Highest level of poverty in years

The ranks of the working-age poor climbed to the highest level in decades. Here's a look at the Census Bureau numbers:

Overall poverty rate: 14.3 percent, up from 13.2 percent in 2008 and the highest since 1994.

Number of U.S. residents living in poverty: 43.6 million people in 2008, up from 39.8 million the year before. That's the highest number since records began being kept in the 1950s, though the total U.S. population is also larger.

The poverty threshold: $10,956 for one person and $21,954 for a family of four.

Highest share: Mississippi had the highest share of poor people, at 23.1 percent. It was followed by Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas and Georgia.

Lowest share: New Hampshire, at 7.8 percent.

Among ages 18 to 64: Poverty rose from 11.7 percent to 12.9 percent, the highest since the 1960s, when the government expanded the federal role in social welfare programs.

By race and ethnic groups: Hispanics in poverty increased from 23.2 percent to 25.3 percent; for blacks it increased from 24.7 percent to 25.8 percent; for white it rose from 8.6 percent to 9.4 percent. The poverty level for Asian-Americans, 12.5 percent, wasn't statistically different from 2008.

David Johnson of the Census Bureau estimated that expanded jobless benefits helped keep 3.3 million people out of poverty. He said many families also "doubled up" in single homes and adults ages 25 to 34 moved back in with their parents to save money.