up from 12.5% in 2007.
The release of the report, provides policy makers and advocates with an opportunity to ask some critical questions:
- Does the poverty rate really tell us who is poor? For an interesting disucssion of the matter, listen to a Minnesota Public Radio program that aired today, featuring Maria Hanratty with the Humphrey Institute and Craig Helmstetter with Wilder Foundation.
- What can Minnesota do to end poverty? Take a look at a report released last year by the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 for a list of recommendations.
