A Profile of the Working Poor, 2002

Bureau of Labor Statistics

A Profile of the Working Poor, 2002

Abstract

[Excerpt] This report presents data on the relationship between labor force activity and poverty in 2002 for workers and their families. The specific income thresholds used to determine persons’ poverty status differ, depending on whether the individuals are living with family members or are living alone or with non-relatives. For those living with family members, the poverty threshold is determined by their family’s total income; for persons not living in families, their personal income is used as the determinant. Thus, for persons living in family situations, earnings from their employment are only one factor in their poverty status. Other important factors include the earnings of others in the family, other sources of income that family members might have, and the size of the family. The data were collected in the 2003 Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey. For a more detailed description of the source of the data and an explanation of the concepts and definitions used in this report, see the Technical Note.

Date Issued

2004-09-01

Keywords

poverty; United States; labor force activity; workers; families

Types

unassigned