(AP) – A survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau says the
percentage of Arkansas residents living below the poverty line is shrinking.According to the survey, Arkansas ranked 44th in the nation with a more than 17 percent poverty rate last year. The ranking is an improvement from 2015, when Arkansas ranked 47th with a more than 19 percent poverty rate.
percentage of Arkansas residents living below the poverty line is shrinking.According to the survey, Arkansas ranked 44th in the nation with a more than 17 percent poverty rate last year. The ranking is an improvement from 2015, when Arkansas ranked 47th with a more than 19 percent poverty rate.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the state’s poverty rate was the fourth greatest change nationwide.
Arkansas’ median household income of more than $44,300 also improved, jumping from 50th to 49th.
Michael Pakko is the chief economist at the Arkansas Economic Development
Institute at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. He says an income
increase and declining poverty are consistent with recent economic growth and decreasing unemployment in the state.
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