Posted on September 12, 2012 by GISELLE ROUTHIER Today, the Census Bureau released updated data on the persistence of poverty in America. Data confirm that the poverty rate remained at 15 percent—unchanged from 2010. That translates to 46.2 million people living in poverty in 2011, including 16.1 million children. A wide racial disparity also persists. For blacks and Hispanics, the poverty rate was nearly twice as high, at 27.6 and 25.3 respectively. In addition, median incomes declined for all but the wealthiest Americans. All in all, we continue to see extraordinary levels of poverty amidst vast wealth in America, with New York City continuing to be a prime illustration. Currently over 19,000 children sleep in shelters each night–an all time record high.
