Explore Data
Interactive visualizations tracking poverty-related need across the United States across available periods using data from The Salvation Army's nationwide service network. Dataset coverage and update timing are documented with each release.
Data current-through date has not been published.
Visualization
Interactive Timeline
Track national and state-level HNI scores over time. Compare the trajectory of need across regions and observe how economic events, disasters, and seasonal patterns influence the index.
Interactive visualization — best experienced on a desktop browser.
Visualization
National Map
View services provided by The Salvation Army across every state. This map illustrates the geographic distribution of need and the scale of response by category — food, housing, clothing, and more.
Interactive visualization — best experienced on a desktop browser.
Analysis
Insights & Analysis
Nationwide
National Perspective
The national HNI scores represent the degree of poverty-related need for the U.S. as a whole. The scale begins at 0, indicating a minimum level of need. Its lowest point was in 2004 (0.78). The HNI reached its highest level in 2012 (1.33) and began to trend downward in 2013 before an increase of need in 2015. The HNI dropped regularly between 2017, 2018, and 2019.
By Region
Regional Perspective
Regional HNI scores over time suggest unique patterns based on geographical location, which are likely the result of economic challenges such as inflation and the length of recovery time needed in different states. Regional HNI scores appear to be sensitive to disasters — like hurricanes, tornadoes, and snowstorms — that are geographically endemic but often traverse regional boundaries.
Event Impact
How Disasters Impact the HNI
While disaster events are geographically specific, their impact is reflected in the national HNI score. The elevation of specific poverty-related indicators is associated with services provided during and after disasters, therefore affecting the fluctuation of national HNI scores.
Time of Year
How Seasonality Impacts the HNI
HNI scores over time suggest that seasonality is an important factor in anticipating human need. In the 2013–14 winter season, HNI scores began to climb in November, with December marking the highest score. The overall trend across years and regions illustrates that poverty-related need increases late in the calendar year, further demonstrated by the rise in SNAP benefit usage and elevated referral data.