49.1 million Americans live in poverty, new Census estimates reveal

Estimate is higher than September's official 2010 poverty rate of 15.1 percent, or 46.2 million
BY The Associated Press
Monday, November 7 2011

WASHINGTON — New census estimates show the number of Americans living in poverty is higher than previously known — reaching a new level of 49.1 million, or 16 percent.

The numbers released Monday are a new supplemental poverty measure aimed at providing a fuller picture of poverty of America. They are higher than the official 2010 poverty rate of 15.1 percent, or a record 46.2 million, that was reported in September.

Much of the increase in the new measure comes from rising everyday costs, such as out-of-pocket medical expenses, that aren't factored into the official rate. Americans 65 or older had the biggest poverty jump — 15.9 percent, versus 9 percent under the official formula.   the rest