Question

When examining rates by race one could get a different answer when using population and proportion statistics. When using population statistics, it may appear that ______ are more likely in poverty. However, when looking at proportion statistics, it appears that ________ are more likely in poverty?

1) African Americans, Hispanics
2) Whites, African Americans
3) Hispanics, Whites
4) Whites, Hispanics

Answer 1

Using population statistics shows that more whites are in poverty due to their larger population size, while proportion statistics reveal a higher percentage of African Americans are in poverty compared to other groups.

Step-by-step explanation:

When examining rates by race, one could get a different answer when using population and proportion statistics due to the difference in the total number of individuals within each racial group compared to their respective rates of poverty. When using population statistics, it may appear that whites are more likely in poverty. However, when looking at proportion statistics, it appears that African Americans are more likely in poverty. This discrepancy arises because, while Hispanics and African Americans have a higher percentage of individuals living in poverty, the total number of whites living below the poverty line is higher due to their larger share in the U.S. population.