Nearly a quarter of Californians live in poverty, according to a Census Bureau calculation that includes cost of living. [SacramentoBee]
California’s official poverty rate is 16.5 percent, which is above the national average, but not one of the highest in the nation.
But, with cost of living included, California has 9 million people living in poverty — a 23.8 percent poverty rate. The state has 38 million residents.
Only Washington D.C., which is 22.7 percent impoverished, has a rate near California’s, according to the alternative calculation method.
The second highest rate among states belongs to Nevada at 19.8 percent.
The federal government distributes aid based on poverty rates. If the calculation that includes cost of living replaces the current official rate, California will become eligible for increases in funding for federal and state programs.
