America's poverty crisis: By the numbers

One in seven Americans lived below the poverty line last year. How bad is the problem?

Americans are suffering the effects of the highest poverty rate in 15 years.
(Image credit: Corbis)

The Census Bureau released grim numbers for the state of Americans, and the U.S. economy, on Thursday. In 2009, one in every seven Americans — 14.3 percent — was living in poverty, a 1.1 percentage point jump, to the highest poverty rate in 15 years. The new data show "just how tough 2009 was," President Obama said. Here's a by-the-numbers look at America's poverty crisis:

43.6 million

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