According to American Community Survey (ACS) data released by the Census Bureau today, the median Vermont household income remained unchanged between 2009 and 2008, at approximately $52,000. Thirty-four states experienced a decline in median income. Vermont's median income has remained statistically unchanged for the past four years and is ranked 21st highest, just slightly above the U.S. median.
An estimated 1 of every 11 Vermonters was living in poverty in 2009, according to the new data — about the same as in 2008. However, among working age Vermonters (18-64), the poverty rate increased significantly in 2009, a trend that's occurred here for the past three years. The poverty rate among married couple families both with and without children also increased. Decreasing poverty among seniors (aged 65+) likely helped limit increases in Vermont's total poverty rate.
ACS estimates for the U.S. and many states show a drop in poverty among seniors and an increase among younger people in 2009.
An estimated 38% of Vermont's mortgaged homeowners and 47% of the state's renters paid more than 30% of their incomes for housing in 2009 — the same as in 2008. Only 16 states had higher cost burdens than Vermont, as of the latest data.