Measure Description
Percent of San Francisco residents experiencing poverty. We use the federal poverty thresholds to report data about poverty in San Francisco, as reported in the Census and American Community Survey (ACS).
- Calculation methodology: Poverty thresholds are primarily used for calculating all official poverty population statistics. They are updated each year by the Census Bureau and used in surveys like the Current Population Survey and American Community Survey.
- Metric type: Population
- Department: Poverty is a Citywide indicator
Why this Measure is Important
An estimated 10.4 percent of San Francisco residents were in poverty in 2022. Older residents (those 65 and over) are more likely to be in poverty than other age groups. Poverty rates also vary by race and ethnicity; most notably, Black and African American residents experience poverty at nearly three times the average rate. Women experience poverty at a higher rate than men.
This measure serves as an Citywide indicator of residents experiencing poverty. This can help inform legislation and programs that are targeted to help those in need.
Poverty in San Francisco
The charts below show poverty status by age, race, and sex. Use the filters above the chart to change what is displayed.
How Performance is Measured
This scorecard uses the federal poverty thresholds to report data about poverty in San Francisco, as reported in the Census and American Community Survey (ACS).
The federal government uses two standards to measure poverty that are slightly different: poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines.
- Poverty thresholds are more detailed and primarily used for calculating all official poverty population statistics. They are updated each year by the Census Bureau and used in surveys like the Current Population Survey and American Community Survey.
- Poverty guidelines are a simplified version of the federal poverty thresholds used for administrative purposes — for instance, determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. They are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Data Notes and Sources
We use the federal poverty thresholds to report data about poverty in San Francisco, as reported in the Census and American Community Survey (ACS).
Thresholds and guidelines vary by the number and age of adults and the number of children under age 18 in the family, but they are the same for all mainland states, regardless of regional differences in the cost of living.
Both poverty thresholds and poverty guidelines are updated annually.
The poverty guidelines are sometimes referred to as the “federal poverty level” or the “poverty line,” but these terms can be misleading because there are many potential meanings.
The “San Francisco poverty line” may refer to the federal poverty guidelines, or to local income limits for eligibility in housing programs supported by the SF Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These limits are based on the area’s median income (AMI), unlike the thresholds and guidelines. For example, HUD defined “Low Income Limits” in San Francisco as $82,200 for an individual and $117,400 for a family of four in 2018, based on 80% of the area’s median income. However, the federal poverty guidelines in 2018 were only $12,140 for an individual and $25,100 for a family of four.
The American Communities Survey data are typically updated in September every year and reflect the previous calendar year.
Additional Information
- Find more data about your community in the US Census Bureau's Narrative Profiles.
- Learn more about the difference between federal poverty thresholds and guidelines.
City Performance Scorecards
This page is part of the City Performance Scorecards.