ACS – Poverty Status – All

This data layer depicts the Poverty Status of All people. It was developed by Metropolitan Council and the Natural Resources Research Institute using data from the American Community Survey (ACS). The Poverty Status of All indicates the percentage of individuals that are living below the poverty line. Note that these are statistical estimates and do not include the margin of error. The ACS is conducted on an annual basis by the US Census Bureau. It covers housing, demographic, social, and economic topics. The annual results are aggregated into five-year intervals from 2016 to 2020 to produce more accurate estimates. Data is summarized at the Census Tract level. The ACS provides more timely data than the Census for identifying trends in a community. Poverty status data is important for planners or project managers to assess a community's well-being and economically at-risk populations. Communities with high poverty rates may be prioritized for projects that boost local economies and jobs, as well as programs that serve the needs of those most in need.