California Poverty Rates Rose Dramatically in 2022 After Drops in Prior Years Driven by Pandemic-Era Policies

California Poverty Rate Under the Supplemental Poverty Measure, 2019 - 2022

Note: Temporary pandemic policies that contributed to poverty rate decreases in previous years — and then the subsequent increases upon their expiration — include expansions of the federal Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, federal Economic Impact Payments, and expanded unemployment benefits.
Source: Budget Center analysis of US Census Bureau, Current Population Survey public-use microdata