By Laura Conaway

Median household incomes fell by in 2008 by 3.6 percent, to $50,303, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. The poverty rate hit an 11-year high at 13.2 percent, up 0.7 percent. Some 39.8 million people were classed among the poor last year, up by 2.6 million. The ranks of Americans without health insurance grew to 46.3 million, from 45.7 million -- a small enough increase to leave the percentage unchanged at 15.4 percent.

Unpack the rest of the numbers in the Census Bureau's annual report on income, poverty and health insurance, including the news that 31 percent of the population fell into poverty for at least two months at some point between 2004 and 2007.

categories: Indicators, Standard of Living

12:08 - September 10, 2009

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