AFTER YEARS OF DECLINE, POVERTY RATE HOLDS STEADY
Poverty can negatively impact an individual’s physical health, mental health, and educational attainment, which together limit an individual’s ability to reach their full potential and maximize their contributions to the community. The poverty rate is an important tool to determine eligibility for health and human services and programs, including health insurance and supplemental food programs, which can lessen the negative impacts of poverty. This indicator tracks the percentage of the population in San Bernardino County living in poverty by select demographics including age, gender, and employment.
TREND
Poverty rates in San Bernardino County remained essentially the same between 2019 and 2021—from 13.3% of the population living in poverty in 2019 to 13.2% in 2021. However, there has been a drop of more than seven percentage points over the past 10 years, when 20.4% of the population lived in poverty. Over the past 10 years, poverty rates declined for all age groups, except for those 65 years and older. In 2021, 16.9% of children in San Bernardino County under age 18 were living in poverty, down from 28.3% in 2012. The percentage of adults living in poverty also decreased during this same period, from 18.2% in 2012 to 11.7% in 2021. Seniors ages 65 and older saw an increase in poverty, from 11.5% in 2012 to 12.6% in 2021.
POVERTY RATES DECLINED FOR MOST AGE GROUPS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS
Percentage of Population Living in Poverty, by Age in San Bernardino County, 2012-2021
2021 Income Thresholds for Poverty Determination
For an individual, the annual income to be considered in poverty is less than $12,880. For two people with no children, the poverty threshold is an annual income of $17,420.
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Pacific Islander residents have the highest rate of poverty (30.9%) while Asian residents have the lowest (9.6%). Among Latino residents, 13.9% are living in poverty. This substantial variation in overall poverty contributes to an Equity Gap Score of 3.2. This score means that the group with the highest rate of poverty (Pacific Islanders) is more than three times higher than the group with the lowest rate (Asians).
NEARLY 1-IN-3 PACIFIC ISLANDERS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY
Percentage of Population Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2021
| Race/Ethnicity | Percent in Poverty |
|---|---|
| Asian | 9.6% |
| White | 10.6% |
| Average | 13.2% |
| Native American | 13.7% |
| Two+ | 13.8% |
| Latino | 13.9% |
| Black | 19.3% |
| Pacific Islander | 30.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates (Table S1701)
Note: White is non-Hispanic. Latino is of any race.
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
In 2021, 5.1% of San Bernardino County residents over age 16 in the labor force with jobs were living in poverty. This population is often referred to as the “working poor” due to having a job yet still living in poverty. There are fewer working poor than in 2012, when 9.2% of the employed population in the labor force was living in poverty. The poverty rate for the unemployed population in the labor force also decreased, from 31.7% in 2012 to 25.3% in 2021.
PERCENTAGE OF WORKING POOR CONTINUES TO DECLIINE
Percentage of Civilian Labor Force Ages 16 and Older Living in Poverty in San Bernardino County, 2012 – 2021
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
At 13.2%, San Bernardino County’s rate of poverty is higher than state (12.3%) and national (12.8%) averages and is in the middle among counties compared.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY POVERTY RATE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN STATE AND NATION
County Comparison of Percentage of Population Living in Poverty, 2021
WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN POVERTY THAN MEN
In 2021, 14.4% of females in San Bernardino County were living in poverty. This is two and a half percentage points higher than the proportion of the male population living in poverty (11.9%).