Poverty Measures and Thresholds
Understanding how poverty is defined and measured
Poverty Guidelines
The following income levels define the official poverty threshold for 2026. Families with annual incomes below this level are considered “in poverty.”
| Family/Household Size | 100% Poverty (FPL) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 |
| 6 | $44,360 |
| 7 | $50,040 |
| 8 | $55,720 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,680 for each additional person. Note that poverty thresholds for Alaska and Hawaii are higher.
Deep poverty is defined as having an income below half the value (50%) of the poverty threshold. These numbers are shown below.
| Family/Household Size | Deep Poverty (50% FPL) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $7,980 |
| 2 | $10,820 |
| 3 | $13,660 |
| 4 | $16,500 |
| 5 | $19,340 |
| 6 | $22,180 |
| 7 | $25,020 |
| 8 | $27,860 |
For each additional person, add $2,840.
Besides poverty and deep poverty, policy analysts often look at the fraction of households that fall below 200% of the poverty line, sometimes used as a delineation of “low income”.
| Family/Household Size | 200% Poverty Threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $111,440 |
For each additional person, add $11,360.
What counts as income?
The Census Bureau uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid, or SNAP).
Included: * Wages and salaries * Self-employment income * Unemployment compensation * Social Security and SSI * Public assistance (TANF) * Interest and dividends * Pensions or retirement income
Excluded: * Tax credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit) * Non-cash benefits (SNAP/Food Stamps, housing subsidies) * Capital gains or losses
Defining the “Family Unit”
Poverty is measured by comparing the total income of all persons in a “family” or “household” to the threshold for that size unit. Unrelated individuals living together (e.g. roommates) would be considered separate households.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Census Bureau. For more information, visit ASPE Poverty Guidelines.