More of Mississippi's residents lived in poverty in 1995 than did residents of any other state in the union, while New Hampshire had the fewest, according to a new Census Bureau report.

In 1995, a family of four was considered poor if its annual income was below $15,569 -- or $12,158 for a family of three.

• Nationally, 13.8 percent of Americans lived in poverty in 1995 -- compared to 15.1 percent in 1993.

• Between 1993 and 1995, poverty dropped in every state except Hawaii, Idaho and Montana, as well as the District of Columbia.

• The typical family earned $34, 076 in 1995 -- ranging from an average of $25,354 in West Virginia to $44,345 in New Jersey.

Each estimate is based on a three-year average -- meaning that the 1995 figures are an average composite of 1994 through 1996, and 1993 figures are based on estimates of 1992 through 1994.

Each year, some $20 billion in federal money is allocated based on poverty rates in each county. That includes about $8 billion in Title I education dollars to aid schools serving students from poorer households.

Source: Associated Press, "Declines in Poverty Miss D.C., Three States," Washington Times, February 13, 1999.