Quality of Life
Poverty
A small-government culture, rapid growth, the composition of the economy, and the state’s newness have all been explanations for relatively high levels of poverty. The following numbers and percentages underscore the challenges facing metropolitan Phoenix and the state in these areas. Poverty levels are estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau from models or surveys. The American Community Survey in future years will provide a more accurate data source. The important finding from these figures is the general levels of poverty, the greater poverty levels among children, and the differences among Arizona as a whole and Maricopa and Pinal Counties.
Estimates are based on a predictive model. The numbers are subject to error and are best interpreted to represent a range. The percent and numbers presented here are in the middle of the range provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. This data will be updated annually.
