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COVID-19 has effected countless people in a number of different ways, in 2019 the median household income reached $68,700 — the highest since 1967. This number is a 6.8 jump from the previous year, “according to inflation-adjusted data released by the Census Bureau on Tuesday,” according to CNN on Sept. 15, 2020.
Moreover, in 2019, there were 4.2 million fewer people living in poverty during 2019. To be exact, the poverty rate from 2019 dropped 10.5 percent. These record-setting numbers were unexpected.
The recent poverty rate is the lowest among Black and Hispanic Americans. In fact, 18.8 percent of Blacks were in poverty in 2019, followed by Hispanics at 15.7 percent. White and Asian poverty rate was recorded at 7.5 percent.
Impact of Coronavirus on the Economy
Coronavirus has caused a record-breaking decline in employment. An estimated 3.6 million Americans remain unemployed, as of August 2020. The second wave of the virus may be upon the country, which will slow down the fast recovery President Donald Trump has ensured. Census expects the nation expects the poverty rate will decline 0.9 percent due to the financial complications of the virus.
“Black and Hispanic Americans, who were hit harder by the coronavirus outbreak both in terms of health and job loss, will have a more difficult time recovering,” according to CNN.
The Census Bureau Agency’s Purpose
The United States Census Bureau is an agency of the United States Federal Statistical System. The U.S Congress founded this agency on July 1, 1902, with the main purpose of this agency being to provide data about our American people and the economy we live in.
The data collected by the Census Bureau has an impact on how many seats each state has in the House of Representatives. The information provides data to lawmakers and government agencies on what communities need, such as new schools, roads, or emergency services during disasters.
Americans can count on census data to compile and report how the coronavirus affects them.
Written by Anay Amoah
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
CNN: “Median income hit record high in 2019 before the pandemic, Census says”
Census: “Importance of Data”
Featured Image Courtesy of Nik Anderson’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Mecklenburg County’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
