According to a new analysis by the Brookings Institution, almost one-third of the nation (91.6 million people) was "poor" in 2008, i.e., with income at or below 200% of the official poverty threshold. More than two-fifths (39.1 million) of those individuals lived in "poverty". Data for 2009 are not yet available, but they are sure to be worse.
2008-2009 poverty thresholds: $10,830 for single person, $14,570 for couple, $18,310 for family of 3, $22,050 for family of 4
200% of poverty thresholds ("poor"): $21,660 for single person, $29,140 for couple, $36,620 for family of 3, $44,100 for family of 4
