Final answer:
The poverty rate in the United States during 2017 was 12.3 percent (39.7 million people).
Step-by-step explanation:
The poverty rate in the United States during 2017 was 12.3 percent (39.7 million people). This means that approximately 12.3% of the U.S. population, or 39.7 million people, were living below the poverty line. The poverty rate can fluctuate over time, but in recent years, it has generally been around this range.