POVERTY LINE: The official measure of the income needed by a family based on family size, location, and characteristics of the head of the household. The official U.S. poverty line is based on more of a relative poverty level rather than an absolute poverty level. For example, a family of two living in a rural area would need a different amount of money to stay above the official poverty line that would a family of four living in a city. See also | income | welfare | poverty | absolute poverty | relative poverty level | poverty rate | income distribution |
