The Census Bureau says the percentage of Michigan residents below the poverty level rose in 2007 for the third consecutive year, while the median household income fell.
According to data released Tuesday, 14 percent of people in Michigan were below the poverty level in 2007. That was up from 13.5 percent in 2006 and 13.2 percent in 2005.
The Census Bureau says Michigan was the only state with a higher poverty rate in 2007 than the previous year.
Meanwhile, median household income in the state was $47,950, down from the inflation-adjusted median of $48,546 in 2006.
The figures underscore the economic downturn in Michigan, where the auto industry's struggles have had a ripple effect across the state.