Data from annual American Community Survey dives into income, poverty and health insurance

Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau collects data and publishes estimates on factors that evaluate national trends to understand their effect on the economic well-being of United States residents.

In a report published in early September, the bureau released data that looked at income, earnings and inequality, as well as poverty and health insurance coverage.

According to the report, health insurance coverage provides access to medical care, protection from high unexpected costs and more economic stability for people and families. While the majority of people in the United States have private health insurance, primarily through an employer, others obtain coverage through programs offered by the government. In 2024, 92% of all residents had some form of health insurance. Yet, an estimated 27.1 million or 8% of people do not have health insurance coverage at all.

Median income didn't have statistically significant changes from 2023 to 2024 for most measures among full-time year-round workers.

Though the poverty rate decreased from 2023, there were still 35.9 million people living in poverty in the United States in 2024. The official poverty measure, produced since the 1960s, defines poverty by comparing pretax money income to a national poverty threshold adjusted by family composition. The official poverty measure is used as an input to determine eligibility for several government programs.

— U.S. Census Bureau