Report Highlights Nebraska's Low Poverty Rates

LINCOLN, NE – A recent report highlights Nebraska’s low poverty rates, ranking Nebraska among the lowest in the nation.  Nebraska has the second lowest supplemental poverty rate in the country at 7.5%, compared with rates ranging from 8% to 10.8% in neighboring states.

The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) has been reported since 2011 and provides a comprehensive picture of economic well-being by accounting for factors such as utility expenses, after-tax income, and government benefits. Nebraska also ranks fourth lowest nationally under the official poverty measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%.

Broken down by age, among children under 18, Nebraska is ranked fifth on the SPM and is third for those ages 18 to 64. The state is ninth for people over 64, as determined by the SPM.

The report, issued by the U.S. Census Bureau, calculates data over a three-year averag