What is considered low- or moderate-income or LMI? | socrates | CRA Learning Center | curated by findCRA (2024)

Assisting low- or moderate-income geographies and individuals is a primary focus of CRA. The collective income group is often abbreviated “LMI” when describing both the individuals and areas together.

LMI Individuals

An individual’s income is considered to be LMI based on how it measures up to the area median family income. Overall, to be classified as LMI, an individual or family’s household income must be no greater than 80% of the area median income for the county or area where they reside.

These income levels can be further separated by low- or moderate-income. Moderate-income individuals have an annualized family income between 50% and 80% of the HUD area median income. Low-income individuals have an annualized family income of less than 50% of the HUD area median income. Median incomes for every county in the United States can be found on HUD’s website.

LMI Geographies

The U.S. Census Bureau divides all United States geographies into census tracts and collects data about each individual census tract. This data is collected through the 10-year census, as well as the 3-year and 5-year American Community Surveys. Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a
county that are uniquely numbered in each county with a numeric code. Census tracts generally average around 4,000 inhabitants.

The tract income level for each census tract is assigned based on the tract median income of the residents in that census tract. Census tracts can be considered upper, middle, moderate or low income.

Amoderate-income census tract indicates that the tract median family income of the households or residents in the census tract are between 50% and 80% of the HUD area median income for the larger metropolitan statistical area (MSA) where the census tract is located. If a census tract is not located in an official MSA and is in a rural county for example, the tract median family income is measured against the median income of all the other non-MSA counties in the state where the census tract is located.

Alow-income census tract indicates that the tract median family income of the households or residents in the census tract are below 50% of the HUD area median income for the larger metropolitan statistical area (MSA) where the census tract is located. If a census tract is not located in an official MSA and is in a rural county for example, the tract median family income is measured against the median income of all the other non-MSA counties in the state where the census tract is located.

Last modified April 28, 2023

What is considered low- or moderate-income or LMI? | socrates | CRA Learning Center | curated by findCRA (2024)

FAQs

What is low to moderate income CRA? ›

CRA classifies as low-income those geographies having a median family income of less than 50 percent of the area median income, and moderate-income those geographies having a median family income of at least 50 percent and less than 80 percent of the area median income.

What is the definition of low and moderate income? ›

These income levels can be further separated by low- or moderate-income. Moderate-income individuals have an annualized family income between 50% and 80% of the HUD area median income. Low-income individuals have an annualized family income of less than 50% of the HUD area median income.

What is a low to moderate income census tract? ›

Summary. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Census Tracts must have 50 percent of households with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25 percent or more.

What is categorized as low income? ›

A widely used federal guideline defines low income as $14,580 annually for one person and $30,000 for a family of four. By Hal M. Bundrick, CFP® Hal M.

How to calculate low to moderate income? ›

Very low income is defined as not more than 50 percent of the area median income. Lower income is defined as not more than 80 percent of the area median income. Moderate income is defined as not more than 120 percent of the area median income.

How do you write low to moderate income? ›

Chicago style renders this phrase“low- to moderate-income families,” and others hyphenate it as “low-to-moderate-income families,” but this level of hyphen usage is subtle enough that it's not surprising that you don't find it consistently applied.

What is the threshold for low income for the census? ›

The statewide median household income from American Fact Finder 2011-2015 found to be $61,818. Based on this data, any census tract with a median household income at or below 80 percent of $61,818 (i.e., $49,454) identified as low-income.

What does lmi stand for in income? ›

Most activities funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program are designed to benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons.

What is a moderate to high income? ›

Low income (relative income less than 50%) Moderate income (relative income 50% to less than 80%) Middle income (relative income 80% to less than 120%) Upper income (relative income of 120% or higher)

Is 30k a year poverty? ›

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses the Census Bureau threshold to determine who is eligible for certain government assistance programs, like SNAP (food stamps). Under their guidelines, a family of four is considered impoverished if they earn $30,000 or less per year.

What is an example of low income? ›

The term “low income” generally describes individuals and families whose annual income is less than 130-150% of the federal poverty income level. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available to individuals with a gross monthly income of 130% of the federal poverty income level.

What is considered a low class income? ›

According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.

What is low to moderate income in Canada? ›

Generally, a modest income is less than $35,000 for a single person and less than $45,000 for a couple. Your tax situation is simple if, for example, you don't have a small business or income from a rental property.

What is income with moderate growth? ›

Income with Moderate Growth — The primary goal of this type of investment portfolio is generating current income with a secondary focus on moderate capital growth. Growth with Income — This investment portfolio category focuses on modest capital growth in addition to generating current income.

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