Final answer:
African American and Hispanic individuals experience higher rates of poverty as a percentage within their groups, although more white individuals are below the poverty line in total numbers. The correct answer is either African American or Hispanic individuals. The correct option is c. Hispanic individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Analyzing poverty rates within demographics for those in late adulthood, statistics show that while whites constitute the majority of those below the poverty line in sheer numbers, this does not translate to the highest rate of poverty. It is important to differentiate between percentage and total numbers in such contexts. When assessing poverty rates as a percentage within the groups themselves, African American and Hispanic individuals experience higher rates compared to whites and Asians.
This suggests that although many white individuals are impoverished, they represent a lower percentage of their overall population. Therefore, the highest rate of poverty in late adulthood would be either African American or Hispanic individuals, with both groups exhibiting substantially higher percentages than their white counterparts.