Low-Income Population
Households whose income falls below a defined threshold (often a percentage of the federal poverty level), used as a vulnerability marker in environmental justice screening.
Related terms
Minority Population In EPA usage, a population whose share of a racial or ethnic minority group is meaningfully higher than that of the surrounding reference population. Environmental Justice The principle that all people, regardless of race or income, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to a healthy environment. EJScreen The EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool. It overlays environmental burdens (Superfund proximity, traffic, toxic discharges) with demographic vulnerabilities to identify disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged Community A community designated by federal or state government as bearing a heavy combination of environmental, economic, and health burdens, qualifying it for targeted investment under programs like Justice40.