The percentage of poor Americans who are living in severe poverty has reached a 32-year high

[Herman Munster]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16776490.html

WASHINGTON - The percentage of poor Americans who are living in severe poverty has reached a 32-year high, millions of working Americans are falling closer to the poverty line, and the gulf between the nation's ''haves'' and ''have-nots'' continues to widen.

A McClatchy Newspapers analysis of 2005 census figures, the latest available, found that nearly 16 million Americans are living in deep or severe poverty. A family of four, with two children and an annual income of less than $9,903 -- half the federal poverty line -- was considered severely poor in 2005. So were individuals who made less than $5,080 a year.

The McClatchy analysis found that the number of severely poor Americans grew 26 percent from 2000 to 2005. That is 56 percent more than the overall poverty population grew in the same period.

McClatchy's review also found statistically significant increases in the percentage of the population in severe poverty in 65 of 215 U.S. counties with 250,000 people or more, and similar increases in 28 states. The review also suggested that the rise in severely poor residents isn't confined to large urban counties but extends to suburban and rural areas.

[napi21]

1. I believe that, but is the Fed poverty line now $19,806?

How do they determine the Fed poverty line? I don't think I've ever heard what formula they use.