The California Poverty Measure (CPM) is a state-specific index of poverty, modeled on the Census Bureau's Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), that improves upon traditional poverty measures. The CPM is jointly produced by the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality and the Public Policy Institute of California.

See the complete description of the Center's California Poverty Measure research for methodology appendices and additional CPM publications from PPIC. Also explore the CPM poverty data available for California overall, for counties and legislative districts, and for demographic groups. 

The Center's CPM research reports include:

• Read the brief (2021): In 2019, as the Economy Boomed, About 1 in 3 Californians Lived in Poverty or Near Poverty

• Read the brief (2021): More Than 1 in 3 Californians Lived in Poverty or Near Poverty in 2018

• Read the brief (2019): Poverty Declines in California, but More Than 1 in 3 Are Poor or Nearly Poor: 2017

• Read the brief (2018): 2.1 Million Californians in Deep Poverty: 2016

• Read the brief (2017): California’s Poverty Rate Goes Down, but 7.5 Million Remain Poor: 2015

• Read the brief (2018): Trends in California Poverty: 2011–2014

• Read the brief (2014): Poverty and Deep Poverty in California: 2012

• Read the brief (2013): A Portrait of Poverty within California Counties and Demographic Groups: 2011

• Read the report (2013): The California Poverty Measure: A New Look at the Social Safety Net