The federal poverty level is based on dollar value thresholds by family size and composition. Poverty thresholds are updated each year by the U.S. Census Bureau. The thresholds are set nationally and do not account for cost of living differences.
Key findings
Percent of King County population below U.S. poverty level: 9.7% (2009)
Percent of Black or African American population in King County below poverty level: 24.7% (2009)
Poverty data was obtained from the American Community Survey, available from the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to detect who is poor. If the total income for a family or unrelated individual falls below the relevant poverty threshold, then the family or unrelated individual is classified as being "below the poverty level."
