Are we considered poor? Serious answers please!?

Question

My husband and I earn on average $23,000 a year, I figured. Are we above the poverty level or below it?

We live in Michigan... I don't know if this matters?!

Answer 1

You are not even in the bottom 20% let alone below the poverty line. The most common (mode of distribution) household income is between $20,000 and $30,000 so you have lots of company. If you live in an area where housing prices are reasonable and you have health insurance with your job you have enough to live on. There are places where it would take your entire income to rent an apt. and and others where you have the median income. Medical insurance can cost thousands a year.depending on your age. See US income distribution data at
http://www.visualizingeconomics.com/2006/11/05/2005-us-income-distribution/
and map of median income at
http://www.socialexplorer.com/pub/maps/map3.aspx?g=0

Answer 2

Who Is Considered Poor

Answer 3

your not poor, but do the figure of your earnings represent the combined income? You fall into the social hierarchy of upper lower class. Are you planning on training or school that will increase your earning potential?Think about that. Both of you. There are classes available on the Internet, that will increase your marketable value. If you aren't interested in the programs geared to gain you a AA AS BS BA, with a marketable major, the find an industrial arts school, and work toward becoming certified as an electrician, CAD drafts person, refrigeration, construction sciences, welding, truck driving, glass replacement, computer technology,landscaping, pond and fountain installation, tile setter, finish carpenter, pet sitter, (very lucrative by the way), dog groomer, vet assistant. There are so many opportunities available. Get out of that complacent place you are at this time. Increase the opportunity for greater earnings. Increased income will really make life better for you.

Answer 4

The official poverty rate in the U.S. has increased for four consecutive years, from a 26-year low of 11.3% in 2000 to 12.7% in 2004. This means that 37.0 million people were below the official poverty thresholds in 2004. This is 5.4 million more than in 2000. The poverty rate for children under 18 years old increased from 16.2% to 17.8% over that period. The 2006 poverty rate was measured according to the HHS Poverty Guidelines which are illustrated in the table below.


Persons in Family Unit in 48 Contiguous States and D.C.
1 $9,800
2 $13,200
3 $16,600
4 $20,000
5 $23,400
For each additional person, add $3,400

Answer 5

You have to answer this to know if you are poor or not.
1) Can you buy the necessary food to live?
2) Your basic needs, like have a place to live, are satisfied?
3) You have the option to work, no matter what kind of job it is?
I think you are not poor. Poor people live only with $1 per day (the extreme poor), that is like $400 per year. So one poor but not so poor could be people that live with $7 000 or less per year.

Answer 6

You are way above the poverty level. But you can probably qualify for low income housing and other assistance depending on where you live.

If the two of you together made $13,689 or less then you would be below the poverty level. Amazing huh!

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/07fedreg.htm

Answer 7

Two adults on 23k per year is tight, no doubt about that. You are well above the "poverty threshhold," as others have indicated, but you are not even close to "comfortable," and by my lights anyone without a "comfortable" income is poor. (I'm poor, too).

Answer 8

My wife and I have raised 5 kids over the last 20 or so years. We lived very cheaply, and we did not have very many new things. Now we only have one child at home, and we make more money now than we ever have. But we are not rich now and we were not poor then, just broke. Avoid debt and your money will go far. Idea: you can repair a used car many times with a $300 monthly payment for a new car.

Answer 9

You are below the poverty line, but you will not qualify for any of the assistant programs because you make to much money. Sorry, but you are below the poverty line for a two income family.

A recent study showed middle income at about $40,000 per year.

Answer 10

As long as there are not more than 5 people in your home, you are not below the Federal Poverty line. If you live in Alaska you would have to have 3 or fewer in your home. If you live in Hawaii you would have to have fewer than 4 people in your home.