Percentage of population below the poverty level

Outcome: Increase income and reduce poverty

About this indicator

The federal poverty level is based on dollar value thresholds by family size and composition. Poverty thresholds are updated each year by the U.S. Census Bureau. The thresholds are set nationally and do not account for cost of living differences.

Key findings

• Percent of King County population below U.S. poverty level: 9.7% (2009)
• Percent of Black or African American population in King County below poverty level: 24.7% (2009)

Graphs and tables

• Graph:  Percent of persons below poverty level, King County & U.S.
• Graph:  Percent of racial or ethnic group below poverty level in King County (2009)

Last updated November 2010

Technical notes

Poverty data was obtained from the American Community Survey, available from the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to detect who is poor. If the total income for a family or unrelated individual falls below the relevant poverty threshold, then the family or unrelated individual is classified as being "below the poverty level."

Graphs and tables

Click image to enlarge