Today, the Census Bureau released its latest update to the American Community Survey, publishing a trove of recent data on everything from education levels to economic indicators for the United States’ 3,142 counties. The new numbers offer evidence of the lasting effects of the Great Recession and the ongoing financial stagnation faced by most Americans: In counties across the country, poverty rates are up and incomes are down, while rents are rising and home ownership is dropping.
Poverty: When compared with the five years between 2005 to 2009, 1,052 counties saw an increase in poverty rates between 2010 and 2014. Just 136 counties experienced drops in poverty rates. What’s more, 113 counties, mostly in the South, had poverty rates of 30 percent or higher.
Income: Counties around New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, have some of the highest real median household incomes. Still, 961 counties saw drops in real median household income during the past five years.
Rent: Since 2005, real median rents have increased in nearly 23 percent of counties. Six percent of all counties, mostly in the South, West, and Northeast, saw median rents of more than $1,000 per month.
Home Ownership: Following the housing crisis, 931 counties saw drops in the rate of owner-occupied homes.
Education: One bright spot—roughly 32 percent of counties now have more adults with bachelor’s degrees.
