Average Poverty Rate Is Twice as High for U.S. Counties Bordering Mexico as for Rest of U.S.

U.S. counties that border Mexico have an average poverty rate that is about twice as high as the national average. According to the Census Bureau’s Small Area Poverty and Income Estimates for 2009, the average percentage of those living below the poverty level in the 23 counties that border Mexico is 28.3 percent. That’s approximately twice as high as--or 14 percent above--the national average of 14.3 percent. Similarly the average median household income for these counties is $34,354 -- more than $15,000 below the national average of $50,221...NEW MEXICO: Dona Ana County (24.8 poverty); Hidalgo County (23.6); Luna County (30.5)...more