Poverty and income security are connected with many important health outcomes and thus are considered critical social determinants. Childhood poverty has been strongly linked to reduced school success, increased exposure to violence, hunger, parents in the justice system, as well as abuse and neglect.

The Census Bureau uses a set of  income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold, then that family and every individual in it is considered in poverty. The official poverty definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps). 

The data in this graph indicates the percent of North Carolina residents below the poverty level. The American Community Survey 5-year Estimate Tables were used (S1701 Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months).

To see how poverty is distributed across the state and other important indicators, visit the Social Determinants of Health maps by the NC State Center for Health Statistics: http://nc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=def612b7025b44eaa1e0d7af43f4702b

For more information about how poverty affects children and families in North Carolina visit: https://www.ncchild.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1.16.2019_E4C_FactSheet1.pdf