The Census Bureau has released new figures that show the number of poor people in America is much higher than previously reported. Under the revised census formula, overall poverty in 2009 stood at 47.8 million people. That's compared to the official 2009 rate of 43.6 million that was reported last September.

The statistics show that many of those living in poverty are senior citizens due to rising medical care and other costs. The report also revealed that Whites and Hispanics saw an increase in poverty. However; children, blacks, and unmarried couples were less likely to be considered poor under the new measure.

The Census Bureau says the new numbers will not replace the official poverty rate, but will be published alongside the traditional figure this fall as a supplement for federal agencies and state governments to determine antipoverty policies.