Incomes Up or Steady in Every State, Increase in Many Metro Areas: U.S. Census Survey

WASHINGTON, DC — Incomes are rising and poverty is decreasing in many of the nation's largest communities, according to new survey results released Thursday by the U.S. Census. Every state in the country saw an increase or no change to the median income between 2014 and 2015.

Median household incomes rose in 21 of the nation's 25 largest metropolitan areas, while poverty decreased in 16 out of the 25. National numbers released earlier this week noted that the U.S. had seen an annual increase in household incomes for the first time since 2007, a year before the recession. The nation also saw the largest annual decrease in the poverty rate since 1999.

State-by-state demographic information, as well as information for large metro communities, were released Thursday as part of the annual American Community Survey, providing a snapshot of economic growth and issues like employment, poverty, housing, health insurance and more.

"The American Community Survey allows us to track incremental changes across our nation on how Americans live and work, year­-to­-year," Census Bureau Director John H. Thompson said in a statement. "It helps people, businesses and governments in all of our states and local communities better understand the needs of their populations, the markets in which they operate and the challenges and opportunities they face."

The median household income in the United States in 2015 was $56,516, an increase of 5.2 percent from 2014. New data Thursday shows the median household income also increased in 39 states and the District of Columbia — the highest increase was Montana, with 6.8 percent. Maryland and D.C. have the highest median household incomes at $75,847 and $75,628, respectively. The lowest is Mississippi's $40,593 — statistically unchanged from 2014's rate.

The survey is conducted monthly, with income data collected for the 12 months preceding the interview, according to a Census statement. Data released Thursday included states and communities with a population larger thang 65,0o0. Income, poverty and other demographic info for the rest of the country will be released in December with 5-year survey results.

No state saw a poverty rate increase, according to Census figures, and nearly half saw poverty rates decrease between 2014 and 2015. Poverty rates in 2015 ranged from a low of 8.2 percent in New Hampshire to a high of 22.0 percent in Mississippi, according to survey numbers.

Some of the highest poverty rates were found in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico. Some of the lowest poverty rates were found in Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont.

Photo via Shutterstock, Graphics via U.S. Census Bureau