Fewer Families Living In Poverty, Census Survey Shows

A nationwide survey administered by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates mild economic improvements in 2011 for Santa Cruz County families.

The estimates, which were released recently released, show families are faring OK—and are even somewhat better off than they were a year prior—though some individuals may have hit harder times last year.

• A fewer percentage of Santa Cruz County families are living in poverty, but overall a larger chunk of the population has been designated as poverty-level.
• The unemployment level in the county remained in double-digits, though it's at its lowest in three years.
• The number of people with health coverage has held steady around 85 percent of the population for several years.
• The mean family income has fallen about $13,000 from a high of $88,025 is 2008.

The American Community Survey is a nationwide survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to provide communities with demographic, social, economic, and housing data every year. The California State Data Center generates reports and tabulations from data files released by the U.S. Census Bureau. See more online here.