According to U.S. Census Bureau data revealed today, the U.S. poverty rate rose last year for the first time in almost a decade---a trend compounded by a decrease in household income. From a 26 year low of 11.3 percent in 2000, the percentage of Americans living below the poverty level jumped to 11.7 as 1.3 million Americans descended into poverty. Poverty rates were highest among blacks, who experienced the greatest decline in average income in 19 years, while Asians experienced the largest percentage decline in household income.
See The Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, September 23, 2002