OAKLAND, Calif. - New figures show California had the highest poverty rate in the country, tying with Louisiana, and researchers warned that current federal policies threaten to make the situation worse.

U.S. Census figures released this month put California’s Supplemental Poverty Measure at 17.7% in 2024. That represents a comprehensive view of poverty, as it accounts for areas including non-cash benefits, taxes, geographic cost of living differences, and essential expenses like medical costs.

The non-partisan California Budget & Policy Center said the findings mean about 7 million residents, roughly equivalent to the combined populations of San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, lacked the resources to meet basic needs last year.

The non-profit research group found

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