The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Marketplace
    • Autos
    • Jobs
    • Real Estate
    • Classifieds
    • Shopping
    • Dining Out
    • Education
    • TWT Store
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • Politics

    Obama has fences to mend on Japan trip

  • Business

    Obama calls for jobs forum in December

  • National

    HOLMES: Miscalculating engagement

  • National

    NORRIS: The Senate and the START treaty

  • National

    Obama: U.S. 'forever grateful' to veterans

  • Business

    Employers offer pet health care as perk

  • World

    Jordanian sees Jerusalem as a powder keg

Friday, August 27, 2004

U.S. poverty rate up in '03, census reports

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos

More Stories

  • Lawyer: Balloon boy parents to plead guilty
  • Waning Ida's downpours swamp Mid-Atlantic coast
  • Swift wins entertainer of year award
  • TWT reporter recounts sniper's last moments

By

The nation's poverty rate rose by almost a half percentage point in 2003 over 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau reported yesterday, prompting Democrats to dismiss President Bush's claim of an economic recovery.

In 2003, the poverty rate was 12.5 percent, or 35.9 million people, up from 12.1 percent, or 34.6 million people in 2002.

The median household income -- $43,318 -- remained unchanged during the same period, according to "Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2003."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, said the new data debunk Mr. Bush's statements that the "economy has turned the corner." He said the report is "new evidence" that the president's economic policy "continues to fail millions of our citizens."

But Robert Rector, a senior fellow with the Heritage Foundation who specializes in economic issues, countered, "It's important to recognize that the census poverty figures ... are one year old. They cover 2003, not the current year.

"Given the current economic conditions, it is extremely likely that [the poverty rate] fell during 2004, although the official figures will not be available for the next 12 months."

Locally, the poverty rate declined slightly in Washington, although the poverty rate in the District remained the nation's sixth-highest at about one in six persons, declining from 17.6 percent in 2001-02 to 16.9 percent in 2002-03.

"The 2000 census ranked us as number 2, so it's a jump," said Lynn French, senior policy adviser to the D.C. deputy mayor for children, youths, families and elders. "There has been an improvement ... [but] we still have a long way to go."

The five states with higher poverty rates in 2002-03 than the District are Arkansas (18.8 percent), Louisiana (17.2 percent), Mississippi (17.2 percent), New Mexico (18.0 percent) and West Virginia (17.1 percent).

Ms. French said the poverty data should be viewed in the context of the District's unique status.

12Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Commenting is disabled for this entry.
If you feel there is still something worth mentioning about this entry please contact the author or the site admin.

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. KELLNER: New Apple mouse really is 'Magic'
  2. EXCLUSIVE: Warner: Obama misplayed health care debate
  3. D.C. sniper executed in Virginia
  4. Airport rules changed after Ron Paul aide detained
  5. PRUDEN: Fatal reluctance to see evil
More Top Stories »
  1. Families meet as sniper's execution nears
  2. Michigan farm expert opens Marijuana U.
  3. DeMint tries to ban 'permanent politicians'
  4. Kennedy's disability plan could snag health bill
  5. High court refuses to halt sniper execution

Most Shared

  1. KELLNER: New Apple mouse really is 'Magic'
  2. Jordanian sees Jerusalem as a powder keg
  3. EDITORIAL: End Clinton-era military base gun ban
  4. PRUDEN: Fatal reluctance to see evil
  5. Houston sheriffs round up thousands of illegals
More Top Stories »
  1. EXCLUSIVE: Fort Hood suspect contacted Muslim extremists
  2. EDITORIAL: When the shooter becomes the victim
  3. Michigan farm expert opens Marijuana U.
  4. Airport rules changed after Ron Paul aide detained
  5. Obama's union drive stumbles in N.H.

Most Commented

  1. DeMint tries to ban 'permanent politicians'
  2. Obama: 'No faith justifies' Fort Hood attack
  3. Houston sheriffs round up thousands of illegals
  4. Kennedy's disability plan could snag health bill
  5. Airport rules changed after Ron Paul aide detained
More Top Stories »
  1. D.C. sniper executed in Virginia
  2. EXCLUSIVE: GOPer Cao: Health vote may end career
  3. EXCLUSIVE: Fort Hood suspect contacted Muslim extremists
  4. Michigan farm expert opens Marijuana U.
  5. EDITORIAL: End Clinton-era military base gun ban

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Blogs & Columns

  • POTUS Notes

    New Dem talking point on Obama approval doesn't wash

  • The Back Story

    12 arrested at Pelosi's office

  • Belief Blog

    New Vatican constitution released

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Redskins 360

    NFL Power Rankings: Week 10

  • Tara's Two Cents

    On their way to summer vacation..

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.