Seniors, those over age 65, living below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) pose a unique challenge for our society, especially as the Baby Boomer generation ages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2050 the senior population is projected to be 83.7 million, almost double the 2012 estimated population of 43.1 million. Poverty for those age 65+ impacts local communities, counties, states and the nation as a whole. National programs like Social Security and Medicare are, in part, there to counter the effects of poverty. Most local communities mount efforts to cope with the consequences of poverty in the 65+ population.
The Federal Poverty Guidelines, also referred to as the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), determines income levels, varying by family size and age make-up, for which a household unit is said to be living in poverty. The guidelines (more specifically, "thresholds") do not vary by geography but increase every year by the CPI. Income counted in the FPL calculations includes wage and salaries, unearned income and most transfer payments. The calculations do not include the value of non-cash benefits such as food stamps, housing subsidies or Medicaid.
This indicator measures the share of the senior population (residents ages 65 and older) in Skagit County who live at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Washington State and the U.S. are offered as benchmarks. Additional information, including the total number of seniors living at or below the FPL in the combined counties, each of the sub-county areas, the state and U.S., can be found in the “Download Data” tab.
According to the US Census Bureau, the pandemic made the collection of accurate one-year estimates for the American Community Survey (ACS) impossible in 2020. Five-year estimates might be available for popular series in early 2022.
