What does this measure?

The estimated proportion of veterans with incomes below the poverty line. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2021, the threshold for one person was $13,788.

Why is this important?

The percentage of veterans living in poverty is a measure of the overall economic health of this population and can indicate the level of need for social and government supports.

How is region performing?

In 2017-21, 4% of veterans, or about 2,200 individuals, had incomes below the poverty line. That was slightly lower than the rates at the statewide (excluding NYC) and national level, at 6% and 7%, respectively. Because of relatively small populations of veterans in poverty in the region, rates are not reliable at the county or local level.

Notes about the data

The multiyear figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined three years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. However, because the information came from a survey, the samples responding to the survey were not always large enough to produce reliable results, especially in small geographic areas. CGR has noted on data tables the estimates with relatively large margins of error. Estimates with three asterisks have the largest margins, plus or minus 50% or more of the estimate. Two asterisks mean plus or minus 35%-50%, and one asterisk means plus or minus 20%-35%. For all estimates, the confidence level is 90%, meaning there is 90% probability the true value (if the whole population were surveyed) would be within the margin of error (or confidence interval).

The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.