ECONOMY

Analysis: Higher Poverty Rates Concentrated in the South

By Doris Nhan

Updated: September 13, 2012 | 10:28 a.m.
September 12, 2012 | 2:27 p.m.

Outline of USA and poverty graphic (National Journal)

Southern states seemed to have the highest share of poverty across the U.S., according to census figures on poverty, income and health released on Wednesday.

At 22.2 percent, New Mexico took the top spot for the highest percentage of residents living below the poverty level — a four-person household threshold of $23,021 a year. Louisiana, the District of Columbia (at 19.9 percent), South Carolina, and Arkansas round out the top five list with the highest poverty rates.

At the other end of the spectrum, New Hampshire boasted the lowest poverty rate, with just 7.6 percent of its population below the poverty level. That's followed by Maryland, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Connecticut.

Click on each state on the map below to see its poverty level.

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