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Poverty In Utah On The Rise

The poverty rate in Utah has risen from 10.5 percent in 2000 to 16.5 percent in 2010, according to a study by the American Community Survey Reports. The study was released in June, but uses statistics from 2010.

Of Utah’s 29 counties, 10 have a poverty rate greater than 10 percent and five counties including Cache, San Juan, Beaver, Iron and Piute counties have a poverty rate of more than 25 percent. 

San Juan County’s poverty rate has decreased from greater than 50 percent to less than 25 percent in the last 14 years.

Piute County tops Utah’s charts with a poverty rate of greater than 80 percent, a significant rise from its 2000 level of less than 10 percent. 

The rise in Utah’s poverty trend follows the national movement. In 2000, the national average for poverty was 18.1% and it has risen to 25.7% as of 2010.