What does this measure?

People with incomes below the poverty line. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2007, the threshold for a three-person family with one child was $16,689. For a five-person family with four children, it was $24,366.

Why is this important?

The percentage of people living in poverty is a measure of the overall economic health of a region. It also indicates the level of need for social and government supports within the community.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

In 2005-07, 10.5% of residents in the Greater Capital Region had incomes below the poverty line, up from 8.6% in 1990. Still, the region's rate was below the state rate of 14% and the national rate of 13%. Poverty was highest in Albany County at 12.4% and lowest in Saratoga County at 6.6%.

Notes about the data

The 2005-2007 figures are from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The bureau combined three years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing.