Data: 21 percent of New York City residents live in poverty

New census figures show that nearly 21 percent of New York City residents lived in poverty last year. More from WAMC's Dave Lucas

The national average is 15.9 percent. The new data shows the one percent increase in the poverty rate comes even as the city has gained back all of the jobs it lost in the recession.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg told The New York Times that the numbers "reflect a national challenge."Samantha Levine said, "The U.S. economy has shifted and too many people are getting left behind without the skills they need to compete and succeed."

She said that's why the mayor believes a new approach is needed for job creation and education.

(C) 2012 Associated Press