Obama: 2009-2013 - By the numbers
Is America better off now than it was four years ago when President Barack Obama took office? It depends on the numbers you want to crunch.
Politics
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Americans living below the poverty level
Then: 43.6 million (according to 2009 census data)
Now: 46.2 million (according to 2011 census data)
Poverty guidelines are determined by the Department of Health and Human Services and help determine financial eligibility for certain financial programs. In 2012, the poverty guideline for a family of four was $23,050 (excluding Hawaii and Alaska).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Credit: AP Photo/J Pat Carter
Related: Complete 2012 Poverty Guidelines
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