Poverty - percent of what? (interest, exam, Florida, Oregon)

[BSLiving]

New here. Hope this is the right place to post this.

I am interested in data on poverty in my county in Florida, USA.

It says "Percent of residents living in poverty in 2009: 12.7%

(8.5% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 24.0% for Black residents, 24.7% for Hispanic or Latino residents)

My question:
Percent of what? For example, "8.5% for White Non-Hispanic residents" - does this mean:
8.5% of White Non-Hispanic residents live in poverty? Or,
8.5% of those in poverty are White Non-Hispanic residents?

Steven

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by BSLiving

I am interested in data on poverty in my county in Florida, USA.

Take a look:
State and County QuickFacts
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[oregonwoodsmoke]

It means that 12.7% of the total population is living in poverty, and when you take that group that is living in poverty, then 8.5% of that subgroup is white, 24% of that subgroup is black, 24,7% of that subgroup is latino.

[Malloric]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

It means that 12.7% of the total population is living in poverty, and when you take that group that is living in poverty, then 8.5% of that subgroup is white, 24% of that subgroup is black, 24,7% of that subgroup is latino.

Actually, it means 8.5% of non Hispanic whites are living in poverty, 24% of blacks are living in poverty, and 24.7% of Latinos are living in poverty... not that 24% of people living in poverty are black, 24.7% of people living in poverty are Latino.