$6,827

I've been doing some research on poverty for a presentation in the fall and I have come across some depressing statistics. Here are three: one local; one national; and one global.

Local: The per capita income in Arcola, MS is $6,827. This is roughly $12,000 below the national poverty line.

National: In 1970, the number of people living below the poverty line in the U.S. was 12.4%. In 2004 (the latest year we have numbers) it was 12.5%. In 34 years we have made no progress.

Global: 1.1 billion people live in extreme poverty, defined as "living" on less that $1 a day. Yes, that is billion with a "B."