Hawaii County’s income inequality and poverty levels are higher than the national average, according to a study released this month. ADVERTISING Hawaii County’s income inequality and poverty levels are higher than the national average, according to a study released this
Hawaii County’s income inequality and poverty levels are higher than the national average, according to a study released this month.
In a report titled “The Demography of Inequality in the United States,” the Population Reference Bureau lists the county in the “high-inequality/high-poverty” category.
That means its poverty rate is greater than 15.4 percent and its level of income inequality is higher than the national average. The study compares pre-tax incomes between households and doesn’t take into account other benefits.
Maui County was classified as high-inequality/low-poverty, while Oahu and Kauai counties both were listed as low-inequality/low-poverty.
Overall, Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of inequality, according to the report.
To view the report, visit www.prb.org/pdf14/united-states-inequality.pdf.
