Data Tables
Map
Explanation
In 2021, the federal poverty threshold was $27,479 for a four-person household with two children. According to the 2017-2021 American Community Survey, 9.7% of Thurston County’s population (27,918 people) lived below the federal poverty level. The percentage of the county's population living in poverty increased 2.3% from 2012-2016 to 2017-2021.
Federal poverty standards are based on general assumptions about a household’s basic needs and do not account for regional differences in the cost of living. The Self-Sufficiency Standard, published by the University of Washington, is calculated using local data on the cost of specific household needs such as housing, child care, transportation expenses, and taxes. This more comprehensive standard is higher than the federal poverty level. Consequently federal estimates of poverty may underestimate the number of people who are unable to meet their basic needs.
Federal Poverty ThresholdsThe federal poverty thresholds are an estimate of the minimum income needed for a household to meet its basic needs. The threshold varies based on the number and age of people in the household. The threshold does not vary by location — poverty levels in Thurston County are the same as in Seattle.
The original threshold was set at three times the cost of a minimum food diet in 1963. The poverty level is adjusted for inflation each year.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau
- University of Washington