What does this senior poverty ranking show?

It orders states by Adults 65+ below the federal poverty threshold. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

U.S. Census Bureau ACS Table B17001 supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Rankings · Money

Lowest senior poverty by state

Adults 65+ below the federal poverty threshold.

Share of adults age 65 and over for whom poverty status is determined who live below the Census poverty threshold. The denominator is seniors, not the whole population, and the federal threshold is not adjusted for local living costs. County figures use ACS 5-year data; state figures use ACS 1-year data.

How to read this ranking

Utah has the lowest published senior poverty in this comparison, at 7.7%. The next states shown are New Hampshire (7.8%) and Vermont (8.2%).

The table orders 51 states by adults 65+ below the federal poverty threshold. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Share of adults age 65 and over for whom poverty status is determined who live below the Census poverty threshold. The denominator is seniors, not the whole population, and the federal threshold is not adjusted for local living costs. County figures use ACS 5-year data; state figures use ACS 1-year data.

1Utah7.7%
2New Hampshire7.8%
3Vermont8.2%
4Iowa8.3%
5Alaska8.4%
6Colorado8.8%
7Idaho8.8%
8Kansas9.0%
9Wyoming9.0%
10Minnesota9.1%
11Washington9.1%
12Connecticut9.3%
13Hawaii9.3%
14Virginia9.4%
15Maine9.5%
16Montana9.6%
17Indiana9.7%
18New Jersey9.7%
19South Dakota9.7%
20Delaware9.8%
21Nebraska9.8%
22North Dakota9.9%
23Wisconsin9.9%
24Maryland10.0%
25Pennsylvania10.2%
26Ohio10.4%
27Arizona10.5%
28Nevada10.6%
29Tennessee10.7%
30Massachusetts10.8%
31Michigan10.8%
32Oregon10.8%
33Missouri11.0%
34Illinois11.1%
35North Carolina11.1%
36South Carolina11.1%
37Rhode Island11.2%
38California11.8%
39Oklahoma11.9%
40Florida12.0%
41Arkansas12.2%
42Georgia12.3%
43Texas12.3%
44West Virginia12.9%
45Alabama13.0%
46Kentucky13.0%
47New Mexico14.0%
48New York14.0%
49Mississippi14.4%
50Louisiana14.9%
51District of Columbia18.2%

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Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Adults 65+ below the federal poverty threshold. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: U.S. Census Bureau ACS Table B17001. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS Table B17001. · How this is built

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