Understanding Poverty

According to the U.S. Census, in 2023 the U.S. Federal Government set the poverty threshold at $14,580/yr for a one-person household, and $30,000/yr for a four-person household. Anyone earning that amount or less is considered below the poverty line. Poverty has been a problem in the United States since its foundation. A society that aims to reward hard work creates a hierarchy almost by definition, and that hierarchical system always must push some people to the bottom, into poverty and hardship.

The negative effects of poverty on the individual and on the family are far too numerous to list, and while poverty is difficult to endure, it is also practically impossible to escape, due to low minimum wages that are barely enough to live on and continually defeat the efforts of low-income families to move their way up the hierarchy. In response to heightened awareness of the trials undergone by the poor and destitute in our society, the Economic Opportunity Act was passed in order to help fight poverty in 1964. This act called for the formation of private or public nonprofit organizations labeled community action agencies. 

More on the current Poverty Guidelines and to view the 2023 Data used for this purpose by visiting the Health & Human Services Poverty Guidelines webpage.