Chapter 10. Children Are the Poorest Americans: A Look at Poverty in the United States

10.1 Synopsis

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Welcome

Children Are the Poorest Americans: A Look at Poverty in the United States

Featuring an interactive map and recent census data, this activity examines U.S. poverty rates by state and age group.

Click the 'Get Started' button below to start this activity

A small baby looks up as she bites an apple.
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10.2 Children Are the Poorest Americans: A Look at Poverty in the United States

Children Are the Poorest Americans: A Look at Poverty in the United States

It probably comes as no surprise that the rate of poverty is twice as high in some states as in others. What is surprising is how much the rates vary among age groups within the same state.

Focus on each state to see how many people in each age group (under 18, 18–64, and 65 and over) are living below the poverty line. (In 2017, the U.S. Health and Human Services’ poverty guideline for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia is $24,600. Alaska’s is $30,750, and Hawaii’s is $28,290.)

Focus on each state to see how many people in each age group are living below the poverty line.

A spreadsheet that shows the data for each state in the United States on how many people from different age groups live below the poverty line. The first column indicates all the states and the following columns indicate the data of people below poverty line under 18, between 18–64, and 65 and over.

10.3 Children Are the Poorest Americans: A Look at Poverty in the United States

Children Are the Poorest Americans: A Look at Poverty in the United States

Basketball players walk on an outdoor court after the ball is dropped in the basket.
Scott Melvogel / Shutterstock

Question 10.1 Poverty in the United States

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Your answer should include New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Note that those states tend to have relatively low poverty overall.

10.4 Activity Completed!

Congratulations! You have completed this activity.

REFERENCES

U.S. Census Bureau. (2013b). 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-year estimates: Poverty. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureau.