Final answer:
The U.S. poverty rate has shifted over the years, peaking in 2011 at 15.9% and then decreasing to 14.5% in 2013. Economic inequality in the U.S. illustrates higher poverty rates among certain demographic groups. The poverty line is determined by the government as a measure of minimum adequate income.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poverty rate in the U.S. has fluctuated over time, reflecting changes in economic conditions and policies. Following the decline in the poverty rate through the 1960s, there was an increase in the early 1980s and early 1990s. From the mid-1990s, the rate has been slightly lower but never fell beneath 11% of the U.S. population. The poverty rate peaked at 15.9% in 2011 and subsequently fell to 14.5% in 2013. Analyzing economic inequality reveals that poverty is more prevalent among certain groups, such as females, Hispanics, and African Americans, when compared to whites, the elderly, the well-educated, and male-headed households.
Economic inequality is often assessed by the poverty line, which is determined by the U.S. government and is based on income and family size. It is a measure of the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country and reflects the income level below which a person is considered to be living in poverty. This statistic is crucial for analyzing socio-economic disparities and guiding public policy.