The Census Bureau reports the number of Americans in poverty jumped to 15.1% in 2010, a 27-year high. About 46.2 million people, or nearly 1 in 6, were earning below the poverty line last year. That’s up from 43.6 million, or 14.3%, in 2009. It was the highest level since 1983. The number of people lacking health insurance increased to 49.9 million, a new high after revisions were made to 2009 figures. Losses were due mostly to working-age Americans who lost employer-provided insurance in the weak economy. Main provisions of the health overhaul don’t take effect until 2014. The statistics released today cover 2010, when U.S. unemployment averaged 9.6%, up from 9.3% the previous year. The median household income was $49,445, a 2.3% decline from 2009.
Census: 1 in 6 Americans in poverty
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