Barrow poverty rate, household income falls

Census Bureau estimates from the 2009 American Community Survey indicate that 10.6 of all Barrow County families lived below the poverty level in 2009. In 2008, 12 percent of Barrow County families were categorized as living in poverty.

An individual making less than $10,830 a year is considered impoverished. For a family of four, the poverty level is $22,050 of annual income.

While overall poverty levels improved last year, the number of Barrow County married couples living in poverty increased slightly from 4.8 percent in 2008 to 5.1 percent in 2009.

Though fewer Barrow County residents are living in poverty, median household income fell in 2009 continuing a trend which began the previous year.

In 2009, the median household income dropped to $46,180 down from $52,137 in 2008. Per capita income increase slightly from $19,200 to $19,520.