Facts to Consider

In 2005, a higher percentage of uninsured whites (24.0 percent) have incomes above 400 percent of the poverty level than do uninsured blacks (11.2 percent) or Hispanics (19.3 percent).

• Across all racial and ethnic groups, 16.8 percent of non-elderly uninsured had incomes above 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL).
• 23.7 percent of uninsured Asians/Pacific Islanders had incomes above 400 percent FPL, as did 8.5 percent of uninsured American Indians / Alaskan Natives and 7.4 percent of uninsured biracial Americans.

These statistics about race and income distribution among the uninsured come from the Current Population Survey (CPS) for 2005, found in this table.

This is an example of what is available in ERIU's "fast facts" about the uninsured. While statistics about race and income status of the uninsured are available elsewhere, ERIU's "fast facts" are unique in offering "next level" tabulations of characteristics of the uninsured, looking at income characteristics within groups. What share of uninsured white non-Hispanics are poor (with incomes below 100 percent FPL)? (Answer: 20.1 percent.) What share of uninsured black non-Hispanics are poor? (Answer: 35.3 percent.) And what share of uninsured Hispanics are poor? (Answer: 24.4 percent.)

ERIU's more detailed "second level" looks at the uninsured include tables on education level, income, and family status for uninsured immigrants, children, adults, and workers. Data is available for different data sources: Medical Expenditure Survey (MEPS) and Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP, in addition to CPS), as well as for different time periods (all year, part year, point in time).

For more on ERIU's "fast facts": ERIU Fast Facts