Report: 1 in 6 Americans live in poverty

Americans are still reeling from the economic downturn, with nearly one out of six people living in poverty -- the highest level since 1993.

The U.S. Census Bureau's annual report released Tuesday offered powerful evidence that the lingering effects of the recession continue to punish working Americans and their families.

The nation's poverty rate rose to 15.1 percent in 2010, and the 46.2 million people living in poverty are the most since the bureau started counting 52 years ago.

That's 2.6 million more under the poverty line -- income of $22,113 for a family of four -- than in 2009, when the rate was 14.3 percent.

"It's shocking and unacceptable," said Gwen O'Shea, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.

Median household income dipped for the third straight year in 2010, to $49,455. The typical household now earns less than it did in 1997 ($50,123) when inflation is factored in, according to bureau estimates.

The number of people without health insurance was estimated at about 50 million, a slight increase from the 49 million lacking coverage in 2009.

The report comes as President Barack Obama takes his $447 billion jobs plan on the road, stepping up pressure on Congress to pass it despite Republican concerns that tax increases will pay for it.

The troubled economy has left 14 million Americans out of work and caused unemployment to hover above 9 percent.

The health overhaul passed by Congress last year could offer some help on the insurance front -- but not immediately, said Kevin Dahill, president and chief executive of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council.

When the main provisions take effect in 2014, they will significantly reduce -- "but not eliminate" -- the number of uninsured by providing subsidies to people who can't afford insurance, he said.

The Census Bureau will release Long Island poverty data next week, but advocates say they already have ample evidence that more local families are hurting.

"It's been very challenging the last couple of years because . . . the number of people who need our help has been growing steadily," said Joyce Mullen, spokeswoman for the Family and Children's Association, which provides services to about 40,000 people in Nassau.

"People are still struggling, trying to get minimum-wage jobs to meet the cost of housing and bare necessities," said Karen Boorshtein, president and chief executive of the Family Service League, which serves Suffolk.

Poverty rates were highest for blacks, Hispanics and children, according to the report. For blacks (27.4 percent) and Hispanics (26.6 percent) the rate was more than double that of whites and Asians. The report found 22 percent of children living in poverty.

New York had the 16th-highest share of poor people, at 16 percent, the bureau reported. Mississippi was hardest hit at 22.7 percent; New Hampshire fared best at 6.6 percent.

Citing the collapse of the housing market and a steady decline in household wealth, Hofstra University economics professor Martin Melkonian called for a massive federal effort to put people back to work that goes far beyond what Obama has outlined.

"We need a new New Deal," he said.

O'Shea, of the Health and Welfare Council, said while there are many Long Islanders living under the poverty line, many more are working poor because of the high cost of living.

Reports show it takes roughly $80,000 for a family of four here "to cover basic expenses," she said.