Old North News

North Carolina has made significant strides in reducing poverty over the past decade, according to data from the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program by the U.S. Census Bureau. The state's poverty rate decreased from 17.8% in 2013 to 12.8% in 2023, marking a five-percentage point reduction. This progress places North Carolina fifth nationwide in poverty reduction during this period, with Arizona leading with a six-percentage point decrease.

Despite a slight increase between 2020 and 2021, North Carolina's long-term decline brought its poverty rate closer to the national average of 12.5% in 2023. In comparison, the state's rate was two percentage points higher than the national rate in 2013.

By 2023, approximately 1.35 million North Carolinians were living below the poverty line, down from about 1.71 million in 2013—a decrease of roughly 360,000 individuals. However, despite this progress, a substantial number of residents continue to experience economic hardship.

The county-level data reveals significant disparities across North Carolina's regions. For instance, Wake County recorded the lowest poverty rate at 7.2%, while Scotland County had the highest at 28.6%. Other counties with low rates include Currituck, Camden, Union, and Chatham—all below 8.5%. Conversely, Robeson, Halifax, Bertie, and Anson counties reported rates exceeding 24%.

These figures highlight uneven distribution of poverty within the state and underscore the necessity for targeted interventions tailored to specific community needs.

"Over the last decade," notes an analysis of these trends "North Carolina’s poverty rate has declined," bringing it more in line with national levels.