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Institute for Research on Poverty

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IRP, at the UW-Madison, is a center for interdisciplinary research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States. As one of three National Poverty Research Centers sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, IRP has a particular interest in poverty and family welfare in Wisconsin as well as the nation.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Poverty

  1. What are poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines?
    • The Census Bureau's poverty thresholds for 2010
    • The HHS's poverty guidelines for 2011
    • How are the poverty guidelines used?
    • What is the most recent poverty line?
  2. How is poverty measured in The United States?
  3. Who is poor?
    • Is poverty different for different groups in the population?
    • Poverty using different measures of income
    • State poverty rates
  4. Who is poor in Wisconsin?
  5. What is the consumer price index and how is it used?
  6. How many children are poor?
  7. What are good sources of information on basic trends in poverty, welfare, and related issues?
  8. How will we know if welfare reform is successful?
  9. Finding online demographic and socioeconomic data for states, counties, cities, and other smaller units of government in midwestern states

Institute for Research on Poverty, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706 | 608-262-6358

Contact us at: irpweb@ssc.wisc.edu

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