New U.S. Census Report: Texas Among Poorest States

The U.S. Census Bureau has released some new 2005 numbers analyzing the national population. This batch includes more localized information for cities and states. According to this most recent census, Texas ranks 6th among states with the most people living in poverty, and 36th among states with the highest median household income.

Median household income:
• U.S. – $46,242
• Texas – $42,139
• Travis County – $48,026

Percentage with incomes below the poverty line:
• U.S. – 13.3%
• Texas – 17.6%
• Travis County – 15.7%

Percentage of children living in poverty:
• Travis County – 21.4% (up from 12.9% in 2004)

Among “large” counties (i.e., with populations of 200,000 or more) nationwide, ten counties had the lowest median household in the country. Of those ten counties, four were located in Texas (in order of descending income level: Lubbock, El Paso, Cameron and Hidalgo counties).

On the upside, the overall poverty rate in Travis County is lower than those of Bexar, Dallas and Harris counties. Additionally, Texas ranks in the top percentile for salary levels paid to women.

The full census report can be accessed here.