The U.S. Census Bureau has released new data from the 2024 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), offering detailed statistics on income and poverty for states, counties, and school districts across the country.
According to the report, the median estimated poverty rate for children ages 5 to 17 in U.S. school districts was 12.5% in 2024. These figures are part of SAIPE’s annual data release, which provides single-year income and poverty statistics for all 3,143 counties and 13,126 school districts nationwide.
SAIPE data play a key role in distributing federal funds under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The U.S. Department of Education will use these estimates to determine fiscal year 2027 funding for states and school districts during the 2026-2027 academic year, supporting Title I and other federal education programs.
In terms of household income at the county level, median values ranged from $34,802 to $177,457 in 2024, with an overall median of $66,757 across all counties. From 2023 to 2024, median household income increased in about 10.1% of counties while decreasing in approximately 1.8%.
County-level poverty rates varied widely as well—from a low of 3.8% up to a high of 55.7%, with a median rate at 13.2%. During this period, poverty rates decreased in about 4.5% of counties but rose in around 1.9%. For school-age children (ages 5 to 17), county-level poverty rates ranged between 2.4% and as high as 76.7%, with a median rate recorded at 16.1%.
Additional tables released provide more breakdowns on household income levels and numbers of people living in poverty by age group at both state and district levels.
The SAIPE program produces these estimates using statistical model-based methods that combine sample survey information with decennial census and administrative records data sources.
No formal news release accompanied this product; it was issued as a tip sheet only.
